Final Leg of the Wild West Adventure: From Lake Manawa to Nashville’s Honky Tonks

As our Wild West Adventure drew to a close, we traded the rugged ridges of the Rockies and the dusty spires of the Badlands for tranquil lakeshores, forested Ozark hills, and the neon glow of Music City, USA. Here’s how our last stretch of the journey played out.

Stops Included in this Post:

1. Lake Manawa State Park, Iowa: Sunset, Storms, and Uno Showdowns (Start)
2. Ozark National Scenic Riverways, Missouri: Springs, Burgers, and Bluffside Bliss
3. Nashville, Tennessee: Live Music, Neon Lights, and KOA Poolside Vibes
4. Stones River National Battlefield: The Final Junior Ranger Stop
5. Home: What a Ride It’s Been (Atlanta, GA)

Stop #1. Lake Manawa State Park, Iowa: Sunset, Storms, and Uno Showdowns

We pulled into Lake Manawa State Park in Council Bluffs, Iowa, for a one-night stay that delivered far more than just a pit stop. Our lakeside campsite offered panoramic views of the water, with a fiery orange sunset lighting up the sky. After a long drive, I laced up my shoes and went out for a run to the nearby Missouri River and back, clearing my head and stretching my legs. Back at camp, the boys launched into a fierce playground session followed by a few competitive rounds of Uno under the awning.

Just as we were settling in for the night, the skies opened up. A thunderstorm rolled in from the northwest, delivering howling winds up to 60 mph. The trailer rocked. We double-checked every latch, huddled up inside, and wondered if this was the same storm system that hammered us back in the Badlands just a few nights ago. Nature, it seems, had one more surprise in store.

Stop #2. Ozark National Scenic Riverways, Missouri: Springs, Burgers, and Bluffside Bliss

The next morning, we set out for Missouri’s Ozarks—a scenic 7-hour drive that carried us from the plains of Iowa into thick green hills and winding roads. Storm clouds chased us the entire way, dumping buckets at times, but as we pulled into Echo Bluff State Park, the clouds broke and a pink-and-orange sunset welcomed us.

The next day was packed with back-to-back stops. First, we visited Round Spring, one of over 150 springs in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. Cold, crystal-clear water bursts out from under a cliff, 57 degrees year-round, with a blue-green hue that almost looked lit from within.

Afterward, we toured the historic Alley Mill, learning how the mill passed through several owners, adapting from wheat to corn as railroads and agriculture evolved. By the 1920s it was the first electricity-enabled campground in the area—eventually becoming a state park in 1924 and joining the national park system in the 1960s.

Hungry from all the exploring, we followed a tip from the local rangers and hit the Dairy Shack in Eminence. Burgers, fries, and hand-spun milkshakes hit the spot like nothing else.

Next, we made our way to Rocky Falls Shut-In, a gorgeous natural swimming hole with cascading waterfalls and a crowd of locals soaking it all in.

We wrapped up the day back at camp along Sinking Creek under the towering bluff, where the boys hunted for cool rocks and skipped stones as the sun dipped behind the trees.

Stop #3. Nashville, Tennessee: Live Music, Neon Lights, and KOA Poolside Vibes

Our final major stop was Nashville, Tennessee—our second KOA Resort of the trip, and a fitting way to end the adventure. Just down the road from the Grand Ole Opry, the campground gave us easy access to all things Music City.

By day, the boys splashed in the pool while we tapped our toes to live music drifting across the grounds. By night, we wandered the streets of downtown Nashville, peeking into honky tonks where bands played from morning to midnight.

We took a break from the bustle to eat at The Diner Nashville, a six-story restaurant with sweeping views of the skyline—recommended by a friendly firefighter we met on the pedestrian bridge downtown.

After lunch, we cooled down at the sprawling Gaylord Opryland Resort, getting lost in a maze of indoor gardens, waterfalls, and winding paths beneath the glass domes. It was like stepping into a tropical wonderland—without the humidity.

Our final evening was spent back at the KOA, letting the boys burn off energy in the pool while we jammed out one last time to live guitar under the stars.

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Stop #4. Stones River National Battlefield: The Final Junior Ranger Stop

Before we officially ended the Wild West Adventure, we made one final stop just outside of Nashville—Stones River National Battlefield, a somber and scenic site in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. We pulled in with a mission: the last Junior Ranger badges of the trip.

That’s when we got really caught up in history—literally. A group of passionate Civil War reenactors flagged us down in the parking lot and pulled us into a vivid (and very lengthy) discussion about military tactics, field rations, and period-specific buttons. What started as a friendly Q&A turned into a full-on history lecture. They were kind and knowledgeable… but wow, breaking away politely proved harder than escaping a siege.

Eventually, we made our getaway, badges in hand and minds full of cannon fire. Stones River turned out to be an unexpected but powerful stop—an emotional endcap to a journey filled with natural wonders, cultural touchpoints, and historic exploration.

Stop #5. Home Sweet Home What a Ride It’s Been

From Indiana Dunes to the Rockies and Yellowstone with everything in between, this Wild West Adventure has been full of surprises, learning, laughter, and a whole lot of memories. We chased storms, explored ancient caves, and met some incredible people along the way.

Until next time, thanks for riding shotgun with us. The Toyota Sequoia and the Micro Minnie will be back on the road soon. Stay tuned for the next chapter of Dad Can Travel and bonus chapters for this trip.