Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery

Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery is one of the largest trout-producing facilities in the United States, raising over 1 million rainbow and brown trout annually to stock Missouri's waterways. It is also one of the best free family activities in the Branson area -- genuinely educational, surprisingly engaging, and completely free.

The outdoor raceways are the main attraction. Long concrete pools hold thousands of trout at various growth stages, from fingerlings to full-size fish ready for release. Kids walk alongside the raceways watching the trout swim in dense, swirling schools.

Fish food dispensers (small donation, bring quarters) let kids toss pellets into the water, triggering a feeding frenzy that is mesmerizing and slightly terrifying -- thousands of fish churning to the surface in a silver mass.

The Conservation Center houses indoor exhibits and aquariums displaying Ozark aquatic ecosystems. Large tanks hold species native to Missouri -- bass, catfish, paddlefish, and the enormous lake sturgeon. Interactive displays explain the life cycle of trout, the hatchery's role in conservation, and the ecology of Ozark waterways. Staff members are knowledgeable and happy to answer kids' questions.

The facility sits below Table Rock Dam, and the cold-water releases from the dam create ideal conditions for the hatchery. The setting is scenic -- Ozark hillsides and the dam's massive structure provide visual backdrop.

The hatchery is a 5-minute drive from Table Rock State Park, making a combined visit easy. Both are free (state park parking $5), creating a half-day of outdoor family entertainment at minimal cost. This is the kind of hidden gem that local families love and tourist brochures underrepresent.