What Are the Ozarks?

Have you ever heard of the Ozarks? When you visit Branson, MO, you don’t want to miss the chance to explore the Ozark Mountains! The Ozarks are a group of highlands that spans five different states and provides beautiful scenery and plenty of outdoor adventures. To help you learn more, we’ve answered the question, “What are the Ozarks?” for you. Keep reading to find the answer!

About the Ozarks

The Ozarks are known for their natural beauty and represent the largest area of rugged topography between the Appalachians and the Rockies. The group of highlands is roughly 300 miles in length and 200 miles in width. The Ozark Mountains span across Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Illinois — with the majority of the Ozarks in Missouri!

The Ozarks were formed through the erosion of a massive plateau composed of ancient rocks. Over time, the rocks were uplifted, forming a highland region. Water, wind, and ice sculpted the plateau — rivers carved deep valleys, and streams etched out the hills. Gradually, the erosion wore down the high plateau to reveal the rolling topography of the Ozarks.

Now, millions of people visit the Ozarks each year to enjoy the endless possibilities for outdoor adventures and take in the breathtaking scenery. When you explore the mountains, you’ll have the chance to spot various animals, including white-tailed deer, black bears, wild turkeys, and bobcats, along with unique geological features. Visitors can find an extensive cave system, scenic rivers and streams, and open meadows and glades.

Location of the Ozarks

We mentioned before that the Ozark Mountains span across five states, but are you wondering exactly where you can find them? Most of the mountains are in southern Missouri and northern Arkansas, but there are parts found in Oklahoma, Kansas, and Illinois as well. When you visit Branson, you’ll be right in the heart of the Ozarks! Because of the plateau-like nature of the area, there is no clear start and end point for the Ozark Mountains. The mountains blend into the surrounding terrain, but we do know that they start in the central portion of Missouri and end in northern Arkansas. View a map of the Ozark Mountains below:

Things to Do in the Ozarks

There are plenty of exciting outdoor activities in the Ozarks! You can enjoy unbeatable fishing opportunities, explore unique caves, go horseback riding, enjoy a scenic hike, and so much more. If you’re in the Branson area of the Ozarks, you’re in for a treat! Not only can you experience outdoor fun in the mountains, but you can also visit popular area attractions like our dinner show, the Titanic Museum Attraction, and Silver Dollar City. The fun and excitement never end in the Ozarks! To learn more about things to do, check out our blog, “4 Things to Do in the Ozark Mountains.”

Now that you have the answer to the popular question “What are the Ozarks?” we bet you can’t wait to learn even more about the area and what to expect when you visit! Take a look at these fun facts about the Ozark Mountains to find out even more things you may not know about them.