Sam A Baker State Park park
Sam A Baker State Park
One of the top reasons to visit Sam A Baker State Park is its breathtaking scenery. The park is nestled within the St. Francois Mountains, providing visitors with picturesque landscapes of forests, hills, and the crystal-clear waters of the St. Francois River. This creates a serene environment that is perfect for hiking, picnicking, or simply enjoying the beauty of nature.
The park offers numerous points of interest that are worth exploring. One notable attraction is Mudlick Mountain, which offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding area from its lookout point. Visitors can also explore Big Creek, a popular spot for swimming, fishing, and canoeing. Additionally, the park boasts a variety of hiking trails, including the Ozark Trail and the Boardwalk Trail, which takes visitors through a swamp and offers the opportunity to spot unique wildlife.
Interesting facts about Sam A Baker State Park include its rich history. The park was established in 1926 and was named after Missouri's 32nd governor, Samuel Aaron Baker. It was one of the first state parks in the region and has since become a beloved recreational area for both locals and tourists.
The best time of year to visit Sam A Baker State Park is during the spring and fall seasons. Springtime brings vibrant wildflowers and blooming trees, while autumn offers a stunning display of colors as the leaves change. The weather during these seasons is generally pleasant and ideal for outdoor activities.
To ensure accuracy, it is recommended to verify the information provided by cross-referencing multiple independent sources.
Park & land designation reference
A quick legend for the federal and state land categories Snoflo tracks. Each designation comes with different rules around access, recreation, and resource extraction.
- National Park
- Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
- State Park
- Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
- Local Park
- Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
- Wilderness Area
- The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized motorized access permitted.
- National Recreation Area
- Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing, often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes); may allow more development.
- National Conservation Area (BLM)
- BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
- State Forest
- State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
- Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
- Vast federal lands managed for mixed use -- recreation, grazing, mining, conservation -- with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Plan your visit down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Area campgrounds
Snoflo-tracked campgrounds within reach of Sam A Baker State Park, with reservations status.
| Campground | Reservations | Toilets | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sam A Baker State Park | ✓ | ✗ | → |
| Greenville - Lake Wappapello | ✓ | ✓ | → |
| Sulphur Springs - Lake Wappapello | ✗ | ✓ | → |
| Piedmont - Clearwater Lake | ✓ | ✗ | → |
| River Road - Clearwater Lake | ✓ | ✓ | → |
| Bluff View - Clearwater Lake | ✓ | ✗ | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest parks, lakes, fishing spots, and POIs so a park visit can grow into a full weekend.
Responsible recreation & Leave No Trace
- Know before you go
- Check the operator's site for hours, permit requirements, seasonal closures, and fire restrictions before heading out.
- Stay on trail
- Stick to marked paths to protect vegetation, prevent erosion, and avoid disturbing wildlife habitat.
- Respect wildlife
- Observe from a distance, never feed wildlife, and store food securely if camping is permitted on-site.
- Pack it in, pack it out
- Carry out all trash, food scraps, and gear. Many parks have limited or no trash service.
- Leave what you find
- Don't take rocks, plants, or artifacts. They make the park what it is for the next visitor.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Sam A Baker State Park as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, freezing temperatures, fire-restriction days), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
About Sam A Baker State Park
What can I do at Sam A Baker State Park?
Most Snoflo-tracked parks support hiking, picnicking, and wildlife viewing. Check the operator's site for activity-specific rules (camping, fishing, paddling, hunting).
How fresh is the weather data?
The hourly forecast updates throughout the day from NOAA / yr.no. Streamflow comes live from USGS streamgauges.
When is the best time to visit?
Use the 15-day temperature & precipitation outlook on this page to plan -- pick a window with comfortable temperatures and low precipitation.
How do I get to Sam A Baker State Park?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions in Google Maps, or Open in map to center the Snoflo interactive map on the park.
Can I get alerts when conditions change?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this park, set a threshold (temperature, precipitation), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.
Other parks near here
Snoflo-tracked parks within driving distance of Sam A Baker State Park.