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Ozarks

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The Ozarks [1] is in the USA and includes areas in southern Missouri, northern Arkansas, and eastern Oklahoma.

[edit] Regions

[edit] Cities

[edit] Major tourist cities

[edit] Major cities

[edit] Other destinations

Buffalo National River
Buffalo National River
  • Buffalo National River[2] In northern Arkansas is an unpolluted and free-flowing river in the heart of the Ozarks. It has both swift water and calm streaches.

[edit] Understand

The Ozarks is a plateau that covers 50,000 sq. miles. There is also an Ozark culture which embodies the people that live in this region. The area has rolling hills, mountains that have eroded over time along with many man-made lakes. All of this makes the area attractive for outdoor activities including fishing, hunting and hiking.

The area became a popular tourist attraction overnight with Harold Bell Wright's 1907 novel, "The Shepherd of the Hills". His novel told a story about the mountain country and hill people nearby Branson, Missouri.

[edit] Talk

The people of the Ozarks have their own way of talking and a set of terms that you might not hear outside the region. For example some of the common terms are; "Frog Strangler" or "Gully Warsher" both of which mean a heavy rain. You might hear some way say "You look mighty peakid, are you a-fixen to be sick?" Others are "Rosanears" is corn on the cob, "yourn" is yours "Is that yourn?", a "krick" is a creek, "pritnear" is almost like ""I'm pritnear done with this". The hill people of the Ozarks are affectionately called Hillbillies.

[edit] Get in

  • Interstate 44 runs across the Missouri Ozarks from St. Louis to Tulsa.
  • Interstate 40 runs East-West along the southern edge of the Ozarks
  • Interstate 70 runs East-West along the northern edge on the Ozarks.
  • Also historic Route 66 runs from St. Louis to Tulsa in the Ozarks.

[edit] Get around

The best way to get around is to drive. You will also get a good fill of the scenery driving the hills of the Ozarks.

[edit][add listing] See

  • Roaring River State Park, [3] in southwest Missouri has a fresh water steam with trout fishing, camping and hiking.
  • Branson, Missouri with world class entertainment and access to Table Rock Lake for Bass fishing and Lake Taneycomo for lake trout fishing.
  • Eureka Springs, Arkansas sometimes called the little Switzerland of the Ozarks and on other occasions the San Francisco of the Ozarks. Local craft shops and art galleries, good food and shopping. Close to Beaver Lake with fishing, water skiing, swimming and other water sports. Don't forget to see the Passion Play.

[edit] Major lakes

[edit] Mountain ranges

[edit] Itineraries

[edit][add listing] Do

Visit the Lake of the Ozarks area

Canoe one of the clear, clean rivers of the Ozarks, to include: the National Scenic Jack's Fork or the Current rivers, Elk River, Meramec, Big Piney, Gasconade, or the Huzzah. For the fishers, all contain good populations of smallmouth bass.

A number of natural attractions exist in Mark Twain National Park in southeast Missouri. Among these, Taum Sauk Mountain offers nice hiking starting near the highest point in Missouri. In 1.2 miles the trail reaches the Mina Sauk falls, which is splendid to see in the wet season. A little to the west are Johnson's Shut-Ins, some rock bluffs lining a river where the water is channeled in-between the rocks and can develop a nice little current. There are a few spots that are nice for swimming. Elephant Rocks State Park to the north also has some interesting rock formations, and driving a little farther on Highway 21 one comes to Hughes Mountain which has interesting rock outcroppings at the top called the Devil's Honeycomb.

Many campsites, rivers, and trails are to be found in this area. There are also some caves open for tour groups. The Onondaga Cave is of particular interest.

[edit][add listing] Eat

Frog legs are a popular dish in this area of the country. Catfish, deer and green tomato relish are also some very poplar examples of the "stick-to-your-ribs goodness" that warms these hillpeople during the bitter cold months and long, steamy summers.

[edit][add listing] Drink

[edit] Stay safe

Tornadoes are also a very dangerous surprise to watch for as well as deer that frequently jump into the road.

[edit] Get out

This is a usable article. It gives a good overview of the region, its sights, and how to get in, as well as links to the main destinations, whose articles are similarly well developed. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow!

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