(Author's Note 09/05/2016 - this is being posted very late.)
Hot. That was how to describe this camp out.
Our good family friend, my Best Man, and my Wingman joined us for this trip. The boys were super excited to have Jason along - he's the best Uncle they've never had.
Silver Mines is a camp which I had stayed at as a Boy Scout. The Long Ride was a week-long horseback ride through the Mark Twain National Forest, and this was one of our stops. I remember shooting through the dam like a water slide. I don't know if you can still do that today...we didn't try.
The curve in the creek presented a natural swimming hole. The creek was filled with slipper rocks. You could be ankle deep one moment, and over your head the next. There were a few large boulders in the creek which the boys jumped off of.
Due to the heat, we spent much of the time in the water. And due to the heat, my brain melted, and I forgot to take pictures.
My wife really liked this campground. The camping loop was small, so there weren't too many neighbors. The camp staff was very concerned that all tires fit on the pad, but the pads were fairly small. So Jason had to park in the overflow parking by the showerhouse.
Campground:
Loops -
The campground has three major loops. The southern most loop is across the river from the other two. The south loop boasts spacious sites, level parking pads, electricity, picnic tables, lantern poles, and raised concrete fireplaces. The grounds are grassy, but with ample trees for shade. The only downside was the lack of site-specific water and the sites on the riverside tended to be pretty sloped off the pad. The middle loop and north loops were primitive campsites only. All have ready access to the St. Francis River. Only the southern loop was in use while we were there. This was likely due to the lack of electricity at the other loops.
Shower Houses -
There were no shower houses, only latrines. The south loops latrine was serviceable, but not well kept. The other loop latrines were very clean, but we suspect this was from the complete lack of use of the other loops.
Playgrounds -
There were no playgrounds or activity fields. The St. Francis River was the focus of all activity.
Trails -
There were few trails in the park. We did not venture onto them due to the heat.
Campsites:
Terrain -
The ground is relatively flat, as the campground was down in the St. Francis River valley. The ground and the river was decorated with the purple granite rocks which are characteristic to the area. The river itself had a few large granite boulders in it which were good for jumping and splashing off of. The river bed was filled with more of the slippery rocks. River shoes are a must, and walk carefully as you will slip.
Pad Space -
Pads were just long enough to park our popup camper and one vehicle. Visitors were made to park in the overflow parking by the latrine.
Amenities -
Each campsite comes with one picnic table (not chained down) and one fire pit. The electric sites also have one electrical post and one water spigot. The full hook-up sites add sewer.
Camp Staff:
Check-in Hosts -
There is one check-in at the campground entry. The check-in office is staffed by State Park employees and rangers. Everyone was very nice.
Campsite Hosts -
The were no volunteer hosts.
Rangers -
We met one ranger. He was gracious enough to check our water spigot and get it working again.
Programs -
none offered
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