Experience Review | Big Cedar Lodge

Location: Ridgedale, Missouri

Date Visited: July 2025

Vibe: Outdoorsy luxury with a splash of John Candy energy

Weather: 100-110° and relentless

The Stay

Big Cedar Lodge lives up to its branding—“America’s Premier Wilderness Resort.” It’s part luxury retreat, part national park, with enough going on to keep families, golfers, and solo wanderers like me equally entertained. I started my stay at Payne’s Valley Cottages near Mountain Top—private, peaceful, and surrounded by golf. Later, I moved down to Falls Lodge. It’s set above a flowing creek with Table Rock Lake stretching out in the distance. The sunsets from the balcony were the kind of show you don’t miss.

The Vibe

Big Cedar is a resort with range. One minute you’re sipping a cocktail on a deck overlooking the lake, the next you’re driving go-karts or watching Hozier perform in the mountains. (Which I did, by the way—at Thunder Ridge Nature Arena. Knew one song, sang along to all of them.)

It’s a choose-your-own adventure that works whether you’re with the family, golfing solo, or just chasing peace. Some places feel like they need you to do everything—this one feels like it’s okay if you just are.

Accommodations

Big Cedar isn’t your typical resort with one giant hotel tower and cookie-cutter rooms. It’s a collection of unique lodges, cabins, cottages, and glamping-style escapes spread out across the property—each offering something a little different depending on your vibe.

Payne’s Valley Cottages (My first stop)

Located at the Mountain Top area, these two-bedroom cottages are perfect for golfers. You’re surrounded by energy—steps from the pro shop, the grill, and views that feel lifted from a drone shot. Quiet, private, and ideal for that “wake up and walk to the course” kind of life.

Falls Lodge (My second stop)

A bit more tucked away and peaceful. Set above a waterfall-fed creek that leads to Table Rock Lake, it had one of the best sunset views I’ve seen. The rooms were spacious and comfortable—modern-rustic style with balconies that make it hard to leave.

The Lodge (Main Lodge)

The centerpiece of the resort. Classic hunting-lodge aesthetic with a grand lobby, mounted animals, and stone fireplaces. It has traditional lodge rooms with easy access to dining, Buzzard Bar, and Fun Mountain. Ideal for first-timers or those who want everything within walking distance.

Private Log Cabins & Cottages

Scattered across the resort are individual cabins—from cozy one-bed options to large multi-bedroom setups with full kitchens, stone fireplaces, outdoor grills, and porches made for morning coffee or evening wine. They’re tucked into wooded hillsides or perched with lake views. These are great for families, extended stays, or just getting off the grid without giving up amenities.

Glamping at Camp Long Creek

If canvas tents with real beds and bathrooms are your thing, Camp Long Creek is your spot. It’s Big Cedar’s lakefront glamping village—great for families or couples who want more nature and less noise. Bonus: there’s an Airstream and cabin hybrid setup that looks straight out of an Instagram reel.

Other Options

They also offer condo-style accommodations and large family lodges if you’re coming with a group or hosting a golf trip crew. Everything feels intentional—built to reflect the Ozarks and not just slap a roof over your head.

Pro Tip: Book early. This place fills fast, and the variety of options means there’s something for everyone—but only if you get in early.

The Golf

With six golf experiences woven into the Ozark Mountains, Big Cedar Golf is less of a destination and more of a playground for the golf-obsessed. I didn’t play them all this time, but I got a solid feel for each.

Payne’s Valley | Tiger Woods Design

The headliner. A bold, playable course that pays tribute to the great Payne Stewart. Wide landing areas, scenic views, and a 19th hole you won’t forget—an island green in front of a roaring waterfall. I dunked two in the water and bought the “I Got Wet” t-shirt. Worth it.

Highlight: My caddie, Cale. Local teacher and coach who added depth to the round with real conversation. 89 on the card, and something better than a number in the memory bank.

