6/27/25 Mark Twain Lake Multi-Sport Weekend

Karla,

I’m in Puma, 094 so not very far away. And unfortunately, there is no way we can ensure everyone is close together. If this works out, I’ll look at booking group sites for future trips. I do want to do more of these multi-sport, car camping weekends.

Eileen

Karla,

Did you get an email after you made this post? I have not been getting emails for any of my posts even though I usually click on “Notify me of follow-up replies via email.”.

(Posting publicly in case other people are wondering the same thing.)

Stephanie

Glad you and your family are coming!

Yes, I am bringing my 14’ kayak. I have no intention of going anywhere near the high traffic areas

Eileen

Hello everyone

Two weeks and counting down! Really looking forward to this. I know we haven’t had much weather luck recently but this trip is ON unless they’re forecasting really bad thunderstorms/tornadic conditions.

Right now, I am planning on kayaking Saturday but not sure what I want to do on Sunday. Maybe kayak again, maybe something different. We can kayak on the Salt River below the dam too.

I would like to hear from all of you as to what you would like to do. The nice thing about this trip is that we don’t have to all do the same thing, but it would be fun to meet up at someone’s campsite each night to talk about your day and the next day’s possibilities. Maybe have a joint supper — who is good at barbecuing? I will be there Friday evening too, Puma Campground 94.

If you have any interest in Mark Twain/Samuel Clements and/or American history, regardless of the weather, you should check out the Mark Twain Birthplaces Historic Site

If you would like to hike, there are several relatively short hiking trails: Mark Twain State Park Hiking Trails

If you are in to antiquing, I drove through several historic looking towns with antique stores.

Here is general information from the webpage:

Mark Twain State Park was established in the 1920s through the efforts of the Mark Twain Memorial Park Association. It was created in honor of the famous Missouri author and humorist Samuel L. Clemens, better known as Mark Twain, who was born in the nearby village of Florida, Missouri. The association raised over $10,000 to purchase 100 acres of land overlooking the Salt River. Twain’s sole surviving daughter, Mrs. Clara Clemens Gabrilowitsch, gave singing concerts to benefit the memorial effort. With additional land purchased by the state, Mark Twain State Park was established in 1924. It is the third-oldest state park in Missouri and the first established north of the Missouri River.

The character and role of the park changed dramatically when Clarence Cannon Dam was built across the Salt River, creating Mark Twain Lake. Construction of the dam began in 1966 and was completed in 1983. In addition to the power generation, the 18,000-acre lake provides flood control for the Salt River valley as well as recreational opportunities. The park land that once overlooked the fertile Salt River now overlooks the lake.

The park is located in the Salt River Hills of northeast Missouri. Receiving its name from the numerous salt springs or licks in the area, the Salt River carved its way into the land, exposing towering limestone bluffs. The river and its tributaries created a landscape that is more hilly and rugged than the surrounding level terrain.

The topography of the area and some of its flora are similar to the Ozark region found much farther south. A diverse set of plant species in the park range from prairie types, such as orange puccoon, lead plant and purple prairie clover, to upland forest species, including black oak, blackjack oak and blue ash.

Mark Twain State Park serves as a refuge for white-tailed deer, turkey, raccoons, squirrels, osprey, northern harriers and numerous waterfowl. Bald eagles often spend the winter here, and have even nested near the park in recent years.

people sitting in lawn chairs outside of their tentFor visitors wishing to spend a night or more in the park, there are basic and electric sites, some available for advance reservation. Located on the lake, the campground is equipped with modern showers and laundry facilities. Camper cabins are also available in the campground and feature heat, air conditioning, and sleeping space for four adults and two children. Guests staying in the camper cabins have access to the campground showerhouse during the on-season (April 15-Oct. 31). A courtesy boat ramp and fish-cleaning station are located in the campground area. Spending a relaxing night under the stars is the perfect way to cap off a day of fishing, boating, swimming, picnicking and hiking.

Two public boat ramps with paved parking lots are located in the park for the convenience of visitors with boats. Fishing enthusiasts can cast their lines in Mark Twain Lake, searching for bluegill, crappie, catfish, largemouth bass, carp, walleye and perch. The lake has many quiet coves where anglers can spend peaceful days fishing. For park visitors seeking sun and fun, a public beach offers a safe swimming area along with a change house. Please note that pets are not allowed at the beach.

Buzzard’s Roost picnic area provides a shaded setting for a relaxing lunch or family fun. Two reservable shelter houses, a playground and a disc golf course are available for park visitors. For the hiker wanting to see more of the park, trails meander between Buzzard’s Roost and the campground. Hiking here affords numerous opportunities to view woodland wildlife and plant life, as well as scenic views of Mark Twain Lake.The Buzzard’s Roost overlook provides a popular view of the lake from a towering limestone bluff.