Outdoor Drama | Branson, MO - The Shepherd of the Hills

Experience the Story of the Ozarks

Springfest is Open!

Experience the Story of the Ozarks

The Historic Shepherd of the Hills Outdoor Drama is the action-packed live reenactment of the famous historical novel by Christian minister, Harold Bell Wright. Published in 1907, this beautiful story tells of life in the rugged Ozark Mountains of Missouri in the late 1800’s.

Over 90 actors and actresses, horses, sheep, mules and donkeys, perform at the Old Mill Theatre with a stage the size of a football field! There’s a shoot-out, the actual burning of a log cabin, a love story, a battle of giants, a mystery and moral message that is as true today as it was over a century ago. Over 8 Million Tickets Sold! This is a show for the generations, and a must-watch show in Branson, MO, you don’t want to miss!

2026 SHOW SCHEDULE

Shows on Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday at 7:30PM • May – August
Tuesday & Thursday at 7:00PM; Saturday at 6:00PM • September – October

Pre-Show activities begin approximately 15 minutes prior to showtime.

VIP tickets are the first 4 rows and includes a FREE fountain drink. The VIP seating (the first 4 rows) is only for the Outdoor Drama. If you are going to the Chuckwagon Dinner Show before, it does not include VIP seating.

All online and call-in tickets must be printed. Pick up tickets at main Ticket Office. If you have multiple orders/families who would like to sit together, please call the box office.

✓ Free cancellation up to 48-hours in advance. Please understand no refund will be given to any cancellations within 48-hours of the showtime. View more FAQs here.

Ticket Office (417) 334-4191

Best Value – The Ultimate History Package

Included in this package are:

The Historic Farm Tour (90 min)
Begin your Shepherd Adventure by enjoying a ride in an open-air Jeep-drawn tram through the wooded 160-acre park and have the opportunity to learn about the people & the setting where The Shepherd of the Hills book was actually written.
The Great American Chuckwagon Dinner Show (90 min)

Then at 5:00PM, you will continue your evening at the Great American Chuckwagon Dinner show, complete with lively Cowboy music and an authentic cowboy meal!

The Shepherd of the Hills Outdoor Drama

Starting at 6:30PM, trams will begin heading to the Old Mill Outdoor Theatre for The Historic Shepherd of the Hills Outdoor Drama.

Add Inspiration Tower for Only $5 – Take a glass elevator ride up to a 360-degree observation room perched atop the highest point in the region. The views go for miles! (Can be used when you choose)

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to do it all in one day ! Take our famous Historic Farm Tour, feast at our Chuckwagon Dinner Show, and watch the historic Outdoor Drama all in one package. (Inspiration Tower is an add-on for only $5 and can be used when you choose.)

The Ultimate History Package
$7995	$4995
Adult	Child
Plus tax \| Child is ages 4 - 12

Fun activities with the show:

Jeep-drawn trams will pick you up from the parking lots and carry you down the hill – and back in time over a century. Pre-show activities begin approximately 15 minutes prior to showtime. Our younger visitors are encouraged to take part in a gunny sack race.

Following the sack races, we have a special pre-show honoring veterans, where we salute their courage with a beautiful display of flags and majestic horses. Don’t miss out on our patriotic tribute!

During our unique intermission, guests are encouraged onto the set to take part in a square dance with our cast and to visit with the characters.

The theatre is reserved seating, advance reservations are recommended.

The Chuckwagon + Outdoor Drama Combo
$6975	$3975
Adult	Child
Plus tax \| Child is ages 4 - 12

The Chuckwagon & Outdoor Drama Combo

Included in this package are:

The Great American Chuckwagon Dinner Show (90 min)

Starting at 5:00PM, you will experience the Great American Chuckwagon Dinner show, complete with a cowboy meal!

The Shepherd of the Hills Outdoor Drama

Starting at 6:30PM, trams will begin heading to the Old Mill Outdoor Theatre for The Historic Shepherd of the Hills Outdoor Drama.

CELEBRATE THE 65th ANNIVERSARY

Join us in celebrating the 65th season of the iconic outdoor drama at Shepherd of the Hills! This milestone marks over six decades of captivating performances that have enchanted audiences and become a beloved tradition for families.

To honor this special anniversary, we had a special celebration on May 10th to kick off this season! As well – if you were born on the same year as our birthday, you can get a FREE ticket for the Outdoor Drama. Enjoy general seating on any performance date—just call the box office and mention you want the 1960 Birthday Outdoor Drama ticket.

Let’s come together to honor the legacy of Shepherd of the Hills and continue the tradition of storytelling that has captivated hearts for generations!

ABOUT THE STORY

As the production begins, the warm summer sun casts long shadows over Old Matt’s mill as another dry, dusty day ends. Matt’s neighbors linger at the mill having their corn ground into meal. They joke with each other to lighten the increasingly worrisome thought…many of them will lose their homes after the drought has ruined their crops and dried up all the streams.

Fascinating characters are introduced as they arrive in wagons or on horseback.

Fascinating characters are introduced as they arrive in wagons or on horseback. You’ll be introduced to Old Matt, the pillar of the community, and his son Young Matt, the strapping hero of the tale. Beautiful Sammy Lane arrives, and the audience gets their first glimpse of the villainous Wash Gibbs and the vigilante Baldknobber gang.

During the 1800’s these rugged Ozark hills were wild and untamed. Law enforcement had a difficult time and crime was rampant. A group formed, originally to assist law-abiding citizens. Soon though the group grew so powerful they were bending the laws for their own gain. Before long, they were far worse than the criminals they originally tried to fight against. They terrorized the hills, thieves and murderers who traveled in packs and wore black hoods to protect their identity.

Law enforcement had a difficult time and crime was rampant

The mysterious Shepherd is introduced. The kind, gentle man who settled in the hills after coming to the area from Chicago. He is well respected and well spoken. He mentors those who seek him out, and teaches of God’s love and forgiveness…yet he himself has a painful secret he has never asked forgiveness for.

As the story unfolds, the audience is swept into the lives of these strong people who lived well over a century ago. There’s comedy, romance, and the age-old struggle of good against evil. In the end, there is a message of forgiveness.

Generations of families have grown up loving this experience – children who visited with a school field trip in the 1960’s or 1970’s now bring their children and grandchildren back to be a part of the fun and excitement of this live production.

SEATS OF HONOR PROGRAM

Introducing our Seats of Honor program—an opportunity to honor a loved one, commemorate a memory, or simply express your connection to this homestead and its story. For a one-time gift of $150, a personalized plaque will be placed on a seat in the section of your choice in our historic Thurman Old Mill Theater.

It’s more than a name on a chair. It provides an opportunity for you to become part of a legacy, enshrining a piece of them forever in this special theatre. and A promise that their story—and yours—will continue to echo through every performance under these stars.

All proceeds go directly to preserving the theatre and the Epic American Tale set so future generations can fall in love with The Shepherd of the Hills just like so many of us have.

Join us in keeping the story alive. One seat. One name. One legacy at a time.

Seats are now available on the link below or call (417) 334-4191 Ext. 4600