This seven-day loop strings together the Ozarks’ greatest hits — shows, lakes, a Victorian mountain town, America’s first national river and world-class trout water — while keeping drives short and sticking to the most RV-friendly highways. Daily drives are roughly two hours or less.
Day 1–2: Branson
Start in Branson, reached from Springfield on US-65. Set up at a park near the action — Branson KOA or Musicland Kampground for shows, or Branson Lakeside RV Park downtown on Lake Taneycomo. Spend a day at Silver Dollar City and an evening at a show, then fish for trout below Table Rock Dam.
Day 3: Table Rock Lake
Move a few miles west to the water. Table Rock State Park or Indian Point put you on the lake for a day of boating, swimming or simply sitting by the shore. Stop at the Dewey Short Visitor Center at the dam.
Day 4: Eureka Springs
Route: US-65 south to Harrison, Arkansas, then US-62 west to Eureka Springs — about 80 miles. This is longer than the back-road shortcuts but far easier with a big rig.
Camp outside downtown at the Eureka Springs KOA or Kettle Campground, and explore the historic district by trolley. Don’t miss Thorncrown Chapel. More in our Eureka Springs guide.
Day 5: Buffalo National River (Tyler Bend)
Route: US-62 east back to Harrison, then US-65 south to Tyler Bend near St. Joe — about 75 miles.
Tyler Bend is the most RV-accessible campground on the Buffalo, right next to the park’s main visitor center. Float a section of the middle river or hike the bluff-top trails. Unhook and drive your tow vehicle to the upper river and Boxley Valley if you want to see elk.
Day 6: Buffalo Point and Rush
Head east to Buffalo Point on the lower river (via Marshall and Highway 14 — check your GPS for an RV-appropriate route), where hookup sites are available. Explore the old mining town of Rush and swim from the gravel bars. See our Buffalo River guide.
Day 7: Bull Shoals and the White River
It’s a short drive north through Yellville to Bull Shoals-White River State Park, set along the White River below Bull Shoals Dam. Rent a boat at the trout dock or simply watch the fog lift off the river. From here, return to Branson via US-62 and US-65 or continue your trip.
Extensions
- +3 days north: Lake of the Ozarks and Ha Ha Tonka State Park, via Springfield and US-54 or Highway 5.
- +3 days east: the Current and Jacks Fork rivers — Alley Spring, Big Spring and Echo Bluff State Park.
Trip checklist
- Reserve Corps of Engineers and National Park Service sites on Recreation.gov as soon as your window opens.
- Download offline maps — cell service is limited along the rivers.
- Fill the fuel tank in Branson, Harrison and Mountain Home; stations are sparse near the Buffalo.
- Read our guide to driving an RV in the Ozarks before tackling the hills.
Always confirm hookups, rates and seasonal closures with each campground. Some links may be affiliate links — see our disclosure.
