Shepherd of the Hills Entertainment Group

What Shepherd of the Hills Entertainment Group does

Shepherd of the Hills Entertainment Group is a privately held family entertainment operator based in Hollister/Branson, Missouri, running a 160-acre integrated destination on the historic homestead that inspired Harold Bell Wright's 1907 novel. The company runs the 65-year-old Shepherd of the Hills Outdoor Drama — one of the longest-running outdoor theatrical productions in the U.S. — alongside a for-pay adventure park (Shepherd's Adventure Park) that bundles more than 30 activities including the Copperhead Mountain Coaster (a 4,800-foot Wiegand-built mountain coaster with LED night illumination), the Vigilante Extreme Ziprider (Missouri's highest seated zipline at 140 feet and 55 mph), an eight-platform Great Woodsman Zipline Canopy Tour, the 230-foot Inspiration Tower observation deck, and the Sky Trek Challenge Ropes Course. The company also operates multiple dinner-show concepts (Whodunnit Hoedown Murder Mystery, Great American Chuckwagon, Branson Comedy Bash, A Christmas Story, A Shepherd's Christmas Carol, Old Trail Christmas, The Amazing Kids Show), the Wild West Showdown outdoor arena show, seasonal festivals (SpringFest, Great American Summer, PumpkinFest, Winterfest, Ozarks Aglow), and on-site dining (Shepherd's Grill, Old Trail Pizza, Sammy Lane's Sweets).

Revenue is generated almost entirely through direct-to-consumer ticket sales, both at the on-site box office and through the FareHarbor online booking platform on the company website, with group sales for parties of 15+ as a secondary channel. The pricing structure is unit-based: general park admission ($29.95 adult / $27.95 child) gates most rides, with premium add-ons priced individually (Coaster $17.95 driver, Ziprider $39.95, Zipline Canopy $99.99, Inspiration Tower $9.95) and bundled packages such as the Super Ticket ($49.95) and Ultimate History Package ($79.95) used to lift average order value. Dinner shows carry a separate price point of $44.75–$59.75 per adult. Ancillary revenue comes from ride photos/videos ($12 per ride), on-site F&B, and a Shepherd's Season Pass for repeat visitors. The primary customer segment is multigenerational tourist families visiting Branson, supplemented by organized group tours, school field trips, weddings, and corporate outings. Marketing is conducted through social media, email, TripAdvisor listings, seasonal event promotion, and earned media from the 2019, 2020, and 2022 USA Today 10Best #1 Aerial Adventure Park awards.

Name

Shepherd of the Hills Entertainment Group

Legal name

The Shepherd of the Hills

Website

https://theshepherdofthehills.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1960

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Shepherd of the Hills Entertainment Group operates a 160-acre family entertainment destination in Branson, Missouri, combining a 30+ attraction adventure park, multiple dinner and outdoor theatrical shows, and seasonal festivals on the historic homestead of Harold Bell Wright's 1907 novel, serving tourist families and group visitors through direct ticketing.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Family Entertainment Venue

NAICS

Amusement and Theme Parks (71311), Historical Sites (71212)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYTHAJAEAI

Adventure & Aerial Parks (Ropes Courses, Zipline Parks, Climbing Parks)

Travel & Hospitality/Tours, Attractions & Experiences/Theme Parks, Water Parks & Family Entertainment Centers

SECONDARYTHAJAEAA

Destination Theme Parks (Large-Scale, Multi-Attraction Parks)

Travel & Hospitality/Tours, Attractions & Experiences/Theme Parks, Water Parks & Family Entertainment Centers

Keywords

• Family entertainment venue
• Outdoor adventure park
• Live theater productions
• Zipline canopy tours
• Dinner show experiences

