Lost Canyon Cave and Nature Trail at a glance
Lost Canyon Cave and Nature Trail is a cart tour at Top of the Rock, 150 Top of the Rock Rd, Ridgedale, Missouri 65739. You ride an electric golf cart on a course of 2.5 miles that passes through the cave. The driver must be at least 18 years old, and a cart holds up to 4 people.
The price of the tour changes, so check the current price when you book. The tour includes the cart, the nature trail, the museum, a photo and a drink. The Nature at Night program is not part of it. There is no lodging at this site.
Our picks: Lost Canyon Cave and Branson
The first card is the cave itself, driven in your own electric cart without a guide. The dinner show and the nature park are for the rest of the day; neither one goes underground.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Dolly Parton's Stampede dinner show
- Four-course dinner
- Pre-show and main show
- Horse walk experience
An evening show with dinner in Branson, which makes a change after a day underground. It is not a cave tour.
Check availability →
Lost Canyon Cave and Nature Trail by electric cart
- Electric cart rental
- Museum admission
You drive the route through the cave and along the nature trail yourself in an electric cart, so there is no live guide.
Check availability →
Dogwood Canyon Nature Park day entry
- Hiking and biking trails
- Mill and museum
- Conservation Education Center
A nature park south of Branson, not a cave. Tram rides and other guided tours are sold separately.
Check availability →Branson and Top of the Rock tours
Cave visits, cart tours and day trips around Branson, with live prices and availability.
Top of the Rock entry and what is included
The access fee and the tour price are separate.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Entrance fee | $10 per vehicle, card payment only. Members and resort guests are exempt. |
| Discount | 10 percent for seniors, military and veterans. |
| Cart tour price | Varies. Check the current price when you book. |
| Included in the tour | Cart, nature trail, museum, photo and a drink. |
| Not included | The Nature at Night program. Parking is not part of an online ticket. |
Do not assume the vehicle fee is waived for everyone. If you are not a member or a resort guest, plan on paying it at the gate, by card.
Hours and booking
Hours vary, so plan with a margin.
Opening hours
Closing time is 6:30 p.m. or 7:30 p.m., so check your date. The opening time is 8:30 a.m. The last cart leaves 1 hour before closing, so aim to arrive well before 5:30 p.m.
Time slots
Time slots can apply from Friday to Sunday, and a visit is not always tied to a clock time. Buying a ticket online does not guarantee a tour time, so confirm how your day works when you book.
Walk-ups
Advance purchase is recommended, and walk-ups are welcome. That is not a promise of a seat at a busy hour.
Weather
The tour depends on the weather. Check conditions on the day, and plan an alternative on a wet or stormy day.
Getting around on the cart tour
What the ride is like.
You have to transfer into the cart, so ask the team how your group can take part before you book. One adult at least 18 years old drives, and the other seats go to your group, up to 4 people in total.
Lost Canyon Cave is a different product from the guided walks and rides elsewhere in Missouri. It is an outing with a cart, a trail and a museum. For a guided cave walk, compare it with Talking Rocks and the other caves on the Branson caves page. If you also want a theme-park day, see Marvel Cave inside Silver Dollar City.
Before you go to Lost Canyon Cave
A short checklist for the day.
Bring a card
The $10 vehicle fee is card only. Members and resort guests are exempt, and seniors, military and veterans get 10 percent off.
Buy ahead if you can
Advance purchase is recommended. A ticket bought online does not guarantee a tour time, and parking is not included.
No lodging on site
There is no place to stay at Top of the Rock itself. Pick a base for the night in the Branson area and drive to Ridgedale for the day.
Keep the day flexible
The cart tour is weather dependent, so do not book your whole day around a single slot.
Plan the rest of your Ozarks trip
Related guides on this site.
Lost Canyon Cave: frequently asked questions
What is the Lost Canyon Cave tour?
It is a ride in an electric golf cart on a course of 2.5 miles with a drive through a cave. The tour includes the nature trail, the museum, a photo and a drink.
Who can drive the cart?
The driver must be at least 18 years old. A cart holds up to 4 people.
How much does it cost to enter Top of the Rock?
The access fee is $10 per vehicle, paid by card only. Members and resort guests do not pay it. Seniors, military and veterans get 10 percent off. The price of the cart tour varies.
What are the opening hours?
Hours run from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. or 7:30 p.m., and the last cart leaves 1 hour before closing. Arrive early and check your date.
Is this the official Lost Canyon Cave website?
No. This is an independent guide to Missouri caves. It is not run by Top of the Rock or any resort, and it does not sell tickets itself.