Ozarks National | Coore & Crenshaw

Much more demanding off the tee. Tighter corridors and some nasty, wiry rough that punished misses. Greens were solid, but I couldn’t buy a putt. We were paired with a rowdy father-son-boyfriend trio and a caddie who never met a moment of silence he liked.

Highlight: Free bison dogs at the halfway house and laughing about our caddie afterward over beers.

Buffalo Ridge Springs | Tom Fazio

My favorite layout of the trip. Big Ozark views, buffalo grazing along the ridge, and fairways that rolled with the terrain. Great mix of strategy and scenery. Played with two guys whose girlfriends rode along. The local guy was a cattleman. Good dudes. Even better back nine.

Highlight: The view from the clubhouse before teeing off. The ridge, the buffalo, the calm before the round.

Mountain Top | Gary Player Design (Did not play this trip)

A 13-hole, walking-only par-3 course carved into rock formations with some of the best views on property. You’ll get your steps in—and your camera out. This is the heartbeat of Big Cedar Golf. I stayed near here and felt the energy. I’ll play it next time.

Vibe: Hiking meets golf meets postcard.

Top of the Rock | Jack Nicklaus Design (Did not play this trip)

The only par-3 course ever to host a PGA TOUR-sanctioned event. Nine holes perched above Table Rock Lake with some of the most beautiful—and challenging—one-shotters you’ll find. Full warmup area, caves, cart paths through waterfalls. More of a spectacle than a walk in the park.

Vibe: PGA-level par 3s with unmatched views.

The Cliffhangers (Did not play this trip)

The new kid on the block. An 18-hole par-3 course built for fun. Waterfalls, rock walls, holes where you tee off through a cave or putt from the box. I skipped it this time, but with a group of buddies? It’d be a riot.

Vibe: Gimmicky in the best way possible. Ideal for the “one more round” crowd.

Things to Do (Besides Golf)

Let’s be honest—golf’s the main event here. But if your body needs a break, or you brought family who thinks “double bogey” is a Marvel villain, Big Cedar has a stacked lineup of non-golf activities that make it worth the trip even without touching a club.

Top of the Rock Attractions

• Ancient Ozarks Natural History Museum:
  Surprisingly legit. Full of Native American artifacts, Civil War relics, massive skeletons, and some hauntingly beautiful exhibits. Feels like a Smithsonian tucked into the side of a mountain.
• Lost Canyon Cave & Nature Trail:
  Hop in a golf cart and cruise through canyons, over waterfalls, and into an actual cave… where, of course, there’s a full-service bar inside. Yes, really.
• Sunset Ceremony:
  Every night at Top of the Rock, the sky goes golden and a Scottish bagpiper plays as a cannon fires over Table Rock Lake. It’s weird and wonderful—and somehow it works perfectly.

On Property

• Fun Mountain:
  Kid heaven / Adult distraction zone. Includes go-karts, laser tag, arcade, bowling alley, golf simulators, bumper cars, and even a ropes course. Rainy day fallback or just a fun post-round diversion.
• The Spa at Cedar Creek:
  A full-service spa tucked into the woods. Massages, facials, hot tubs, steam rooms, and even a Grotto Pool. Come here to recover after walking Mountain Top or just to pretend the world doesn’t exist for a couple of hours.
• Fitness Center:
  Surprisingly solid. Cardio machines, weights, and plenty of windows to remind you that you’re still in the mountains even when indoors.
• Hiking & Nature Trails:
  Plenty of trails on and off property, from casual lakefront strolls to more aggressive hill climbs. Most come with panoramic views, and if you’re lucky, wildlife sightings too.
• Marina & Table Rock Lake:
  Pontoon rentals, paddleboards, fishing gear, boat slips—you name it. Whether you want to cruise, fish, or jump in for a swim, the lake is there when the course feels too hot to handle (and trust me, it was).

