Here's why Christian County—located just off Route 66—is well worth a detour
In the heart of Missouri's leafy Ozark Mountains, Christian County is the perfect pit stop for road-trippers. Full of wild landscapes ripe for a variety of outdoor pursuits — including hiking, kayaking, fishing and camping — the county draws visitors off the infamous Route 66 to unplug and unwind in nature.
Osage Native Americans originally called the area home, before early pioneers established Christian County's largest towns, Nixa and Ozark, among the thick forest. Today, the area's rich history is celebrated throughout the year with a packed calendar of events and quirky festivals. Positioned between Missouri's third-largest city, Springfield, and the state's entertainment hub, Branson, this unsung county is undoubtedly worth a detour from Route 66. Whether you want to find a quiet spot to pitch a tent and hit the trails, browse the antique shops and flea markets or enjoy a sucker fish fry, here are some of the best ways to spend time in Christian County. In Ozark, Christian County's second largest town, thousands of rubber ducks take to the river for the annual Sertoma Duck Race Festival. The ducks are collected and reused every year, raising money for local charities. Photograph by Beeflight Services When to go
Christian County shines in all four seasons, with spring in particular bringing mild temperatures that are great for outdoor exploration. Visit Nixa in May to join in the annual Sucker Days celebrations. The event began in 1957, when residents would skip school and close businesses to head out for a day of fishing for sucker fish. The tradition carries on each year with a town-wide festival complete with a parade, a sucker fish fry and a pie-eating contest, as well as art and craft vendors, food stalls and live music.
Summers are hot and humid, but the county's many lakes and rivers provide plenty of opportunities to cool down. In June, stop by Ozark's Finley River Park to see more than 10,000 rubber ducks racing down the river during the Sertoma Duck Race Festival. The event brings locals and visitors riverside for the notable race, in addition to a carnival, entertainment, fireworks and a hot air balloon glow, which sees the stationary balloons illuminated by their burners. Summer is strawberry season, too, and kids will enjoy picking their own at High's Berry Farm, where fruit is sold by the pound.
As the weather cools down in autumn, Christian County's colours transform from green to striking hues of amber, red and orange. This season is popular for hiking and 'leaf-peeping' (viewing the autumnal foliage), and the county also hosts a range of events such as the annual Ozark Craft Fair. Winter occasionally brings snow to the area and holiday celebrations in Ozark and Nixa including Christmas markets, parades and tree lighting ceremonies create a festive atmosphere. Busiek State Forest and Wildlife Area has 18 miles of hiking, mountain biking and horse-riding trails. Photograph by Stevie Barfoot, Explore Christian County What to do
Stretching across 29 counties in Missouri, the one-and-a-half-million-acre Mark Twain National Forest has more than 750 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, horse-riding and ATVs, as well as miles of rivers for water-based activities such as kayaking and swimming. A little closer to Ozark (a 16-minute drive to be exact), the Busiek State Forest and Wildlife Area has more than 2,700 acres of wilderness to explore, with around 18 miles of trails. The park also has eight tent-only campsites, for those wanting to spend the night under the stars.
West of Nixa, the James River is a hotspot for fishing and birdwatching. Try your hand at reeling in a variety of fish including crappies, sunfish and channel catfish, or book a private fishing trip with the experienced guides at Ozarks Smallmouth Alliance Guides and Outfitters, who specialise in targeting smallmouth bass and walleye (yellow pike). For an almost guaranteed catch, the Mountain Springs Trout Park just south of Nixa has a fully stocked pond and provides budding anglers with all the necessary fishing equipment. Be sure to sample the park's delicious home-smoked trout, too.
With more than 7,000 caves throughout the state, Missouri is aptly nicknamed the 'Cave State'. Christian County adds to the count with its Smallin Civil War Cave, a fascinating cavern under the Ozark Mountains that presents a glimpse into the area's storied past. Previously inhabited by Osage and Cherokee Native Americans and later used during the Civil War, the cave is home to rare wildlife, including blind cave salamanders and bristly cave crayfish. Learn about the history, geology and legends of the cave on a guided tour or go off the regular path with a 'wild tour', which will take you through the lesser-travelled twists and turns with only a headlamp.
