Home Camping with Kids It’s Not Just an Addictive Netflix Series: Road Trip to the Ozarks By Maria ChambersJuly 30, 2020 Search more like this golfnative-americantravelall-naturalbaked-goodsbirthday-partybowlingdiscovery-centerfamily-dayfurry-companionskids-adventuressocial-mediacedarlodge Read next Camping with Kids The Best Organic Clothes for Babies & Toddlers Camping with Kids 45 Pumpkin Carving Designs That’ll Wow the Neighborhood Camping with Kids Target’s Best Holiday Deals Start Sooner Than You Think Camping with Kids This Larger Than Life Mister Rogers Monument is Exactly What the World Needs Camping with Kids Want a Free Donut on Halloween? Here’s How to Get One from Krispy Kreme Netflix intro’d us to to the Ozarks via their smashing success, Ozark (if you haven’t seen it, queue it up for a binge), and now we’re all uber curious to check out this gorgeous part of the country that’s the backdrop for insane storylines. With many of us opting for road tripping vs jet setting, it’s the perfect time to make that 8-hour-ish drive to Big Cedar Lodge from Chicago. Read on to see what you’ve been missing in Missouri and why it should top your 2020 travel agenda. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Big Cedar Lodge (@bigcedarlodge) Accommodations The Ozark Mountains are stunning and play a central character in the Big Cedar Lodge experience, with the property built to compliment and blend with the natural landscape. The 302 private accommodations encompass grand lodges, cozy cottages, private log cabins and camp-style units—all with the comforts of home. If social distance travel is what you’re looking for, the sprawl and sheer size of the property gives your family the opportunity to stay a safe distance from other travelers. Glamping Big Cedar Lodge’s newest addition, Camp Long Creek, sits along the 43,000-acre Table Rock Lake and offers a chic new way for non-campers to pretend they’re rugged while not-at-all roughing it. Camp Long Creek’s accommodations include 42 luxury glamping tents, stylish camp cabins and camp huts with lake “beach” access, an infinity pool with loungers and s’mores kits upon arrival. Paying a $15 resort fee gives guests access to all Big Cedar Lodge amenities. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Big Cedar Lodge (@bigcedarlodge) on Jun 20, 2017 at 8:53am PDT Hungry campers can fill up at Canteen, a vintage Airstream offering easy breakfast, lunch and dinner options, as well as drinks (including canned cocktails to go!). View this post on Instagram A post shared by Big Cedar Lodge (@bigcedarlodge) on Jun 30, 2017 at 6:58pm PDT Dining Having fun can be exhausting and Big Cedar Lodge has many come-as-you-are refueling options if your mid-adventure or wrapping up a full day of activity that will keep kids from reaching hangry status. Restaurants on property offer selections ranging from southern home-style fare, pizza and burgers, Mexican cuisine, and baked goods in a rustic, regional-inspired setting. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Top of the Rock (@topoftherockmo) on Jan 30, 2020 at 3:28pm PST If you’re feeling fancy, head to Top of the Rock’s Osage Restaurant for upscale cuisine, mountain views and a glimpse of unique artwork and Native American artifacts. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Big Cedar Lodge (@bigcedarlodge) on May 15, 2020 at 1:08pm PDT The Lady Liberty will make you feel like the rich and famous when you step aboard this 62-foot luxury yacht dripping in vintage charm for a two-hour brunch, lunch or dinner cruise. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Big Cedar Lodge (@bigcedarlodge) on Jun 24, 2020 at 2:11pm PDT Sometimes it’s hard to find the motivation to pull the family together to dine out. In those moments, tap the room service team to deliver breakfast, lunch and dinner to your room. If you’re holed up in a cabin or cottage, they can bring Backyard Baskets, which include everything you need to prepare a meal yourself. Options include KC strip steak, all-natural chicken, burgers, hot dogs or breakfast. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Big Cedar Lodge (@bigcedarlodge) on Aug 2, 2018 at 1:02pm PDT Entertainment Some of the country’s best fishing can be found at Long Creek Marina, where you can also rent boats, jet skis, skiing, tubing and wakeboard equipment, and hire a fishing guide to help you snag an impressive catch. