The best camping near Sam A. Baker State Park

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Sam A. Baker State Park adventure.

Discover the natural beauty of Sam A. Baker State Park.  

Popular ways to camp

Community favorites near Sam A. Baker State Park

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

Top-rated campgrounds near Sam A. Baker State Park

98%
(713)

Arcadia Valley Outdoors Land

37 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents150 acres · Ironton, MO
A wooded, more private camping experience with unique site designs and natural elements. Wood-burning sauna and hot tub available for guest use. Primitive Camping Van/vehicle Camping Small Trailers Glamping Bike Trails, Hiking, creek sit-in' on site! Best of the midwest biking, hiking, Ozark Trail, rock climbing Elephant Rocks Park, Johnson Shut-ins and more swimming holes nearby! Wood for sale on site, $5 per bundle, Fire starters also available. Ask us about our "Really Good At Camping" merchandise. We have shirts, mugs & wine tumblers! *Cash Only* at this time. We Have free stickers! *For camp site locations please refer to our map in the campsite listing photos. We are located just west of the Ironton Water Works Plant and the Shepherd Mountain Lake dam. Turn right after the dam, drive through Shepherd Mountain Lake Park. If our "campground guests only" gate if it is closed, and please close gate behind you. Thank you! No Hook Ups No swimming in the lake and no outside boats, but we have boats for campers to use free of charge! General Store and restroom facilities/showers coming soon!
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$30
 / night
Booked 1 time

Lake Perry Campground

28 sites · RVs, Tents5 acres · Perryville, MO
Lake Perry Campground was established in July, 2024. We are located just outside the main gates of Lake Perry. Lake Perry is a private, gated, lake community that is only accessible by lot owners and their guests. Lake Perry Campground offers 16 full hookup (water, 70 amp electric, and sewer) camping/RV sites that include 8 pull through lots that are 25'wide x 40' long, and 8 back-in lots ranging from 25-30' wide and 30-70' long. Two buddy lots (camper & tent) are available as well. We also have 2 tent lots with 20amp electric and water. We have an ice vending machine on-site 24/7. Starting fall of 2024, we will start construction of a 30'x50' covered pavilion with restrooms and shower houses along with a full bar serving canned beer, craft draft beer, mixed drinks, premium wines, and adult slushy drinks such as the nearly famous Perrywacker (8 liquors). Also available late fall/early winter 2024 is a 400 square foot studio cabin featuring a 12x12 deck, bedroom, full kitchen, full bath, and a kitchenette/bar. (Sleeps 4) We are 5 miles from Mark Twain national Forest, as well as multiple conservation areas with creek access. Several wineries are nearby through scenic backroads. (Charleville, Chaumette, Twin Oaks, Sand Creek). Bring your SXS's for days of backroad riding that spans 4 counties (Perry, Ste Genevieve, Madison, and Bollinger). Check out the featured post on our Facebook page for an extensive list of nearby attractions.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$12
 / night
100%
(11)

Scottish Highland Cattle Ranch

9 sites · RVs, Tents235 acres · Glen Allen, MO
Learn more about this land: We have five campsites in 135 acres of acres of forest and ranch land in our working cattle and sheep ranch.  Located in a serene valley in the Ozark Highlands, the Ranch has Sheep, Scottish Highland Cattle, Chickens, Ducks and Great Pyrenees livestock guard dogs (only in the sheep pastures - and they are friendly).  If you want to meet our animals and see the farm we are happy to show you around! This is a unique site located in the Ozark Highlands. Only 45 minutes from Cape Girardeau (a small river town on the Mississippi), and 45 minutes from the Arcadia Valley including Taum Sauk mountain (the highest point in Missouri), Elephant Rocks, the Johnston Shutins, and other beautiful areas in the highlands.  The farm is five minutes from Marble Hill, which is home to the Bollinger County Natural History museum which highlights the only dinosaur bones found in Missouri. The bones were found at a farm in Glennallen (a few minutes from our farm) as well as a great barbeque (Jay’s Restaurant) and a good catfish restaurant (Jers Restaurant). On the way to our farm, feel free to stop at the 1,700 foot deep artesian well to get a cool, refreshing jug of natural artesian well water – the water is free, but you have to bring your own containers!  We are two and a half hours southwest of St. Louis, and two and half hours northwest of Memphis.
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
from 
$24
 / night
100%
(52)

