These are some of the most breathtaking views in the South. Take in our top picks
These are some of the most breathtaking views in the South. Take in our top picks These are the Most Treasured Views in the South
From mountains to bayous, the southern United States offers a generous variety of features that make for stunning photography and delightful scenery.
This is part of a new USA TODAY network project showcasing breathtaking – and perhaps, underappreciated – views throughout the United States. These are some of the most beautiful landmarks, scenic vistas and hidden gems you can truly treasure throughout the nation.
Here are a few of our favorites from the South:
Little River Canyon, Alabama
Little River Canyon National Preserve, located in the Southern Appalachians near Fort Payne in northeast Alabama, has long been a favorite of hikers and photographers. Nearly the full length of Little River flows in a deep canyon along the top of Lookout Mountain. Little River is one of the most pristine waterways in the southeast. — Mickey Welsh, Montgomery Advertiser
Whitaker Point, Arkansas
A favorite vantage for photographers, Whitaker Point — often called Hawksbill Crag — looms above the Buffalo National River near Ponca and Jasper, Arkansas. The rocky outcropping is on the Whitaker Point Trail, a three-mile roundtrip hike. It is viewed as one of the most scenic and iconic spots along the river, standing more than 100 feet above the forest. The spot is busy in the spring, summer and fall. — Claudette Riley, Springfield News-Leader
Blowing Rocks Preserve, Florida
Blowing Rocks Preserve is the largest stretch of exposed Anastasia limestone, or coquina rock, along the Atlantic coast. Its backdrop is teal ocean water carried here from the Caribbean, thanks to the Gulf Stream. The preserve got its name from the way water bursts upward through holes in the rocks during a combination of rough surf, strong wind and high tide. On extreme days, it can cause plumes of water to shoot up to 50 feet in the air — but that's only 3 percent of the time. — Kristina Webb, Palm Beach Daily News
Jekyll Island's Driftwood Beach, Georgia
A short hike through scrubby marsh and undulating dunes leads to one of Georgia's most breathtaking sites: a sculpture garden handcrafted over centuries by wind, salt and water. Jekyll Island's Driftwood Beach is the final resting place of live oaks and other trees that were around when Gilded Age families with names like Vanderbilt and Rockefeller 'wintered' at the exclusive Jekyll Island Club.
Once tethered to the uplands, beach erosion and storms have liberated them from their sentinels, tossing them in gnarled heaps along the north end of the island where tides both soften and harden their resolve. — Savannah Morning News
Buy reprints: Purchase select prints of Jekyll Island and other Most Treasured Views
Churchill Downs, Kentucky
This place might host the most beautiful and beloved two minutes of the year during the Kentucky Derby, but Churchill Downs is a sight to see beyond the first Saturday in May. Along with Spring Meet live racing in June, including Downs After Dark races on June 21, the summer is a great time to schedule a tour of the iconic racetrack via the Kentucky Derby Museum. And you'll likely learn something new even if you're a lifelong Kentucky resident. — Amanda Hancock, Louisville Courier Journal
Lake Martin, Louisiana
Lake Martin sits just outside Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, and offers one of the best places in the state to experience swamp life up close. Part of the Cypress Island Nature Preserve, the lake is known for its thriving rookery and towering cypress trees draped in Spanish moss. During nesting season in spring and early summer, the area is filled with birds like great egrets, roseate spoonbills and herons, drawing birdwatchers and photographers from across the region. — Aaron Gonsoulin, Lafayette Daily Advertiser
Horn Island, Mississippi
Horn Island is located roughly seven miles from the Mississippi mainland in the Mississippi Sound and is one of the few places in the state that is a true wilderness. It's popular due to its natural state, uninhabited solitude, and green water.
