Rainbow trout abound, and the Missouri Department of Conservation adds to the trout population from a fish hatchery near Table Rock Dam. Bull Shoals offers much the same recreational opportunity as Table Rock, only a few miles away. Hikers can enjoy the outdoors on established nature trails that wind through forests and skirt the lakes shorelines. Spelunking, or cave exploration, is also available in the area. Bikers will find few designated trails, but bicyclists are frequently seen enjoying sights along highways and rural roads in the lakes area.
Hunters come by the thousands each season for deer, turkey and other game.
For people who prefer to see the outdoors from the comfort of their vehicles, all numbered highways offer scenic vistas of the Ozarks. With three large factory outlet malls, a thriving downtown district and specialty stores throughout the city, shoppers can find contemporary goods and hand crafted items all year round. Branson ranks in the top 10 in the nation for the number of factory outlet stores. The number of lodging facilities exceeds 200. There are an additional 5,000 rooms in the surrounding unincorporated areas.