In 2010, the film “Winter’s Bone” premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.The film, about a high school aged girl searching for her fugitive father, received a whirlwind of acclaim for its gripping storytelling and the star making performance from Jennifer Lawrence.But what really caught the attention of most film critics and filmgoers alike was the film’s grim and dour portrayal of the Ozarks, an American region that has surprisingly been snubbed by filmmakers.While this particular film’s director, Debra Granik, may have decided to film the Ozarks in cool, harsh tones that paint the region as desperate and poverty stricken, what residents of the Ozarks know is that they live in one of the country’s most beautiful terrains.
A Plateau?
The Ozarks cover around 47,000 square miles, extending into four different states: Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma and a very tiny corner of Kansas.Although the region is oft referred to as the Ozark Mountains, the fact of the matter is that the land is actually more akin to a high and deeply dissected plateau, but what a plateau.There are parts of this land, particularly in Arkansas, that seem to be a refuge for miles upon miles of darkly colored trees, unique to the Ozarks to be sure.The Ozarks are home to two particularly famous national forests, the Ozark National Forest and the St. Francis National Forest, both located in northern Arkansas.The St. Francis Forest is the only one in the national forest system where visitors can visit the shoreline and see for themselves the grandiosity of the Mississippi River.It covers a little over 20,000 acres, and plays host to some beautiful wildlife, such as whitetail deer, wild turkey and waterfowl.Visitors are welcome to hunt, camp, and ride horses through these lush, hardwood forests.
HikingThrough Beauty
But just because the Ozarks are closer to being a plateau than a mountainous terrain, don’t mistake that notion for an absence of some amazing hiking trails.Indeed, the Ozarks have some of the best in the country.One of the most picturesque is at Hawksbill Crag/Whittaker Point.This trail can provide unrivaled entertainment for those interested in geology, as one can find an abundance of unique rocks along the way of this three mile hike.The hike concludes on a thrilling rock outcrop that sticks out from a gorgeous bluff forest.Hideout Hollow Trail is a beautiful trail that gives hikers a glorious view of some of the greenest forestry the country has to offer.The two mile trail also goes by some exquisite waterfall areas.
Water and Wildlife
The Ozarks is not short on such waterfall areas either, nor is it short of extraordinary lakes and streams.Big Spring in Missouri stays true to its name by being one of the largest springs in the United States, certainly the biggest in the Ozarks.On average, 276 million gallons of cool spring water flow through the spring every day.Animal enthusiasts will particularly fall in love with this spring, given that there are roughly 25 species of animal that exist only in this area.The Ozark National Forest has two of the country’s most well regarded waterfalls, and they’re known as the twin falls.They two falls are right next to each other.It is not the easiest spot to get to, but those who reach the falls are in for a scenic treat.
To name all of the beautiful places of the Ozarks would be something of a chore, maybe even possible.But these are some of the reasons why the Ozarks are indeed one of the most naturally beautiful regions that every American should have the pleasure of experiencing.
Author bio: David Bryce is travel writer who enjoys writing about travel and family vacations. He currently blogs for Thousand Hills Golf Resort in Branson, MO.
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