Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park
Notice: Park Closed for Managed Deer Hunt Nov. 6-8 - Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park — details
- Status
- Temporarily closed
- Entrance fee
- Statewide rule — see below
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Dogs allowed, with restrictions10-ft leash
- Camping
- Yes
- Official site
- mostateparks.com(636) 458-3813
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Current alerts 1
Closure Park Closed for Managed Deer Hunt Nov. 6-8 - Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State ParkDr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park will be closed from 6 p.m. on Nov. 5, 2026, until 7 a.m. on Nov. 9, 2026, due to ...
Posted by the park 2026-11-06T12:00:00Z. Official alert
Overview
Covering about 2,348 acres, Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park lies in St. Louis County, about 3 miles northwest of Wildwood.
Popular activities here are mountain biking, horseback riding, biking, ranger programs, and hiking. For overnight stays there are campsites (RV sites with full hookups and tent sites).
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park — Summer Hours (On-Season) | Daily | 7 a.m. – 9 p.m. | Apr 1 – Oct 31 |
| Park — Winter Hours (Off-Season) | Daily | 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. | Nov 1 – Mar 31 |
| Office | Daily | 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. | — |
| Other — November and March | Sat–Sun | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. | — |
| Mon–Fri | Closed | — | |
| Wed–Sun | 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. | Apr 1 – Oct 31 | |
| Mon, Tue | Closed | — |
Official wording
Park Grounds: Entrance gates open and close at these times.
Summer Hours (On-Season), April through October: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., daily
Winter Hours (Off-Season), November through March: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., daily
Park Office - Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, year-round
November and March: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday Closed Monday through Friday April through October: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday Closed Monday and Tuesday December through February: Closed
2025-2026 State Holidays: On the following days (actual or observed), staff will not be available and park buildings will be closed: Thanksgiving Day; Nov. 28, 2025; Christmas Eve; Christmas Day; New Year’s Eve; New Year’s Day; Martin Luther King Jr. Day; Lincoln’s Birthday; and Washington's Birthday.
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/Chicago).
Fees and passes
Fees apply to camping, lodging and some tours (e.g. cave tours).
Statewide fee rule from Missouri's park system; this park’s page doesn’t list its own fees.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Booking system
- Missouri State Parks reservation system (UseDirect / Tyler, 'ICampMO')
- Phone
- 877-422-6766 (877-ICampMO)
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Pets
Dogs allowed, with restrictions · leash up to 10 feet
Not allowed in or on: any building that is not part of the cabins for canines program.
We recommend no more than two dogs per campsite. Pets must be supervised and kept on leashes no longer than 10 feet at all times. Pet waste bags are available in most locations. Other than service animals, pets are not allowed inside any building that is not part of the Cabins for Canines program, or in public swimming areas or waters reserved for fishing.
Service animals are generally permitted where pets are not. Check with the park for specific areas.
Camping
| Campground or site type | Sites | Hookups / features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Campground Season: Year-round Reservations: Year-round | — | Basic, Electric*, Sewer/Electric/Water*Showers | — |
Camping details from the park
Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park offers basic, electric, and sewer/electric/water campsites. The park also features an organized group camp and a special-use camping area.
IMPORTANT: If the amount of people, equipment or vehicles exceeds the capacity allowances, you will be required to purchase an additional campsite. There is ‘extra vehicle parking’ available for campers who exceed the two vehicle allowance at $5 per night, per space.
A printable campground map is available for your reference by clicking the “Campground Map” link.
Campground Information
Available DatesShowers/Water AvailableReservationsTypes of Sites
Campground Map
Year-roundApr 1-Oct 31Year-roundBasic, Electric*, Sewer/Electric/Water*
- The campground is fully reservable.
- During the off-season (November through March), potable water is available at the frost-free water spigot located near campsites 36 and 28.
- Modern restrooms and the showerhouse are closed during the off-season.
Park Gate Information
Park gates close at 9 p.m. during the on-season and 6 p.m. during the off-season. Campers without reservations need to be sure to arrive prior to gate closure times.
Other Types of Camping Areas Available in the Park:
Special-use camping area
The Jacob L. Babler Outdoor Education Center
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Things to do
CampingHikingBikingMountain bikingHorseback ridingRanger and interpretive programsPicnicking
Trails
| Trail | Length | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dogwood Trail | — | — | Trail information: https://mostateparks.com/media/pdf/trail-details-dogwood |
| Equestrian Trail | — | — | Trail information: https://mostateparks.com/media/pdf/trail-details-equestian |
| Hawthorn Trail | — | — | Trail information: https://mostateparks.com/media/pdf/trail-details-hawthorn |
| Paved Bicycle Trail | — | — | Trail information: https://mostateparks.com/media/pdf/trail-details-paved-bike |
| Virginia Day Memorial Nature Trail | — | — | Trail information: https://mostateparks.com/media/pdf/trail-details-virginia-day |
| Woodbine Trail | — | — | Trail information: https://mostateparks.com/media/pdf/trail-details-woodbine |
Trail descriptions from the park
Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park Trails
Dogwood Trail
- Trail Map
- Trail Information
Equestrian Trail
- Trail Map
- Trail Information
Hawthorn Trail
- Trail Map
- Trail Information
Paved Bicycle Trail
- Trail Map
- Trail Information
Virginia Day Memorial Nature Trail
- Trail Map
- Trail Information
Woodbine Trail
- Trail Map
- Trail Information
Amenities
Facilities
- Picnic areas
- Picnic shelters
- Playground
Camping
- Tent camping
- Sewer hookups
Recreation
- Horse trails
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Accessibility
Visitor Center
This picturesque building has two asphalt handicap parking spaces with a continuous concrete pathway to the entrance.
Ahead of you as you enter is a staffed information desk with a large observation window off to your right. