If you want a little bit of fun that doesn't take you too far from home and doesn't necessarily cost a lot of money (we're all for that), consider exploring a state park. In Missouri we're lucky to have many state parks that are well worth a visit.
Earlier this spring we camped in Dr. Edmund A. Babler State Park located at 800 Guy Park Drive in Wildwood, Mo. The more than 2,400-acre park is one of the largest and oldest in the state and offers opportunities for hiking, camping, picnicking, bicycling, and horseback riding. The park was officially dedicated in 1938 in memory of a local surgeon named Edmund A. Babler. There's a lot of local history related to the park and you'll find it listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Dr. Edmund A. Babler State Park is located about 30 miles from downtown St. Louis, so there's lots to see and do outside the park. For this visit, however, we decided to take it easy and just hang around inside this fabulous park for a couple of days. We spent time exploring several of the trails with our pup and enjoying the warm sunshine before the spring rain showers moved in during our visit.
Our campsite allowed for 50-AMP electric hookups for our RV, with a paved camping pad. There was a picnic table on which to enjoy our meals. The campsites are spaced apart nicely so you have elbow room between your site and your neighbor's site. Potable water is available and there is a dump station for RVs. The campground is open all year and campsites are fully reservable. Be sure to arrive before the gate closure times if you don't have reservations.
The campground was only about a third full when we visited in late March during the off-season. Even though there were no leaves on the trees and the air was crisp, it was a wonderfully peaceful stay. Park staff also stopped by to check on us. Keep in mind that if you camp during the off season, all services may not be available such as the shower house. More information can be found at mostateparks.com.
And, if you camp at a Missouri State Park, be sure to pick up a signed Missouri Camper Award verification card from your campground host or at a park visitor center. Word is if you stay at five different Missouri State Park campgrounds within a calendar year, you'll earn a camper award once you turn in a completed card. Babler was the first park entered on our card this calendar year. We've since stayed at four other Mo. State Parks in 2022 and we'll tell you more about those stays in future blogs. You can find out more about the Camper Award program by visiting the Missouri State Parks website.
Thanks for checking in with us as we wander. We'll catch you again soon.