Back in town, Ozark is a hub for antique and thrift shopping. The 26,000sq ft Camp Flea Antique Mall is packed with more than 200 booths selling unique vintage and retro finds, while the cluster of stores nearby — such as Keen Eye Antiques and Little Bluebird Vintage Boutique — stock endless items from bygone days. To continue your treasure hunt, the town of Billings is also a must-visit, just over 30 minutes' drive from Ozark. Among the many shops to explore, stop by New Beginnings Antiques for vintage furniture and quilts, and Gone To The Dogs Flea Market for a wide range of antiques and collectibles. Catch a 'throwed roll' at iconic Lambert's Cafe. Photograph by Rhianon Brown Dine with a river view at The Ozark Mill Restaurant. Photograph by Finley Farms Where to eat
Positioned on the banks of the Finley River in Ozark, historic mill property Finley Farms supplies its three on-site eateries with homegrown, organic produce year-round. The sprawling estate also hosts a range of events, from yoga and sound meditation sessions to wreath making and watercolour painting classes. Grab a pizza from The Ozark Mill Restaurant or relax with a cocktail on the patio at The Garrison, which has impressive views of the river and mill pond dam.
For a more out-of-the-ordinary dining experience in Ozark, head to Lambert's Cafe, a beloved Missouri institution where 'throwed rolls' are tossed to diners across the restaurant. The tradition started during a busy lunch rush in 1976 at the cafe's original location in Sikeston, Missouri — diners were complaining that they weren't receiving their bread rolls fast enough and allegedly shouted at the owner's son to 'just throw them', and so the legend was born. Catch a throwed roll to accompany a hearty homecooked meal (such as country fried steak or meatloaf) during lunch and dinner services.
Over in Nixa, stop for lunch at 12,000sq ft food hall, 14 Mill Market, which serves an array of different cuisines, from waffles and authentic barbecue to tacos and gourmet pasties. A short drive away, modern Italian spot Piccolo is a great choice for dinner. The jalapeño corn brulee rigatoni is a must-try, served with grilled chicken, sausage and meatballs in a spicy cream sauce. Plan your trip
Travellers can connect from Heathrow to St. Louis Lambert International Airport via destinations such as Frankfurt and Toronto, or via a number of US airports. It's best to hire a car at the airport to make the three-and-a-half-hour drive from St Louis to Christian County — and to explore the area by car whilst there. Alternatively, connect through a larger airport such as Atlanta, Dallas or Chicago to reach Springfield-Branson National Airport, which is a 35-minute drive from Christian County. For more information, visit exploreccmo.com This paid content article was created for Explore Christian County. It does not necessarily reflect the views of National Geographic, National Geographic Traveller (UK) or their editorial staffs.
To subscribe to National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click here.
(Available in select countries only).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
12 minutes ago
- Yahoo
For Father's Day, my infant son told me how to be a good man
I'm mystified at a world that doesn't quite seem to know these days what makes a good man, and a good father. When I was a kid, it was pretty simple. You told the truth. You stood up to bullies. You respected your mom and dad, and every other mom and dad. You didn't call people names, as much as you may have wanted to. And you practiced the Golden Rule, as much as any kid could. Some of the kid stuff was particular to guys. Without anyone telling you, understanding the code of being a guy was your job as a boy. So first you watched your dad, your grandpas, your uncles, then your dad's friends and buddies, and then all the other guys in the world. But most important, you watched how they walked their talk — that's how every boy in the world measures the men in his life. How their words match their actions. But when it came to your dad, you really watched and listened to how the entire man equation was put together. What was right. What was wrong. And what was confusing. Because when the words didn't match the actions, you were perplexed. It was all about consistency. What your dad did day after day, year after year. That's what good guys did. Walked their talk. And you knew deep down in your kid bones that growing up to be a good guy meant you would be a good father. Because both were one and the same. That's why we're all a bit mystified these days about what means to be a good man. Because the words don't always match the actions. Because the lies are dressed up as truths. Because it seems to be okay to be a bully and to call people names. And the Golden Rule? It's getting tarnished too. When my son was first born, I grappled with that most essential question: how to be a good dad. I was working on my book, 'The Legacy Letters,' about a father leaving behind a series of life letters for his children but I was stuck on the last letter, 'On My Boy Becoming a Man.' In desperation, I turned to my son of 3 months and asked him what I should do. He smiled and babbled back at me and said, 'Write the letter to me.' Brilliant kid! Since we were on a roll, I decided to ask him