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Sam A. Baker State Park
573-856-4411

There is a concrete boat launch located at Campground 1 on the St. Francis River. It is open at all times except during heavy flooding. There are no launch fees or motor restrictions; however, the size of the river limits usage to smaller boats. Due to the river current shifting in recent years, the launch area is usually too shallow for anything but canoes and small boats.

Fishing is available at multiple access points in both the St. Francis River and Big Creek. Day usage is from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Primary fish are bass, blue gill, sunfish and catfish.

Fishing Report (provided by Department of Conservation)
--listed under Southeast Region: Rivers: St. Francis (above Wappapello)

Swimming is available at multiple access points in both the St. Francis River and Big Creek. Day usage is from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

There are three picnic shelters available for use.  They can be reserved for $40 each per day. If not reserved, the shelters are available at no charge on a first-come, first-served basis. One shelter located in the main day-use area and the other two are north of the Big Creek bridge. Occupancy is 75 people per shelter.

There is a playground located at the day-use area.

The park office offers free rentals of basketballs, volleyball and net, horseshoes, wiffleball and other recreational equipment. Tubes for floating can be purchased in the park store. Also available in the park store are raft, canoe and kayak rentals.