We spent the stretch between Christmas and New Year's at Big Cedar Lodge in Ridgedale, Missouri, just south of Branson. Big Cedar is a Bass Pro Shops resort, and at the holidays the whole property is decorated for Christmas. Here's what we did, where we ate, and what we'd tell any big family heading there in December.
The Cabins
With nine of us, we booked two One-Room Cabins with Loft. Each one sleeps six or seven, with a king bed, a queen in the loft and a full sleeper sofa. You also get a kitchenette, a soaking tub with a separate shower, and a private deck with a gas grill.
The cabins were exquisite. Each has a wood-burning fireplace, and housekeeping refills the firewood every day, so there was always a full stack waiting for us.
Nature at Night at Top of the Rock
This was the highlight. Top of the Rock runs a holiday light tour through Lost Canyon called Nature at Night. You ride in an enclosed four-seat golf cart along about 2.5 miles of trail, past lit-up waterfalls and right through caves filled with lights. It's very Christmasy.
Book Nature at Night early
Big Cedar recommends overnight guests buy tickets in advance because spots are limited, and holiday week fills up.
Where We Ate
Devil's Pool: Ask for the Basement
The walk to Devil's Pool takes you across a suspension footbridge through the trees.
When you get there, ask for the basement. It has antler mounts on the walls, a pressed-tin ceiling, red booths and a tree trunk running right up through the middle of the table. It's cozier and quieter than upstairs, and it fit our big group much better.
End of the Trail Wine Cellar (Beneath Osage)
We couldn't get into Osage, the upscale restaurant at Top of the Rock, so we went down to the End of the Trail Wine Cellar underneath it. It was one of our favorite meals of the trip. It was quiet, a musician was playing guitar off to the side, and there's a wine cellar to explore. If Osage is booked, go here.
Truman Cafe for Breakfast
Truman Cafe was our spot for breakfast and coffee.
Bowling at Fun Mountain
Fun Mountain is Big Cedar's family fun center. The bowling alley is underwater-themed, with sharks, sea turtles and stingrays over 16 lanes, and there's an arcade too. Grab a picture with the polar bear.
Shopping in the Main Lodge
The gift shop in the main lodge has great shopping, with real clothes like Ariat fleece pullovers and sweater dresses. Leave room in your suitcase.
While you're in the lobby, find the gingerbread house. The 2025 creation recreated the Worman House, the English Tudor retreat Harry and Dorothy Worman built on the property in the early 1920s. The sign says it took 200 hours and 200 eggs to build.
Don't Skip the Original Bass Pro Shops
Big Cedar is a Bass Pro resort, and the very first Bass Pro Shops is in Springfield, about an hour north. Definitely stop there!
The flagship is nearly 500,000 square feet, with aquariums, an indoor swamp with alligators and turtles, and fish-feeding shows. At Christmas it's decorated for the season, including a giant ornament out front for photos. Wonders of Wildlife, a huge aquarium and wildlife museum, is right next door.
If you're going during the holidays
- Reserve Nature at Night when you book your room, not when you arrive.
- Book two smaller cabins instead of one large one if you have a big family.
- Budget for holiday rates. Our cabin averaged $1,200 a night for December 29 to 31.
- Make dinner reservations ahead, especially with a big group.
- Use the free shuttle. You can call it through the Big Cedar app to get around the property.
- Pack layers for the golf cart tour and evening walks.
More Christmas ideas: read about our family Christmas traditions and London at Christmas.
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