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4 Day Spring Adventure

Big Cedar Lodge Itinerary

Spring Into Adventure in the Great Outdoors

Spring is a sight to behold in the Ozarks! Trees and flowers bloom to life and the sounds of nature float through the air. Mornings are crisp and custom-made for coffee on the deck and soaking the great outdoors.  Afternoon sunshine and warm breezes inspire a sense of adventure and exploration. As the sun slowly fades across the lake each evening, cozy campfires await. The promise of summer is just on the horizon! It’s the perfect time to plan your adventure in the great outdoors at Big Cedar Lodge. Enjoy fishing and hiking, take in the beautiful scenery, and disconnect from your busy world. 

Here’s an ideal family itinerary for your four-day spring stay at Big Cedar Lodge.

Dogwood trees in bloom at the entrance to Big Cedar Lodge.

Day One

4:00 PM: Arrive at Big Cedar Lodge, check in to your accommodation, and discover all of our amenities!

Pro Tip: Meet a member of our team and grab the Kids Adventure Passport and check the activities calendar for all the events and activities planned during your stay! And don’t forget to download our Shuttle App for easy transportation during your stay.

5:00 PM: Settle into your room or cabin and then head to our Big Bass Mini Golf course for a late afternoon round of putt-putt or stroll down to Bent Hook Marina to feed the fish and check out the complimentary paddle boats, canoes and kayaks.

Bent Hook Marina & Market in the glow of a summer sunset

Pro Tip: Book a fishing guide to discover the best fishing spots in the nation! The marinas are always stocked with all the gear and bait you need to reel in the catch of the day!

6:00 PM: Time to relax and enjoy an unforgettable casual dining experience with classic Ozarks fare at Devil’s Pool Restaurant. We recommend trying the Rockbridge Rainbow Trout or the Slow-Roasted Prime Rib!

8:00 PM: Enjoy the family campfire, roast s’mores, or watch a movie on the Swimmin’ Hole lawn.

Pro Tip: For in-room snacking and convenience, enjoy our in-room dining service or plan to have provisions delivered straight to your door from Nature’s Wonders.

Pro Tip: Book a special bedtime story visit for your child from our nature loving friend, Willow.

Day Two

BREAKFAST: Start your day at Devil’s Pool Restaurant for breakfast and coffee. The Monte Crisco is a fan favorite along with our Ozark Mountain Skillet.

9:00 AM: Take a short drive to Dogwood Canyon, our 10,000-acre nature park horseback riding, hiking, biking, and more!

Kids horseback riding at Dogwood Canyon Nature Park at Big Cedar
Guided horseback riding at Dogwood Canyon Nature Park
Dogwood Canyon Nature Park wildlife tram tours through Lost Canyon Cave and Nature Trails at Big Cedar
Tram tour experience at Dogwood Canyon Nature Park

LUNCH: After a day of exploring, enjoy lunch at the Dogwood Canyon Canyon Mill & Grill, sitting right over Indian Creek. The Bison Burger is a must-have here!

Return to Big Cedar Lodge and relax by the pool or hot tub or snag one of our complimentary paddle boats, canoes, or kayaks at Bent Hook Marina.

Infinity pool at Lakeside Cottages are included in your stay at Big Cedar Lodge
Lakeside Pool, located at the Bass Pro Lakeside Cottages

Pro Tip: Download our shuttle app for convenient transportation on property.

5:00 PM: Grab a shuttle and head to Fun Mountain for an action-packed evening of fun for all ages in our 50,000-square-foot adventure center! Enjoy underwater-themed bowling, a full arcade, bumper cars, laser tag, golf simulator, rock climbing wall, ropes course, and so much more!

A couple enjoying a competitive race of Go Carts at Fun Mountain

Pro Tip: Challenge the family to a race around the go-cart track or a friendly round of bumper cars!

DINNER: Gutter ball nachos, pizza, and wings from Uncle Buck’s are a winning combination for dinner!

8:00 PM Check in at the Swimmin’ Hole Lawn to compete in the Blacklight in the Night Scavenger Hunt*! Solve some riddles around Big Cedar property and race back to see if your team finishes first!

 

Day Three

BREAKFAST: Rise and shine and make your way to Truman Cafe & Custard for coffee, breakfast bites, and smoothies.

Iced coffee and cinnamon roll from Truman Café & Custard

Morning is the perfect time to stretch your legs and enjoy the natural beauty of the Ozarks as you wind your way through Big Cedar along the 5K trail. This out-and-back paved trail starts behind the Fitness Center and is appropriate for all ages and stroller-friendly – but prepare yourself for a couple of steep inclines along the way!

Pro Tip: Check out the Fitness Center schedule for nature walks, yoga classes, and other wellness activities offered during your stay.

11:00 AM: Bring the kids to the kid’s fishing* pond near the Swimmin’ Hole Lawn for their chance to take home the trophy for reeling in the biggest fish of the day!

