Skip to content
White River Balds Natural Area, Near Branson, MO

Photo: Chris M Morris, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

Sports & Outdoors

White River Balds Natural Area

A 362-acre Missouri Department of Conservation natural area in Taney County known for large dolomite glades and spring wildflowers.

Near Branson, MO

About White River Balds Natural Area

White River Balds Natural Area protects some of the largest dolomite glades, locally called balds, in the Missouri Ozarks. The open, sunny hillsides host many wildflowers in spring and summer, including several species whose global range is limited to the Ozarks. The site also supports plants and animals more typical of the southern plains and southwest. Conservation staff use cedar thinning and prescribed fire to keep the glades open. Visitors can walk the Glade Trail, a 1.1 mile loop, or combine it with the Streamside Trail for a 1.5 mile hike. Hunting is not permitted.

  • #glades
  • #wildflowers
  • #hiking
  • #natural area
  • #Ozarks

What's around here?

The closest stops to White River Balds Natural Area, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Museums

    Titanic Museum Attraction (Branson)

    Check prices

    A Branson museum themed around the RMS Titanic, with artifacts, recreated spaces, and a self-guided visit.

    2.2 mi awaySwitch it up: Museums

  • Attractions
    Family Favorite

    Silver Dollar City

    $50+

    Ride roller coasters, watch craftspeople at work and tour Marvel Cave at this 1880s Ozarks theme park.

    2.6 mi awaySwitch it up: Attractions

  • Attractions

    Branson's Wild World

    Under $25

    An animal park and aquarium in Branson with hundreds of species, hands-on animal encounters, and an outdoor zoo area.

    2.8 mi awaySwitch it up: Attractions

  • Sports & Outdoors

    Table Rock State Park

    Check prices

    A lakeside Missouri state park near Branson offering water sports, hiking, biking, camping, and picnicking.

    5.7 mi awayMore like this

  • Sports & Outdoors
    Outdoor Adventure

    Dogwood Canyon Nature Park

    $25–$50

    A 10,000-acre Ozark nature park where you hike or bike past bluffs, waterfalls and trout streams, or ride a wildlife tram.

    13 mi awayMore like this

  • Sports & Outdoors

    Roaring River State Park

    Check prices

    A Missouri state park in the Ozark hills known for its deep, narrow valley and stocked trout fishing.

    31 mi awayMore like this

Near White River Balds Natural Area

More of the same kind

Keep exploring