Was Dogpatch USA the HIDDEN GEM of Ozark Family Fun?

Was Dogpatch USA the HIDDEN GEM of Ozark Family Fun? The Ozarks’ Quirky Hillbilly Theme Park is now just a memory and a ghost town but it was once a place where thousands of families made some great memories! Thank everyone who had a part in making this place so special for us.

Step back in time with us as we remember what made Dogpatch USA such a special place on Scenic Highway 7, nestled just below Harrison, Arkansas. Open from 1968 to 1993, Dogpatch USA was more than just an amusement park; it was a real-life slice of Al Capp’s beloved comic strip, Li’l Abner!

Guests got to wander the hills and hollers of Dogpatch USA, meeting iconic characters like the sweet and sassy Daisy Mae, the lovable Li’l Abner, wisecracking Mammy and Pappy Yokum, and the bumbling mayor Jubilation T. Cornpone. Visitors could watch the characters come alive in daily skits, join in mountain crafts, ride the scenic train over giant waterfalls, and paddle boat around the trout-filled ponds that wound through the park’s Ozark setting.

The park was also home to the Riverbend Music Show, which filled the air with country and good ol’ hillbilly tunes, giving guests a true taste of the Arkansas mountains’ musical roots.

Although the laughter and stage shows faded when the park closed its gates in September of 1993, Dogpatch USA’s story isn’t over! Thanks to Johnny Morris, founder of Bass Pro Shops, this legendary Ozark landmark is getting a second chance. It’s being transformed into a beautiful nature preserve and eco-tourism destination to celebrate the wild beauty that first inspired the theme park.

👉 Do you have memories of Dogpatch USA? Share them in the comments below!

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