Last Updated on January 19, 2023 by Lori
If you’re planning a vacation to Branson, Missouri, you’ll want to make time for the Top of the Rock Branson Cave tour! This top Branson attraction is an experience that all ages will love and one of our favorite family attractions while on our recent visit to Branson, MO.
This post contains affiliate links which means if you click on a link and make a purchase, I will earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Please see our Disclosure Policy for more information.
Our family had not visited Branson in years, so when we were planning a trip for my parent’s 63rd wedding anniversary, I knew I needed to find activities that everyone would enjoy.
After researching the best things to do in Branson, MO, I found Johnny Morris’ Top of the Rock Ozarks Heritage Preserve.
Top Of The Rock Branson
What is Top of the Rock? You might think that it’s a drive to the top of a mountain where you will see views for miles.
But, it’s actually a 2 1/2 mile golf cart tour along the Lost Canyon Cave & Nature Trail featuring beautiful views of Table Rock Lake, waterfalls, and a bar in a cave!
We visited in early June. I purchased tickets online a few months earlier, so I could reserve the earliest time available to avoid crowds for my parents.
While this saved us time when arriving, I did see many people just walking in to purchase their tickets.
Excited to start our cave tour on our golf cart, we were the first to arrive that day!
Note: When you enter the park, there is a $10 per car fee payable by credit card only.
Parking the car was easy so early in the morning, and we were happy my parents didn’t have to walk too far to get to the Welcome Center.
We quickly learned, however, that we would have to wait for our tour to start.
When we walked into the Welcome Center to check-in, we were informed that a tree had fallen along the path and needed to be cleared away. Plus, some repairs needed to be made in the cave.
The guest services person explained that they hoped to get the pathway cleared in the next hour.
Since the ticket for Lost Canyon Cave also includes admittance to the Ancient Ozarks Natural History Museum, she suggested taking the free shuttle from the Welcome Center to the museum to pass the time.
We decided to stay and browsed the gift shop while we waited. After about a 2-hour wait, they announced that the path was open, and we could line up for our golf cart.
What To Expect On The Lost Canyon Cave Golf Cart Tour
If you have pre-purchased your ticket online, you can follow the signs in the Welcome Center to go outside to line up for the golf cart tour.
Either pre-print your tickets; or, as I did, add the tickets to your Apple Wallet.
Having them in my Apple Wallet made it very easy for the attendants to scan all four of our tickets, and I didn’t have to print them out and carry them with me.
Drivers are required to be 18 years old and have signed a waiver. If you haven’t signed the driver waiver before you arrive, the agent will text or email you a link to review and sign on your smartphone.
The electric carts are available as either a two-seat or four seats depending on the number of people in your party. If it’s raining, the golf cart has a roof; or, the roof can be rolled back for better viewing!
Pay attention to the screen in the golf cart too! As you drive along, the screen changes telling you about the rock formations, bats, squirrels, and the most important thing – what drinks are available in the Bat Bar!
How Long Does The Top of the Rock Tour Take?
The two-and-a-half-mile golf cart tour takes approximately 50 minutes. Time spent on the trail depends on whether you stop the cart at the designated pull-offs to take in the views, take photos, or just continue driving along the path.
There are quite a few pull-offs with great photo ops. Routes are perfectly planned for parking the cart and viewing areas.
We stopped at several areas to get out and look at the views but not all. Our entire tour took about an hour.
What Will You See Driving The Top of the Rock Cave & Nature Trail
One thing we realized is if you don’t pay attention, you will miss a lot! Don’t miss all the details in the fencing. They are perfectly placed and very intricate.
The tour begins at the top of the waterfall. As you make your way along the path, you will be in front of 2-3 waterfalls merging into one. Then, finally, you are at the bottom where they all come together.
We also enjoyed all the covered bridges. And be sure to Look Down when they tell you to!