NOON: Use the Shuttle App for convenient transportation to Top of the Rock for SUNDAY BRUNCH at Osage Restaurant.

Pro Tip: Be sure to take time to explore the Lost Canyon Cave and Nature Trail This dramatic golf cart tour follows a beautiful 2.5-mile trail created to highlight stunning rock formations, waterfalls, and views of Table Rock Lake and offers plenty of photo opportunities along the way!

2:00 PM: Take off on an electric cart on the Lost Canyon Cave & Nature Trail tour. This dramatic golf cart tour follows a beautiful 2.5-mile trail created to highlight stunning rock formations, waterfalls, and views of Table Rock Lake and offers plenty of photo opportunities along the way!

A little boy and little girl fishing in the
A little boy and a little girl fishing in the Kid’s Fishing Pond
Osage Restaurant rotunda room at Top of the Rock at Big Cedar
Osage Restaurant rotunda room at Top of the Rock

3:30 PM: Come face to face with prehistoric creatures, explore Civil War history and take in the largest most impressive collection of Native American artifacts in the Ancient Ozarks Natural History Museum.  

DINNER: Dine on the water on our 62′ luxury yacht, Lady Liberty, while enjoying unforgettable views as you cruise across Table Rock Lake. Offering a full dinner menu, this is one can’t-miss experience during your visit to Big Cedar! *Lady Liberty departs from Long Creek Marina at 6:00pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays during the Spring season.

The Lady Liberty sails on Table Rock Lake at sunset.
Sunset over Table Rock Lake as during the Lady Liberty Dinner Cruise.

Pro Tip: Don’t forget to snap your selfie and tag us #topoftherock #sunsetselfie

Day Four

BREAKFAST:  Did someone say Chicken & Waffles? Head over to Devil’s Pool Restaurant for all your breakfast favorites and comfortable outdoor seating on the patio overlooking the pool.

Devil's Pool dining at Big Cedar outdoor patio overlooking swimming pool and lake
Guests dining on the patio at Devil’s Pool restaurant, overlooking Devil’s Pool swimming pool and hot tub

After breakfast, take a soak in one of our heated pools or hot tubs, explore some of our complimentary outdoors games, or just savor a cup of coffee on your deck and take in the beautiful views.  Guests can also head to Big Cedar Beach and enjoy access to complimentary paddle boats, canoes and kayaks.

Yoga lakeside at Big Cedar
Big Cedar’s fitness instructor leading yoga on the beach
Canoeing in the cove at Big Cedar
Kids playing on the pirate ship slide and climbing wall at Fun Mountain at Big Cedar
Have a blast at Fun Mountain with numerous activities and attractions to enjoy

11:00 AM If you’re feeling crafty, join the activities team at Fun Mountain for Pottery Painting. Choose from a variety of ready-to-paint styles and grab a stencil and a brush to finalize your masterpiece.

LUNCH: Stick around for lunch at Uncle Buck’s Fishbowl located inside Fun Mountain. The Traditional Fish & Chips is one of our favs!

1:30 PM: Next, suit up, grab your sunscreen and head to the Bent Hook Marina & Market to stock up your cooler and hop on a boat for an afternoon of fun on Table Rock Lake. Our full-service marinas offer fully equipped bass boats, ski boats, and pontoon boats from White River Marine Group as well as wave runner rentals, tube rentals and even ski/wakeboard lessons!

2019 Regency 250 DL3 Boat Rental at Big Cedar
A family enjoys a springtime outing on Table Lake Lake

3:30 PM Spend the afternoon in Ski and Wakeboard School learning to Ski, Slalom, Wakeboard, Kneeboard or Tube on Table Rock Lake with a nationally ranked ski instructor! Complimentary towels and ice cold drinks are provided.

4:30 PM Lake hair don’t care! Back at the dock, grab a hoodie and ball cap from the Bent Hook Marina & Market and catch a shuttle back to your cabin to get ready for dinner.   

DINNER: Just below Devil’s Pool Restaurant, Buzzard Bar is family-friendly and serves up casual southern favorites, drinks, and family-friendly live entertainment featuring local entertainers, including our own Singin’ Cowboy performing decades of favorites!

Clay Self and his band entertain at The Buzzard Bar

Pro Tip: The Buzzard Bar Signature Chicken Wings are rumored to be the “Best Wings in the Ozarks!”

Departure Day

BREAKFAST: Before you check-out, swing by Truman Cafe & Custard for breakfast and coffee.

Pro Tip: Worried about getting all those must-haves home? Ask our staff about shipping and online shopping options.

Waterfalls cascade down from Falls Lodge to the 5K walking trail at Big Cedar Lodge

Pro Tip: Book a Family Portrait Session* to capture the memories with the beauty of Big Cedar as the perfect portrait backdrop.


*Reservations are required for special events and activities. Activity schedules, menus, and operating hours may be seasonable and subject to change.