If you are looking for a great place to spend time with family, Wilderness Club™ at Big Cedar®, a Hilton Grand Vacations Club is on the grounds of Johnny Morris’ Big Cedar Lodge in Ridgedale, Missouri. A stay at this resort is an annual retreat for our family. We have been coming here for five or six years now. It is a long drive that takes about 11 hours, but it is so worth it. A great feature of the Wilderness Club is its proximity to all the amenities you need to enjoy a stay. Our grandkids range in age from two to eight, which is exactly why we appreciate all this place has to offer.
Tips For Saving Money During Your Stay
To keep costs down for our family, we bring whatever dry goods we can; then, after unpacking, head into town to get the rest of our groceries. There is a Country Mart, a Target and an Aldi within about a 20-minute drive of the resort, which is very convenient.
The resort also offers a free shuttle to take you from your building to any on-site amenities. There is a shuttle app you can download to request rides, and the kids love watching it to see when the driver will arrive. If you are lucky enough to get Kenneth, he interacts so well with the little ones and usually breaks into a rendition of “Wheels on the Bus”! The kids just love singing with him.
Pool And Lake Activities For Every Age
Throughout the week, we visit the lake and the four different pools. Each pool has its own unique features the grandkids love.
The Infinity Pool
Located at the top of the hill, this spot is our annual photo op, as it has a wonderful large metal frame to stand behind and a great backdrop. The complex features upper and lower infinity pools that everyone enjoys. The lower pool features a waterfall cascading from the upper pool, which the kids love swimming behind. There is also a shallow kiddie pool with fun fountains as well as a nice-sized hot tub.
Devil’s Pool
We usually visit this pool at least twice during the week. It is a great-sized pool with a deep end, which works out perfectly for our family so we can all be together. The nice thing about this pool is the ledge that divides the shallow and deep water. It also has a kiddie pool and hot tub. Bonus: The fitness center is in the building by this pool. It is an amenity that Members can enjoy as a perk, and it far exceeds the standards of any hotel fitness center!
The Swimmin’ Hole
Another family favorite is the Swimmin’ Hole, which features a wonderful gradual-entry kiddie area. It is nice because the pool floor is a different color in the shallow end, and a bobber line serves as a secondary guide for the kids. While this campus normally has a separate gated adult pool and hot tub, we happened to be there on the night of their Glow Party this year. Staff members gave the kids glow sticks, lighted water pucks and black lights and invited them to the adult pool for DJ music. The kids had an absolute blast dancing on the ankle-deep ledge before jumping into the deeper water. We are really hoping to catch this event again next year.
The Club House Lazy River
Here, tubes are provided so you can meander through fun twists and turns. There is a waterfall about three-quarters of the way through that you can go under. The water rushes fast until you get behind it, but it is so much fun. We usually go around the river twice. This location also has an indoor pool with a slide that is always a hit. Outside, there is a busy hot tub, a larger outdoor slide for older kids, and a very shallow kiddie pool with two interactive fountains the kids love playing with.
The Wilderness Club Lake
The water is warm, and it features a nice sandy beach. Be sure to bring sandals, as the sand gets very hot! If you get there early enough, you can snag one of the canopies. You can use their paddleboats, kayaks and canoes at no additional fee, as they are included in your Resort Fees. You also have the option to rent a motorized boat for Table Rock Lake, which we did one year and thoroughly enjoyed.
Activities Beyond The Water
The Swimming Hole is also home to an outdoor movie screen. Several nights during the week, they offer a free movie. You can bring your own blankets, lawn chairs, snacks, and drinks, or use the provided chairs and buy treats at the concession stand. They even have a few large fire pits for those who want to roast marshmallows, and s’mores kits are available for purchase. Big Cedar offers a packed monthly activity calendar with everything from scavenger hunts and Chuckwagon Dinners to painting classes and babysitting services. One year, we did a candy bar making class, which was a lot of fun!
