101 Free Things to Do in Branson

Photo byImage by Evan Crosby from Ko-Fi

Branson, MO. — There aren’t just a lot of things to do in Branson. There are even a lot of FREE things to do in Branson!

Located deep in the heart of the Ozark Mountains and surrounded by three pristine lakes, the main tourist mecca of the Ozarks offers numerous free outdoor activities. For example, hiking and biking on scenic trails, enjoying a picnic by the lake or at a conservation area, and just taking in the beauty of the region from some of the most stunning overlooks in Missouri.

However, it isn’t just the Ozark Mountains that people can enjoy for no cost. There are also plenty of other free things to do in Branson as well.

For instance, you can find museums that charge no admissions, free concerts throughout the year, and even a free drive-in movie along the famed 76 Strip.

In short, here are 101 free things to do in Branson and the surrounding Ozark Mountains.

1. Go for a walk on the 2.2-mile Table Rock Lakeshore Trail that runs from the Dewey Short Visitors Center to Table Rock Lake State Park. There are plenty of places to stop and take in the beautiful views of the lake along your way

2. The Table Rock Lakeshore Trail is also an easy place to ride your bike.

3. Explore the interactive exhibits about running a dam at the Dewey Short Visitors Center.

4. And while you are at the Dewey Short Visitors Center, watch a free movie about the construction of Table Rock Dam.

5. Visit the Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery just below Table Rock Dam.

6. Take a free tour of the Ozark Hills Winery.

7. One of the most popular free things to do in Branson is to park at the HWY 165 Scenic Overlook and take in scenic views of Lake Taneycomo and the surrounding Ozark Mountains.

8. Watch the hourly fountain shows at Branson Landing.

9. And while there, take a stroll along the Branson Landing Boardwalk next to Lake Taneycomo.

10. Take a ride on the free downtown Branson trolley.

11. Drive just a few miles south of Branson Landing to downtown Hollister. The city’s historic downtown resembles an old English village with unique architecture.

12. Check out the cool murals in downtown Hollister.

13. If you have your own kayak, you can take it to Hollister’s Hulland Kayak Park to paddle around Turkey Creek and Lake Taneycomo.

14. Meet the 32 horses that are in Dolly Parton’s Stampede. Sometimes, you may even catch the show’s riders training with the horses.

15. Explore 1500 acres of forest and glades by hiking the trails at the Ruth and Paul Henning Conservation Area.

16. Check out the historic 1911 Lyle Owen homestead at the Lakeside Forest Wilderness Area near the 76 Strip.

17. You can also hike on more than four miles of trails while you are at the Lakeside Forest Wilderness Area.

18. Learn about the region’s rich history by visiting the Branson Centinial Museum.

19. Go on a free tour of the Copper Run Distillery, where you can get an inside look at the process of distilling spirits.

20. Browse the unique shops at the Grand Village. It’s free if you don’t buy anything! But seriously, the interesting shops offer quirky products you won’t find anywhere else. It’s still fun just to browse even if you aren’t buying anything.

21. And speaking of the Grand Village, Mullberry Mill sometimes gives out free samples of select food and drinks.

22. Hike the White River Valley Trail System in Table Rock Lake State Park.

23. And if you have a mountain bike, you can bike on the White River Valley Trail System.

24. Take in the scenery at North Beach Park on Lake Taneycomo near Branson Landing.

25. Visit the Edwards Mill at the College of the Ozarks.

26. And while you are there, you might as well tour the campus’ other unique attractions, including the College Dairy.

27. Browse the Farmer’s Market of the Ozarks on Tuesdays from 3 pm to 7 pm between April and Ocotober. The event is held in the Bass Pro parking lot.

28. Take a walk down the world-famous 76 Strip — the heart of Branson’s theater and entertainment district.

29. If you are into skateboarding, hit the ramps and rails at Stockskill Skate Park.

30. During the warmer months of the year, go for a swim or just enjoy the water at Table Rock Lake State Park.

31. Check out the copper soldier statues at Veterans Memorial Garden.

32. Explore the White River Balds Natural Area just west of town.

33. And while you are at the white River Balds Natural Area, you can stand where Harold Bell Wright wrote his 1907 book, The Sheppard of the Hills.

