Mark Twain State Park

State: Missouri

Address 1: 20057 State Park Office Road

City: Stoutsville

Zip: 65283

Phone: 573-565-3440

Open: Open all year

Open all Year: Yes

Number of Sites: 97

Electric: 75

Camp URL: http://mostateparks.com/twainpark.htm

Full Hook: Yes

The 2,775-acre park is located in the Salt River Hills, an area created when the Salt River system carved through the glaciated plains in northeast Missouri. Here, the terrain is reminiscent of southern parts of the state with limestone bluffs overlooking woodlands of oak, hickory and maple. The park serves as a refuge for white-tailed deer, turkey, raccoons, squirrels and a multitude of other wildlife.

Bordering the park is the 18,000-acre Mark Twain Lake, offering excellent boating, fishing and swimming opportunities. Numerous picnic areas, two four-lane boat ramps and more than six miles of hiking trails with scenic views of the lake offer something for everyone. Mark Twain Birthplace State Historic Site, located adjacent to the park, contains the author’s cabin and detailed accounts of Samuel Clemens’ life and times.

Mark Twain State Park offers basic and electric campsites, a special-use camping area and a group camp. On-season (April 15 through Oct. 31) services include modern restrooms, a dump station, showers, water, laundry and firewood. The campgrounds are open and reservable year-round. For reservations, there is a required two-night minimum stay for weekends.