Majestic Missouri Retreat — Sophisticated St. Louis

By Courtney Scott / Photos Courtesy of Big Cedar Lodge

It is never too early to book your 2023 adventures, especially if you are looking to stay at Big Cedar Lodge located in the heart of Missouri's Ozark Mountains. Reservations are snapped up fast at the 4,600-acre retreat, situated on Table Rock Lake, with peak seasons including summer and fall.

Conservationist and Bass Pro Shops founder and CEO Johnny Morris established the resort as a place where families can reconnect with nature, and there is no shortage of opportunities to do so. The resort offers just about everything you can think of, from watersports, trails, fishing, lake cruises, shooting lessons, spa treatments, golf - the list goes on and on.

“I think what makes Big Cedar Lodge one of the most special places in the country are the endless number of activities and nature-based attractions, combined with our staff’s genuine Ozarks hospitality,” Said Jeff Wilhoit who works in Big Cedar’s marketing department. “It really creates lifetime memories for our guests.”

Family-friendly activities seem equally endless, including outdoor movie nights, mini golf, campfires with s’mores, and even a black light night scavenger hunt. The Kids Adventure Club allows parents to do their own thing during the morning while their children immerse in guided educational exploring and outdoor recreation. The most notable family attraction is Fun Mountain, a 50,000-square-foot activity center featuring a four-story ropes course, game arcade, NASCAR-themed go-carts, and an underwater-themed bowling alley.

Payne’s Valley Golf Course, awarded “Best New Public Course in North America” by Golf Digest in 2021, is the latest attraction drawing visitors to the Ozark destination. The course was developed in partnership between Tiger Woods (and his design firm, TGR Design) and Johnny Morris. The course includes a bonus 19th hole that offers an exceptional challenge as it is surrounded by water amidst the dramatic backdrop of a waterfall flowing down a limestone rock wall. Payne’s Valley is the newest addition to Big Cedar resort, adding to the four existing and top-rated courses – Buffalo Ridge, Ozarks National, Mountain Top, and Top of the Rock.

Another attraction drawing visitors to the resort is Thunder Ridge Nature Arena, a 20,000-seat outdoor amphitheater. The stage hosts some of the biggest names in the country, including Garth Brooks, who played a 4-night show in 2022. Set to the dramatic backdrop of the Ozark Mountains, the venue also hosts professional bull riding and musical acts.

The array of accommodations at Big Cedar Lodge includes glamping, cozy cottages, and cabins. Most options feature fireplaces, kitchens, BBQ grills, and of course, scenic views. An assortment of dining options throughout the resort includes Osage Restaurant at Top of the Rock, which offers 360 views of the Ozark Mountains and water below. Profits from the restaurant benefit conservation efforts, and it might be the most scenic brunch or dinner spot in all of Missouri.

The most popular thing to do at Top of the Rock, and probably all of Big Cedar, is the Lost Canyon Cave and Nature Trail. You can drive an electric cart on a 2.5-mile journey through waterfalls, a cave, and Amish handcrafted covered bridges. It also takes you through the Bat Bar inside the Lost Canyon Cave, and the bartender hands you a drink while you drive through.

Johnny Morris recently revealed plans to build Valhalla Island Resort, a nature-based oceanfront fishing resort in the Florida Keys. Morris hopes that it will be a model for low-impact and sustainable design, with plans including maintaining over 50% of the property’s green space. Morris has been dreaming up this latest plan for the past 30 years. Much of his inspiration has come from the legendary Long Key Fishing Camp, which is said to have put the Florida Keys on the map as a world-class sportfishing destination. An avid angler himself, Morris has long been involved in conservation efforts throughout Florida and received prestigious awards recognizing his contributions. Bass Pro Shop has a flagship store, complete with a marina and dining on the neighboring island of Islamorada, so it is only fitting that Morris has chosen the Keys to build his next resort.

Visit bigcedar.com for more information.