Lake Area Gets Several Places In 2026 “Best Of Rural Missouri” Awards

From hidden gems to hometown favorites…the 2026 Best of Rural Missouri Readers’ Choice Awards have been announced and the lake area finds itself represented on the prestigious list.

Being named as the top Show Cave in the readers’ choice awards is none other than the Bridal Cave in Camdenton beating out Meramec Caverns and Mark Twain Cave.

The Best of Rural Missouri Hall of Fame, which was established in 2023, recognizes destinations and businesses that have earned first place five or more times in the statewide contest.

Honorees named this year include Ha Ha Tonka State Park in Camdenton, Missouri Hick Bar-B-Que in Cuba, the St. James Winery in St. James, Silver Dollar City in Branson, the City of Branson and Lake of the Ozarks.

The annual contest drew nearly 40,000 votes across 14 categories.