It didn’t take long to figure out. In the tradition of St. Joe and Route 66 State Parks, it’s another environmental mess handed to the state to turn into a natural playground. The tip-off was the concrete bunker-like structures rising among the campsites and the various odd-shaped lakes.The state park brochure accentuates the positive: “The 1,050-acre park that features six lakes and a rare sand prairie was created through a unique series of events involving both nature and man.”

To summarize, ice age glaciers left huge amounts of gravelly rock, that were used beginning in 1924 to build more than 23,000 miles of Missouri secondary highways. Once the gravel deposits were mined out, the state highway commission deeded 273 acres to the Missouri State Park Board in 1960. The DNR added 777 acres from Central Stone Co. in 1992.

The lakes look fishy — in a good way. They are stocked with largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and catfish. As you might expect along the Mississippi, the lakes are a waterfowl magnet, attracting Canada geese, snow geese, mallards, lesser scaups, norther shovelers, great blue herons, snowy egrets and other kinds of ducks and gulls.

Flora lovers can find sand-loving plants like sandgrass, sand dropseed and prairie sunflower.

There are 79 campsites, handy to the nearby casino, and the state park system’s largest swmming beach on Wakonda Lake.

The cabin had a sleeping loft, a bedroom and living-dining room that featured a futon couch, dining table and bench, refrigerator and microwave-toaster. There was electric in the cabin, but no bathroom or water. The view was beautiful overlooking Mark Twain Lake. The cabin worked well for Virginia and me, two granddaughters and one of their friends.

Campground hosts were Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Jaco, Jefferson City, who formerly lived in southeast Missouri and were familiar with Traveler. That was a nice connection to make.

The campground was fairly busy, with lots of boats and anglers. The lake was cold and brown in color from recent heavy rains. Overcast skies on Friday made it look dull. But skies cleared by evening and we enjoyed beautiful sunsets by the campfire both Friday and Saturday night.

Granddaughter Shael and I climbed down the rocks and fished with nightcrawlers Saturday evening. Then we switched to some sparkly lures, but nothing bit. Still, it was nice to wet a line and get the kids into the outdoors. Ipods, the latest movies and tv shows were forgotten for awhile. Who can think about electronic stuff when there’s a campfire to poke or driftwood to pick up.

It was the first time we had taken our dog on a camping trip. He wasn’t as much trouble as we expected and added to the enjoyment. It’s good to have a pickup truck with a camper shell to shut him up in though.

Mark Twain Lake is an easy drive from St. Louis — four lanes until the last few miles — uncongested with friendly businesses. There are a number of private resorts and campgrounds in addition to the state park and Corps of Engineers campgrounds.

Put it on your list of places to visit this summer.

Volunteers are needed for  the 17th annual “Keep Baker Beautiful Day.”
On Saturday, April 18, at Sam A. Baker State Park near Patterson.
Sponsored by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, this event will be held between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. There will be assignments for all ages. Planting, trail care and litter patrol are just a few of the projects planned for the day.  After the work, volunteers will receive a free picnic lunch, a commemorative keepsake and a certificate of appreciation.
Bring a pair of work gloves and drinking water, wear closed-toed
shoes and join the fun! Meet at the park’s visitor center around 8:30 a.m.
to meet other volunteers and get your project assignments. In case of
severe or inclement weather, the event will be cancelled.
Sam A. Baker State Park is located on Highway 143 about four miles
north of Patterson. Call the park office at 573-856-4411 by April 16 to
register. For more information, contact the park naturalist at
573-856-4514.

A summer goal is to stay in all the state parks with camping facilities in Traveler country as I make my advertising rounds for the publication.

I prefer camping to staying in motels. It save you money and puts you in contact with other people and nature.This summer I’ve camped in Babler, Hawn, St. Joe, Sam Baker, Washington and Meramec State Parks and a National Parks Service Campground at Alley Spring. I’ve met campers, volunteer hosts, various wild animals, birds and insects, and seen some of Missouri’s prettiest scenery.

Each park has its own personality. Babler is an outpost in St. Louis’ western sprawl. Its sky is never dark and rarely quiet, as air traffic from nearby Spirit of St. Louis Airport flies overhead. Babler is frequented by bicyclists from nearby suburbs, who enjoy the steep and scenic hills and miles of roads.

St. Joe is an ATV paradise with some fishing lakes thrown in. Old lead mining wasteland has been used to make a place for people who like to camp and ride their off-road vehicles.

Hawn, Washington and Sam Baker offer more intimate encounters with nature. Pickle Creek meanders through the deep hollow where the Hawn campground is set, with spectacular scenes just steps from your tent site. Baker lays along the St. Francis River and you can make a canoe trip right at the park. Washington offers easy access to the Big River, plus trails, petroglyphs and great scenery.

Meramec, on the nights I was there, was full and loud, with noisy campers and roaring motorcyles. Perhaps that’s because it’s not far off Interstate 44. Camping is along the Meramec River front, handy for swimming, fishing, canoeing, kayaking or tubing. I found the 1.8 mile Deer Hollow Hiking Trail, and enjoyed an early morning uphill workout that came back into the paved park road for an easy walk back to camp.

It’s fun to talk with the volunter camp hosts and the people you meet around you. If you haven’t partaken of Missouri State Parks yet this summer, make plans now to get out there. Maybe I’ll see you in a campground.

Emery Styron
River Hills Traveler

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