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Big Cedar Lodge (@bigcedarlodge) on May 21, 2020 at 6:22pm PDT The kids will lose their minds when they see Fun Mountain, a 50,000 square foot entertainment behemoth that year-round offers a full arcade, bumper cars, underwater-themed bowling, laser tag, ropes course, rock wall, pirate ship play structure and a golf simulator. Fun Mountain can even host a birthday party, if you have a birthday kid in your group. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Top of the Rock (@topoftherockmo) on Apr 19, 2020 at 5:16pm PDT Don’t forget your camera when you head to Top of the Rock, because the uninterrupted views of the Ozark Mountains are stunning. For a small fee, you can take a shuttle to check out the magnificent views, explore the Lost Canyon Cave, the Ancient History Museum, which has one of the most significant collections of Native American artifacts, Catherdral of Nature, a sinkhole that was naturally formed in 2015, and golf and dine with a sweet view. Kids will enjoy the 2.5-mile electric cart ride at Lost Canyon Cave that showcases stunning rock formations and views of Table Rock Lake and waterfalls. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dogwood Canyon Nature Park (@dogwood_canyon) on Jul 29, 2019 at 3:01pm PDT Dogwood Canyon Nature Park covers 10,000 acres of Ozark Mountain landscape with miles of crystal clear trout streams, Insta-worthy waterfalls, ancient burial caves, hand-built bridges and bottomless pools. The area lends itself to hiking, biking, trout fishing, horseback riding and tours can be arranged via segway. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Big Cedar Lodge (@bigcedarlodge) on Jan 16, 2020 at 4:36pm PST Relax your muscles and mind at the luxurious Cedar Creek Spa & Salon. Each of the 11 treatment rooms features its own cozy fireplace and the full-service salon is equipped with massaging pedicure chairs and sofas. Kids ages 10-18 can come along for the spoiling and kids treatments. Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium has received much recognition and makes for a pretty unforgettable family day. It spans 350,000 square feet and has more than 1.5 miles of trails to explore, taking you on an educational journey through immersive habitats. The Aquarium Adventure is home to 800 species of live fish, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds and transports the mind to some of the wildest, most inspirational places on the planet. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Big Cedar Lodge (@bigcedarlodge) on Jan 5, 2019 at 4:12pm PST If you want to hit the spa alone, the Kids Adventure Club at the Kid’s Nature Discovery Center buys you a few hours kid-free, Mon.-Sat., 9 a.m.-1 p.m. or 4 p.m.-8 p.m. The Activities Team leads kids through badge-earning adventures while they make new friends and hone new skills. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Big Cedar Lodge (@bigcedarlodge) on Jan 4, 2019 at 3:47pm PST Check out Big Cedar Lodge’s Events tab for daily activities that speak to all sorts of interests and ages. If you’re not the best at planning, Big Cedar Lodge helps with recommended itineraries. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Big Cedar Lodge (@bigcedarlodge) on Jul 21, 2019 at 5:09pm PDT Furry Friend Policy Big Cedar Lodge is a pet-free resort, however, dogs are welcome when staying at Camp Long Creek, which also conveniently has a dog park. COVID-19 Impacts As of press time, Big Cedar Lodge was fully operational, with the exception of one restaurant at Top of the Rock and segway and private wildlife tours at Dogwood Canyon Nature Park. Stay up-to-date on what’s open, what’s not and any COVID-related safety requirements and procedures on Big Cedar Lodge’s Coronavirus page. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Big Cedar Lodge (@bigcedarlodge) on Jun 21, 2020 at 9:50am PDT Social Media Fall down the rabbit hole of researching Big Cedar Lodge’s offerings by doing a deep-dive on these Instagram pages: @bigcedarlodge, @topoftherockmo, @dogwood_canyon, @wondersofwildlife,@golfbigcedar. — Maria Chambers