Of course, one of the highlights of the tour was the Bat Bar Cave. The drink menu is listed on the screen in your golf cart and is also posted in huge letters on the wall as you pull into the cave.
Their specialty drink is the Bat’s Bite Lemonade. The drink sounded interesting, but it was still early in the day for us, so we opted for bottled water and a diet coke.
Once you have your drink, you will continue through the cave where we were surprised to see another awesome waterfall.
There are signs all along the pathway where you might need to Swing Wide – be sure to pay attention or you might hit some rocks!
Waterfalls At Top Of The Rock Branson
One of the most fun parts of the cart tour was driving right next to the waterfall!
There are quite a few waterfalls to enjoy during the cave tour at Top of the Rock.
I also recommend stopping at the overlook where you can see beautiful views of Table Rock Lake in the distance.
Who Owns Top of the Rock in Branson, MO?
Johnny Morris, founder of Bass Pro Shops and Big Cedar Lodge created the Top of the Rock attraction.
The Top of the Rock Ozarks Heritage Preserve includes 462 acres with four restaurants, a golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus, a Himalayan putting green designed by Tom Watson, a practice course designed by Arnold Palmer, a natural history museum, a chapel, a cabin, and an all-American wine cellar.
- Lost Canyon Cave & Nature Trail
- Ancient Ozarks Natural History Museum
- World-Class Golf At Top of the Rock
- Chapel Of The Ozarks
- Osage Restaurant
- Arnie’s Barn Restaurant
- Buffalo Bar
- End Of The Trail All-American Wine Cellar
For accommodations, you can stay at Jack’s Cabin at Top of the Rock or Big Cedar Lodge – a premier wilderness resort.
Top of the Rock Golf Cart Tour Prices
Top of the Rock has what’s called Dynamic Pricing. The ticket price you pay today may not be the price of the ticket tomorrow. It all depends on the time of year and demand.
I had never heard of this type of pricing for an attraction, but it came up as people were asking for a refund for the tour being closed for repairs. Some were planning to return the next day, but the agent explained that they could not guarantee the ticket price would be the same as what they paid that day.
Top of the Rock Tickets
You can pre-purchase your Top of the Rock golf cart tour tickets online which provides the best pricing. You can check out the price of tickets for the day you plan to visit on the Top of the Rock website.
There is no Top of the Rock golf cart tour coupons; however, there is a discount for military and veterans.
Top of the Rock Golf Cart Tour Hours
Top of the Rock is open daily from 8:30 am – 7:00 pm.
How Far is Top of the Rock From Branson?
Top of the Rock is in Ridgedale, MO which is approximately 15-20 minutes from Branson. It took us about 15 minutes to drive from our hotel – The Savannah Hotel where we stayed during our trip.
Directions To Top of the Rock Branson
150 Top of the Rock Rd, Ridgedale, MO 65739
1-800-225-6343
Reviews of Top of the Rock, Branson, Missouri
Is Top of the Rock worth it? Our entire party agreed it was one of the highlights of our Branson trip. I would absolutely recommend taking the time to visit Top of the Rock on your next vacation to Branson!
Things Not To Miss On Your Visit To Branson, MO
If you’re looking for more things to do in Branson, here are some of the Top Things To Do In Branson, MO that all ages will love!
Planning a trip to Branson during the holidays? Here are The Best Things To Do In Branson At Christmas
Plus – You’ll LOVE a Dinner Cruise on the Showboat Branson Belle!
More Travel Posts You May Enjoy
11 Best Things To Do In The Great Smoky Mountains
Letchworth State Park – Best Things To See
How To Plan A One Day Trip To Niagara Falls NY
3 comments
i love what i saw! we r coming to branson, missouri
in november. dates are not sure yet. This would be a good spot to go to. Thank you!!!!!!!!
I am ALSO heading back to Branson in November and plan to go back to Top of the Rock! I can’t wait to see what it’s like in the fall. Have fun!
Thank you for your very complete review.oved the sense of humor you added.