Fisherfolk favor Table Rock Lake for bass and Lake Taneycomo for trout. State Park Marina, on Highway 165 inside Table Rock State Park (tel. 417/334-BOAT; www.stateparkmarina.com), is Branson's closest marina and offers everything from pontoons and ski boats to fish boats and WaveRunners. Table Rock Lake also has several public swimming areas. Outdoor enthusiasts should head to Dogwood Canyon Nature Park (tel. 417/779-5983; www.dogwoodcanyon.com), a beautiful 10,000-acre private wilderness refuge for elk, bison, Texas longhorns, deer, and other wildlife, accessible by hiking and biking paths (rental bikes are available), 2-hour wildlife tram tours, horseback rides, and kayak trips (fees charged for each activity). Some of the Branson area's seven 18-hole golf courses, open to the public year-round, are described in the brochure "Branson Golf" available at the Welcome Center. A favorite is the 9-hole par 3 Top of the Rock, 150 Top of the Rock Rd. (tel. 417/339-5312). It's owned by Big Cedar Lodge (which does everything to perfection), was designed by Jack Nicklaus, has great views of Table Rock Lake, includes an Arnold Palmer-designed practice facility and a good restaurant, and is one of the few courses in the nation to be recognized as an Audubon Signature Cooperative. Eighteen-hole Branson Creek Golf Club (tel. 417/339-4653; www.bransoncreekgolf.com) is one of Missouri's top public courses.