Fishing Programs Designed For Young Guests
The resort offers a free fishing session for youths. It requires a reservation and is for children at least three years old. They provide the poles and bait for a catch-and-release session, but they still weigh and measure your fish and give out prizes for the biggest catch. You fish for about an hour, which is usually plenty of time for the little ones.
Unique Wildlife Experiences Around The Resort
Another highlight every year is feeding the turtles and fish at Turtle Pond. It is a great place to use up your leftover bread and lettuce, or you can bring some specifically for them. Just stay safe, as there are snapping turtles in the water. There is one giant turtle in there, so hang on to your little ones so they don't get too close!
Dining Choices Throughout The Property
If you aren’t interested in cooking and want other options, there are several places to eat on the grounds, including Uncle Buck's Fish Bowl and Grill, Devil’s Pool restaurant and Truman Café & Custard. We have never eaten at any of the restaurants, but we have had ice cream at Truman’s on occasion.
Additional Recreational Activities For Families
Mini golf is another great option! Since it was our first time, there was a bit of a learning curve, but the kids really seemed to love it. As they grow, it’ll be a breeze for everyone to play together.
Indoor Fun For Rainy Days
One more big attraction at the resort is Fun Mountain. This place has a large game room, a bowling alley, an obstacle ropes course, indoor golf, a restaurant and indoor slides. (Tip: Check before you go, as we have been able to get discounted play cards, usually when we reserve the fishing event.) This is always a great backup plan if the weather is inclement. The ropes course is pretty cool. They have an indoor miniature version for kids under a certain height, and a multi-level outdoor version for older children and adults.
Exploring Beyond The Resort
We always try to do one activity in town. This year, we went to Branson’s Promised Land Zoo. The kids really enjoyed it because there were several walk-through areas where you could feed the animals and birds. Afterward, we took the 2-mile drive-thru safari, where animals came right up to our vehicle looking for food. Upon completing the safari, we visited a playground and an area where we enjoyed a picnic lunch before heading back to the resort.
Why This Family Tradition Continues
Wilderness Club™ at Big Cedar®, a Hilton Grand Vacations Club is such a neat place to spend quality time with family, and we hope we can continue this tradition for many years to come. It is something the little ones look forward to, and the adults too. I wouldn’t trade these memories for anything.
The next adventure awaits...
Key Takeaways
Families Have Several Water Options: Four pools, a lazy river and a sandy lake area give families different ways to spend time in the water.
Bringing Groceries Can Help Manage Costs: Bringing dry goods and purchasing additional groceries in town is convenient with several grocery stores within a 20-minute drive.
Activities Extend Beyond the Pools: Families can explore outdoor movies, fishing programs, wildlife experiences, mini-golf and Fun Mountain.
Nearby Branson Adds Another Experience: A visit to Branson’s Promised Land Zoo is a great activity for the whole family to enjoy.
FAQs
Q: Is Wilderness Club™ at Big Cedar®, a Hilton Grand Vacations Club good for families?
A: Yes, there are lots of opportunities for family fun. The resort features pools, a lazy river, lake activities, fishing, outdoor movies, mini-golf, wildlife viewing and indoor activities at Fun Mountain.
Q: Are there activities for younger children?
A: Activities for young children include shallow pool areas, kiddie pools, interactive fountains, a children’s fishing session and an indoor ropes course option for children under a certain height.
Q: What can families do at the lake near Wilderness Club™ at Big Cedar®?
A: The lake area includes a sandy beach plus paddleboats, kayaks and canoes that are available for use. There is also an option to rent a motorized boat for use on Table Rock Lake.
Q: Does Wilderness Club™ at Big Cedar® offer transportation around the property?
A: Transportation around the property is offered through a shuttle serving buildings and on-site amenities. A convenient app can be used to request rides.
Q: What attractions can families visit beyond the resort?
A: Branson’s Promised Land Zoo, including its walk-through areas, drive-thru safari and playground are all great options for families.
