🏆 Official Guide: St. Francois State Park — 2,735 acres of wooded hills and glades north of Bonne Terre, with more than three miles of the Big River for floating and a rugged wild area at its heart.
St. Francois State Park is where the St. Louis crowd goes to float. Just five miles north of Bonne Terre in the northern edge of the Ozarks, its 2,735 acres of forested hills, glades, and creek bottoms are threaded by more than three miles of the Big River — an easy, scenic paddle with two in-park access points that make it one of eastern Missouri’s most convenient float trips.
Away from the water, the park protects the Coonville Creek Wild Area, where hiking and equestrian trails climb through quiet woods and the 49-acre Coonville Creek Natural Area shelters a spring-fed stream and its narrow valley. Entry and parking are free, like every Missouri state park.
What Makes This Park Unique
Big River Floating
Three-plus miles of the Big River flow through the park, with two easy canoe/kayak launches in the picnic areas — a gentle float perfect for beginners and families.
Coonville Creek Wild Area
A backcountry-feel trail network winds through wooded hills and glades, surrounding a 49-acre natural area along spring-fed Coonville Creek.
Smallmouth Water
The Big River gives up smallmouth bass and catfish; wade or float-fish the riffles and pools away from any motorboat wake.
100+ Campsites Near St. Louis
Basic, electric, and special-use camping just an hour south of the metro make it a go-to weekend float base.
Things to Do
Floating & paddling: Launch a canoe or kayak from either picnic-area access and drift the Big River. Motorized boats are not recommended on this stretch.
Hiking & horseback riding: Three trails — including one open to equestrians — climb through the Coonville Creek Wild Area’s hills and glades.
Fishing: Smallmouth bass and catfish are the common catches along the river’s riffles and deeper pools.
Camping
St. Francois offers more than 100 campsites across basic and electric campgrounds plus a special-use area, with modern restrooms and hot showers. Reserve through iCampMO up to 12 months ahead; summer float weekends fill early.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Entry Fee | FREE — no entrance or parking fees at Missouri State Parks |
| Size | 2,735 acres |
| River | 3+ miles of the Big River; two canoe launches |
| Camping | 100+ sites (basic, electric, special-use) |
| Location | ~5 miles north of Bonne Terre, MO (St. Francois County) |
| Official Info | Missouri State Parks – St. Francois |
Getting There
From St. Louis, take US-67 south past Bonne Terre — the park entrance is on the west side of the highway, roughly an hour from the metro.
Nearby Parks Worth Combining
Pair a St. Francois float with the volcanic shut-ins and swimming at Johnson’s Shut-Ins and the billion-year-old boulders of Elephant Rocks farther south in the St. Francois Mountains. The Missouri state parks guide has the full picture.
Facts verified against Missouri State Parks (DNR) and public records, July 2026. Float conditions, camping fees, and hours are set by the DNR — check the official park page before your trip.
Park Location
Plan your gear for St. Francois State Park
From our editorial guides, matched to this park’s activities:
