Johnny Morris plans cave, trail park in Taney County

On Dec. 16, the Taney County Planning & Zoning Commission unanimously approved the Lost Canyon Cave and Nature Trail, a 218-acre project, according to reporting by the Branson Tri-Lakes News.

Bob Atchley, administrator for the commission, and Martin MacDonald, director of conservation for Bass Pro who has represented the developer on this project, according to a county staff report, were not available for comment by deadline.

According to details available in the staff report, the Lost Canyon Cave would be accessible via the interpretive nature trail northwest of State Highway 65 and north of State Highway 86. Just west of U.S. 65 and north of Hwy. 86 “The Grand Entrance” would include a registration building for guests and a parking area.

One-third of the cave is designated as a show area with features including a visitor path, waterfall, elevator, moonshine still, cave store and observation deck, while the rest of the cave will be preserved. According to the report, the Lost Canyon Cave will have an educational focus on such issues as rock formations, cave nomenclature, cave plant and wildlife and the past cultural importance of caves to the Ozarks.

The Nature Trail, which has taken hundreds of thousands of man hours to develop, according to information submitted to the county commission, will allow visitors to walk on pathways around the perimeter of the cave or traverse by electric cart. The pathway will cross over two covered Amish bridges and showcase Table Rock formations and Ozarks scenery.

According to the Branson Tri-Lakes report, MacDonald has said there is no time table set on when the project would be complete.