The Holliday Landing on the Lake

44 sites · RVs, Tents23 acres · Greenville, MO
Learn more about this land: Holliday Landing Resort & Marina offers a variety of beautiful campsites to meet your camping needs. There are 11 sites with water, electric, and sewer hook-ups, 28 sites with water and electric, there is a secluded mini-loop where tent campers can enjoy the same access and amenities. All water and electric campsites have 30/120 amp electric service and frost-free water. Guests may use the modern restroom facility with showers. A dump station is available for your use. Each non-primitive site has a gravel pad for RV campers and parking, a grassy area for tent camping, visiting, or playing, a picnic table, and a fire ring with grill. Each primitive site has a grassy area, picnic table, and fire ring with no designated parking area. For your convenience, camping guests may use the boat ramp and may rent a boat slip for a $10 nightly fee.  Kids and adults alike can play together at our playground area. Camping guests also have access to an inground swimming pool at no extra charge.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$35
 / night
100%
(25)

Williams Camp : Eleven Point River

9 sites · RVs, Tents1 acre · MO
Learn more about this land: To view a map of local points of interest, please visit https://bit.ly/WilliamsCampPOI (You will have to copy and paste that link! You'll have a private place of your own, with access to some of Missouri states most hidden springs, rivers, waterfalls, fishing, hunting, hiking, (some of the best) horseback riding trails, and historic landmarks.  Rather you're after solitude or sport, this area has you covered.  Kayak, canoe, and shuttle rental, service is available at hufstedlers.com and is a short 11.5 mile drive.  Beautiful eleven point river offers blue, red, and white ribbon, spring fed trout/walleye water.  If you're looking to float the river, be sure to research the many springs on the way down your trip and the historic mill communities that once flourished there.  These are perfect opportunities to take a break, eat a meal, and explore the area.  Most also will have public bathrooms.  Unless there are multiple reservations, you will be allowed to hookup/stay at whichever site is the easiest for you to get parked at.  Maps of the area and things to do will continue to be updated as they are developed.  In the mean time, a great resource is MissouriScenicRivers.com. We do not live near this site so this is an exclusively non-hosted listing.
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
from 
$35
 / night
100%
(56)

1855 Campground

7 sites · Tents45 acres · Black, MO
LATEST NEWS: The 2024 camping season has come to a close. A big thanks for all those campers, 1st and 2nd time campers, who made this a banner year. So good to see all of you. Though are campground is close but this site and my office remain open for all your bookings and questions. The campground opens the 2025 season March 1st. And will run through Sept 30. Hope everyone enjoys the fall and upcoming holiday season. See ya here next year. TIRED OF NOISEY OVER CROWDED CAMP GROUNDS, we’ll give us a try! 1855 Campground is a 45 acres of private property, my natural preserve, dedicated to fostering the natural Ozark experience.   We border the Mark Twain National Forest!! Come enjoy the outdoors at its bests!  This nature space offers seven large campsites generously spaced to provide privacy and the ability to become one with nature. JUST OPEN. A hiking trail that takes you around the property. It’s a one mile, clearly mark trail that requires a level 4, strenuous, skill. It’s free to all campers. A reminder we are 15 minutes from the Ozark Trail head located on highway A. Make 1855 Campground you base camp! I offer a wide range of campsite and locations.Site 1, boarders Little Brushy Creek and you can park there. Site 2, Nancy’s Landing, it’s a smaller site close to the creek and you can park close by. Site 3, Bills Hill, located high up in the woods. Site 4 n 5, large flat grassy area in a meadow, Walnut Grove. Site 6, Hidden Hollow, and site 7, Roberts Mountain another campsite high up in the woods. Campsites 3,4,5,6, and 7 are remote wooded campsites. No vehicles are allowed to those sites so free shuttle is available upon request. When booking those sites please arrive before 8pm on the day of arrival. FYI for campsites 1 and 2 you may park at those sites so long as you don’t block the road. This land borders the Mark Twain National Forest, so hiking is abundant and encouraged and being far away from the city this area is ideal for star gazing and planet photography. There is on-site fresh spring water flowing all year round.  Enjoy fishing, swimming, or just hanging out at the pond or in the babbling brook that runs alongside the prosperity. There is also an off grid home where I live an I am willing to share my experience with you. Just opened campsite 7! Yes a new wilderness campsite located on top of the highest hill on the prosperity. It’s borders the National Forest a like all other sites it’s very private. Only a fire pit is available. It’s a must see and experience. Those of you who like site 3, the other wilderness site, will like this. This will be a popular site!  1855 Campground is in close proximity to:      Floating activities along the Black River      Johnson Shuts State Park      Bell Mountain Hiking Trails       Elephant Rocks      Counsel Bluffs Lake      Tip Top Park      Taum Sauk State Park      Historic town of Caledonia       Clearwater Lake      Shepard Mountain bike trial  The details:       Campsites are large enough for multiple tents      All sites have fire pits and the first bundle of wood provided is included       All have BBQ grills and tables (except site 3 and 7).  Bring charcoal      Outhouses and outside shower is available      Parking space provided, once check in assistance to campsite is provided       For your peace an quite no vehicles, guns or loud music allowed back in campground      1855 Campground lives by “Leave no trace Principles” take out what you bring  in.      2023 season runs to Oct 2nd      Additional firewood and charcoal can be purchased at office. Campsite fees:  Weekend rate ( Friday and Saturday nights) $30/ per night per site ( 4 campers per site) children under 5 stay free. Weekday special ( Sunday- Thursday night): 40% off! $20/ per night per site.   Note: some campsite can hold more than 4 people, message Bill for more details. Get away from the vibrations of city life and enjoy existence within the arms. Special note to interested campers: The office /house is open 9 to 9 daily through the season. It’s worth noting that the office/ house is “ off grid” that is it is not connected to the National electrical grid for its power. It’s been off grid for over 25 yrs. Bill, the manager, of the campground has been living full time off grid for over 8 yrs and would be willing to field question on the subject during normal business hours.
Toilets
Campfires
Showers
from 
$18
 / night
99%
(40)

