Mark Twain State Park RV & Campground Guide
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The 2,775-acre Mark Twain State Park is a gorgeous public recreation area in north-central Missouri. It's not far from the Mark Twain Birthplace State Historic Site, which includes the family home of the famous writer Mark Twain. One of the key sites at the state park is the historic picnic shelter at Buzzard's Roost. Built in 1941, this rustic, stone shelter is a nationally recognized landmark. While exploring the park's grounds, visitors can fish or boat on the large lake, walk the trails, camp or swim. Don't forget to enjoy the nine-hole, free-to-play disc golf course over in the Buzzard's Roost day-use area.
Spring 33-75 F
Summer 64-88 F
Fall 35-80 F
Winter 20-42 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Mark Twain State Park
Mark Twain State Park has three distinct campground loops including Puma, Badger and Coyote. All three of them are open year-round and offer 30-amp electric sites. Puma Campground is best for families and boasts 50-amp electric service, playgrounds, change houses, water hookups and boat ramps. You'll find free-to-use Wi-Fi throughout Puma and near the Badger shower house. Guests should be aware that the signal can fluctuate in speed and strength.
What to Do at
Mark Twain State Park
This state park gives you access to the gorgeous Mark Twain Lake and the charming Salt River Hills. There are several popular picnicking areas, miles of hiking paths and a special-use area you can reserve. Visit between the end of May and August to take part in seasonal naturalist programs.
Fishing
The park's 18,000-acre lake offers exceptional bluegill, carp, walleye, crappie, catfish and largemouth bass fishing opportunities. Mark Twain Lake is open 24 hours a day all year long. Ice fishing isn't recommended as the water level and ice depth can vary greatly. Kid-friendly fishing can be found on the four-acre Tom Sawyer Lake nearby. You can fish here freely between sunrise and sunset.
Flora and Fauna
This park is home to rugged prairies and hills full of leadplants, red oaks, white oaks, sugar maples and big bluestems. The area’s unique topography is full of exposed limestone bluffs and numerous salt springs. You'll also find an abundance of prairie plants like clover and orange puccoons intermingling with forest species like blue ash and black oak. Hikers often spot white-tailed deer grazing between the trees as raccoons, foxes and wild turkeys trek through the underbrush. Whether you're an experienced birder or only dabble in the hobby, you won't want to miss searching for barred owls, wood ducks, blue jays, tree swallows and hooded mergansers.
Hiking
Of the six miles of walking paths, the Barefoot Sam Trail is a favorite of those visiting the museum. The 1.7-mile Post Oak Trail overlooks the lake before cutting across the road back to the campground. The short and challenging Whitetail Trail offers steeper grades, exhilarating bluffs and slippery rocks.
Boating
The lake has two, four-lane concrete ramps and another single-lane ramp by the campground. One of the ramps is not far from the Highway 107 and Route U junction while the other is two miles north of this location. Both offer parking and are free to use by the public. There are no enforced boat length or horsepower limits on this lake.
Swimming
Swimming is permitted anywhere on Mark Twain Lake except near the boat ramps. However, many families choose to enjoy the swimming beach toward the north of the park in the Highway 107 Recreation Area. There's a convenient change house nearby. Swimming here is at your own risk. When the beach seasonally opens and closes depends on water quality and level.
How to Get to
Mark Twain State Park
The entrance to Mark Twain State Park is less than 15 minutes away from Florida, MO. Take County Road 166 to Shrine Road and continue until you see the park. Moberly, Bowling Green and Hannibal are all within an hour's drive away. If you're heading here from Columbia, drive along US Highway 63 N to Moberly before heading east on Highway 24. You'll then turn onto Route U in Goss toward Florida.
Entering Mark Twain State Park
Both of the four-lane ramps come with parking areas that are open to the public. Campers are welcome to park their off-roading vehicles in the grass near their sites. During the on-season between April and October, the park is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. From November to March, this schedule changes to Friday and Saturday only.
Mark Twain State Park Entry Fee : $0.0
Frequently Asked Questions About Mark Twain State Park
The ideal time to visit this amazing area is during the warmer months when the weather is comfortable and moderate. While there may be more crowds around, you'll be able to fully enjoy the beach and beautiful lake scenery.
A few of the more commonly spotted bird species include merlins, red-eyed vireos, mallards, prairie warblers and mourning doves. You may also see deer, opossums, wood mice, cottontails, minks or groundhogs.
Visitors with motorhomes will find RV-friendly campsites in all three campground loops. These spots provide seasonal amenities like water as well as year-round parking, boat ramp use, playgrounds and more.
While you aren't required to reserve a site, you're welcome to make a reservation up to 12 months in advance. Online reservations charge a $6 fee while going through the call center adds an $8 cost per campsite.
All pets are celebrated in Missouri state parks. However, they're not allowed on the swimming beaches or in any historic building. Pets must be kept under control and on a leash no more than 10 feet long.