Hiking and mountain biking trails through Ozarks forest on the Big Cedar property, with multiple difficulty levels and no cost for resort guests.
The Big Cedar Lodge property includes miles of hiking and mountain biking trails that wind through Ozarks hardwood forest across the resort's 4,600 acres. The trails span multiple difficulty levels, from flat lakeside paths suitable for a morning walk to steeper wooded routes that provide a genuine workout. The system is free for resort guests, with bike rental available at approximately $20 to $40 for those who do not bring their own.
The trails operate year-round, weather dependent, from dawn to dusk. The fall months offer the best combination of comfortable temperatures and foliage color, and the trail system provides a morning or afternoon activity that complements golf without competing with it for energy.
Trails are self-guided with markers at key intersections. Proper footwear is recommended for the steeper routes. The Ozarks terrain includes roots and rock outcroppings on the more challenging trails. Water and sunscreen are essential during summer months. Trail maps are available at the lodge front desk.
The trail system operates on the same property as the golf courses, which means a golfer can walk a trail in the morning and play 18 holes in the afternoon without leaving the resort. The integration of trails into the broader property, rather than as a designated "nature area" separated from the resort, reinforces the wilderness character that defines Big Cedar.