The Ozarks's 7 Most Underrated Towns To Visit
Continents collided long ago and pushed much of what is now the central US together until ancient hills formed. The melts that followed the last ice age added the lakes that scatter the plateau today. Welcome to the Ozarks where the communities can be as memorable as the landscape that surrounds them. The seven destinations below reward travelers who stay off the main route and pay attention to the towns the brochures tend to skip. Pack the camera and an open afternoon for each stop.
Rolla, Missouri
Rolla took its name in 1858 after several rounds of debate among the original settlers. George Coppedge, formerly of North Carolina, wanted to call the new town Raleigh after his hometown. The others agreed on the condition that it shouldn't use the original spelling, settling on the phonetic Rolla instead, and the name has stuck ever since. Today the Missouri college town offers easy access to two pleasant green spaces in Schuman Park and Ber Juan Park, both with ponds and walking paths.
The Audubon Trails Nature Center, a 70-acre reserve north of I-44 that the Ozark Rivers Audubon Chapter stewards, has five miles of trails through prairie, woodland, glade, and a spring-fed riparian zone. It is a popular spot for birders looking for migratory species passing through the region. Theater fans can plan a trip around a production at the Ozark Actors Theatre in downtown Rolla.
Tahlequah, Oklahoma
The town of Tahlequah rewards visitors who slow down and pay attention. Tahlequah Creek and the Ross Branch feed the green spaces and the flora that surround the downtown. Tahlequah is the capital of both the modern Cherokee Nation and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians. Visit the Spider Gallery to take in some of the finest Cherokee-produced art anywhere, plus classes and demonstrations on basketry, metalsmithing, silversmithing, and pottery. History buffs will appreciate the Cherokee National Prison Museum, housed in the 1874 sandstone building that served as the only penitentiary in Indian Territory from 1875 to 1901.
Neosho, Missouri
Neosho has been called the City of Springs for generations. The name Neosho roughly translates to "clear water" in the Osage language. In the late 1950s the town picked up the nickname Flower Box City to promote its urban beautification program. The Bicentennial Conservation Area along with the Fort Crowder Conservation Area south of town keep Neosho a steady birdwatching destination. Travelers can find their inner Robin Hood at the Fort Crowder Archery Range. Neosho is also home to the oldest operating federal fish hatchery in the country, and the visitor center on site has interesting exhibits and architecture worth a longer look.
Siloam Springs, Arkansas
Siloam Springs drew its founders into a biblical lookup for the right name. See the town through their eyes by watching the waters of Sager Creek flow by from the gazebo in City Park. Visitors can feel the mountain wind on a roll through the five-mile Sager Creek Mountain Bike Trail. The trail breaks into separate loops in case riders do not want to go the whole distance. Do not leave town without stopping by Sager Creek Quilts, run by Cliff and Pam Goggans. Take home some well-made warmth or learn the fine art of quilting.
Mountain Home, Arkansas
Mountain Home sits firmly in the middle of some of the region's most attractive natural assets. Norfork Lake lies to the east while Bull Shoals Lake and the White River wind to the west. Follow Hicks Creek to the trails inside Cooper Park for an easy afternoon out. Mountain Home folks have an excellent plan for when it rains too. Let the neon lights of the Retro Skate Rink dance across the retinas as the swinging soundtrack pushes the roller crowd around the floor. The 1980s never quite left the Mountain Home Retro Skate Rink, which is part of the appeal. Test upper-body muscle with a group of friends at Sharp Edges Axe Throwing.
Bella Vista, Arkansas
Bella Vista straddles the Missouri border and keeps some of the region's best micro-lakes on the Arkansas side. Pack the pooch in the car and head to the Bella Vista K9 Corral Dog Park for a view of Loch Lomond. Rent a bicycle and ride along Lake Windsor from Huntly Gravity Park. Crystal Cave, on the other side of Lake Windsor, is a prime spot at dusk when the bats emerge. The Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel sits on a wooded site above Lake Norwood and stands as the town's most striking piece of architecture. Designed by E. Fay Jones and Maurice Jennings and completed in 1988, the 50-foot-tall chapel uses 31 tons of steel and 4,460 square feet of glass to frame a series of vertical Gothic arches that run the length of the building. Trees peer in through the upper walls and the partial glass ceiling.
Camdenton, Missouri
People have come to Camdenton for years for its proximity to Ha Ha Tonka State Park. Ha Ha Tonka has one of the state's largest natural springs along with sinkholes, caves, a natural bridge, and bluffs that overlook the surrounding lake country. Do not forget to snap a photo at the turn-of-the-century castle ruins inside the park. Camdenton is also home to the Ozarks Amphitheater. Share an outdoor music experience with 10,000 new friends in the forest. Sample local baked treats at Camdenton's Ozarkland Store.
An Underrated Side Of The Ozarks
The dedication of Ozark residents shows up in each of these towns. Pay tribute to the work locals have done by taking care of the natural areas these communities have protected for generations. Settle into the easier pace of the towns above and bring back a long-weekend's worth of good memories.
