Any time of year there is outdoor recreation in the Ozarks. We have four distinct seasons yet winters are mild. Many guests know that summer is full of possibilities, but even more are amazed to learn what they can do all year. If you find yourself in need of some outdoor recreation, give us a call regardless of what time of year it is.
Winter
Winter is an excellent time to hike, conduct nature photography efforts, track bird migrations, and explore Ozark geology. Fishing is also very good. Snow in the Ozark Mountains is common but unlike in northern areas it rarely accumulates to more than 3 to 6 inches deep. Snow usually melts completely in 3 to 10 days. The ground is bare most of the winter season. Temperatures are usually above freezing during the day and nights rarely get colder than 20 degrees. Cold snaps do occur and temperatures will get down to 10, or even 0 degrees. Yet most winter days are in the upper 30's to upper 50's. The coldest weather normally occurs in late January or early February. The heaviest snow storms tend to occur in late February or early March when as much as two feet of wet heavy snow may fall. November and December are the best months for most "leaves off" activities.
Spring
Early spring comes at the end of February and the first two weeks of March. One of the most beautiful Ozark flowers, the blood root, blossoms at this time. The weather warms up making hiking, fishing, and photography pleasant once again. This is the time of year to start looking for wild baby animals if you are a nature photographer. The last of March and the first part of April, just before the trees turn green, is when most of the colorful wildflowers bloom. The first trees to blossom are the wild plum and cherry species with white blossoms which show before any green leaf. Next comes the red buds about the last of March, then as the red bud bloom passes the dogwood bloom begins and last until mid-April.Trees have usually greened out fully by the last of April. Some of the most beautiful weather of the year happens in May and early June. The lake is warm enough to swim in by May 15.
Summer
By the last week of May summer is here. Swim, water ski, hike, fish, you name it, few times of the year are better for it. The weather is warm but not hot and humid. However, June 15 through the first two weeks of September is the time to spend on the lake. It is too hot to do much else outdoors. The fishing remains good, both at night and early morning. During the day is the time to travel to area attractions in air conditioned comfort. Summer temperatures hover in the mid 80's to low 90's through July and August. High 90's and even 100 degree days are not uncommon in August.
Fall
About the last week of September summer is over. Being closer to the equator than northern zones, but not too close, gives the Ozarks an unusually long Indian Summer. Daytime temperatures stay in the 70's and 80's through mid October, but night and early morning temperatures dip into the low 50's and upper 40's. Temperatures do not cool down until mid to late October. Fall foliage peaks about the last few days of October and the first few days of November. The first freeze usually occurs in November. The last two weeks of September, all of October, all of November, and most of December see many warm days. Highs in the 60's are not uncommon in November and December. October and November are the best months for hiking and other non-water outdoor recreation. Wildflowers bloom through October or until the first hard freeze. September and October is the season for several festivals and fairs. Fall is also an excellent time to fish.
