MO-Mark+Twain+State+Park

=Mark Twain State Park= 37352 Shrine Road Florida, Missouri 65283 Mark Twain State Park Web Site Mark Twain State Park Map
 * =Birding in Missouri=

media type="custom" key="29447871"

Mark Twain Lake and SP
Coordinates: 39.4762365, -91.8107324 eBird links: Hotspot map View details Recent visits My eBird links: Location life list Submit data

Mark Twain Lake--Mark Twain SP Boat Ramp
Coordinates: 39.5114244, -91.7953098 eBird links: Hotspot map View details Recent visits My eBird links: Location life list Submit data

Mark Twain Lake--Mark Twain SP North Beach
Coordinates: 39.5091895, -91.8003953 eBird links: Hotspot map View details Recent visits My eBird links: Location life list Submit data

Mark Twain Lake--Robert Allen Recreation Area
Coordinates: 39.4942552, -91.7326105 eBird links: Hotspot map View details Recent visits My eBird links: Location life list Submit data

Mark Twain Lake--South Fork Recreation Area
Coordinates: 39.4461026, -91.816231 eBird links: Hotspot map View details Recent visits My eBird links: Location life list Submit data

Mark Twain Lake--Stoutsville Recreation Area East Ramp
Coordinates: 39.518663, -91.83629 eBird links: Hotspot map View details Recent visits My eBird links: Location life list Submit data

Mark Twain Lake--Bluff View Recreation Area
Coordinates: 39.5663302, -91.5722322 eBird links: Hotspot map View details Recent visits My eBird links: Location life list Submit data

Mark Twain Lake--M.W. Boudreaux Visitor Center
Coordinates: 39.5227137, -91.6435075 eBird links: Hotspot map View details Recent visits My eBird links: Location life list Submit data

Mark Twain Lake--John F. Spalding Recreation Area
Coordinates: 39.5516072, -91.6682696 eBird links: Hotspot map View details Recent visits My eBird links: Location life list Submit data

Mark Twain Lake--Spillway
Coordinates: 39.525362, -91.6417801 eBird links: Hotspot map View details Recent visits My eBird links: Location life list Submit data

About Mark Twain Lake and State Park
Nestled in the Salt River Hills of north-central Missouri, Mark Twain State Park gives visitors access to sprawling Mark Twain Lake, as well as unparalleled outdoors activities. The terrain is covered by bluffs overlooking the lake and stands of oak, hickory, and maple that are filled with white-tailed deer, turkey and other wildlife. Numerous picnic areas, two four-lane boat ramps and more than six miles of hiking trails with lake views offer something for everyone.

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, Mo. 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 parkland 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 further 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.

For 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 shower house. 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.

Buzzard's Roost picnic area provides a shaded setting for a relaxing lunch or family fun. Two reservable shelter houses and a playground 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.

Also located in the park is Camp Colborn, a group camp that features a dining lodge, kitchen, sleeping cabins and outdoor play court. Camp Colborn is available by reservation only.

Amid the vast array of recreational options, Mark Twain State Park has maintained a peaceful, serene setting. Be sure to stop and see the Mark Twain Birthplace State Historic Site located adjacent to the park. Samuel Clemens' home is preserved in the museum, and the site interprets the life and times of this American legend. From Mark Twain State Park Web Site

|| media type="custom" key="26760546"

media type="custom" key="27520710" || L330382	US	US-MO	US-MO-137	39.4762365	-91.8107324	Mark Twain Lake and SP L4821926	US	US-MO	US-MO-137	39.5114244	-91.7953098	Mark Twain Lake--Mark Twain SP Boat Ramp L4777299	US	US-MO	US-MO-137	39.5091895	-91.8003953	Mark Twain Lake--Mark Twain SP North Beach L4777279	US	US-MO	US-MO-137	39.4942552	-91.7326105	Mark Twain Lake--Robert Allen Recreation Area L4777285	US	US-MO	US-MO-137	39.4461026	-91.816231	Mark Twain Lake--South Fork Recreation Area L4887269	US	US-MO	US-MO-137	39.518663	-91.83629	Mark Twain Lake--Stoutsville Recreation Area East Ramp L3602691	US	US-MO	US-MO-173	39.5663302	-91.5722322	Mark Twain Lake--Bluff View Recreation Area L5064310	US	US-MO	US-MO-173	39.5227137	-91.6435075	Mark Twain Lake--M.W. Boudreaux Visitor Center L4908417	US	US-MO	US-MO-173	39.5516072	-91.6682696	Mark Twain Lake--John F. Spalding Recreation Area L4777250	US	US-MO	US-MO-173	39.525362	-91.6417801	Mark Twain Lake--Spillway