Set in the Ozark Mountains during the Great Depression, Billy Coleman works hard and saves his earnings for 2 years to achieve his dream of buying two coonhound pups. He develops a new trust in God as he faces overwhelming challenges in adventure and tragedy roaming the river bottoms of Cherokee country with "Old Dan" and "Little Ann."

To save their marriage, Rita and Dana Lund set off on a family camping trip through California. At a campsite they meet a hitch-hiker, Eric, who befriends their son. Against Rita's wishes, Dana takes asks him to tag along with them, not knowing that he's a brutal psychopath.