In the 1950s, it was a favorite place for renowned artist Walter Anderson. There, his models were birds, turtles, alligators and other wildlife, all abundant on the island. Those same animals, along with the dunes, ponds, beaches and sunsets, make for some of the most beautiful views found anywhere in the country. — Brian Broom, Jackson Clarion Ledger
Old Baldy Lighthouse, North Carolina
The Old Baldy Lighthouse is the oldest surviving lighthouse in North Carolina. Visitors willing to climb to the top can experience the breathtaking panoramic view of the island, Cape Fear River, and nearby shoals. Paired with the Smith Island Museum of History, the two structures preserve the rich cultural and historical narrative of Bald Head Island, from island history and maritime traditions to local lore. — Savanna Tenenoff, Wilmington StarNews
Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, Oklahoma
Standing tall above the southwest Oklahoma prairie are the Wichita Mountains, a treasure among Oklahomans and visitors alike. The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge is home to nearly 60,000 acres of mixed grass prairie, ancient granite mountains, freshwater lakes and streams and an abundance of wildlife species.
The most commonly sought-out view of the refuge is from the top of Mount Scott, which can be reached on foot or by car. From 2,464 feet up, you can see panoramic views of the surrounding plains. It's not hard to spot roaming bison, longhorn cattle and elk throughout the refuge. — Jana Hayes, The Oklahoman
Sassafras Mountain, South Carolina
Sassafras Mountain in Pickens County is the highest point in South Carolina at 3,554 feet above sea level. It is a long-time popular destination to experience the area's unspoiled wilderness. An observation tower at the overlook offers 360-degree views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and three states, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia. — Terry Benjamin II, Greenville News
Savage Gulf and the Great Stone Door, Tennessee
Located about 30 miles south of McMinnville in Beersheba Springs, Tennessee, Savage Gulf State Park and Natural Area provides some of the state's most breathtaking views that are easily accessible and undisturbed. The Great Stone Door trail is an easy-to-moderate trail that winds about a mile out to a rock bluff exposing panoramic views overlooking the gulf hundreds of feet below. Take those views in and then do a trek up and down the Great Stone Door steps. There is no fee to access the trails that are pet-friendly (dogs must remain leashed). Make it a weekend away and either camp in the park or find some fun treehouses nearby, like the Tree Lofts or Bolt Farm Treehouse. For more information, visit https://tnstateparks.com/parks/savage-gulf or call 931-692-3887. — Melonee Hurt, The Tennessean
Palo Duro Canyon State Park, Texas
Palo Duro Canyon State Park, featuring the "Grand Canyon of Texas" with its iconic views and vivid colors, is a "don't miss" experience not far off the iconic Route 66. The second-largest canyon in the United States, it slices through the flat plains near Amarillo, revealing 120 miles of colorful rock layers that tell a 250-million-year geological story. The park offers more than 30 miles of hiking, biking, and equestrian trails, including the popular Lighthouse Trail leading to the park's well-known 310-foot rock formation. — Adam Young, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal staff
Natural Bridge, Virginia
Once owned by Thomas Jefferson, rumored to have been surveyed by George Washington and referenced by Herman Melville in 'Moby-Dick,' Natural Bridge is a 215-foot-tall limestone gorge in Virginia's Rockbridge County. Dedicated as Virginia's 37th state park in 2016, Natural Bridge is surrounded by forests, meadows and more than 10 miles of hiking trails. — Staunton News Leader staff
Elakala Falls, West Virginia
Elakala Falls, tucked inside Blackwater Falls State Park, is a hidden gem of the Appalachian Mountains. Cascading gently over mossy rocks into shaded gorges, the falls offer a peaceful escape surrounded by ancient hemlocks and rhododendrons. A short hike from the Blackwater Lodge brings you to the first of four waterfalls, with rustic bridges and winding trails adding to the fairytale feel. The park, located in Davis, West Virginia, is about a three-hour drive from Pittsburgh or Washington, D.C., making it an ideal weekend getaway. — USA TODAY staff
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USA Today
2 days ago
- USA Today
'Don't know how we should behave': Is the US South LGBTQ friendly?
'Don't know how we should behave': Is the US South LGBTQ friendly? Show Caption Hide Caption Organizers say political pressure is motivation to continue celebrating Pride Organizers say political pressure is motivation to continue organizing and celebrating Pride, although some corporate support dwindles. LGBTQ+ travelers are taking extra precautions, especially in the South, due to a perceived increase in hostility. Resources like IGLTA, Everywhere is Queer, and LGBTQ+ friendly travel advisors can help travelers find inclusive spaces and plan safer trips. Despite challenges, experts and travelers emphasize the diversity of the South and encourage researching destinations and engaging with local communities. When Madeline Gregg and her wife, Bryn, drive to Florida for vacation, they consider more than just road safety. In certain parts of the South, the 33-year-old certified sex educator said, it feels less risky for her to get out and pump gas while her wife, who is transgender, stays in the car. 'We don't even have to talk about it anymore,' she told USA TODAY. 'It's just assumed.' The couple has also learned which businesses have family or gender-neutral bathrooms conveniently located along the route from their home in Louisville, Kentucky, including in states with restrictive bathroom laws. Even in the Melbourne, Florida, area – where they typically visit three to five times a year and Bryn's family has a beach house – they are cautious about showing public displays of affection. 'We want to enjoy where we are, and if we draw more attention to us, we probably won't enjoy it as much,' she said. As a native Kentuckian, Gregg is accustomed to those kinds of precautions. However, she is among a number of people who have found traveling in the American South more fraught as the federal government targets the LGBTQ+ community. Even within the region, though, LGBTQ+ visitors' experiences can vary widely. Here's what to know when considering a trip to the South. 'I don't know how we should behave' While the South is varied and diverse, the region tends to be less LGBTQ+ friendly than some other parts of the country. Six of the lowest-ranked states on Out Leadership's 2025 State LGBTQ+ Business Climate Index, which gauges the impacts of government policies and attitudes towards the community, were in the Southeast. Gregg said there were previously some areas where the pair felt they had to be more aware during their Florida road trips, but after the 2024 presidential election, it was 'vastly, vastly different.' 'People were more inclined to say things,' she said. 'A lot more stares.' She remembers a passerby even made a disparaging remark about gender identity while they were walking their dog in Florida. The couple has only been to Melbourne in the last six months. The Greggs are not the only ones. Omie, who makes travel content with his fiancé, Davey, under the moniker Traveling Boyfriends, similarly feels a 'level of paranoia' when visiting the region more now than ever before. The 34-year-old said the couple visits the South at least once a year for work or to see friends and family. They asked to be identified by only their professional names due to privacy and safety concerns. They spend much of their time abroad, but are based in Chicago when they're in the U.S. 'Driving from Atlanta to Charleston, you go through places that you're just like, 'I don't know how we should behave,'' he said. 'Like, you have to almost act as friends. You have to look over your shoulder in some ways.' Davey echoed that. The 37-year-old, who is originally from England, said visiting New York comparatively 'feels very, very open, very accepting.' 'It doesn't feel to me like that mentality changes depending on whatever the political sway of the country is at that moment,' he said. 'The South is just not as familiar and feels more uncomfortable. It may be (that) part of that, if I'm being honest, is a bit of ignorance, because I don't know it as well … but also because ... there are stories almost every day of some level of more integrated hate around these parts of the U.S.' Tips for traveling in the South Even so, there are plenty of inclusive spaces to be found. 'The South is incredibly diverse and very nuanced,' said Andy Knowles, a travel advisor with Fora Travel based in North Carolina. He said travelers have to make their own risk assessments before visiting a destination, and recommended doing 'as much research as you feel comfortable doing' on the front end. Getting to know the legislation on the books is a good idea. 