Rock Bridge Memorial State Park — Attraction in Columbia

CAMP HOST REVIEW

My husband and I were camp hosts/handy hosts for Rock Bridge Memorial State Park from July 1st through August 22nd, 2023. This review will pertain directly to our experience working with park staff. If you want to know what the park and trails are like, there are plenty of other reviews and they are quite generous.

Unfortunately, we cannot in good conscience recommend RBMSP as a work camping opportunity for other workcampers. We have truly never seen a more poorly managed park, and the worst part of it was, many of the issues we identified were endemic to the Missouri State Parks division of the Department of Natural Resources. If I had been a MO state resident and seen the way the state 'manages' natural public resources with my taxpaying dollars, I'd be pretty unhappy, but I digress.

Without making this any longer than it needs to be, here are our two biggest issues: The park superintendent, Ben Nagy allowed and turned a blind eye to an unhoused individual with a violent criminal record named Dominic essentially moving into the park and living out of his vehicle five to six days out of the week. Multiple park visitors, a couple of them elderly folks who came to walk their dogs, approached me and my husband while we were working to express concern and anxiety over him being there (one elderly lady told my husband that the man had "said ugly things" to her and that he scared her). We reported each and every interaction we had, but both Nagy and his supervisor, the deputy regional director, Melanie Robinson-Smith, along with what appeared to be the entirety of the Missouri Park Police system just shrugged and said there wasn't anything they could do. Right before we left, one of the young female staff confided in me that Dominic had begun showing up earlier and earlier (or had never left the park that night), right around the time she showed up, and that he had been parking his vehicle closer and closer to where she needed to access the office building each morning. She was the first to arrive and was usually alone for nearly an hour before anyone else showed up. When I asked her if she had told her supervisor, the park naturalist, Roxie Campbell, she said that Roxie had laughed at her and told her to deal with it. It concerned me so much that I called Nagy and told him about it. That young woman's hours were cut to almost nothing.

The park did not have adequate waste disposal infrastructure to deal with the wildlife, namely the dozens and dozens of raccoons. They had all learned to climb up into the dumpsters and to squeeze (or chew and squeeze) their way down into the containers. But once they got in, they could never get out. So unless park staff remembered and took the time to drive around to each dumpster, raccoons could stay trapped for days. There are more reasons than I can list here for why this is a major environmental and ethical issue. As soon as they were released, they came right back the next night. Additionally, they were very territorial about those dumpsters and would hiss and snarl at people. My husband had spent a lot of time down at the parking lot for the Devil's Ice Box, repainting the restrooms. One morning, a raccoon decided it wanted to get into the smaller can he was using to prop the bathroom door open. When he tried to shoo it away, it attacked him and bit his foot. Luckily, he was wearing steel-toed work boots. Imagine if he had been a child? This is a massive safety issue, and no one wanted to address it. I am assuming nothing has changed yet, but I sincerely hope I am wrong. There does not appear to be any proactive management or planning going into operations at the park to any extent. It is an embarrassment of what a park could be.

I wish that I could leave a more positive review. Some of the staff were genuinely good people who we became friends with. Unfortunately, none of them had the power to be the change they wanted to see in that park, and neither did we. If you are considering working here, please...

Lost trail and got dark - unforgettable experience

Today, me and my wife been to The park. We drove 2hrs, so by the time we got there it is 4:30pm. Unfortunate things is GPS landed us to a parking lot which is not the MAIN one. We started our trecking with unknown trail which MERGED to RED trail. At The MERGE we met group of 3, who suggested us to go to bridge direction instead of going to the other way where we have to cross a 'small water flow'.

We continued our red trail slowly, by taking pictures. Finally at 6pm(sunset) we reached the MAIN parking lot and realized this is not the one. While looking at the map to our parking lot, we talked to a couple. Then as it is getting dark he offered us to drop at our parking lot. We refused his help, as the decision was spontaneos. After 15 minutes we realized that was a bad decision as it got dark suddenly.

Now The twist: We assumed the red trail is straight forward but at one point the trail devided to red and red+black. We got confused and took the red+black path then came back and chose the Just RED trail As Google images helped us in figuring out that black trail seems to be way long. At that time it was way dark and we were on cell flash light. We continued the red trail. We continued 20 minutes then stuck at the 'small water flow'. Finally by remembering the conversation with the group of 3, we crossed it. Then with small confusion, continued to red trail again, in the middle we didnt find the red dots, still continued like 20 more minutes in the dark. sounds from squirrels were very scary and We dont know what animals/snakes might harm us.

Finally we have been to the spot where we started our red trail in the begining, but as it is very dark it was hard to identify the Merging point. Still we followed our instinct and left the red trail, and climbed up almost 15 mintues. Still haven't reached our parking lot. It was very stressful because the red dots were no more and we are just following our instincts assuming it was right. We dont even know whether we are in some unknown route that puts us to a loop. Finally we reached our parking lot!!!!!!! Thank god!!!!!

Realized it was a big blunder to continue trecking in the dark by refusing a volunteer help to...

Rock Bridge State Park is an exceptional destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts alike, offering an unforgettable experience with its breathtaking views, complimentary admission, and picturesque trails. Nestled in a serene location, this park is a treasure trove of natural beauty, where visitors can immerse themselves in the tranquility of the great outdoors.

The park's namesake, the magnificent rock bridge, is a marvel of natural architecture, forming a stunning backdrop for photography and exploration. The views from and around this geological wonder are truly awe-inspiring, offering a panoramic vista that captivates the soul and invigorates the spirit.

One of the park's most commendable features is its free admission, making it an accessible option for families, individuals, and groups seeking a budget-friendly adventure. This inclusivity enhances the appeal of Rock Bridge State Park as a must-visit location for anyone looking to experience the beauty of nature without the constraint of entrance fees.

The trails within Rock Bridge State Park are beautifully maintained and cater to a wide range of interests and skill levels. From leisurely walks that allow for peaceful contemplation of the surrounding natural beauty, to more challenging hikes that reward the adventurous with spectacular views, there's something for everyone. The trails wind through diverse landscapes, including lush forests, scenic overlooks, and alongside streams, each offering a unique perspective on the park's natural splendor.

Whether you're a seasoned hiker, a family looking for a memorable day out, or a photographer in search of the perfect shot, Rock Bridge State Park delivers an exceptional experience. Its combination of free admission, stunning views, and beautiful trails makes it a standout destination for anyone seeking to reconnect with nature and discover the beauty of the...