Limestone pinnacles on the Top of the Rock golf course

Where to stay

Big Cedar Lodge

Big Cedar Lodge is the resort in Ridgedale, south of Branson, with lodge rooms, cottages, private log cabins, glamping and golf accommodations. You need to be 21 to check in, or 18 on active duty. Guests get into Top of the Rock free, and the resort has six golf courses, from a 9-hole par 3 to Payne's Valley. From November 7 to December 30, 2026, it runs a drive-through light tour, free for resort guests.

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Where you sleep

Checked November 8, 2026Check-in 21+6 golf courses

Top of the Rock, Ridgedale, Missouri · Photo: Ti89T / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Credits

Where you sleep

Rooms, cottages and cabins

Big Cedar's stays come in seven types: lodge rooms, cottages, private log cabins, glamping and camp cabins, golf accommodations, Thunder Ridge Suites and exclusive accommodations. You can also search vacation rentals around Ridgedale on Vrbo.

Top of the Rock: entry and the cave trail

Cabins around Branson

Lakeside Cottages: A limited number, with a pet deposit
Camp Long Creek: Yes, with a pet deposit
Payne's Valley Cottages: Pet-free
All accommodations: Service animals welcome

Check-in and pets

Rules to know before you book

Pets are limited to some cottages and Camp Long Creek, so say you're bringing one when you book.

Check-in: From 4 pm
Check-out: By 11 am
Age to check in: 21; active-duty military 18
Pets: In a limited number of Lakeside Cottages and at Camp Long Creek, with a pet deposit; service animals everywhere
Top of the Rock: Free entry for hotel guests

Golf

Six golf courses

Groups are up to four players, and men over 12 need a collared shirt. Rider fees are $45 plus tax on the big courses and $30 plus tax at Top of the Rock, and Buffalo Ridge's practice area costs $45 for a day. The Top of the Rock par 3 closes for renovation on November 6, 2027, and is expected back on June 1, 2028. In winter, Ozarks National and Buffalo Ridge close from December 7, 2026 to March 4, 2027, and Mountain Top from January 1; Payne's Valley, Cliffhangers and Top of the Rock stay open.

Payne's Valley
Holes19-hole championship courseGood to knowAbout 5 hours
Ozarks National
Holes18-hole championship courseGood to knowAbout 4½ hours
Buffalo Ridge
Holes18-hole championship courseGood to knowAbout 4½ hours
Cliffhangers
Holes18-hole par 3Good to knowAbout 3½ hours; rider fee $45 plus tax
Top of the Rock
Holes9-hole par 3Good to knowAbout 1 hour 45 minutes
Mountain Top
Holes13-hole walking course, no cartsGood to knowAbout 2 hours

All golf in Branson

Dining

Where to eat at Big Cedar

Osage is the dinner restaurant up at Top of the Rock; Arnie's Barn is the daytime stop, and the Buzzard Bar is where the evenings end with live music.

Devil's Pool
WhereThe main lodge restaurant, 612 Devil's Pool RoadHoursBreakfast 7–11 am (buffet on weekends), lunch 11 am–2 pm, dinner 4–9 pm
Osage Restaurant
WhereAt Top of the Rock, 190 Top of the Rock RoadHours4–8 pm Sunday to Thursday, 4–9 pm Friday and Saturday; Sunday brunch 10 am–2 pm
Arnie's Barn
Where150 Top of the Rock RoadHours11 am–4 pm, plus Taste of Arnie's 4–8 pm on Saturdays; closed Sundays
Buzzard Bar
Where612 Devil's Pool RoadHours2–11 pm, live music from 8:30 pm

Top of the Rock

Big Cedar's hilltop park

Top of the Rock is part of the resort and the easiest way to see it without staying the night. The best part is the Lost Canyon Cave & Nature Trail, 2.5 miles by golf cart through the woods and a cave; allow at least three hours with the museum.

From November 7 to December 30, 2026, Big Cedar runs a self-guided drive-through light tour, 5 to 10 pm daily: $35 a car or $60 a minibus, free for resort guests, cards only. Check in at the Big Cedar entrance off the roundabout, not at Top of the Rock, and book ahead, since drive-up spots are limited. All the Christmas lights.

Top of the Rock: tickets, cave trail and sunsets

Entry: $10 per vehicle; $15 from 4 pm and for evening events, more on some holidays
Hotel guests: Free entry
Same day: Come and go without paying twice
Payment: Card only
Parking: A free shuttle from the Welcome Center runs Friday to Sunday, 8 am to 11 pm; Monday to Thursday, park in the valet lot. Large vehicles should call ahead
Pets: Only service animals; no pets or emotional support animals
Lost Canyon Cave & Nature Trail: A 2.5-mile golf-cart trail with its own ticket, daily 9 am–5 pm, weather permitting; the last cart leaves an hour before closing. The Ancient Ozarks Natural History Museum is included

Stay nearby

Hotels near Big Cedar

Drive times by road, without traffic.

Hilton Grand Vacations Club Paradise Point HollisterHollister and Ridgedale 9.2 on ExpediaFree parkingNo pets4.5 miles, 16 min to Big Cedar; indoor and outdoor pools, suites with kitchens.Check prices
Angler's Lodge HollisterHollister and Ridgedale 9.2 on ExpediaFree parkingPets: 2 dogs, $75 a pet a stayBreakfast included7.8 miles, 14 min to Big Cedar, in Hollister.Check prices

Ridgedale and Big Cedar vacation rentals on Vrbo

What people ask

Quick answers

Where is Big Cedar Lodge?

In Ridgedale, south of Branson, next to Top of the Rock. From the Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing it's 11 miles, 18 minutes by car, without traffic.

How much does Big Cedar Lodge cost?

Rates depend on the date and the type of stay, from lodge rooms to private log cabins, and taxes and a resort fee come on top of the room rate.

What restaurants are at Big Cedar Lodge?

Devil's Pool is the main lodge restaurant, for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Up at Top of the Rock, Osage serves dinner from 4 pm and a Sunday brunch, and Arnie's Barn is the lunch stop; the Buzzard Bar by the lodge has live music in the evening. The resort has a dozen restaurants in all.

Is Top of the Rock part of Big Cedar Lodge?

Yes. Top of the Rock is Big Cedar's hilltop park in Ridgedale, with the Lost Canyon Cave & Nature Trail, a museum, restaurants and the par-3 golf course. Resort guests get in free.

Can you visit Big Cedar Lodge without staying there?

Yes, at Top of the Rock: entry is $10 per vehicle during the day and $15 from 4 pm.

Is the Top of the Rock golf course closing?

It's scheduled to close for renovation on November 6, 2027, and to reopen around June 1, 2028.

Does Big Cedar Lodge allow pets?

Only in a limited number of the Lakeside Cottages and at Camp Long Creek, with a pet deposit. The Payne's Valley Cottages are pet-free, and service animals are welcome in all accommodations.