Whether it's getting away for a day to explore nature or camping in our campground for a weekend of fishing and outdoor fun Sam A. Baker Stae Park has something for everyone.
   A boat launch offers access to the river, and anglers hook bluegill, bass, crappie, sunfish, goggle eye and catfish in the river and creek. Canoeists float the Big Creek in spring and early summer, while the river is a good float year-round. Several miles of hiking, backpacking and equestrian trails provide glimpses of the area as the early settlers found it. To explore the natural and cultural history of the park, visit the park's visitor/nature center.
   Visitors can spend the night in either the rustic cabins or one of two large campgrounds featuring modern restrooms, hot showers, dumping station and laundry facilities. For horse lovers, a separate equestrian camp is provided. The shaded picnic area is equipped with a playground, covered shelters and picnic tables. If guests prefer to eat indoors, the dining lodge overlooking Big Creek features excellent country cooking.
 
Boat Launch
There is a concrete boat launch located at Campground 1 on the St. Francis River. It is open at all times except during heavy flooding. There are no launch fees or motor restrictions; however, the size of the river limits usage to smaller boats. Due to the river current shifting in recent years, the launch area is usually too shallow for anything but canoes and small boats.

Fishing
Fishing is available at multiple access points in both the St. Francis River and Big Creek. Day usage is from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Primary fish are bass, blue gill, sunfish and catfish.

  

Swimming
Swimming is available at multiple access points in both the St. Francis River and Big Creek. Day usage is from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Picnic Area/Playground
There are three picnic shelters available for use.  They can be reserved for $40 each per day. If not reserved, the shelters are available at no charge on a first-come, first-served basis. One shelter located in the main day-use area and the other two are north of the Big Creek bridge. Occupancy is 75 people per shelter.

There is a playground located at the day-use area.

Sam A. Baker State Park Campground Information

Sam A. Baker State Park has two campgrounds and an equestrian campground. The park also has a special-use camping area.

Campground 1 is open and reservable during the on-season (April through October) and offers basic and electric campsites, modern restrooms and showerhouses and a dump station. This campground is closed November through March.

Campground 2 is open and reservable year-round and offers basic and electric campsites.  During the on-season (April through October), modern restrooms and showerhouse, laundry room and a dump station are available.

The equestrian campground is open March through November and offers basic and electric campsites and a vault toilet. This campground is closed December through February.

For reservations, there is a required two-night minimum stay for weekends.  Campers planning to carry in firewood must comply with current firewood advisories.

Firewood Advisory
Firewood and the Emerald Ash Borer

Missouri's forests are being threatened and you can help protect them.

The emerald ash borer, an exotic beetle, has already killed more than 50 million ash trees in the northern United States. It has now been detected in forests in Missouri. Federal and state quarantines have been issued for Wayne County to restrict movement of any ash wood product. This includes all hardwood firewood, the most common way emerald ash borer is spread

Dining
The cabins, dining lodge, store and canoe rental are operated by your concession host, Michael Fleming. Let Mike or a member of his staff make your visit to Sam A. Baker State Park more enjoyable. For more information about the concession facilities, please call 573-856-4224

Rustic Lodge Restaurant is made of native stone and overlooks scenic Big Creek. It is the place to eat for great steak, catfish, fried chicken and Kansas City-style barbecue.

2009 Dining Lodge Hours

Friday nearest April 15 through the Sunday before
Memorial Day weekend 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. Friday
8 a.m. - 8 p.m. Saturday
8 a.m. - 3 p.m. Sunday
Monday before Memorial Day weekend to the Monday
of Labor Day weekend 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. Wednesday through Friday
8 a.m. - 8 p.m. Saturday
8 a.m. - 6 p.m. Sunday
Tuesday after Labor Day weekend through October 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. Friday
8 a.m. - 8 p.m. Saturday
8 a.m. - 3 p.m. Sunday
November through the Thursday before the Friday
nearest April 15

Directions to Sam A. Baker State Park

From St. Louis
Travel south on I-55 to Festus. At Exit 174, take U.S. Hwy. 67 south for approximately 75 miles. Turn right/west onto Hwy. 34 and travel five miles before turning right onto Hwy. 143, which leads into Sam A. Baker State Park. Campground 1 is located near the park entrance; Campground 2, the visitor center, cabins and shelter areas are two additional miles.

From Jefferson City
Travel south on U.S. Hwy. 63 to Rolla. Take Hwy. 72 to Salem. Approximately 13 miles past Salem, take Hwy. 32 east. Travel to Hwy. 21 south. Follow Hwy. 21 south as it turns into Hwy. 49. At Des Arc, turn left onto Hwy. 143 which leads into Sam A. Baker State Park. Campground 1 is located near the park entrance; Campground 2, the visitor center, cabins and shelter areas are two additional miles.

Other Amenities
Free rentals are available through the visitor center of basketballs, volleyball and net, horseshoes, wiffleball and other recreational equipment. Tubes for floating can be purchased in the park store. Also available in the park store are raft, canoe and kayak rentals.