DESTINATION
Text and photos courtesy of Thunder Ridge Nature Arena
Thunder Ridge Nature Arena Readies for Opening This Month
Celebrate the majestic beauty of the Ozark Mountains at this one-of-a-kind immersive outdoor experience
Located in Ridgedale, Missouri, just a few miles from Branson, Thunder Ridge Nature Arena combines the natural beauty of the Ozarks with stunning architecture that seamlessly integrates into the environment.
The opening of the arena is significant due to its anticipated long-term impact on tourism, the regional economy and conservation, along with the world-class talent it will bring to the community.
“We all love our beautiful Ozarks and are proud to be able to preserve and share the beauty of the place we are blessed to call home with others for generations to come,” said Johnny Morris, noted conservationist and founder of Bass Pro Shops.
Morris set the stage for Thunder Ridge in 2019 when he established a new not-for-profit foundation with the mission of conserving land and inspiring future generations to be good stewards of land and wildlife. Morris and the Bass Pro Shops Outfitters have gifted the entire entity that owns the 1,200-acre Thunder Ridge preserve, including all buildings and infrastructure improvements, to be permanently set aside as part of the foundation committed to advancing the cause of conservation. All net proceeds from events will go toward supporting conservation and further enhancing the venue.
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The foundation is a group of charitable organizations that also operate the nearby 10,000-acre Dogwood Canyon Nature Park, Audubon Signature Nature Golf Courses, and the Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium in Springfield, Missouri, the five-time winner of USA Today’s America’s Best Aquarium. Thunder Ridge’s focus is reinvesting back into conservation projects in the Ozarks region.
As he has done for many years, Morris relied upon highly skilled Ozark craftsmen to create historically relevant structures that blend with nature. They fused the entertainment showcase — with a capacity of more than 20,000 — into the world around it, with every seat in the 1,200-acre nature preserve holding breathtaking views of Table Rock Lake and forested Boston Mountain vistas.
Thunder Ridge Nature Arena will be an unparalleled outdoor live entertainment experience, including the extraordinary Ozarks Nature Tower. Rising 12 stories from the Ozark limestone, the remarkable structure will house luxury tower suites, each two stories with private bars, outside decks, fireplaces and great views.
At the main north entrance, a centuries-old barn will become part of the guest experience. Fans will enjoy a variety of food and beverage concessions, VIP suites and corporate meeting spaces, with access to the dramatic site made convenient with the recently completed widening of Missouri Route 86.
In October 2022, Garth Brooks performed for 80,000 people at Thunder Ridge, saying, “Thunder Ridge is an entertainer’s dream gig. There may be sites on this Earth that are as pretty, but there’s nothing prettier than this right here. It is gorgeous.”
In coming weeks, fans will be amazed to hear the big names slated to perform at Thunder Ridge. Industry giant ASM Global is contracted to manage and operate the facility and has partnered with Live Nation to produce live music events. Thunder Ridge’s unveiling has begun attracting the attention of superstars such as Chris Stapleton, whose upcoming June 13 appearance sold out in minutes. Tickets for Luke Bryan’s July 27 show are on sale now.
“We are so pleased to join with Johnny Morris to operate this unique and spectacular venue,” ASM Global CEO Ron Bension said. “This remarkable creation is more than a place to see a concert. It’s a destination in itself. A true experience unlike any other.”
Experiences at Thunder Ridge will go well beyond concerts. Festivals, airshows, professional bull riding, equestrian events and trade shows are all contemplated, along with a variety of extreme competition events. Entertainment in the Great Outdoors is the goal for audiences of every age.