34. See a waterfall by hiking on Branson’s Waterfall Trail. The short hiking trail is easily accessible and you don’t even have to leave town to get to it.

35. Enjoy a picnic at Table Rock Lake State Park.

36. One of the coolest free things to do in Branson is to watch an outdoor movie at the American 76 Drive-In located behind Cakes-n-Creams.

37. Sample Ozark Mountain moonshine at Smith Creek Moonshine, with locations at the Landing and Tanger Outlets. You can try all 10 flavors for free!

38. Spend some quiet time in prayer or meditation at the Williams Memorial Chapel on the campus of College of the Ozarks.

39. Chill out on a park bench or under an outdoor pavilion at the Grand Village.

40. Enjoy a free summer concert at Branson Landing.

41. On Sunday mornings, you can attend a church service at the Presley’s Country Jubilee. In addition to preaching, there is also a lot of great country gospel music.

42. Enjoy browsing a wide range of crafts at the Branson Craft Mall.

43. Take a free tour of the Lindwedel Winery and Vineyards.

44. Visit the Shrine of the Holy Spirit, and admire the building’s architecture and inspirational messages.

45. Go for a leisurily stroll through Stockstill Park.

46. Take a walk down memory lane by browsing thousands of vintage and “throw-back” items of yesteryear with a visit to Dick’s Oldtime 5 & 10 Store in downtown Branson.

47. If you or someone in your group is a quilt-lover, then you will have to visit Quilts & Quilts: The Fabric Shop.

48. Step into an outdoor-lover’s paradise with a trip to the Bass Pro Shop at Branson Landing.

49. Take in the breathtaking ‘Million Mile View’ at Indian Point.

50. Walk down 315 historic stone steps to Lake Taneycomo while visiting the Lake Forest Wilderness Area.

51. You can also admire nearly 2,000 feet of hand-built stone walls at the Wilderness Area.

52. Enjoy a quiet walking trail at Caudill Park.

53. Check out Branson’s one-room schoolhouse that’s next door to Dolly Parton’s Stampede.

54. Play a game of disc golf at Sunset Park.

55. Watch a cool fountain show outside the Branson Aquarian.

56. Admire the magnificent architecture of Table Rock Dam from one of three observation decks behind the Dewey Short Visitors Center.

57. Have a picnic on Table Rock Lake behind the Army Corp of Engineers regional headquarters — next to the Dewey Short Visitors Center.

58. Take a walk across the James River on Galena’s historic Y-Bridge. The bridge is closed to vehicle traffic.

59. Spend an entertaining afternoon at the Table Rock Lake State Park boat launch as experienced and novice boaters launch their boats into the lake’s (often) choppy waters. You will enjoy a few good laughs!

60. Fish off the banks of Lake Taneycomo from one of the floating docks along the Branson Landing Boardwalk.

61. Explore the historic lakeside resort community of Rockaway Beach.

62. See how long you can “enjoy” the chilly waters of Lake Taneycomo in Rockaway Beach.

63. About an hour west of Branson, you can tour the fish hatchery at Roaring River State Park.

64. While you are at Roaring River, hit the hiking trails that offer scenic views of the nearby Ozark Mountains.

65. In 2024, the former Ozark Mountain State Park will rebrand and reopen as Sheppard of the Hills State Park. The park will be another fun thing to do in Branson without having to spend any money.

66. Enjoy the Branson Ferris Wheel’s music and light show, Electrify, each evening.

67. Listen to free live music at the Pickin Porch Grill, which is located inside the Branson Craft Mall.

68. Hike on 18-miles of trails at Busiek State Forest and Wildlife Area, just north of town.

69. And if you have a mountain bike, you can enjoy those trails from your bike.

70. History buffs can also explore the scenic grounds of the Carter Cemetery, established in 1891, and located inside Busiek State Forest and Wildlife Area.