what it meant to be a good father. And he said, 'Be a good man first.' Out of the mouths of babes. So simple. So perfect. Eighteen years ago, I wrote these words to my son and they have guided me ever since, both as a father and a man. And now it is my turn to share with all fathers on this Father's Day, my son's inspired words of wisdom to me: When do you become a man? You become a man when you first decide to put away the things of childhood, the talk of childhood and the thoughts of childhood. You decide because you cannot be treated as both a man and a boy. Because you are either one or the other, but you are not both. And it doesn't matter your age — you can be a child at 15 or 40. Only when you as a boy decide you're done waiting for the man you want to be and start being the man you want to become, do you begin to become a man. When do you become a man? When you become your own man. When other men trust you to do a man's work. Trust you with their name, their reputation, their thoughts. Trust you to watch their backs and trust you with their lives. To become a man is to carry out your word because you gave your word. And your word is you as a man. You become a man the moment you understand that responsibility is a real and vital commitment to yourself and others, and not some lazy dog, all-agreeing grunt. Becoming a man means doing the right thing even though it may be hard or difficult. Boys do what is easiest. A man does what is right, whether easy or not. When do you become a man? You become a man when you marry not just for love but to be a partner with your wife. To be the best man you can be with her, and when you fall short, to admit your shortcomings and to constantly strive to be a great man to your wife. You become a man when, in having children, you not only physically look after and protect them but also protect them with all the love and learning you have to give. You become a man when you give your family the best of who you are. And ultimately by being the best man to yourself and to your wife, you are being the best man to your children. And that, my Son, is a great gift and responsibility. And what type of man should you be, my son? A good man. Above all else, strive to be a good man. A good man, in your papa's book, is a great man. One who constantly strives to be the best of men, to himself and to others. Because the world can never have enough good men. And what makes a good man, my son. A good man is being fair. In both your words and your actions. When you admit being wrong. And then right that wrong. A good man knows when he's been humbled, and learns from his humility. Being a good man means to speak with sincerity, and love with certainty. A good man will try to act wisely by thinking first and then acting. A good man tells the truth. A good man lives for the joy in life and the happiness of being alive, not shackled to the wants of the future or the regrets of the past. A good man defends those that cannot defend themselves. And a good man knows the difficulty of being a man, knowing the fall from grace is always near at hand, and thus is always striving to make himself a better man. To all fathers everywhere, who continue the good fight to be good man and a good father: Happy Father's Day. Carew Papritz is the award-winning author of ' The Legacy Letters ' who inspires kids to read through his 'I Love to Read' and 'First-Ever Book Signing' YouTube series. He founded National Thank-You Letter Day and holds the Guinness World Record for the world's largest handwritten thank you letter.
Al Jazeera
12 minutes ago
- Al Jazeera
US Marines arrive at Los Angeles federal sites as court battle unfolds
The United States Marines have deployed to Los Angeles following criticism and legal battles over whether President Donald Trump had the authority to use the military to quell civilian protests without state approval. On Friday, Major General Scott Sherman of the US Army confirmed that 200 Marines were arriving in southern California to protect a federal building. A total of 700 Marines have been authorised for deployment to the region. 'I would like to emphasise that the soldiers will not participate in law enforcement activities,' Sherman said during a briefing. The Marines join National Guard troops already in the Los Angeles area following the eruption of protests on June 6, when residents took to the streets to express their displeasure with President Trump's immigration raids, some of which targeted local hardware stores and other workplaces. While many of the demonstrations were mostly peaceful and limited to a small part of the city, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) did experience tense clashes with some protesters, who hurled objects and set driverless Waymo vehicles on fire. Police responded with flashbangs, tear gas and rubber bullets. Trump, meanwhile, dubbed the protesters 'bad people' and 'insurrectionists' and announced the deployment of the National Guard on the evening of June 7. The president cited Title 10 of the US Code, which allows a president to call up the National Guard if there is a 'rebellion or danger of rebellion' against the federal government. Trump and his allies framed the demonstrators as part of a migrant 'invasion' imperilling the US. 