Travel/Check-in 

Sam A. Baker State Park is a bit of a haul for us. It’s also one of those destinations where you should absolutely not trust the first, second, or third route your GPS suggests if it’s sending you through Mark Twain National Forest. The roads are winding, the hills will keep you on your toes, and your cell signal will eventually disappear.

If you’re coming from Jefferson City, I recommend taking the route via Highway 67 rather than following your GPS onto the winding forest roads. Depending on your starting point, you can take Highway 50 or head toward St. James via Highway 8 before connecting to Highway 67. From there, take Highway 67 south to Highway 34, then follow Highway 143 into the park’s southern entrance.

Shoutout to Tracy for saving us from the not-so-scenic route!

The park has both a northern and southern entrance, but I found the approach from the north to be especially narrow and winding. If you’re towing a camper or driving a larger vehicle, I’d recommend researching your route ahead of time rather than blindly trusting your GPS.

Camp Store 

The camp store is located near the CCC Lodge and is connected to Mudlick Mountain Grill. The store had basic dry goods, a limited selection of refrigerated items, and a few camping essentials. And, perhaps most importantly, it had sweet, sweet Wi-Fi.

But let’s talk about Mudlick Mountain Grill.

You never quite know what to expect from a restaurant at a state park, so I go in with an open mind and modest expectations. Mudlick Mountain Grill exceeded those expectations and then some!

I love cooking our own meals at camp, but it’s nice to have at least one meal where someone else does the cooking and the cleaning. I ordered the Blazin’ Burger, and honestly, it was one of the best burgers I’ve had in a long time. It was thick, juicy, and loaded with toppings. The fries were crispy, golden-brown, and beer-battered. The perfect pairing for a burger that practically melted in my mouth.

Whether you’re camping at the park, spending the day on the river, or just passing through, I’d highly recommend planning a stop here for a bite to eat.

Campground & Campsite 

The first thing that really stood out about this campground was the night sky. We arrived well after sundown, and when we stepped out of the truck, we both just stood there, quite literally starstruck by the view overhead.

If stargazing is on your camping wish list, Sam A. Baker State Park is worth considering for the night view alone. 

The campground loops are spread out, with several water access points throughout the area. Plenty of campers had bikes, which made sense given the distance between some sites, the water access, and the nearly two-mile paved route between Campground 1 and the camp store.

Cell service at Campground 1 was limited. We could occasionally send or receive a text, but we couldn’t count on having a reliable connection. We ended up using the camp store’s Wi-Fi to download maps and check in with family. I’d recommend downloading your maps ahead of time rather than waiting until you arrive. 

We had a spacious campsite on the outer edge of the loop and appreciated having plenty of breathing room from our neighbors. Many of the other sites also appeared to have a decent amount of space between campers, with additional parking nearby. Of course, individual sites will vary.

Speaking of which, I will say this was the first campsite where I honestly wished we had a small leaf blower. Many of the other sites were shaded by tall pines, but we were covered by a hickory tree that seemed to be dropping an endless amount of leaves.

The bathrooms and shower house were about as good as campground facilities get! I didn’t see a single bug sneak inside, never had to wait in line, and, most importantly, everything was clean.

The Activities 

Sam A. Baker State Park sits along Big Creek and the St. Francis River, so we went into the weekend expecting to spend most of our time paddling. The park offers kayak and canoe rentals, but water levels and river conditions can make floating less practical at certain times of year… like October. The rocky stretches and lower water levels during our visit meant it was time to rethink our plans.

Luckily, the weather had our backs. The temperatures were perfect for hiking, swimming, and exploring the river on foot. Which is how we ended up finding one of our favorite parts of the entire trip. 

We kept returning to the Mudlick Loop/Shut-Ins Trail throughout the weekend. The route combines the Shut-Ins Trail with a portion of the Mudlick Loop. AllTrails lists it as a 2.7-mile moderate loop, but I recorded nearly 3.5 miles and would rate some sections as more than moderately difficult.