'You can't dictate the entire state's sentiment based on their laws, but I think that that is a pretty good starting point,' Knowles said. A queer-friendly travel advisor can help walk clients through the planning process, too. John Tanzella, president and CEO of the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association (IGLTA) suggested connecting 'with local LGBTQ+ groups or trusted travel networks, and choose accommodations and services known for their inclusivity and care. This way, you can focus on enjoying your trip and feeling truly supported.' Travelers can find a database of accommodations on IGLTA's website. Knowles also noted that Expedia has an 'LGBTQ welcoming' search filter. Gregg recommended reaching out to tourism boards or following them on social media. 'The whole reason that they're there is because they want people to come, so they want you to feel as safe as possible in their city,' she said. She and her wife have also used the Everywhere is Queer app to find welcoming businesses. Once there, they have asked for their recommendations, as well. LGBTQ+ friendly destinations in the South Knowles said there are some 'really magical destinations for LGBTQ, travelers' in the region, including popular cities like Key West, Miami and Atlanta. 'New Orleans is, generally speaking, very diverse, very LGBTQ friendly, even in a state that's typically not,' Knowles added. He also recommended Savannah, Georgia, which has a thriving arts scene and more of a gay presence than some other Southern cities. Omie and Davey enjoyed a May trip to Charlotte, North Carolina. Tanzella also highlighted places like Tampa and Dallas, which 'have built warm, welcoming communities with year-round events and genuine allyship.' He advised travelers to look for 'signs of genuine commitment' from destinations, such as those that support LGBTQ+ events and community organizations and have clear anti-discrimination policies. 'Truly inclusive destinations don't just talk the talk during Pride Month, they show up year-round,' he said in an email. Still, during an April trip to San Francisco, Gregg was struck by the affectionate public displays of couples and the widespread use of rainbow flags. In contrast, she and her wife took down their pride flag back home in Louisville because passersby yelled slurs when the couple sat on the porch. 'It's extremely normal for us, but until you experience traveling to other places, you don't really realize how in the closet and how quiet you have to be in public in the South,' she said. She emphasized, however, it's important not to generalize, and attitudes and experiences can vary widely – even by neighborhood. 'I will say that the South has its stereotypes,' added Knowles, who was born and raised in California and moved to Asheville about three-and-a-half years ago. 'And I would just say, do not write off an entire region of the country based on some of the headlines that we see.' Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at ndiller@
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Getting hitched? Here are some of Pueblo's best wedding venues to consider for the big day
Pueblo lovebirds who have decided to tie the knot have hundreds of choices to make before the big day, from where to get hitched to what to wear, who to invite, what to eat, what kind of flowers to use for decorating, and who to hire for photography. When it comes to choosing the site, considerations often include whether the ceremony will be indoors or outdoors (or a little of both), as well as atmosphere, accommodations, staff, accessibility, and even parking. Josh and Kristan Lepik of Lepik Photography have been capturing memorable moments of Puebloans' wedding events for the past 12 years. They've spent a lot of time gauging the pros and cons of wedding venues they've worked at and have shared blog posts on their website that help newlyweds-to-be decide where they want to hold their big event. "We are trying to be that premier place to help choose venues. We started with a blog on the Abriendo Inn and the Union Depot and we are currently working on the convention center," Josh Lepik told the Chieftain. The photographers' website also lists considerations to take into account for several different photography locations and sample pictures at each site. They even get into details like whether there is a parking fee. When it comes to making the choice, sometimes multiple options get the nod. "We had one couple that got married at a very tiny church and then the reception was in a backyard so neither place was great for photos," he explained. It turned out that Lake Pueblo was between the church and the reception, "so we went to the north entrance of the reservoir and there is a road off to the right with a half-circle parking lot and that's right by the water so that's where we took the photos." "The good thing about Pueblo is that you can get anywhere in 20 minutes. We try to find unique places around Pueblo that can make it epic," Lepik explained. The former passenger train station, built in 1889, is a red-brick marvel harkening back to the Romanesque era. A large banquet hall can accommodate up to 500 guests and is used for more than 200 events yearly, from wedding receptions to private parties. "It is a great location, has a bridal loft for getting ready and plenty of photo opportunities," Lepik said. Find out more at This circa 1906 blonde-brick four-story mansion offers a fairy-tale-like setting for weddings. The Abriendo Inn is owned by Jeff and Cindy Baily. Cindy Baily has three decades of experience as a wedding planner and the couple hosts 10 to 12 weddings and receptions each year, ranging from 30 people inside to up to 325 people outside. The inn has "obvious beauty both inside, with stunning woodwork, stained glass windows, and chandeliers, and outside with beautiful lawn, trees and a water fountain," Cindy Bailey said. "There are plenty of rooms for all guests to get ready, and it's a beautiful property for taking lots of pictures," Lepik said. "We offer clients a one-stop shop for their special day. Couples and guests can attend the ceremony and reception all in one place, eliminating the need to travel to a new location for each part of the event," Cindy Bailey explained. Find out more at Surrounded by green meadows, aspen and pine trees, and breathtaking views of the Wet Mountain Range, Brush Canyon Ranch is a private, quiet mountain location that specializes in outdoor weddings. The facility is highlighted by a ceremony gazebo, a reception pavilion and cabin lodging. "It is a great location with suites for both the bride and groom to get ready, plus it is great for photos," Lepik said. Find out more at The 1997 convention center received major upgrades in 2019. The center can accommodate almost any budget and weddings ranging from 25 to 1,000 guests With an in-house culinary team, the center staff can also handle the reception and feeding guests. "It is one of the top places in Pueblo. They can accommodate any size of wedding with multiple rooms that can expand. It is in the heart of downtown with lots of parking and is easily accessible," Lepik said. He pointed out the convention center has limited photo opportunities, "unless you drive a short distance or walk to the riverwalk." Some other popular wedding venues in Pueblo include the , which is centrally located in the heart of downtown and provides nice shade; the , which has Industrial vibes, an outdoor patio and inside space; and the , which is a "wonderful riverwalk venue with plenty of parking where there are lots of photo opportunities," Lepik said. Both and can be good outdoor-only wedding venues with "plenty of space for everyone, which makes them great for the ceremony and reception," Lepik said. "The only downside is they are fully outdoors, so weather will be the biggest factor." Pueblo is also home to several other smaller event and reception halls and there are several other ranches that also host weddings in the county. The Lepiks have worked to build up their business and that effort has won them Best of Pueblo Community Choice Awards for photography businesses for the past few years. They said one thing they've learned is that there are many great choices for photos in the community. The old jailhouse, the Station at the Riverwalk, a public sidewalk with beautiful blooming trees in the background, the dome in Mineral Palace Park, and many other places can be ideal to capture memories of the big day. "We got married at the top of the (Rawlings) library on Abriendo. You can rent out the whole rooftop of the library and it was insanely cheap," Lepik said. "We felt like we were on top of the city, on top of the library on top of the hill on Abriendo. We had half indoor and half outdoor accomodations and it was truly cool," he explained. More: How the Pueblo Convention Center set a new gross revenue record in 2024 Chieftain reporter Tracy Harmon covers business news. She can be reached by email at tharmon@ or via X at Support local news, subscribe to The Pueblo Chieftain at This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Here are the best wedding venues in Pueblo, Colorado
Forbes
2 days ago
- Forbes
Stunning New Golf Course At USA Today's Best Golf Resort In America
July 4th is America's birthday, and American golfers are getting a great present this year. For the past several years, Big Cedar Lodge in the beautiful Missouri Ozarks has continued to improve and expand its golf offerings, to the point where for the first time, back in April, USA Today readers voted it the nation's Best Golf Resort for 2025 (as a longtime but not current USA Today contributor I was asked to be one of several panelists on the nominating committee but did not vote in the competition). Just a month later, the crew at Forbes Vetted named Big Cedar the 'Best Golf Resort in the U.S. for Families' and one of the nation's '8 Best Golf Resorts.' But those awards, as impressive as they are, both came when Big Cedar 'only' had five courses. On July 4th weekend it will officially open its sixth and most unique layout, Cliffhangers, which has been 'soft' opened