Ridgedale offers summers on Table Rock Lake next to Big Cedar Lodge
Ridgedale occupies the far east end of Table Rock Lake, one of the largest in Missouri's Ozark Mountains. Like the other Ozark lakes, it's famous for its glassy water and mountain scenery. Big Cedar Lodge, one of the country's most popular wilderness resorts, occupies much of Ridgedale's land area. "Once you go south of Hollister, you're in Johnny Morris country," says Realtor Parker Stone with Keller Williams Tri-Lakes. "He's done so much for the community and totally changed what this area offers." Johnny Morris is the founder of Bass Pro Shops and the mind behind Big Cedar Lodge. Today, the resort spans more than 4,600 acres. As the property and its popularity grew, so did Ridgedale. "Most of the homes here were built during the boom in the 1990s and 2000s," Stone says. Now, residents of these full-time and vacation communities enjoy summers on Table Rock Lake with access to Big Cedar Lodge's scenic amenities.
Vacation condos or large lakefront properties
Ridgedale occupies the eastern shore of this end of the lake. There's a mix of residential communities and vacation rental developments on the lakefront and in the surrounding woods. This is predominantly a vacation spot, so single-family homeowners are often here seasonally and rent out their homes when they're not. The median home price is about $550,000, which is typical for midsize homes and wooded cabins. Large condos with lake views also cost around the median. "In general, everything off the lake is pretty low-priced here," Stone says. "Anything on the lakefront is going to be much more." Options off the lake range from small ranch-style homes to large log cabins for $200,000 to $800,000. Spacious lakefront properties with private docks can range from $800,000 to $1.2 million.
Boating on Table Rock Lake with views of the Ozarks
Table Rock Lake is one of the largest in the Ozark Mountains, with over 800 miles of shoreline. It's actually human-made, as a result of the Table Rock Dam built by the Army Corps of Engineers in 1959. Boats are the preferred method of transportation, allowing residents to enjoy the lake in their preferred way. That could be fishing, waterskiing, wakeboarding or floating in a cove to take in the mountain views. "You can even drive your boat up to Big Cedar's marina," Stone says. "They'll call the shuttle, and it will take you to the lodge or Top of the Rock or the new amphitheater." Kayaking, canoeing and paddleboarding are also popular ways to get on the water.
Big Cedar Lodge is Ridgedale's backyard
In 1987, Johnny Morris, the founder of Bass Pro Shops, purchased Big Cedar Lodge and began to restore and grow the property. Today, the resort is one of the country's premier recreation destinations. The 4,600-plus-acre property has two marinas, five golf courses and 50,000 square feet of indoor activity space. Locals within a 60-mile radius get 30% off golf and 25% off boat rentals. The newest course, Payne's Valley, is in Golf Digest's top 100 public courses in the U.S. It was designed by Tiger Woods and is named after the late, great professional golfer, Payne Stewart. Locals can utilize the discounted boat rentals to fish and cruise around the lake. Big Cedar also recently opened Thunder Ridge Nature Arena, an 18,000-person outdoor amphitheater, where patrons can see popular artists while overlooking the lake.
More than a dozen restaurants at Big Cedar Lodge
There are more than a dozen restaurants across Big Cedar Lodge's property. These eateries cover every setting, from intimate fine dining at the Worman House Bistro and the grand dining room at Devil's Pool, to live music at Buzzard Bar and sports on the TV at Tall Tales Bar. Osage is another must-visit, providing panoramic mountain views and an upscale regional menu. Along with the recreational discounts, residents within a 60-mile radius get 15% off at Big Cedar Lodge's shops. The closest supermarkets and department stores are in Hollister, 10 miles north. Branson's Theater District offers even more entertainment 12 miles north. It's one of the country's historic hubs for music and attractions.
Elementary, middle and high school in Hollister
Ridgedale is on the southern end of Hollister R-V School District, which Niche gives an A-minus grade and ranks as the No. 2 district in Taney County. The district has four schools, and they're all located around the district office in Hollister, about 10 miles north. Students begin at Hollister Early Childhood Center for prekindergarten through first grade, rated a B-plus. Hollister Elementary covers second through fifth grades and also receives a B-plus. Hollister Middle gets a B, and Hollister High earns a B-plus.
Fly in and out of Branson or Springfield
Branson Airport is just east of Ridgedale. It's a 10-mile drive through the mountains and offers a few regional flights. U.S. Route 65 runs north and south through the area. It leads 10 miles north to Branson, the biggest city around Table Rock Lake. Branson is also home to the closest hospital. Springfield is the nearest larger city, about 50 miles north on Route 65. Springfield-Branson National Airport, just outside Springfield, offers more domestic options than Branson Airport.