Live Music & Nightlife

• Buzzard Bar has live music most nights—acoustic, folk, bluegrass—and a great energy when the golf crowd rolls in after dinner.
• Thunder Ridge Nature Arena hosted a Hozier concert while I was there. Picture a natural amphitheater carved into the side of a mountain with a sunset as your backdrop. It was unforgettable.

Shopping

• The Shoppe at Big Cedar:
  Branded merch, boutique items, gifts, and everything from Yeti coolers to flannel pajamas.
• Pro Shops at Each Course:
  Each course has its own vibe—and gear to match. Payne’s Valley had the best swag (and the best views while browsing).

Nearby

• Dogwood Canyon Nature Park (Owned by Bass Pro):
  About a 30-minute drive from the resort. Stunning private preserve with waterfalls, trails, bike rentals, fly fishing, and tram tours. Worth the trip if you’ve got extra time.
• Branson, MO:
  Honky-tonk meets Vegas meets roadside Americana. It’s touristy, chaotic, and weirdly charming. You’ll either love it or swear it off forever.

The Food

Big Cedar brings the heat when it comes to food—and not just because of the temperature. Whether you’re looking for fine dining, a killer burger, lakefront cocktails, or ice cream after 18 holes, there’s no shortage of options.

• Buffalo Bar (Top of the Rock):
  Downstairs from Osage, this cozy bar saved the night when I showed up early for a dinner reservation I didn’t actually have. Filet, bourbon, and a bagpiper playing outside as the sun dipped below Table Rock Lake? Accidental perfection.
• Osage Restaurant:
  Didn’t dine here officially, but it’s the crown jewel of the Top of the Rock dining scene. Upscale American fare, panoramic views, white tablecloth energy. A proper dinner spot if you remember your reservation.
• Mountain Top Grill:
  Perched near the first tee of the Mountain Top course, this open-air spot is ideal for golfers, hikers, or anyone wanting a scenic midday bite. Great lunch menu—burgers, sandwiches, wraps—and plenty of cold beer on tap. Breezy, casual, and easy to love.
• Arnie’s Barn:
  Arnold Palmer’s actual barn, moved plank by plank from Pennsylvania. It’s now a Mexican restaurant with guac, fresh chips, and fajitas that hit the spot. The view of the Ozarks from the patio is reason enough to show up.
• Truman Café & Custard:
  Go-to for early mornings and afternoon cool-downs. Breakfast sandwiches, cold brew, milkshakes, and housemade custard. The kind of place you swing by twice without thinking twice.
• Buzzard Bar:
  Live music, southern comfort food, and a come-as-you-are atmosphere. Fried chicken, ribs, and classic lodge staples. Post-round beers hit different here.
• The Worman House Bistro:
  Elegant dining in a historic mansion. Classic bistro dishes—steak frites, seafood, and a solid wine list. Feels like stepping into a different resort for the night, and I mean that in a good way.
• Uncle Buck’s Fish Bowl & Grill (at Fun Mountain):
  Bowling lanes, arcade games, underwater-themed vibes. Kid-friendly, loud, colorful. Good for a rainy day or a group with energy to burn.

The Heat

Brutal. 110° most days. But the challenge was part of it. I wanted to know if I could survive and enjoy myself through the sweat. The answer: yes, but bring electrolytes and a golf towel.

The Takeaway

Big Cedar isn’t just a place—it’s an experience. For golfers, it’s a bucket-list destination. For nature lovers, it’s a mountain lodge dream. For everyone else, it’s an escape from the world with options for any kind of traveler.

Whether you’re walking a world-class course, having deep talks with a caddie named Cale, buying a t-shirt because you chunked it in the water, or just standing still under a sunset—it’s all part of the story.

Would I Go Back?

Absolutely. Just not in peak heatwave season.

Perfect For:

→ Golfers chasing signature courses

→ Couples who want lakeside luxury

→ Families who want activity without chaos

→ Solo travelers looking to reset

→ Anyone who believes the outdoors and a ribeye belong in the