Headquarters

HQ city

Hollister

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Adventure Park Admission: The park generates revenue through general admission ticket sales to the Adventure Park, with over 30 activities and attractions included with admission. Adult tickets are $29.95 and child tickets (4-12) are $27.95. Kids 3 and under are free.
2. Premium Attractions: Additional revenue from premium attractions sold as add-ons including the Copperhead Mountain Coaster ($17.95 driver/$11.95 passenger), Zipline Canopy Tours ($99.99 adult/$89.99 child), Vigilante Extreme Ziprider ($39.95 per person), Sky Trek Ropes Course (starting at $11), and Inspiration Tower ($9.95 adult/$7.95 child).
3. Live Entertainment Shows: Revenue from indoor and outdoor theatrical productions including the Outdoor Drama, dinner shows, comedy shows, and seasonal performances. Shows range from $44.75 to $59.75 for adults. The park employs over 90 actors and actresses in its outdoor drama.
4. Dinner Shows: Combined dinner and entertainment packages where meals are served during performances. Includes Whodunnit Hoedown Murder Mystery ($59.75 adult/$29.75 child), Great American Chuckwagon ($49.75 adult/$29.75 child), and other dinner theater experiences.
5. Season Passes and Packages: Season passes offering VIP access and unlimited visits, plus bundled packages combining multiple attractions such as the Super Ticket ($49.95) which includes park admission, Inspiration Tower, Copperhead Mountain Coaster ride, and Sky Trek Ropes Course.
6. Video and Media Sales: Onboard cameras record coaster rides and zipline experiences, with video purchases available for $12.00 plus tax delivered via email within 5 days of the ride.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Shepherd of the Hills is a family entertainment destination in Branson, Missouri, operating a 160-acre adventure park with over 30 attractions including zipline canopy tours, a 4,800-ft mountain coaster, a 230-foot observation tower, and a ropes course. The venue also runs live theatrical productions, multiple dinner shows (murder mystery, comedy, chuckwagon), historic farm tours, and seasonal festivals, all tied to the setting of Harold Bell Wright's 1907 novel.

