We Tried It So You Don’t Have To

Not every adventure turns out picture-perfect, and that’s exactly why we share the real stories. Sometimes the “hidden gems” we find online are better left… hidden.

Stop #1: Buzzard Ridge Wildlife Refuge

On paper, Buzzard Ridge sounded dreamy. I found a campsite listed on The Dyrt, so we headed out excited for a peaceful night. Reality check: the only access was—yep—walk-in or boat-in. Since we had neither the energy nor the boat, we improvised. The parking lot was empty, no “no camping” signs in sight… so we set up our tent somewhat legally in the gravel.

Cue the soundtrack: cars buzzing by, a dog barking all night like it was auditioning for a horror movie, and the occasional creak that had us wondering if a ranger was about to shine a flashlight in our faces. Sleep? Not so much. But hey—now we know.

Stop #2: The Ozark Wildlife Area (Or… The Land of Nettles & Burrs)

The next morning, fueled by about three hours of restless “sleep,” we went chasing another spot I found online: Ozark Wildlife Area. Our GPS kindly dropped us off in a jungle of stinging nettles, burrs, and blown-down trees. Within minutes, both us and the dogs looked like walking Velcro strips.

We doubled back and tried another approach, but that road was closed—and just as overgrown. At that point, it felt less like climbing prep and more like starring in a survival show. We waved the white flag and moved on with our trip.

The Takeaway

Some spots are worth the effort. These weren’t. And that’s okay! Part of adventuring is testing the unknown—even if it means discovering places that are better as “never again” stories. At least now we can officially say:

We tried it, so you don’t have to.

Why This Matters for You

The cool thing is—when you book through Bee Johnson Adventures, you get the fun of exploring without the late-night barking dogs, nettle-filled hikes, or “are-we-allowed-to-sleep-here?” stress. I do the research, find the actually accessible hidden gems, and make sure your trip is the kind of adventure you’ll want to repeat—not one you laugh about later.

Ready for your next adventure? Let’s plan something amazing (and burr-free).
👉 BeeJohnsonAdventures.com