We completed the full trail only once because, honestly, the view from the top couldn’t compete with the view of Big Creek at the bottom.

The descent alone felt like an adventure. During that first mile, the trail dropped quickly beneath towering sycamores, sweet gums, and cottonwoods, with massive outcrops of Mudlick Dellenite rising around us. These rugged rock formations are part of what makes this stretch of the Ozarks so distinctive. At one point, we even passed through a stretch of bamboo that felt a little unexpected tucked into the landscape.

The ground beneath our feet seemed to change every few steps. We picked our way over chunky rocks and thick, twisting roots before the trail softened into silty sand scattered with smooth river rock. Each turn brought a different combination of terrain, with the forest towering overhead and the rocky landscape constantly changing around us. It was rugged, uneven, and a little bit of everything. This was the kind of trail that kept our eyes on the path while still giving us plenty to look at.

And then, near the end of that first mile, the forest opened up to the riverbank.

That stretch of river quickly became our favorite place in the park, and we found ourselves heading back whenever we had the chance.

I never thought I’d find myself saying, “Wow, I’d really like to go snorkeling in a Missouri river.” And yet, here we are.

The trail leads to a rocky bank overlooking crystal-clear water, with dense forest stretching out around it. From the bank, you can soak up the views and listen to the shallow water cascading over the rocks. If conditions allow, you can also slip on your water shoes, wade across, and explore the other side.

And I am so serious when I say we were greeted by a pair of bluegill that seemed to adopt us. They swam between our legs, followed us around in the water each day, and even let us hand-feed them. We felt like a couple of Disney princesses.

And yes, we named them. From here on out, they shall be known as Sunny and Cher.

Beyond the shallows, we also found deeper, turquoise pools that made us feel like we’d somehow traded southeast Missouri for a tropical getaway. Between the clear water, rocky riverbed, and forest surrounding us, it was hard to believe we were still in Missouri. 

Note: Water levels and currents can change, and the rocks can be slippery underfoot. Check conditions before entering the river, and don’t attempt a crossing if you’re unsure of the depth, current, or footing.

Dog-Friendly: Dutch’s Takeaways

Dutch was one tired pup by the end of this trip, and that’s because we took him just about everywhere we went!

The park and river weren’t crowded during our stay, which made it easier to bring him along while we explored the trails and riverbanks. That said, our experience may be different from yours during a busier weekend.

If you’re bringing your dog, plan for rocky footing, bring plenty of water, and consider how busy trails and river access points might affect your dog’s comfort. Late spring and summer may bring more visitors, so plan accordingly.

As usual, dogs are not allowed to swim in designated swimming areas for people.

Pack It Up

Sam A. Baker State Park ended up being a very different weekend than we originally planned, and honestly, I think we got lucky with the change of plans. Between the incredible night sky, the surprisingly fantastic food at Mudlick Mountain Grill, and our newfound river friends, Sunny and Cher, we found plenty of reasons to love this park without ever launching a kayak.

Would we come back? Absolutely. I’d love to return with a better understanding of the river conditions and make another attempt at a paddling weekend. Either way, I’m packing goggles and permanently adding the GoPro to my camping checklist so I don’t forget it again. RIP.

But even without all of that, Sam A. Baker gave us a memorable camping trip and a new favorite spot along the river.

If you’re looking for a Missouri state park where you can camp, hike, cool off in the river, and spend an evening under the stars, Sam A. Baker deserves a spot on your list!

MoGo Snapshot

🚗 Drive from Jefferson City: 3 hours and 45 minutes
💧 Water access: Swimming, fishing, and paddling 
🐾 Dog-friendly: Yes
🚻 Restrooms: Yes
🛜 Cell Service: Spotty, but WiFi at the camp store
📝 Activities: Swimming, hiking, paddling, and fishing
🎟️ Campsite Cost: $29 per night
🎣 Fishing Cost: Free
⭐ Mo’s Rating: 9/10

~ Mo