for limited preview play the past few weeks, and I was able to go and see it. Here is your first look at a stunning new golf course at USA Today's best golf resort in America. There are more than 38,000 golf courses on earth, making it extremely hard to do anything in golf course design that has literally never been done before. I have not played every course, but I have been covering golf travel, courses and design in deep detail for over 30 years, and I have played many of the very highest rated ones on every inhabited continent. So, I am pretty sure that the third hole at Cliffhangers is the only one on any course where golfers tee off from inside a cave and hit their tee shot through a waterfall cascading over the mouth of the cave to a green far below. There's a course in Idaho with a movable island green in a lake that changes locations daily, an ocean island hole in Mexico you have to take an amphibious cart to putt out, and a 19th hole in South Africa that requires a helicopter to reach the clifftop tee. Cliffhangers instantly joins this pantheon of crazy, unforgettable, one-of-a-kind golf. Or as Big Cedar Lodge owner Johnny Morris calls it, 'Adventure Golf.' Morris is the founder, owner and CEO of outdoor retail giant Bass Pros Shops (which also owns outdoor retail giant Cabela's) and has been called 'the Walt Disney of retail' for his elaborate, theatrical and sometimes interactive in-store displays, which involve everything from live alligators to fishing boats docked in the water—inside one of the world's largest pyramids. Morris is famous for his vision, for seeing things others do not and then sparing no expense to turn them into reality, and the 4,600-acre Big Cedar Lodge resort is his personal pride and joy. He grew up in this part of the Ozarks, loves it, and want you to love it too, and he has done a tremendous amount of work to make sure that happens. While his other courses have involved the world's most famous designers (more below), Cliffhangers was the work of Morris and his son John Paul, who looked up at the precipitous, rocky, cliffside terrain and thought what no one else would: why not build a golf course there? 'This is golf on the edge—literally,' said Morris. 'We wanted to create something that celebrates the natural wonder of the Ozarks while delivering an unforgettable adventure for every golfer.' John Paul added, 'Cliffhangers reflects everything we love about nature, adventure, and golf. It's wild, fun, and unlike anything in the game of golf today' He is right about that. Golfers traverse steep cart trails and drive through creeks, past waterfalls, and through the signature cave. And Johnny Morris so wants visitors to go home with a hole in one as a memory that he built extra tee boxes on holes one and ten and greens fee include a shot from each so you get 20 bites at the apple. That's because Cliffhangers is a par-3 course, which as traveling golfers know, is all the rage in golf right now. The best resorts, from Pebble Beach to Pinehurst to Bandon Dunes, along with Streamsong, Cabot Citrus Farms, Sand Valley and many others have been rushing to introduce new par-3 courses, but none of those are as memorable as Cliffhangers, which is meant to be super fun for both the most seasoned golfers and those new to the game (though with all the water features it is entirely possible to lose more balls here than on one of the resort's three championship eighteen hole courses—all of which are ranked in the nation's Top 100 You Can Play by Golf Digest). Also, while many of the new short courses popping up across the country are only nine holes (or random ten or twelve), this is 18-20, the full deal. Not your usual golf course cart path. Big Cedar Resort Like most of the current crop of par-3 courses, born from the tradition of pitch and putt layouts, holes are on the shorter side and I got through Cliffhangers hitting northing more than an eight iron. But the visual variety is staggering, with an island green, peninsula holes, huge elevation changes, and exposed rock and water everywhere—it is built into and on top of cliffs, after all. The cave tee box and waterfall combo make three an instant de facto signature hole, but really just about every hole out here could be one. I mean, just look at the pictures. All of this overlooks Payne's Valley, my favorite course at Big Cedar and a drop-dead visual stunner with more lakes, more greens, more waterfalls, and beauty as far as the eye can see. Another person who previewed the course in advance was golf personality Lauren Thompson, host of The Morning Drive on The Golf Channel. She said, 'I've played many great courses around the world, and Cliffhangers is unlike anything I've ever seen. It's breathtakingly beautiful, incredibly challenging, and the best thing to happen to golf in years.' Years. Aerial view of the new Cliffhangers course. Big Cedar Resort The resort is so