# Travel >> Destinations >> United States

How to Plan a Short Trip to the Ozark Mountains

The Ozark Mountains span across southern Missouri and part of northwestern Arkansas. Home to numerous outdoor activities, summer is the best time to visit the region. When planning a short trip to the Ozark Mountains, consider what you want to do while you are there, whether it's fishing, hiking, camping or taking a scenic drive. The sheer size of the Ozarks is an important reason to plan your trip. It covers more than 50,000 square miles, which is a lot of space, especially if you're just going for a short time.

Instructions

- 1
  Look at a map of the region. Pinpoint the regions you want to visit and decide which are feasible to include in a short trip. You don't want to spend the entire vacation driving from one point to another.
- 2
  Research which places have the best fishing, if you're planning on doing that. Roaring River State Park has a reputation among trout anglers, while bass fishers like to visit Table Rock Lake.
- 3
  Learn about canoeing in the Ozarks. Call and make a reservation for a canoe ahead of time from one of the many retailers in the area if you don't own one. Many canoers visit Jack's Fork, one of the most primitive rivers in the region.
- 4
  Research lodging options. Look at campgrounds if you plan on camping and book ahead of time, especially in the summer as the region is popular and many campsites fill up early.
- 5
  Plan a scenic drive through the region. Lonely Planet ranks the drive from Ozark to Eureka Springs on Pig Trail Byway (Hwy 23) as one of the Top 10 scenic drives in the United States.