St. Joe State Park, located about 4 miles northeast of Park Hills, Missouri, offers dedicated equestrian facilities in a former mining area at an elevation of approximately 1,100 feet. The park encompasses over 8,000 acres with distinct trail systems catering to different recreational users, including a 12-mile equestrian trail network. Temperatures in this region typically range from mid-20s°F in winter to upper 80s°F in summer, making spring and fall ideal for horse camping excursions.
What to Do
Trail riding at Berryman Trail & Campgrounds: Access 24 miles of trails suitable for horses, hiking, and mountain biking. "The park is big enough you don't hear the small engine vehicles over here," notes Grant M. about the separation from ATV areas.
Floating on the Meramec River: St. Francois State Park Campground offers nearby river access. "Swimming is great at the river," mentions Allyson D., highlighting water recreation opportunities within a 20-minute drive of Park Hills.
Explore historic mining areas: St. Joe State Park Campground preserves remnants of former lead mining operations. "Read up on the lead mine tailing warnings," advises Grant M., referencing the park's industrial heritage now transformed into recreational space.
Day trips to nearby caves: Schedule a visit to Onondaga Cave within 45 minutes of many equestrian campgrounds. Jennifer G. notes that caves are "a nice experience especially when it is blazing hot outside," offering cool relief during summer months.
What Campers Like
Large, well-designed equestrian sites: Berryman Trail & Campgrounds offers spacious camping areas. Hannah W. reports that "the sites are well spaced apart" with "a nice fire ring" and "a sturdy picnic table," providing comfortable bases for horse camping trips.
Multiple water sources for horses: At Hazel Creek Campground, water access is conveniently positioned. Sterling M. describes "Hazel creek is a picturesque crystal clear creek that is near the campground," ideal for watering horses.
Trail variety and terrain diversity: Huzzah Valley connects to the Ozark Trail system. Alicia B. mentions it's "connected to ozark trail" and is "dog friendly," allowing for varied riding experiences across different skill levels.
Separation from motorized recreation: Campground placement minimizes ATV noise at certain locations. According to Grant M., "you can camp at campground 2, and you're dealing with a MUCH more classic camping scenario" away from noise and activity.
What You Should Know
Variable bathroom facilities: Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park provides modern facilities while more remote horse camps offer basic options. Erin J. notes "very nice campground with nice showers and clean bathrooms," but facilities vary significantly between parks.
Seasonal considerations: Fall camping provides moderate temperatures but requires advance planning. Sterling M. mentions "the grass is usually tamed" in established areas, but conditions vary by season.
Trail traffic varies by location: Some trail systems experience heavy weekend use. Chad K. describes Johnson's Shut-Ins as having "updated facilities" but cautions that at popular parks "the sites are level and well maintained" but can fill quickly.
Campground spacing: Some parks offer more privacy than others. Hannah W. shares that at Berryman, there's "plenty of distance between so we didn't cross paths or hear each other's conversations unless we wanted to."
Tips for Camping with Families
Choose the appropriate campground section: Sam A. Baker State Park Campground offers family-friendly zones. Michele O. explains, "My children and I love this campground. Great people, a lot of fun! Swimming and floating in the river."
Plan for mixed riding abilities: Select trails that accommodate different experience levels. At St. Joe, "hiking, MTB, and horse trails are separate from the atv trails" according to Grant M., ensuring safer riding for families with children.
Pack for varied weather conditions: The region experiences significant temperature fluctuations. John K. recounts visiting Sam A. Baker "during the higher rain and very high river," highlighting the importance of weather preparedness.
Schedule ranger programs: Many state parks offer educational opportunities for children. Madelyn H. notes of Sam A. Baker, "The park itself offers a lot to explore—quite a few trails to choose from, and the river made for nice wading in the afternoon heat."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for horse trailers: Cherokee Landing offers pull-through sites that accommodate larger rigs. Art Z. explains, "We spent a one night get-away at Hazel Creek with our 30 foot travel trailer. The gravel road into the campground was no problem for a pickup with a trailer."
Verify hookup locations: Water access varies between equestrian campgrounds. J T. recommends St. Joe State Park, calling it a "good clean campground for the hole family to enjoy," though noting "there are some rules that didn't make much sense."
Consider ground conditions: Parking areas may be gravel rather than concrete at horse facilities. Olivia S. explains, "The site has a gravel parking area rather than the concrete one at CG#1," highlighting differences between campground sections at St. Joe State Park.
Plan for limited connectivity: Cell service is unreliable at most horse campgrounds. Chris J. reports "No cell service for both my AT&T and Verizon phones" at Hazel Creek, making offline navigation tools essential.