Product overview

Shepherd of the Hills is a family entertainment destination in Branson, Missouri, serving as the authentic setting of Harold Bell Wright's 1907 novel. The venue operates as a multi-attraction complex featuring an Adventure Park with over 30 included activities (ziplines, mountain coaster, ropes course, historic farm), multiple dinner shows (murder mystery, comedy, chuckwagon), outdoor theatrical productions (outdoor drama, western show), and seasonal events (Christmas, fall, spring). The portfolio includes core adventure attractions (Copperhead Mountain Coaster, Vigilante Extreme Ziprider, Inspiration Tower), live entertainment shows (Shepherd of the Hills Outdoor Drama, Wild West Showdown, Whodunnit Hoedown, Branson Comedy Bash), and dining experiences (Shepherd's Grill, Sammy Lane's Sweets). Tickets and add-on adventures can be purchased separately or bundled through packages like the Super Ticket and Ultimate History Package.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Shepherd's Adventure Park Main family adventure park featuring over 30 activities including ziplines, ropes courses, mini golf, playgrounds, historic farm area, and seasonal events. Voted #1 Aerial Adventure Park in America by USA Today (2019, 2020, 2022).
• Copperhead Mountain Coaster Branson's longest downhill mountain coaster at 4,800 ft with loops, drops, and curves. Open year-round with LED-lit night rides. Built by Wiegand with advanced safety technology.
• Great Woodsman Zipline Canopy Tour
• Vigilante Extreme Ziprider Missouri's highest and fastest seated zipline adventure launching from 140 feet in the air at speeds up to 55 mph, spanning over half a mile from Inspiration Tower.
• Inspiration Tower 230-foot tall observation tower at Inspiration Point (highest point in Southwest Missouri) with 4,400 sq ft glass viewing deck offering 90+ mile panoramic views. Built in 1989.
• Sky Trek Challenge Ropes Course Multi-level outdoor ropes course standing next to Inspiration Tower with challenging obstacles and Ozark mountain views.
• Shepherd of the Hills Outdoor Drama Historic outdoor drama reenacting Harold Bell Wright's 1907 novel. Features 90+ actors, horses, and live action on a football-field-size stage. Celebrating 65th anniversary in 2026.
• Shepherd's Wild West Showdown 90-minute outdoor western arena show featuring trick riding, trick roping, whip cracking, stagecoach action, comedy, and audience participation with live horses.
• Whodunnit Hoedown Murder Mystery Dinner Show Year-round interactive comedy murder mystery dinner show where guests solve the case of legendary fiddler Squeeky Bowman's demise. Includes dinner and audience participation.
• Branson Comedy Bash Dinner Show All-new 90-minute family-friendly variety dinner show blending stand-up comedy, sketch performances, magic, and live music.
• Great American Chuckwagon Dinner Show Authentic cowboy chuckwagon dinner experience with classic cowboy songs, fiddles, gun twirlin', and comedy show.
• The Amazing Kids Show One-hour interactive magic and illusion show for kids and families featuring Christopher James, with audience participation, comedy, and illusions.
• Sleepy Hollow Outdoor Play Fall atmospheric outdoor production inspired by Washington Irving's Legend of Sleepy Hollow with dramatic lighting, haunting music, and period costumes.
• Historic Farm & Backstage Tour Open-air Jeep-drawn tram tour through 160-acre historic park with Ozark native guide visiting Old Matt's Cabin, Inspiration Point, and backstage of outdoor theater.
• Shepherd's Season Pass Annual pass offering VIP access and unlimited visits throughout the season to all park attractions and shows.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 8 million tickets sold for the outdoor drama since 1960
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Ozark Mountain Trail RidesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNeighbor company located nearby that offers horseback riding services. Shepherd of the Hills does not offer horseback riding on its property but refers guests to Ozark Mountain Trail Rides as an alternative activity.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Silver Dollar City: Branson's flagship theme park and Shepherd of the Hills' primary in-market competitor. Operates thrill rides, live entertainment, festivals, and a crafts heritage theme on a much larger scale, competing for the same tourist-family wallet in Branson, MO.
• Dollywood Parks & Resorts: Pigeon Forge, TN theme park with similar mix of thrill rides, live shows, and heritage/cultural positioning. Most direct comparable for a heritage-themed regional park blending adventure attractions with theatrical entertainment.
• The Track Family Fun Parks: Branson-based chain of family fun parks featuring go-karts, mini golf, bumper cars, and arcades. Competes for the same family tourist visit in Branson with a different but overlapping ride/entertainment mix.
• Silver Dollar City White Water: Branson water park operated by Herschend (Silver Dollar City's parent). Competes directly for warm-weather family entertainment spend in the same Branson market.
• Top of the Rock: Big Cedar Lodge's Branson-area attraction featuring golf, dining, and outdoor experiences near Shepherd of the Hills. Competes for the same upscale Ozarks outdoor-entertainment tourist.
• Dick Clark's American Bandstand Theatre: Branson dinner theater offering live entertainment packages. Direct competitor for the dinner-show segment of Shepherd of the Hills' theatrical business.

Regional players

• Branson Scenic Railway: Branson-based attraction offering heritage train excursions. Competes for the heritage-tourism segment of Branson visitors alongside Shepherd of the Hills' historic farm tours.
• WonderWorks Branson: Branson indoor entertainment attraction with rides and interactive exhibits. Competes for family entertainment dollars in the same market, particularly during weather-adverse periods.

Broad incumbents

• Herschend Family Entertainment: Owner of Silver Dollar City, Dollywood, and other parks. The dominant regional theme-park operator that defines Shepherd of the Hills' competitive context and sets industry capex/reinvestment norms.

Emerging players

• Adventure Park USA: Smaller adventure-park operator in the Mid-Atlantic offering ziplines, ropes courses, and similar attractions. Comparable as a regional aerial-adventure park format, though geographically separate.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/shepherdhills
• Facebookfacebook.com/134976179017
• Instagraminstagram.com/shepherdofthehills
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/shepherd-of-the-hills

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Shepherd of the Hills Entertainment Group