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The Table Rock Lake Destination covers the southwest part of Missouri. Springfield and Joplin are two of the biggest cities within the destination. Other cities within the region include Branson, Ash Grove, Strafford, Webb City, Purdy, and Kimberling City. Table Rock Lake and Table Rock State Park are two natural landmarks within the area. Some of Springfield's top attractions include Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium, Fantastic Caverns, Springfield Cardinals, and other nature centers and botanical gardens.[1] Branson is another big draw to the area, with Silver Dollar City being known for its interest in country music and holding live events. The Table Rock Lake Destination has hot and muggy summers and extremely cold winters.[2]
Located within the Table Rock Lake Destination is Springfield, which is the third-largest city in Missouri.[3] Springfield's attractions bring tourists into the area. Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium is a popular attraction within the destination. The museum is the largest immersive wildlife attraction in the world. Wonders of Wildlife displays a wide variety of habitats and educating experiences relating to the great outdoors. Exhibits, galleries, guided tours, and an aquarium are all a part of the experience at Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium. The museum showcases varying kinds of wildlife, including fish and mammals.[4]
The Fantastic Cavern is an adventure that visitors often make time in their schedules to experience. It is a unique spot because it is the only cave in North America where visitors can experience a Jeep tour through the underground. The tour lasts 55 minutes and showcases intricate cave formations.[5] Hammons Field is another draw to the region for baseball fans and is where the Springfield Cardinals play baseball.[6] The Springfield Cardinals are an American professional baseball team that plays in the Minor League Baseball. The team was founded in 2005 and plays in the Double-A Central league.[7]
Branson is another city within the zone that brings a fair amount of traction. Branson is nicknamed "The live country music capital of the universe." The music venues in Branson host some of the most famous country singers. Branson also has various natural settings that tourists typically enjoy seeing, including the Table Rock Lake State Park and the Talking Rocks Cavern.[8] The Table Rock State Park allows for activities such as water recreation, biking, hiking, and camping. The State Park Marina rents water supplies for visitors to rent, such as ski boats and paddleboards. Hiking, fishing, and swimming are all popular activities to enjoy while visiting the state park.[9]
Table Rock Lake is another popular attraction within the area. The Table Rock State Park is located on the east side of the marina. The Table Rock Lake allows for relatively easy fishing, with a fish hatchery full of trout. The lake is named after a rock formation that is located about half a mile downstream. The lake temperatures vary throughout the year, with the summer months reaching 90 degrees.[13]
These outdoor attractions and the city-wide events bring in a fair number of tourists per year. Around 7 million visitors visit the region annually due to the outdoor recreation that can be found, the live country music, and more.[10] Silver Dollar City is an amusement park located within the destination and includes a theme park, water park, dinner cruise, and campground. The theme park has plenty of rides for all ages and festivals, shows, entertainment, dining, and shopping.[11]
The Table Rock Lake Destination is located in the southwest portion of Missouri. Some of the cities found within the destination include Springfield, Joplin, Branson, Ash Grove, Strafford, Webb City, Purdy, and Kimberling City. Two of the natural landmarks within the area are Table Rock Lake and Table Rock State Park. There are various natural sites to see within the region, including the Fantastic Caverns located in Greene County, Missouri.
The Table Rock State Park is a highly visited state park located within the zone, offering boating, fishing, camping, hiking, biking, and more. The State Park Marina has rentals available for those interested in water sports and activities. There are also paved paths for hiking, mountain biking, and nature viewing. The state park has electric and sewer/electric/water campsites sitting along the lake. Table Rock State Park has a variety of picnic areas throughout the park.[9]
Wildlife that can be seen while visiting the state park includes whitetail deer, wild turkey, red fox, tarantulas, and songbirds. Glade plants, wildflowers, and riparian plants are native to the area.[12] The area has hot summers and cold winters, with an average summer day reaching around 80 degrees. The warm summer season lasts from June to the middle of September. November to February are the coldest months within the region, with a temperature of around 45 degrees. Around the month of May is when the destination receives the most rain. The snow period lasts from November to March, and the muggiest period lasts from May to September.[2]
The Table Rock Lake Destination is named after an artificial reservoir that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built in 1954. The lake is a popular attraction for fishing, swimming, and boating. The lake is near to the famous city, Branson, which is located within the destination.[13] The city of Branson was named after Reuben Branson, who opened a general store and post office in the 1880s. William Henry Lynch was one of the first to make the area a tourist kind of area, charing people to tour the Marvel Cave in 1894. In 1960, Silver Dollar City, the popular amusement park within the area, opened as a frontier town and amusement park.
The Old Mill Theater is another attraction that brought in tourists. The first production performed was the novel by Harold Bell Wright called The Shepherd of the Hills. The zone continues to thrive as a tourist destination with various attractions and sites to see within the area.[14] Springfield is the largest city within the region and has a population of 159,498 residents. The destination has a population of around 88.7% White, 4.1% African American, .8% Native American, 1.9% Asian, .2% Pacific Islander, 1.2% from other races, 3.2% from two or more races, 3.7% from Hispanic or Latino races.[3]
Calm Waters Resort features 16 rentals on the expanse of about five acres of land. The current owners have owned the property since 2015 with their goal being to provide a place where visitors can enjoy their experience. Calm Waters Resort is open from March to December and typically receives the most visitors during the summer when school is out for the season. The property features several common areas where guests can lounge and socialize, such as the swimming pool area and covered pavilion. Some of the resort's amenities contain boat slips, complimentary use of water recreation equipment, a swim deck, a laundry room, free Wi-Fi, and a playground area, to name a few.
...Read MoreBranson Lakeside RV Park is located in Branson, Missouri. The park is owned by the city of Branson and has been in business since 1940. The park is placed on eight acres of land along the Lake Taney Como shoreline. Each of the 135 RV sites on the property are full-hookups with lake views. Every guest has access to all of the property's amenities, including pavilions, picnic shelters, a clubhouse, and a laundry facility. Branson Lakeside RV Park is open year-round. A free trolley can take guests around Downtown Branson, and there is a boat dock and marina store on the property.
...Read MoreBranson Stagecoach Campground
Located in southern Missouri, Branson Stagecoach Campground is situated just off Table Rock Lake in the town of Branson. The establishment currently offers 53 RV sites, 3 cabins, and 1 covered wagon for guests to reserve. In addition to the units that visitors can occupy, the establishment features several activities and amenities that intend to enhance every patron's stay, such as a clubhouse, pool, and an on-site restaurant that is called the Hungry Hunter. According to one of the managers of the establishment, Annette, the Hungry Hunter is relatively popular among both guests and locals. Beyond the on-site benefits provided for visitors, people can explore the encompassing area outside the premises of the property, as Branson Stagecoach Campground is located among several prominent attractions, including Table Rock State Park and the shopping district in Branson.
...Read MoreCooper Creek Campground
Situated on Lake Taneycomo in southwestern Missouri, Cooper Creek Campground has been under the current owner's management since 2019. With the aim to provide a safe and enjoyable experience, the owners have added a significant collection of on-site activities for guests to use during their stay, including a playground, game room, dog park, horseshoe pit, and two swimming pools, to name a few. Along with these activities, Cooper Creek Campground can offer visitors access to lake recreation on Lake Taneycomo, as the property has rentals for boats and boat slips. Trout fishing also frequently draws patrons to Cooper Creek Campground, as two docks protrude from the acreage into the lake for fishermen to utilize. Considering the amount of activities available at the establishment, a number of visitors have deemed Cooper Creek Campground to be a tourist destination in and of itself.
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