big that it has an extensive free shuttle system to move guests around, as lodging options include a hotel, lakefront cabins, rental homes, a safari-style glamping resort, and new luxury golf cabins out at the Mountain Top clubhouse by Payne's Valley and Cliffhangers. I rode to dinner in a shuttle with a group of retired bank executives who had been doing an annual golf trip together for 31 years, and had been all over the place, to many regions and golf resorts. They told me they had just played Cliffhangers and one of them confided, 'It was as much fun as any 'real' course I have ever played.' I loved it too, and it is a perfect short 20-holes to get in before tackling one of the bigger courses at Big Cedar, because in addition to getting you in a great mood, it will help dial in your short game, as the fast bentgrass greens are similar in speed to those on the full-sized layouts. Short courses do not need to have grass this good, but Morris does not cut corners, and those playing Cliffhangers even get to stop into the fancy Payne's Valley halfway house during their round, where all the snacks are free, including the signature premium bison hot dogs, from a herd he raises in a nature reserve near Big Cedar. I recommend you try to make a morning tee time at Cliffhangers before a round at Payne's Valley, for a near-perfect day of golf. As good as it is, golfers are not likely to make a trip to Big Cedar just to play the new par-3 layout, but they might be curious how it became the Best Golf Resort in the U.S. So here's the Big Cedar golf overview in a nutshell. The highest rated course in Missouri is Ozarks National, by the legendary design duo of Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw. The second highest rated course in Missouri is Payne's Valley, the 19-hole effort by Tiger Woods. It is the only public eighteen by Woods in the country, and it is fabulous. I think the magazines always favor Coore and Crenshaw designs, but I firmly believe the Woods course is even better. I played it the day it opened in 2019, I have played it since, and wrote this story here at Forbes, 'Tiger Wood's First Public U.S. Golf Course is Awesome.' It is fun, extremely playable, has some great risk/reward holes so it appeals to all caliber players, and it is visually stunning. It is telling that they sell more tee times at Payne's Valley than on any other course. The third highest rated course in Missouri is Buffalo Ridge, a Tom Fazio design that has bison grazing next to its fairways (not the ones that make the hot dogs). All three eighteens are ranked in the Top 100 in the U.S., a feat only a handful of resorts have ever achieved. On top of this, the facilities, service and conditioning are first rate, and the concept of standout Midwestern hospitality is very much evident. Big Cedar also has caddies, forecaddies and extensive practice facilities, including a putting course inspired by the Himalayas in St. Andrews, Scotland and designed by 8-time Major Champion Tom Watson. Then there are two stunning 'regular' par-3 courses, not shortened versions, but all full-length holes, up to 221-yards. The Gary Player designed Mountain Top is a walking-only 13-hole stunner carved through rock formations and rolling terrain. The Jack Nicklaus Signature Top of the Rock 9-holer is the only par-3 course ever used in competition in a PGA Tour sanctioned event, the Bass Pro Shops Legends of Golf, which used to be played here and on Buffalo Ridge. These par-3 courses are so good that you could make a trip to Big Cedar just to play them and Cliffhangers, though I would not pass up the 'big' courses. But as one-shotters go, both Mountain Top and Top of the Rock are as good as anything I have seen on earth. Golf Magazine finally added a ranking of short courses to its more famous Top 100 in the U.S. and Top 100 in the World lists, before Cliffhangers. It ranked the 25 Best Par-3 Courses in the World, but unlike the Top 100, courses were not ranked in order, just the best 25. The vast majority are at the world's top ultra-private clubs, like Augusta National, Pine Valley and the Olympic Club. Less than ten of the world's courses on the list are public, and both Mountain Top and Top of the Rock made the cut. That means until Cliffhangers opens July 4th, every one of the five golf courses at Big Cedar has made the most important 'Best' lists in the industry, and that is no coincidence. In addition to the stunning new golf course, for fishing fans, Big Cedar Lodge sits right on 43,000-acre Table Rock Lake, host of a professional bass tournament and renowned as one of the best fishing spots in the country. Being owned alongside Bass Pro Shops, it is no surprise that Big Cedar has two different state-of-the-art marinas equipped with the newest boats and gear, and it is arguably the best freshwater fishing resort in the country as well, though USA Today does not rate those. Yet.