Pine Valley at Dillard Mill

5 sites · Lodging43 acres · Davisville, MO
Pine Valley is located in the heart of the Mark Twain National Forest and sits just a short walk away from historic Dillard Mill. Book the entire Farm or stay in an Airstream or Cottage. Group rentals Welcome! Pine Valley is on 43 acres of beautiful green pasture and woodland. Take a hike on one of the trails around the property or go fishing or wading on the Huzzah Creek. Spend your evening roasting marshmallows around your private campfire. Guests will have access to the 40 acres of land surrounding them. There are two ponds on the premise. Enjoy the quarter-mile walk to the old Dillard Mill Store, displayed in museum fashion at the entrance of Dillard Mill State Historic Site. Tour the old grist mill in working form, fish for sunfish, smallmouth bass and largemouth bass at the Mill, and take memorable photos. Just across from our main entrance take the half-mile trail through Mark Twain National Forest and skip rocks on the Huzzah Creek! Ask us about access to our private gravel bar on the Huzzah. You will pass it, and the private parking, on Dillard Mill Rd on your drive into Pine Valley We may or may not be on the premise during individual rentals. If there are any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to reach out. Other things to note While this space provides most utilities and amenities you'd find at your home, it is important to note it is still a camping-style getaway. We do our best to treat the area, but you will encounter insects. AT&T has limited cell phone reception in the area, Sprint is very spotty, and Verizon is pretty much unavailable for service. We provide the best free wifi available to help with communication back to the real world, but it is rather slow. The best wifi reception is near the General Store/Courtyard. We try and keep the area well maintained. You may see ATVs/tractors on our property and on the gravel road. Pets are welcome for an extra $50 per stay. Please note our dogs may be on the property. They are friendly and well-behaved, although sometimes curious. Other guests may have no-leash pets as well. Park right next to your glamper. Arrive anytime after 4pm, just give us an eta to know when to expect you. If your glamper is not ready upon your arrival, feel free to explore our farm, visit Dillard Mill or head down to the Huzzah while we make it ready for your stay. Self Check-In is always the norm for added privacy. We won't bother you except to wave or maybe say hello if you're out and about. Please feel free to approach us with questions, niceties, or needs.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$116.10
 / night

The best camping near Sam A. Baker State Park guide

Overview

About

Nestled in the ancient St. Francois Mountains, Sam A. Baker State Park is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. With the St. Francis River and Big Creek offering year-round canoeing and fishing, and miles of trails for hiking, backpacking, and horseback riding, adventure awaits. The park also features rustic cabins and campgrounds, ensuring a memorable stay amid Missouri's scenic wilderness.

Notable campgrounds

  • Rustic Cabins: Cozy accommodations offering a serene retreat in the heart of the park.
  • Main Campground: Spacious sites suitable for tents and RVs, complete with modern facilities.
  • Equestrian Camp: A separate camping area designed for horse lovers with ample trail access.

Tips for snagging a campsite

  • Book early, especially for peak seasons, to ensure your spot in this popular state park.
  • Consider visiting during weekdays for better availability and a quieter experience.
  • Check the park's website for cancellations to snag a last-minute reservation.
  • Explore nearby camping options for alternative accommodations if the park is fully booked.

When to go

The best time to visit Sam A. Baker State Park is from April to October when the visitor center is open and all activities are in full swing. Off-season visits offer tranquility but with limited services. Avoid holiday closures for an uninterrupted experience.

Know before you go

  • Check the Park and Site Status Map for temporary closures due to weather or maintenance.
  • Ensure you have all necessary safety gear for outdoor activities, including sturdy footwear for trails.
  • Accessibility information is available for those with special needs; inquire ahead of your visit.
  • Park office hours are 8am to 4pm, Monday through Friday, with some holiday closures.
  • Remember to pack out your trash and respect the park's natural environment during your stay.
Hipcamp is created with ❤️ and hope for our future.