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Sam A. Baker State Park Campground features equestrian campsites with vault toilets and electric hookups at every other site. The park maintains dedicated horse-friendly areas separate from the main campgrounds, providing a quieter camping experience even during busy holiday weekends. Trail riders can access multiple shared-use paths throughout the park, with water crossings that may require some navigation skills. The equestrian sites remain largely uncrowded throughout the year, allowing for a more secluded camping experience with horses. Campers have access to the park's shower facilities located in the main campground areas.
Horseback riding opportunities connect to the Ozark Trail system with multiple trail options suitable for various skill levels. River crossings can be challenging to locate on some routes, though the trails remain well-shaded throughout the year. Huzzah Valley also offers horse-friendly accommodations with trail rides available on their horses for those not bringing their own mounts. The campground connects directly to the Ozark Trail network, providing extended riding opportunities. Both locations accommodate dogs alongside horses, making them suitable for families bringing multiple animals. Riders should be aware that some trails are shared with hikers, though the extensive trail systems provide enough space for all users.
"We enjoyed our 1.5 mile hike to get to the river access to float. We brought our own flotation devices and really enjoyed every aspect of the seclusion."
"There are 2 huge campgrounds (around 100 sites each!) and a nice paved bike path connecting them."
from $15 - $52 / night
Check Availability"They offer trail rides on their horses. Dog friendly. Connected to ozark trail."
"The "Zoo" is for the younger and rowdier crowd, and is located north of HWY 8, away from the family-friendly sites, and has later quiet hours and is known for its party-like atmosphere. "
from $11 - $65 / night
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GuideWe enjoyed our 1.5 mile hike to get to the river access to float. We brought our own flotation devices and really enjoyed every aspect of the seclusion. They have equestrian trails as well and we got to see horses while floating too. The water was crystal clear and we even found quartz in some rocks in the water.
RangerCampground Review
I was very excited to finally get to check out Sam A. Baker State Park as I had heard great things about beautiful land. The drive to the park was very pretty indeed, my husband and I enjoyed the view on the way in. My first impression upon entering the park was that this place is huge! There are 2 huge campgrounds (around 100 sites each!) and a nice paved bike path connecting them. There is also a visitor’s center were you pay for your campsite, a camp store that sells all kinds of things, a small restaurant, equestrian campsites, cabins, and an equestrian trail. We set up our tent in a basic site with no electricity, which was nice that it put us a little bit away from RVs and campers. The sites are very close together and even on one of the hottest weekends of the year the campgrounds were full! They do allow advanced reservations and I would definitely recommend them in the summer. The basic site cost $13/night and was close to a shower house with flushing toilets and a water spigot. Since it was such a hot weekend, Saturday morning we decided to the 4 mile float the campground offers. They depart at 10am or 11 am from the boat ramp at campground 1. They have a bus that picks you up at the end at either 2pm or 4pm. We paid $40 for our canoe for the afternoon. It was nice to float a different river, but the St. Francois (at least near Sam A. Baker) was pretty murky and you couldn’t see your feet in about knee-deep water. There were also tons of trees down in the water, making it a more technical trip at some points and even requiring us to get out and portage our canoe for about 25 yards. Although the price for the float was decent, the distance was very short (without stops, it would take about 1.5-2 hours). I think next time I would choose to just play and relax in the river near the campground rather than do that float again. The park also has some backcountry trails with backcountry campsites and is near the Ozark Trail. My husband and I really wanted to explore the trails and see if it connected to the Ozark Trail, but because of the heat the weekend we were there we didn’t get a chance to. Most of the trails are shared use, meaning foot and horse, which is never great for the hikers on foot. We wanted to be able to see the true condition for ourselves, but I guess that will have to wait until next time!
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Product Review: Snapbuds
As a Dyrt Ranger, I get the honor of reviewing products from time to time. This trip I got to highlight Snapbuds. They are a magnetic earbud cord organization system. If that sounds complicated, they are. They are a series of magnets that you clip around your earbud cords so that when you wrap up the cord it stays in place. This is to prevent the inexplicable phenomenon that is setting down your earbuds perfectly coiled, not touching them, then finding them in a yarn ball like knot the next day. They certainly do help with that problem. However, I have noticed since I am now coiling my earbuds the same way each time, they get twisted up after a few uses. The set up process is not entirely intuitive. You lay your earbuds on the provided guide and tape them down. Then you snap the buds in the locations of the wrap you want to achieve. Once the buds are placed, they are not supposed to be able to be moved, but you can pry them back open with a fingernail or slide them down with a bit of force. I found that the indicated placement to wrap around your hand or phone was not where they should line up for my hand or phone once I placed them. This required me to remove or slid each bud. Since they are magnets, if your cords are slightly twisted and the buds line up so the poles of the magnet don’t attract, you have to flip them and it doesn’t look as nice. Also, the magnet will be attracted to anything metal, so when using these at my desk, I have to be careful around my laptop. The buds do add a little weight to your earbuds, but it’s not bad. I did find that wearing the earbuds with snapbuds on them while running was a little annoying, since you have magnets hitting you in the chest with each stride. After each use you have to careful wrap the cord to match up. All in all, I don’t feel like this a worthwhile solution to the problem. At $10 per set, I feel like I would just rather continue to coil the cord at my leisure and keep them in place with an old hair clip.
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GuideJust spent the weekend with my family at Sam A Baker (SAB). We stayed at campground 2. Spot 145 and had plenty of shade and space. There are two traditional camps and one equestrian. The park is crowded but that’s because of how great it is. Lots of paved walk/bike trails around the park. If you forget your bike no problem you can rent one for $5 a day! The visitors center was neat. The general store has everything you need and a restaurant attached where you can get breakfast, lunch and dinner. We spent some time on the gravel bar which was a short walk from our campsite. The water on Big Creek was clear, shallow, and not too cold. I would recommend this state park to any family looking to camp.
