Tourism in Branson, Missouri

The Ozark Mountains are some of the oldest in North America. They are located in southern Missouri and northern Arkansas. Branson is a small town in Missouri's Ozarks. Only 6,050 people call it home, but almost 7 million people visit each year! Why?

Branson is considered "The Live Country Music Show Capital of the World." Branson's lineup of 60 musical shows per night attracts 65,000 visitors each day. Remember, the town is located in the Ozarks. Mountains, forests, Table Rock Lake and Lake Tanycomo call this place home too. All of the tourism stresses the natural environment. The pressure for more roads and advertising space for billboards consumes landscapes. There is also increased air pollution from those seven million visitors, most of whom drive.

Much of the Ozarks are undeveloped and the beautiful mountains and lakes are still there for those who want to visit them. But some places, like Branson, are now more attached to country music than their natural surroundings. This isn't necessarily an example of tourism gone bad, but instead an example of tourism changing its focus. Branson is still a great place to visit, but for different reasons.

Web Links

The Ozark Mountain Travel and Recreation Directory gives you a good idea of the types of recreation available in the mountains: camping, fishing, resorts, and RV parks.