Wiktor Wise
Mark Twain State Park in Missouri, established in 1924 to honour the well-known author, Samuel Clemens, offers a diverse range of outdoor activities and camping options. The park features Mark Twain Lake, a popular fishing destination, and several campgrounds with varying amenities. One of these campgrounds is the Coyote Campground, which leads us to the question: does Mark Twain Coyote have electric hookups?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of campsites | 31 |
| Campsite pad length | 47-66 feet |
| Amenities | Fire ring, lantern hook, and picnic table |
| Electric hookups | 9 sites have electric hookups |
| Water access | Yes, at specified sites |
| ADA accessibility | Yes, 3 sites are ADA-accessible |
| Toilet | Vault toilet |
| Parking | Extra parking available at the north end |
| Pets | Allowed, must be restrained or on a leash |
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What You'll Learn
Campgrounds near Mark Twain Lake
Mark Twain State Park offers basic and electric campsites, a special-use camping area, and a group camp. The park has three campgrounds that are fully reservable—reservations can be made up to 12 months in advance. The park also offers family campsites in Puma Campground for those who want a little extra space.
Ray Behrens Campground is located on the southeastern shores of Mark Twain Lake and has three loops: Deer Run, Little Bluestem, and Cedar Ridge. All campsites come with electric hookups, and showers and accessible flush toilets are in close proximity to every site. The park also features a marina and playgrounds.
Mark Twain Lake Jellystone Park is another campground option, where you can bring your RV, or stay in a cabin or condo. The park features a water park and a pool, and visitors are able to cook their own food on an open grill and fish in the lake.
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Coyote Campground
Out of the 31 campsites, nine offer electric hookups, while the remaining sites provide basic amenities with water access at specific locations, ensuring a balance of convenience and back-to-nature experiences. The campground is nestled in a wooded area, providing a serene atmosphere and easy access to the nearby lake. This combination of electric hookups and natural surroundings makes Coyote Campground a versatile option for campers with varying needs and preferences.
The Coyote Campground also boasts an amphitheater, which comes alive during the summer months with informative programs and exhibits presented by an experienced naturalist. This feature enriches the camping experience, offering a blend of entertainment and education for visitors of all ages. The campground is pet-friendly, so you can bring your furry friends along as long as they are properly restrained or on a leash at all times.
In addition to the campground's amenities, Mark Twain State Park offers a wealth of attractions. The park, established to honour author Samuel Clemens, better known as Mark Twain, spans 2,788 acres and features 6.7 acres of scenic trails and the vast Mark Twain Lake. With its diverse fish species and water activities, the lake is a favourite among anglers and outdoor enthusiasts. The park also includes the smaller Tom Sawyer Lake, adding to the natural beauty and recreational opportunities.
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Puma Campground
Centrally located within the campground, by host campsite number 93, are the shower house and restrooms with flush toilets. A playground for children can be found in the middle of the southern end of the campground, while sites 71 to 78 are situated right next to the lake. The northern end of the campground features a boat ramp, a large parking lot, and a fish cleaning station. Potable water spigots are available at several sites, including the host site, 64, 73, 83, 90, and 103.
It is important to note that some sites at Puma Campground may not be perfectly level, so it is recommended to check the site levels before setting up camp. Additionally, while the campground offers electric hookups, it is advised to stock up on supplies before arriving, as some areas within the park are quite remote.
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Mark Twain State Park
The park offers a diverse range of outdoor activities. Visitors can enjoy camping, hiking, swimming, and fishing, with access to the sprawling Mark Twain Lake. The lake is surrounded by bluffs and stands of oak, hickory, and maple trees, providing a habitat for wildlife, including white-tailed deer and turkeys. Numerous picnic areas, two four-lane boat ramps, and over six miles of hiking trails with lake views cater to visitors' outdoor recreation needs. The park also features Buzzard's Roost Spring, a historic site that once provided water for steam locomotives and now serves as a leisure amenity.
For golf enthusiasts, the Soaring Eagles Golf Course within the park offers a unique and challenging 18-hole experience with only two parallel holes. The course boasts excellent conditions created by a retreating glacier thousands of years ago, leaving behind sand, gravel, and silt, as well as water-filled depressions or "kettle ponds."
The Mark Twain Birthplace State Historic Site, located within the park, preserves the author's legacy. Visitors can explore exhibits and audiovisual programs that detail Samuel Clemens' remarkable life. The museum houses the two-room cabin where he was born, first editions of his works, a handwritten manuscript of "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer," and furnishings from his former home in Hartford, Connecticut.
The park charges a nominal admission fee, and visitors can refer to the official website for detailed directions from different locations, such as St. Louis, Jefferson City, and Springfield.
Fishing at Mark Twain Lake
Mark Twain Lake, located in Ralls and Monroe counties in northeast Missouri, offers excellent fishing opportunities for anglers seeking a variety of species. The lake spans 18,000 to 18,600 acres and provides 24-hour fishing access all year round, as long as lake conditions permit.
Species and Fishing Techniques
The lake is well-known for its crappie, catfish, largemouth bass, bluegill, carp, walleye, and perch populations. Anglers can target fish around fish attractors placed in both deep and shallow waters by the St. Louis US Army Corps of Engineers and the Missouri Department of Conservation. Maps of these locations are easily accessible online.
For crappie fishing, late April and early May offer the best prospects, as crappie can be caught in shallow water using jigs or minnows. White crappie and black crappie fishing is expected to be good in the coming years, and young crappie capture rates have been at a four-year high. White bass anglers have also reported success, with some individuals reaching 15 inches. Windy points, submerged islands, and long-sloping points using artificial lures or shad are ideal spots for targeting white bass.
Bass anglers should focus on spring and fall, targeting points, rocky banks, brush piles, fish attractors, and docks. While largemouth bass fishing surveys were not conducted in 2024 due to high water levels, anglers reported improved angling experiences compared to previous years.
Catfish anglers can expect abundant channel catfish, along with blue and flathead catfish exceeding 25 pounds. Trotlines, bank lines, and jugs baited with cut shad or herring have proven successful for catching blue catfish.
Safety and Convenience
Ice fishing on Mark Twain Lake is not recommended due to fluctuating water levels and variable ice thickness. Anglers without boats or those with small children can try fishing at the nearby 4-acre Tom Sawyer Lake, accessible from sunrise to sunset year-round. Tom Sawyer Lake offers opportunities to catch bluegill, largemouth bass, and catfish, and it provides a safer alternative for ice fishing.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, there are electric hookups at Mark Twain State Park. The Coyote Campground has 31 campsites with electric hookups, and the Puma Campground offers cabins with electricity.
The park offers a range of amenities, including restrooms with flush toilets, a shower house, a boat ramp, a fish cleaning station, and a playground. There are also two picnic shelters, one accommodating up to 45 people and the other up to 100, both equipped with tables, electricity, water, and BBQ grills.
Yes, the park offers a variety of activities. There are several trails for hiking, such as the Whitetail Trail, Post Oak Trail, and White Oak Trail, which provide scenic views and opportunities to explore nature. Fishing is also a popular activity at Mark Twain Lake, which is known for its fishing opportunities.
