List of frequently asked questions about reservations. Sam A Baker State Park Questions & Answers - Tripadvisor By mid-morning Sunday, the nearly 6,000 acre park located near Piedmont, Missouri was bustling with holiday activities as my hiking companion and I arrived at our trailhead parking lot populated by abandoned bicycles with a busy Big Creek swimming hole heard in the distance. We hiked one trail loop with further details of the hike discussed further down this post. If you forget something you can get just about anything at the little on site store. Tell us about your trip to the park in the comments below. Swimming at Sam A. Baker State Park Several great splashing areas are available in both the St. Francis River and Big Creek. Sorry, I couldn't be of more help. Floating - Sam A. Baker State Park SPEND A DAY ON THE RIVER Take a float trip on the scenic and secluded St. Francis River. amzn_assoc_region = "US"; 52 Reviews Ranked #1 of 2 Attractions in Patterson Granite City, Illinois how safe is the swimming area my granddaughter is taking 2 small children 4 and 5 yo is there a safe area for these small children to be in the water, my granddaughter will be at their side, but still concern about how deep water is, safety, currant of water I have been sequestered inside a tent at Campground 1 along the scenic St. Francis River during a torrential July rainstorm lasting fourteen straight hours with. My husband remembers his family driving across Big Creek in a 1937 Chevrolet. That Park Place is not affiliated professionally, nor the beneficiary, of any quid pro quo benefits from the subjects of our articles except in cases in which other commentators or third party collegial publications may be included as a primary subject. 37 Best Places To Go Camping in Missouri - Beyond The Tent in English from Mizzou and a M.A. Route 1, Patterson, MO 63956 Save dpetrowske Belleville, Illinois 145 75 Annual Family Trip Review of Sam A Baker State Park Reviewed October 11, 2019 I have been going to Sam A Baker State Park for over 60 years. Day usage is from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Floats ranging from 4 miles to 18 miles are available, averaging 2 - 12 hours. I have tent camped mostly but also stay in the smallest to the biggest cabins. Next door to the grill is the Mudlick Store. A turtle sat motionless directly on the trail listening to something in the far distance, head pointing towards the echoing sounds of New Country reverberating off the canyon of Big Creek from a floaters raft slowly drifting by below. At Sam A. Baker State Park, the possibilities are endless and the choice is all yours. The trail travels with the woods and gradually climbs uphill. Discovery, Family Adventure: Days 12 13 (Golf Family), J.J. 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Parks-Resorts-Lodging | City of Piedmont Day usage is from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sam A Baker State Park Thanks and have a wonderful summer! If you spend a day exploring the region, it is worth the trip, even if you are only in it for a few hours. SAM A BAKER STATE PARK - 15 Photos - RR 1, Patterson, Missouri - Parks - Phone Number - Yelp Restaurants Home Services Auto Services Sam A Baker State Park 8 reviews Unclaimed Parks Edit See all 16 photos Write a review Add photo Location & Hours RR 1 Patterson, MO 63956 Get directions Edit business info Amenities and More Good For Kids Nighttime is a different story, we could not sit by the campfire or even be outside. You can also just do an out and back on the shut-ins trail to the creek if you want an easier hike. Apr 19, 2019 | General Camping, General Points of Interest, Greenville Recreation, Parks Piedmont, Piedmont, Piedmont Recreation |. Let us know in the comments! This aquatic invertebrate is only found in the western end of the St. Francis River Basin, parts of just three Missouri counties, along Big Creek and nowhere else in the world. Deep in the bottomland up against the Big Creek Shut-Ins, we turned to the right (east) at the intersection with the primitive campground spur trail making way down a completely overgrown drainage for over the next quarter mile. We encourage everyone to just get out there and make memories as the best adventure can be the one you find today! As if on cue, it was at Hiking Shelter 2 where we saw a bright blue Indigo bunting, a stunning migratory bird from South America at the northern limit of its expansive range, landing for a moment in a Shortleaf pine nearby. At Sam A. Baker State Park you can hit the trails and splash around in the cool, rejuvenating waters of the St. Francois River. You can enjoy a variety of hands-on exhibits that feature park wildlife, history, and geography. During wet weather times, these boulders contain little cascades and waterfalls. Liz is a Missouri native with a B.A. With the historic St. Francois Mountains, the enticing waters of the St. Francis River and Big Creek, Sam A. Baker State Park is the perfect destination for your next getaway. Sam A. Baker State Park is off the beaten path, but this is what makes it so special! Read our, Grew up visiting this park which was built by some of my ancestors. Near major highways and easy to get to. Day usage is from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. A concrete boat ramp is located on the St. Francois River in Campground #1. Clean & well maintained with lots to do. The trail starts be heading downhill and a set of steps toward the river and under the highway bridge. The center is housed in a unique CCC building that was originally constructed as a stable. The view is probably much better in fall or winter as trees obscure part of the view. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. I have been sequestered inside a tent at Campground 1 along the scenic St. Francis River during a torrential July rainstorm lasting fourteen straight hours withlightning strikes dozens of feet away. what sites are near pavilion a we have a reunion there august 8 2015. Keep an eye out for the blue markers as you make your way down the switchbacks. The activitys include fishing in Big Creek located just a stones throw from the campgroung of floating the St. Francious River located in the park. Sam A Baker State Park things to do in Patterson Nature & Parks Patterson, MO 63956 Read all 52 reviews If I could separate the park from the cabins for rating purposes, I would give the park 4 or 5 stars, but accommodations receive no higher than 2 stars at best. There are many sites to visit close to the part; Elephant Rock, Johnson Shut Ins and many other sites, cities and trails. Campground is on the East side of the road. 10 State Parks In Missouri That Will Knock Your Socks Off With the ancient St. Francois Mountains, the unspoiled natural landscape and the cool waters of the St. Francis River and Big Creek, Sam A. Baker State Park has something for everyone. Several snakes in the igneous gorge, including one docile Timber rattlesnake, sunning themselves directly on the trail slowed our progress. I have visited this park numerous times and it has never disapointed me. We booked 7 nights at this park, and did not want to leave. The rare yellowwood tree found in isolated pockets of the. Sam A. Baker State Park Get ready for your trip to one of Missouri's State Parks. Enter your email address to receive notifications of new posts by email. Access to both the river and creek gives anglers the opportunity to hook many varieties of fish and canoeists the chance to float year-round. We tent camped in the lower campground area, most of the facilities were shut down because of earlier flooding in the area. Reservations are available online. We were wading through a classic Ozark riparian zone full of grasses, sedges, river cane, downed trees, thorn bushes, vines as thick as your wrist, juvenile canopy trees and other smaller shade tolerant varieties like Flowering dogwood and Sassafras . We also kayak and hike the trails. That Park Place requests those using original images from the site give proper credit when posting said photos. She works for a STL metro-area community college and enjoys writing, traveling, and indoor cycling. Swim at your own risk. Sam A Baker State Park: Beautiful and tons of fun swimming with children! Sam A Baker State Park Camping Area - Missouri - SNOFLO I found that getting in the water had wading had the best results. Thank you! amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; Daniel Dunklin's Grave State Historic Site, "Savages and Princesses: The Persistence of Native American Stereotypes". The scenery was beautiful and we enjoyed hiking, but I was seriously unhappy with the way they handled my concerns with the storm. The month with the highest relative humidity is November (86.21 %). River, great hiking trails, awesome old stone buildings, cabins, camping--this park has it all. Largest Outdoor Swimming Pool of South Germany Climate Dinkelsbhl (Germany) Dinkelsbhl are in the northern hemisphere. amzn_assoc_title = "My Amazon Picks"; The number listed for park is (573) 856-4411. Have you hiked and swam at Sam A. Baker State Park? With the ancient St. Francois Mountains, the unspoiled natural landscape and the cool waters of the St. Francis River and Big Creek, Sam A. Baker State Park has something for everyone. If you like old-fashioned swimming holes, you'll also want to check out The Fugitive Beach in Rolla this summer. Another interesting spot nearby is Old Greenville Recreation Area. Use our form to send us your information, or to update your listing. Fishing is meh, swimming is pretty nice. The Mudlick Mountain Grill offers a casual menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The restaurant and such are closed during Winter months, so check ahead. Our family loves to share all the interesting hikes and sites we discover around the St. Louis area and beyond. The cool waters of the St. Francois River and Big Creek frame a wooded setting with trails that range from easy to challenging. We seasoned Ozark hikers momentarily lost the marked trail several times, taking major effort to safely remain on course. Located in southeast Missouri, Sam A. Baker State Park has amazing trails, great swimming, and stunning views. Cell service can be limited in the park. The shower house and bath rooms are very nice and clean. After visiting high alpine lakes at 12,000 feet in the Rockies, hiking upper regions of the Olympic Peninsula in the Cascade Mountains of the Pacific Northwest, and photographing waterfalls in places like the Great Smoky Mountains, I can tell you Mudlick Creeks water clarity and quality in Mudlick Hollow is on par with those other remote areas. 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This made me feel uncomfortable, considering we live nine hours away.Overall, this state park seemed unorganized (which could be due to staying during off-season and the fact that they are working on several projects throughout the park). Hiking in Missouri is always a wonderful experience. They can open containers, coolers and anything you think is secured. As all of these factors and random things fall into place during ones trip to a park in its prime, the true magic of the visit and memories lasting a lifetime begin to form, successfully molding a permanent experience from an inspired plan, shapeless thought, daydream, or spur of the moment drive. Welcome! Sam A. Baker State Park Fishing & Canoe Rental | Explore the Ozarks This is the shorter route. A new site is being built next to camp store so I have something to look forward to eat in the future. The closest WalMart (for example) is about 45 minutes away. amzn_assoc_linkid = "4f0dba625eb6801bbdb1eb6a801f88d6"; Then you could also ask about the depth of water and current, etc. The many ways to explore and enjoy Sam A. Baker State Park is almost unlimited, but we chose an old-fashioned pursuit:hiking up and down Mudlick Mountain into a backcountry largely unchanged since the regions early pioneer days to an isolated, rugged gorge called Mudlick Hollow. Sam A. Baker state park has almost everything you'd expect in a state park: hiking, camping, swimming, horseback trails, RV hookups, boat launch, fishing, bicycling, a restaurant, gift shop, cabins, picnic areasyou name it. The concrete remains but obviously was either destroyed or dynamited. A huge Pileated woodpecker screeched as it flew past us in a streak of red, black and white. With access to the St. Francis River and Big Creek, anglers, canoeists, and others have the opportunity to fish and float year round.