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Sam A. Baker State Park Campground offers equestrian campsites with direct access to multiple riding trails. The park features dedicated horse-friendly camping areas separate from the main campgrounds, providing riders with specialized facilities while maintaining proximity to the park's amenities. Vault toilets serve the equestrian camping area, though riders need to use the main campground's shower facilities. The sites accommodate both riders and their horses with ample space for trailers and equipment. Even during major holidays, the equestrian sites rarely reach capacity, making last-minute trips possible when the main campgrounds are full.
The park's trail system includes shared-use paths for both hikers and horseback riders, with river crossings that may require some navigation skills depending on water levels. Trails remain consistently shaded throughout the riding season, providing comfortable conditions even during summer months. Bearcat Getaway offers another horse-friendly option in the region with on-site stables available for campers. Both locations provide access to the Black River, allowing horses to cool off after trail rides. The equestrian trails connect to the broader Ozark Trail system, creating extended riding opportunities throughout the region. Water crossings can be challenging to locate during certain seasons, so riders should prepare accordingly.
"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
Check Availability"It’s an affordable place and family/pet friendly and the have horse stables there for your use if needed."
"Now I opt for a site as far away from the stage as possible and do not bring my children here lol. Nice facilities, no real complaints. I bet weekdays are a lot more serene."
from $12 / night
Check Availability"this campground is totally off the beaten path. a great place to relax and unwind. this is also a good place if your new to off grid camping and want to test your gear before you say bye to society. the"
"She just wasn't there when we arrived, and we had a hard time determining property boundaries, tent site locations, etc. on our own."
from $15 - $30 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $43 - $50 / night
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.
GuideI totally recommend this place ! It’s really nice place and the owners were really nice. We had a whole entire camp area to ourselves ! It’s right on the river. They have a little store, running water, decent bathrooms with hot showers and a playground. It’s an affordable place and family/pet friendly and the have horse stables there for your use if needed.
Sam A. Baker State Park offers extensive horseback riding options beyond its dedicated equestrian campsites. The park spans over 5,000 acres with numerous horse-friendly trails that connect to broader regional trail systems. Located in the eastern Ozarks, the park sits at elevations ranging from 500 to 800 feet with the Black River and Big Creek cutting through limestone bluffs, creating varied terrain for riders.
River activities: At Sam A. Baker State Park Campground, visitors can enjoy the St. Francois and Black rivers with various water activities. "Beautiful camp sites and a beautiful river to paddle around on. This park usually isn't very crowded which is really nice. It is very tranquil and perfect for a weekend get away," notes Charlotte B. The park offers canoe rentals for a 4-mile guided float trip starting at $40 per canoe.
Trail riding: Bearcat Getaway provides horse-friendly camping with on-site stables and direct access to the Black River. "They have a little store, running water, decent bathrooms with hot showers and a playground. It's an affordable place and family/pet friendly and the have horse stables there for your use if needed," says Chrissy W. Trail rides through the property connect to nearby forest service land.
Rock hunting: Four Creeks Ranch Campground offers unique opportunities for geology enthusiasts. "The river is beautiful. Great place to go hopping and find some cool rocks," reports Bedriah A. The property includes multiple creek access points where visitors can search for jasper, agates, and other interesting specimens.
Quieter camping options: During peak seasons when many campgrounds fill up, Four Creeks Ranch provides alternatives. "This campground is totally off the beaten path. A great place to relax and unwind. This is also a good place if your new to off grid camping and want to test your gear before you say bye to society," writes a camper named asherondryde.
River swimming: Bluff View at Clearwater Lake offers excellent swimming opportunities. "Quiet and beautiful campground. Great swimming and fishing. Marina is great and have boat rentals available. We love it there and go back every year," says Scott M. The lake maintains consistent water levels year-round unlike river sites that fluctuate seasonally.
Affordable extras: Bearcat Getaway includes unexpected amenities with site rental. "Firewood included with site rental. Ice is only $2.50," mentions Hayden H. Most equestrian campgrounds in the region charge separately for horse boarding, trailer parking, and firewood.
River conditions vary: Water levels can significantly affect your experience. One camper at Huzzah Valley noted, "We spent four days at the park with friends during the higher rain and very, high river. I have never seen the river through the park so high to the top of the banks." Spring typically brings higher, faster water while late summer often requires navigation around exposed rocks.
Weekend atmosphere differences: Many sites transform drastically between weekdays and weekends. At Bearcat Getaway, "Nice float on the Black River. Cool water and beach to sit and watch the floaters go by in as well! This place is lit up fast after dark! Large stage with live music becomes a big party," warns Jennifer G.
Cell service limitations: Most equestrian camping areas have limited connectivity. At Bearcat Getaway, a reviewer mentioned "No cell service" as something to prepare for. This affects GPS navigation and emergency communications, so download maps and trail guides before arrival.
Look beyond basic sites: Sam A. Baker State Park Campground offers various accommodation options. "My group and I stayed in Campground 1 and we were so pleased with how well-kept our sites were. Even during the last weekend of September, it was hot out, so we were glad there were plenty of trees around," writes Madelyn H. The park maintains family-designated areas separate from equestrian sites.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Children often enjoy spotting local fauna. "A friend and I even spotted a baby eastern spiny softshell turtle while crossing Big Creek!" shares Madelyn H. The interconnected waterways house diverse wildlife including river otters, various turtle species, and numerous birds.
Bathroom considerations: Facilities vary significantly between campgrounds. At Bearcat Getaway, campers hope for "improvement to the shower house" according to Amber M., while Sam A. Baker provides more established facilities with "showers, water, electric, store, restaurant" as noted by Mara F.
Site selection matters: At Huzzah Valley, one RVer recommends specific locations: "We had a good time camping on the back loop. Sites 105 to 111. Full hook up, shade and near river. Plenty of room on the gravel bar to have fun." These sites offer better accessibility for larger vehicles while maintaining privacy.
Road conditions: Access to equestrian campgrounds often requires navigating unpaved roads. At Bearcat Getaway, one camper mentioned "Only draw backs were some of the ruts in the road and spotty electric at the sites (which they did reimburse us for)." Always call ahead for current road conditions, especially after rain.
Electrical reliability: Power supply can be inconsistent at some locations. One camper at Bearcat Getaway mentioned "spotty electric at the sites" as an issue to be aware of. Consider bringing a generator backup or power banks if you require consistent electricity for medical or comfort needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Wappapello, MO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Wappapello, MO is Sam A. Baker State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 49 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Wappapello, MO?
TheDyrt.com has all 7 equestrian camping locations near Wappapello, MO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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