Sam A. Baker State Park Reviews

Had a fantastic 1st camping trip with my 4 year old son! Beautiful park, amazing wildlife. We saw a family of deer crossing the river, giant butterflies, a turtle and horses (of course, there's an equestrian camp close by.) We had the best camp site with a walk right down to what seemed like our own private beach. Everyone was friendly, Southern Missouri, since it was just my son and I, this was essential. Store and restaurant on site, I wouldn't have packed as much had I known they were there. Amazing experience! Thank you Sam A Baker staff!

Camp host / park employee for campground 2 was rude, apparently they're repaving some of Campground number 2, but they don't have any signs up nor would you know that before coming here, I came here to check the park out, as I started to get down Campground 2, doing about 5 miles an hour, he jumped in his little golf cart came rushing over and stopped in front of me, pointing hysterically at me, not knowing what he was talking about since there are no signs up to not enter the campground, he finally came up to my window and rudely said I had to turn around right now and go back out... Ok dude... you might want to let people know that you're repaving the roads or close the road, you know with a thing called a cone. I feel sorry for the people camping here while they're doing it not knowing. While checking out the campground, the campsite seem to be ride on top of each other, with very little to no campsite on the river. Basically a wooded area. Probably won't be camping here.

This place is fun. We stay in the cabins every year. They are what you would expect. The air and heat work well. It is pretty nice having the kitchen and bath vice camping.

Bring some ozium or febreez, the cabins get a little musty if the sit for a while. The futon is pretty hard to sleep on if you are an adult.

This place was great. We had a blast at the river and Big Creek. The bathrooms were not the cleanest but it was pretty humid and it rained earlier that day. The campsites are spacious and clean, the camphosts are available all the time. We will be returning.

This place is as perfect as it gets for mountain climbing practice in the state of Missouri. The class 1 hike up Mudlick Mountain is a more than 880 foot elevation increase! The trail compares to a lot of mountain trails in the Appalachians when considering this. As far as views? Don't worry about it! The healthy forest blocks any chance for a good view on this trail and that is a good thing! Just get to working out!
Run up and down it 5 times for a 4,400 foot elevation increase which is comparable to the tallest mountains in the USA. This will help you get prepared for the big league for when you travel to the real mountains. This is a perfect place to practice it!

This is a nice park, nice facilities. Keep in mind this is a very popular camping area so it's usually very busy. I only visit friends camping from the city, I personally would go somewhere less congested. I personally like Markham springs near williamsville. To each their own I guess.

Very family friendly campground. The sites are well maintained and the campground host was fantastic. The bike trail between the two camp sites was a good daily ride for the kids and they made a few new friends.

There are several hiking trails to explore that are well maintained and the camps are right on the Big Creek and the St Francois River. Lots of fish, wading/swimming/floating. This is a beautiful part of Missouri you should visit!

We did a float on the St Francois River-you put in from the campsite and enjoy the ride. It is an easy, family friendly float with many generations of people seen along the way.

The general store has some cool trinkets, firewood available for purchase and a small short-order food stand with ice cream, burgers, pizza, chicken fingers; etc. The stand gets busy (with a long wait) starting about 530-6) and closes at 8.

There is no cell signal for ATT in the camp sites, but if you walk up to the store or the cabins, you should have a signal to make calls. The hike (2 miles each way) up Mudlick Mountain gave me 5 bars though!

Beware, you cannot climb the fire tower and there is not much of a view in the summer, although it is the highest point in the area. The tower is not staffed, there are no facilities/water at the top, but the hike is pretty easy.

The kids have been asking to go back since this trip, so you can bet we will do it again!

Great swimming area with plenty of room for several groups.... even with Social distancing.

Beautiful, clear and cool water with great scenery... the parking area could be just a little larger but I suppose that helps to limit groups showing up.

Park is very well kept. Bathhouse & laundry facility has a new coat of paint! Staff is very friendly and they keep an eye on everything! Add Sam A Baker to your camping list!