'To the extent that protests or acts of violence directly inhibit the execution of the laws, they constitute a form of rebellion against the authority of the Government of the United States,' Trump wrote in a presidential memorandum. It was the first time since 1965 that a US president had authorised the National Guard's deployment to a state without the governor's permission. The last time was to protect civil rights protesters who were marching through segregated Alabama and faced threats of violence. Presidents have called up the National Guard to address domestic unrest in the years since, but only with the cooperation of local authorities. In 1992, for instance, then-President Bill Clinton answered a request from California's governor at the time to send National Guard members to address the Rodney King protests in Los Angeles. Trump's decision to circumvent the authority of California's present-day governor, Gavin Newsom, has led to a legal fight over whether he exceeded his powers as president. Newsom filed a lawsuit to block the use of military troops outside of federal sites, and on Thursday, a pair of court decisions left the future of the recent deployment unclear. First, on Thursday afternoon, District Court Judge Charles Breyer of San Francisco sided with Newsom, calling Trump's actions 'illegal' and a violation of the US Constitution. In his 36-page decision, Breyer ruled that the Trump administration had failed to show a danger of rebellion in Los Angeles. 'While Defendants have pointed to several instances of violence, they have not identified a violent, armed, organized, open and avowed uprising against the government as a whole,' he wrote. 'The definition of rebellion is unmet.' He added that he was 'troubled' by the Trump administration's argument that a protest against the federal government could be tantamount to rebellion, warning that such logic could violate the First Amendment right to free speech. 'Individuals' right to protest the government is one of the fundamental rights protected by the First Amendment, and just because some stray bad actors go too far does not wipe out that right for everyone,' Breyer said. He called for an injunction against Trump's use of National Guard members, saying 'it sets a dangerous precedent for future domestic military activity' and 'deprives the state for two months of its own use of thousands of National Guard members'. Nearly 4,000 members of the California National Guard have been authorised for deployment to Los Angeles under Trump's command. But the Trump administration quickly appealed Judge Breyer's injunction. By late Thursday, the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals had temporarily blocked the injunction, allowing Trump to continue using the National Guard until a hearing could be held on the matter next week. On Friday, Trump celebrated that decision on his social media platform, Truth Social. 'The Appeals Court ruled last night that I can use the National Guard to keep our cities, in this case Los Angeles, safe,' Trump wrote. 'If I didn't send the Military into Los Angeles, that city would be burning to the ground right now. We saved L.A. Thank you for the Decision!!!' Newsom, meanwhile, has continued his call for Trump to end what he framed as illegal control of the National Guard. He has also accused the military presence of heightening tensions with protesters, not dissipating them. '@RealDonaldTrump, you must relinquish your authority of the National Guard back to me and back to California,' Newsom wrote on social media Thursday. He has called the Republican president's federalisation of the National Guard an 'unmistakable step toward authoritarianism'. The California governor is seen as a possible Democratic contender for the presidency in the 2028 election cycle.
Yahoo
12 minutes ago
- Yahoo
US Open Golf Tournament Weather Forecast: Rain, Storm Chances Increase At Oakmont Country Club This Weekend
The 125th U.S. Open outside of Pittsburgh at Oakmont Country Club will see a more unsettled weather pattern as we head into the weekend that will bring an increased risk of showers and thunderstorms. Oakmont Country Club is hosting the tournament for a record 10th time this year, with the last one in 2016 when Dustin Johnson won. 156 players will take part in the four-day event from Thursday through Sunday, with a cut that reduces the field after Friday. The challenging course is known for its iconic "church pews" bunker, as seen in the bottom-middle of the photo above between holes 3 and 4. Saturday: The threat of rain increases as surging moisture out of the west-southwest combines with a front lingering nearby. This could be from a combination of rain showers ongoing in the morning followed by possible scattered thunderstorms in the afternoon. Localized heavy rain and lightning are both possibilities, which means there could be interruptions to play. Attendees will want to take a poncho and/or umbrella just in case. Sunday: The final round will have a lingering threat of showers and thunderstorms. The morning is likely to be dry, but the afternoon could have some hit-or-miss scattered showers and storms. You can use this link to see the Oakmont local forecast. Chris Dolce has been a senior digital meteorologist with for nearly 15 years after beginning his career with The Weather Channel in the early 2000s.
