THINGS TO DO
THINGS TO DO IN THE AREA
LEAD MINE & TUNAS AREA
The Old Order Mennonite community in Lead Mine, near Tunas, is 15 minutes from the campground. Some places, like the bakery and restaurant, are only open seasonally. Many businesses have maps showing all the places to visit. When driving, watch out for the horse-drawn buggies!
Ozark Winds Bake Shop – 502 State Rd. E. Fresh baked goods – pies, breads, cookies, sticky buns, pretzels and more – are baked on-site by a Mennonite family. We recommend arriving early before they sell out. Generally open April – December, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Wednesday – Saturday. Cash only.
Meadowview Dutch Market – 324 State Rd. E. This Mennonite-owned store is an excellent source for items in bulk, like spices, baking supplies, pasta, candy, and tea. Look for Mennonite cookbooks, order a sandwich from the deli, and enjoy seasonal produce – especially the apples! Open year round, closed Sundays. Accepts credit cards.
The Lead Mine Country Store – 176 State Rd. YY. This Mennonite-owned business is half store, half restaurant. The store sells supplies targeted toward the Mennonite community alongside home goods and gifts like splatterware, spices, soaps, candles and books. The restaurant serves comfort food lunches seasonally beginning mid-March. The store is open year round, closed Sundays. Cash only.
Niangua Furniture – 344 State Rd. E. Custom-crafted furniture and decor catering to rustic and country tastes. Open year round. Accepts credit cards.
LEBANON AREA
Lebanon is much more than a factory town. While it’s true thousands of people drive here everyday to work at dozens of manufacturing facilities, Lebanon keeps the small town vibe alive by supporting small independent businesses like Jude’s Coffee Company and Da Vinci’s Italian Restaurant – we highly recommend both! Lebanon is a quick half hour drive from the campground.
Bennett Spring State Park – 26250 MO-64A. The park is a prime spot for hiking and fishing trout. On any given day in spring and summer, you’ll see fly fishermen and women trying to hook a big ‘un. Check out the nearby hatchery to see young trout in various stages of growth. They’re released nightly March through October.
Route 66 – America’s historic roadway cuts through the heart of Lebanon! While cruising the historic route, grab a burger or ice cream at Dairy Joy then check out the Munger Moss Motel and its vintage neon sign. The Lebanon – Laclede County Library also has a museum and research center for Route 66 fanatics. Don’t forget to check out the Route 66 murals at Boswell Park for Insta-worthy pics!
Downtown Lebanon – The downtown area on and around Commercial St. is full of shops and restaurants worth exploring.
Lebanon Farmers Market – 210 S. Jefferson Ave. at the railroad tracks. Open seasonally, the farmers market offers a range of local goods like meat, produce, plants, flowers and crafts. Open mid-April through October; Wednesdays 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. and Saturdays 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
LAKE OF THE OZARKS AREA
Lake of the Ozarks, about an hour north of the campground, is known for its dazzling array of natural beauty to explore while hiking, boating, swimming, or exploring.
Ha Ha Tonka State Park – 1491 MO-D, Camdenton. Pack up a picnic lunch and head to Ha Ha Tonka to explore caves, sinkholes, a natural bridge and the ruins of an old stone castle. The view overlooking the Lake of the Ozarks is stunning.
Bridal Cave and Thunder Mountain Park – 526 Bridal Cave Rd., Camdenton. Hourlong guided tours of the cave’s stunning onyx formations run all day, year round. The temperature inside the cave remains a steady 60 degrees, so a summer visit is a refreshing escape from the heat. Touring by lantern on Saturday nights during the summer is a special way to see the cave.
Lake of the Ozarks State Park – 403 Hwy 134, Kaiser. Swim, fish and boat along 89 miles of shoreline at Missouri’s largest state park. There are also trails for mountain biking and horse riding, many leading to gorgeous blufftop views. Natural beauty can also be experienced underground during cavern tours.
Bagnell Dam Strip – 617 River Rd., Lakeside. The entertainment district has something for everyone, including shopping, dining, ice cream and candy shops, bars and a winery. Set up a boat tour, parasailing, or get old-timey photos done right on the dam. Open year round.
Big Surf Waterpark – 954 St. Hwy Y, Linn Creek. – Family waterpark open during the summer season.
Seven Springs Winery – 846 Winery Hills Estate, Linn Creek. The winery is a sister company to our floating partner, Coastal Country River Resort. Seven Springs makes its own wines from grapes grown on its 160-acre property. Order a tasting or spring for a full bottle. We recommend trying the Norton red and Blushing Springs sparkling. A light menu is also offered.
SPRINGFIELD AREA
Springfield, about an hour southwest of the campground, is packed with too many shops and restaurants to choose from, like any mid-sized city. Instead, we recommend these outdoor and nature-related attractions and sites to visit!
Dickerson Park Zoo – 1401 W. Norton Rd., Springfield. Observe animals from five continents. A highlight for both kids and adults is feeding giraffes yummy snacks. Watch out for their long tongues – those giraffes are fast at nabbing treats! A petting zoo and summer water fun will be a hit with the kids. Wrap up the day with a relaxing tram ride around a pond. Open year round.
Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium – 500 W. Sunshine St., Springfield (next door to Bass Pro Shops). This conservation-focused museum and aquarium is an all-day experience. A series of natural habitats span 350,000 square feet and 1.5 miles of trails. Check out our favorites: the Open Ocean, a circular fish freeway, and the Great Barrier Reef, a three-story saltwater aquarium. Open year round.
Fantastic Caverns – 4872 N Farm Rd. 125, Springfield. These caverns are nestled underneath the Ozark hills north of Springfield. Guests ride Jeep trams on the path left behind by an ancient underground river. The hourlong tour is packed with natural formations like soda straws, stalactites, stalagmites and draperies. Fun fact: The cavern was a speakeasy during Prohibition! No walking is necessary; wheelchair accessible. Open year round.
Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield – 6424 W. Farm Rd. 182, Republic. This is the site of the first major Civil War battlefield west of the Mississippi on August 10, 1861. On that day the first Union general, Nathaniel Lyon, was killed in action. A five-mile tour of the battlefield can be done by vehicle, bicycle or walking. A visitors center hosts a short film about the battle and houses a Civil War research library. Open year round.
