Mark Twain Birthplace State Historic Site — Attraction in Monroe City

Now, I ain’t one to meddle in matters best left to squirrels and poets, but I reckon what happened to me that Tuesday last, down in Mark Twain State Park, is worth a jot or two.

I was fishing—not for fish, mind you, but for solitude. The sort of peace you only find where cell service goes to die and frogs outnumber people fifty-to-one. The lake was still as a Sunday church pew, and I had just cast my line when I heard a rustle behind me that didn’t sound like squirrel business.

Turned ’round, and there stood a man—half-soaked, barefoot, and wearin’ a frock coat that looked like it was cut in 1849 and never washed since.

“Good mornin’,” he said, though it was well past noon. “You seen my raft?”

“Raft?” says I, blinking at him like he was the last pickle in the jar.

“Floated clean off yonder,” he says, pointing toward the lake. “Tom said it was tied good, but Tom’s got knots in his head where brains oughta be.”

Now, I’d have thought him drunk if he didn’t smell more like river mud and old books. He had a look in his eye like he’d seen the whole Mississippi in a dream and never quite woke up.

I offered him a sandwich, but he just tipped his hat and walked straight into the woods, muttering something about Aunt Polly and how the world had got too clean.

Didn’t see him again, but the next morning, I found footprints by the shore—barefoot, deep, and headed nowhere in particular.

Some say it was a ghost. I say it was just Mark Twain, back for a spell, lookin’ to borrow a raft and remember how it felt to be lost on purpose.

And I reckon...

We had an amazing time here. We are moving from Washington State to Pennsylvania and found this place to camp for a few nights. The bugs are pretty bad in July so bring some bug spray. They have bathrooms, pit toilets, showers and even laundry! All facilities are really clean so if you have pit toilet anxiety...fear not! The grounds are well kept and the hosts are so friendly and more than helpful. Mark Twain's childhood home is there and a cool site to see.

I do have one con- THE RACCOONS ARE SO AGGRESSIVE! There needs to be signs. People feed them...DON'T DO THAT! They got on my car with my dog inside, in our trailer....got their little hands on some things but we were able to pick it up. Don't leave food out, put something heavy on your cooler as they can open it. Watch your kids and pets at night and make sure animals are UTD ON VACCINES!

We will absolutely return if ever back in the area. Missouri is magical and beautiful. Thanks...

Came here last week of March. We were in the Badger loop where our camp host Mr. Bill came up to us and welcomed us. It was nice being a few sites down from him as the Badger loop was empty. Mark Twain State Park is beautiful! The lake is gorgeous. It is too bad that it thunderstormed most of the time we were there. We took advantage of the close proximity to Hannibal and went there for the day. Mark Twain State Park is well maintained. Each campsite is a gravel drive with a fire ring and picnic table. The vault toilets are clean but a little ways from the Badger loop. The shower house and flush toilets were not open yet for the season. There are two other loops and they look nice as well. The campground offers plenty to do, although we did not take advantage of it due to being off season/weather. We will come again when it is...