Discover the World's Largest Bass Pro Shop

Johnny Morris established the first Bass Pro Shop in 1972 behind the store his father’s store in Springfield, Missouri. Morris was an avid outdoorsman who loved to fish and wanted to share his passion with the world. Today, Bass Pro Shops, in partnership with Cabela, operates one hundred and seventy-seven locations. While each shop goes above and beyond to make patron’s experiences enjoyable with various attractions, a few are exceptional.

Two retail stores deserve mention as the largest Bass Pro Shops, and each for its reasons. They both offer shoppers incredible experiences. One is the largest, which opened in 2015. The second is the largest, original store that started it all.

The Pyramid in Memphis, Tennesse

Once shuttered for several years, this Bass Pro Shops location reopened in 2015 as a superstore. The building itself has over twenty-two million cubic feet of space. Bass Pro Shops took advantage of every inch of space in the pyramid. Beyond the 535,000 square foot retail portion, the pyramid is home to the Big Cypress Lodge. Guests are treated to treehouse-style accommodations that feature modern luxuries.

Following Bass Pro Shop tradition, shoppers pursue their needed goods surrounded by nature. The bowling alley inside the store is not your typical bowling alley. The thirteen-lane alley features an underwater theme complete with an aquarium, full bar, and restaurant. The store also includes a live-firing range, where guests can practice shooting or archery. In addition to the aquarium and taxidermy specimens, this store houses a live cypress swamp complete with alligators.

The Duck Aviary

Bass Pro Shops partnered with Ducks Unlimited Waterfowling Heritage Center for this store, building four duck ponds and an aviary. Habitats house wood ducks, green-winged teals, pintails, black ducks, and mallards. Ducks Unlimited Waterfowling Heritage Center, an organization dedicated to the conservation and preservation of wetland habitat, is detailed. Curious guests can sign up to be a caretaker of the birds for a few hours. This feature provides vital insight into the behaviors and lives of waterfowl.

Dine at the Top

Are you adventurous? Don’t miss the chance to take a ride to the top of the twenty-eight-story pyramid. Once there, walk the skywalk complete with a glass observation deck. The walk and deck provide a 360-degree view of the Mississippi River and all of downtown Memphis. After taking a ride on the country’s tallest free-standing elevator, you can dine at The Lookout at the top.

The Largest Original Bass Pro Shop

It’s still in Springfield, Missouri, built on the original spot of the very first Bass Pro Shop. While it was much smaller in 1972, today the 750,000 square foot marvel boats waterfalls, aquariums, showrooms, and a firing range. Outside of the 535,000-square-foot retail space, live alligators and taxidermied wildlife greet visitors. Shoppers can take a break and grab a bite to eat at Hemingway’s Blue Water Cafe, which serves a full menu.

The Largest Bass Pro Shop in Missouri Includes a Museum

The fun doesn’t stop there. Shoppers can venture upstairs to view the free admission NRA Museum, which documents a full history of sporting arms from the 1600’s. Dioramas of President Theodore Roosevelt, who famously loved safari hunting, are on display. Roosevelt’s efforts at conservation are displayed alongside personal photographs of his family and friends.

A segment of the museum is dedicated to Tinsel Town. From Clint Eastwood and John Wayne to modern movies starring Johnny Depp, you can see the guns that made cinema history. Historically significant guns owned by former presidents Dwight Eisenhower and Grover Cleveland, as well as another diorama of famed explorers Lewis and Clark take center stage. Annie Oakley, the notorious sharp-shooter of the Victorian era, has her own informational display.

Not Just a Store, a Hall of Fame

The Archery Hall of Fame is also free of charge, featuring tributes to outstanding sportsmanship in archery. Bass Pro Shops purchased many of the contents of the Fred Bear Museum in Florida when it was closed. Fred Bear was a world-famous archer, holding a record for the largest bow-hunted bear. While Bass Pro Shops has become known for its taxidermy displays, the preserved bear that earned Fred Bear the world record is a point of pride in this exhibit.

Further, the Archery Hall of Fame has a section for groundbreaking female archers. A Crystal Cup trophy belonging to Ann Hoyt, as well as personal items once belonging to Ann Clark, are on display. Both of these women made history in the sport of archery by becoming national championships.

The Hall of Fame regularly initiates new archers, ensuring that the museum continues to follow the history of archery as a sport.

Finally, every year from November 4 to December twenty-fourth, Bass Pro Shops hosts Santa’a Wonderland. Shoppers can take photos with Santa and enjoy many activities in a fully decorated store.

Bass Pro Shops is a Leader in Conservation

Bass Pro Shops partners with several organizations including Ducks Unlimited, the National Wild Turkey Federation, and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Through these partnerships, Bass Pro Shops has donated to help preserve waterfowl territory in the Prarie Pothole region, protect the Florida Everglades, support the bass population, and conserve wild turkey habitats.

The business also works to help support saltwater and freshwater fish populations in Bristol Bay with the Wild Salmon Center as well as supports the Modern Fish Act and the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act.

Bass Pro Shops also contributes heavily to youth enrichment, hosting independent activities for children as well as facilitating events with local scout groups.

In 2019, Morris was awarded the Audobon Medal for his wide-reaching efforts in conservation.

Who is Johnny Morris

Now affectionately called “The Walt Disney of the Outdoors”, Johnny Morris likely didn’t know his small shop in Missouri would grow to the level of fame it now enjoys. His beginnings in life were humble. His father, a decorated World War II veteran, and his mother were both active in hunting and fishing. By the age of 21, Morris was working in the bass fishing circle in a professional capacity. It was this hobby that lead to the establishment of the first Bass Pro Shops.

Today, in addition to his business and conservation efforts, Morris has several other establishments. He founded the White River Marine Group, which manufactures boats under various brand names. Morris also founded the Top of the Rock golf course in Missouri, which displays one of the largest collections of indigenous native spearheads and art in the region. Lastly, Morris established multiple wildlife resorts in Missouri, one of which includes a golfing course.