71. Hike on the easy Cranebrake and White River Corridor Trail by Shephered of the Hills Fish Hatchery.

72. You can enjoy a more moderate hike on the White River Bluff Trail above the fish hatchery.

73. Take a leisurely stroll around the Sunset Park Loop.

74. Explore the old Boston Ferry Crossing on the White River from back in the 1800s. The out-and-back trail is under a mile in length.

75. Go for an easy bike ride on the Branson Loop and Bike Path.

76. Likewise, you can walk the loop trail if you don’t have a bike, or just prefer walking instead.

77. Enjoy a peaceful, relaxing morning of bird watching, especially ducks, next to the banks of Lake Taneycomo at North Beach Park.

78. Sample a free Original Glazed Krispy Kreme donut when the Hot Light is on.

79. Enjoy free samples of fudge at the Branson Fudge Company.

80. Learn about the area’s rich history with a visit to the White River Valley Historical Society Museum in nearby Forsyth.

81. Pose for a picture next to a vintage 1950s yellow taxi cab outside of Jackie B. Goode’s Uptown Cafe and Dinner Theater. Oftentimes, there are a couple of other classic cars parked next to the cab.

82. Take a drive over the historic Kimberling City Bridge.

83. Enjoy a more scenic area of Table Rock Lake at Joe Bald Park in Kimberling City.

84. Less than an hour north of town on U.S. 65, you can check out the Springfield Conservation Nature Center, which includes hiking trails and wildlife viewing areas.

85. And while in Springfield, you can also explore the Lake Springfield Park, which is located near the Nature Center.

86. In Hollister, you can walk down the historic Cedar Steps — 229 steps constructed in 1936 that include 33 landings with breathtaking views and landscaping.

87. Also in Hollister, you hike the Hackett Falls Trail to a waterfall.

88. Find a quiet spot to fish on the Turkey Creek Arm of Lake Taneycomo at Hulland Park between Branson and Hollister.

89. See the oldest hydroelectric dam in Missouri, Powersite Dam in Forsyth, built between 1911 and 1913. The dam creates Lake Taneycomo.

90. Hike the scenic shores of Bull Shoals Lake from Shadowrock Park to Powersite Dam.

91. Speaking of Shadowrock Park, it’s a great spot to go for a swim at Bull Shoals Lake.

92. Hike the 1.3 mile loop trail at the Forsyth Conservation Area.

93. Go bird watching at the Forsyth Conservation Area.

94. Explore the 12,000 acre+ Hercules Glades Wilderness Area, which is considered the “most scenic and unique country in the Midwest,” according to the National Parks Service website. You can hike on more than 30 miles of trails.

95. On warm days, cool off by CAREFULLY playing in the water around the waterfall and shut-ins at the Hercules Glades Wilderness Area.

96. If you are looking for a free place to camp around Branson, there are no fees at any of the trailheads in the Hercules Glades Wilderness Area. However, there are some restrictions about where and how you camp, which are provided by the National Parks Service website.

97. Further east of Branson, you can enjoy splendid views of the Mark Twain National Forest from the Gladetop West Trail and lookout.

98. Just a few miles southeast of Branson along Bull Shoals Lake, you can explore the massive Drury-Mincy Conservation Area by car, or on foot via hiking trails.

99. Highly-skilled mountain bikers can take advantage of 8+ miles of challenging Ozark dirt trails at the Two Rivers Mountain Bike Park in Highlandville.

100. Alternatively, you can opt to hike the trails at Two Rivers Mountain Bike Park, which border the scenic James River above its impoundmant in Table Rock Lake.

*101. If you are already at Silver Dollar City, you can (and most definitely should) tour Marvel Cave for free! It’s one of the best caves in Missouri.

There you have it. The most comprehensive list of free things to do in Branson and the surrounding Ozark Mountains that you will find on the internet. Since outdoor recreation is the biggest draw in the Ozarks, the vast majority of these activities are outdoor related. However, no matter your interests, you can find fun something fun to do in Branson that won’t cost you a dime!

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