GuideEquestrian sites are never hardly used and we have came on all major holidays. Electricity is only every other site which sucks if your trying to camp with friends. Have to use the human camp ground showers vault toilets in camp area. Love the trails but river crossing can be hard to find. Always shaded spots. There’s camp store and you can float trip or go play in river.
GuideGreat park. I did the backpacking with 1 night of hammock camping. They have 3 actual tent shelters on the trail but it is over grown by #3 there’s also aquatic trails so be ware of the horses.
GuideThis place caters to large groups fun variety of float trips available as well. We stayed in cabin with our dog nice and clean good prices. They offer trail rides on their horses. Dog friendly. Connected to ozark trail.
TravelerSuch a scenic park. Beautiful at every turn. Well kept, lovely staff and has something for everyone. Cabins, camping, hiking, river, floating, horses, you name it. Amazing place! GO!
LegendThe state park is located in southeastern Missouri was a disappointment to us on our visit. The campground, while large and spaced out, was a little bit on the trashy side. The facilities were dated and the park state were not the most pleasant. There are several trails in the park that look challenging but we chose to move on.
RangerWe went with the whole fam to Sam A Baker. Shower houses were conveniently located in camping area. Big River was just a small walk away from the campsite. I know they had been flooded, but I am still cleaning rocks and dirt from the camper. They had a nice camp store and were very friendly. Mostly electric sites. A few full hookups close to the front of the campground. Nice paved roads and larger than normal sites. It was during a pandemic, but bathrooms were pretty clean. Will definitely go again.
Sam A. Baker State Park Campground spans over 5,300 acres in the St. Francois Mountain region near Bloomfield, Missouri. The park features two campgrounds with approximately 100 sites each, connected by a paved bike path. Most sites are positioned under shade trees, providing natural cooling during southeast Missouri's hot summer months when temperatures regularly exceed 90°F.
River activities: Sam A. Baker State Park Campground offers access to both the St. Francois River and Big Creek for swimming, wading, and floating. "The river made for nice wading in the afternoon heat. A friend and I even spotted a baby eastern spiny softshell turtle while crossing Big Creek," notes Madelyn H.
Hiking opportunities: Multiple trails accommodate various skill levels, from easy walks to more challenging terrain. The backcountry trails connect to designated campsites away from the main campgrounds. "The park itself offers a lot to explore--quite a few trails to choose from," reports a visitor who appreciated the diverse outdoor options.
Horseback riding: Huzzah Valley provides trail rides for visitors without their own horses. "They offer trail rides on their horses. Dog friendly. Connected to ozark trail," writes Alicia B. The location serves as a convenient base for accessing the extensive Ozark Trail network.
River access: The St. Francois River provides recreational opportunities directly from the campground. "Beautiful view. You can sit in the cool clear water and relax. Great place for kids," reports Kevin B. The river depth varies seasonally but typically remains shallow enough for wading near camping areas.
Well-maintained facilities: Campers consistently mention the upkeep of sites and amenities. "The park as usual was yet maintained in almost perfect conditions, staff was very nice," notes John K. who visited during high water conditions. Most sites include fire rings with cooking grates and picnic tables.
Camp store conveniences: The onsite store stocks camping essentials, firewood, and souvenirs. "Great river access, nice little store, good price!!" mentions Matt M. The store typically operates from 8am to 8pm during peak season with reduced hours in spring and fall.
Campground popularity: During summer weekends, expect high occupancy levels. "Even during the last weekend of September, it was hot out, so we were glad there were plenty of trees around," shares Madelyn H. who found shade essential even in early fall. Advance reservations are recommended, especially for holiday weekends.
Equestrian camping considerations: Sites designated for horses feature larger parking areas to accommodate trailers. Electric hookups are available at alternate sites within the equestrian camping area. Riders should bring water buckets as hydration points may be limited.
Seasonal river conditions: Water levels fluctuate significantly throughout the year. "I have never seen the river through the park so high to the top of the banks," writes John K. about springtime conditions. Summer typically brings lower, calmer water more suitable for family wading.
Kid-friendly water areas: Sam A. Baker State Park Campground provides safe water access points for children. "My family camps at Sam A Baker every year. It is clean and everyone there is friendly. They have a nice gift shop and some great places to swim," shares Emily J.
Choose campground section carefully: The park's two campgrounds offer different experiences. Family groups often prefer Campground 1 for its proximity to shallow water access. "My children and I love this campground. Great people, a lot of fun! Swimming and floating in the river," reports Michele O.
Activity planning: Summer weekends feature ranger-led programs at the amphitheater, often including wildlife presentations. Parents should check the schedule at the visitor center upon arrival as program times vary seasonally.
Campsite selection: Request full-hookup sites in advance as they book quickly. RV sites with sewer connections are limited but electrical and water hookups are more plentiful. Sites 105-111 at Huzzah Valley are noted for their amenities and location: "Full hook up, shade and near river. Plenty of room on the gravel bar to have fun."
Connectivity considerations: Cellular service and wifi can be unreliable. "Their wifi was very poor and didn't work half the time," mentions John K., though he adds this "didn't bother us one bit, we don't go into the woods not to watch tv anyway."
Weekend timing strategies: Sunday arrivals often provide quieter experiences as weekend crowds disperse. "We floated on Sunday to avoid the crazies on Saturday," notes a camper who appreciated the reduced river traffic at Huzzah Valley.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Bloomfield, MO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Bloomfield, MO is Sam A. Baker State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 49 reviews.
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