Branson Missouri Outdoor Winter Wonderland

“Come Explore the Great Outdoors” at Branson Missouri Outdoor Winter Wonderland in the Ozark Mountains.

Branson Missouri Outdoor Winter Wonderland

Camping fun in Branson Missouri

Nestled in Missouri’s Ozark Mountains, Branson experiences a mostly-mild winter climate which makes it a perfect outdoor winter wonderland. Average daytime temperatures can rise into the 50s and usually there is very little snow. This kind of weather makes it possible to enjoy all of Branson’s outdoors activities and entertainment during their Christmas season.

Trout Fishing on Lake Taneycomo

A mom and two young boys with fishing rods in a park from Branson Missouri Outdoor Winter Wonderland

Family fishing in Dogwood Canyon Nature Park

Lake Taneycomo flows through the heart of Branson and has the reputation of being one of the best trout lakes in America for rainbow, brown and cutthroat trout. Anglers can catch trout year-round but if most serious trout anglers could pick one time of year to go it would be winter on Lake Taneycomo. Winter water temperature is in the ideal range for trout and, combined with plenty of oxygen in the water and a current generated from the Table Rock Dam, make the trout very active and on the feed. Earlier this year a new state record 40 lb., six-ounce brown trout was caught in Branson and was just 1.69 lbs. short of the world record from New Zealand. Many believe Lake Taneycomo will one day produce the next world record brown trout.

Table Rock and Bull Shoals

A creek with waterfall from Branson Missouri Outdoor Winter Wonderland

Creeks and waterfall are part of Branson’s Winter Wonderland

The mild winter weather also keeps fishermen casting into the waters of nearby Table Rock Lake and Bull Shoals Lake in search of largemouth and smallmouth bass, walleye, stripers and crappie. Bring a bike and hiking shoes and take advantage of the multitude of hiking and biking trails or enjoy winter camping snuggled sitting around a blazing campfire. Just think how delicious your fresh catch of the day would be cooking on that roaring fire!

Celebrate Veterans

Besides all the outdoor activities that can be enjoyed during winter around Branson, there are a multitude of other things outdoorsman, and families alike, to do. Branson honors our nation’s veterans, active-duty military and their families throughout the year but during the first week of November they annually host America’s Largest Veteran’s Day during the first week of November they annually host America’s Largest Veteran’s Day Celebration “Veteran’s Homecoming Week.” Veterans and their families come from all over to take part in activities and parades that honor those who serve our country, both past and present. Though Veteran’s Homecoming Week has passed for this year, keep the event in mind for next year’s travel plans.

Thanksgiving

A woman on a zip-line in the woods from Branson Missouri Outdoor Winter Wonderland

Zip-line through the woods in Branson Missouri

Branson is also a great place for the whole family to come and enjoy Thanksgiving together. Most restaurants offer a traditional Thanksgiving meal and rather than sitting around watching football games everyone can go enjoy a holiday show, a cruise on the water or their choice of an endless selection of other activities Branson has to offer.

Christmas

November is also the start of the annual “Ozark Mountain Christmas” that transforms the area into a holiday winter wonderland. Branson is known as “America’s Christmas Tree City” and Christmas trees and brilliant light displays are everywhere. At this time of year all the shows feature holiday themed music, costumes and scenes. Christmas in Branson is a time to celebrate the greatest gift of all with family and friends. You can even take a ride on the Polar Express, enjoy living nativity scenes, drive-thru lighting displays and more. Christmas shop at outlet malls and unique shops and enjoy great meals at an endless choice of great places to eat. Hotels, lodges and resorts are all decorated for Christmas too and some include visits with Santa and special activities for younger guests.

Silver Dollar City’s “Old Time Christmas Festival” is listed as one of the top-acclaimed Christmas festivals in America with nearly seven million Christmas lights throughout the park. “Christmas in Midtown”, three live Christmas shows, over 1,000 decorated Christmas trees, a brand-new 80 ft. tall special effects Christmas tree and Rudolph’s Holly Jolly Christmas Light Parade are all a part of the park’s holiday celebration.

New Year’s

When Christmas is over all the lights and trees are still shining, the shows are still entertaining, the food is still being served, the fish are still biting and it’s a great time to visit Branson to bring in the New Year. Enjoy fireworks on the lake and other activities to help bring in the year 2020.

Getting to Branson

Branson, Missouri is a great place for winter wonderland getaways and is less than one day’s drive for one-third of America. If you choose to fly, low-cost flights are available from most major cities to the Branson Airport or the nearby Springfield-Branson National Airport.

Come for the outdoor opportunities, come for the veterans, come for the holiday’s, come or the fun and go home from Branson with lots of memories.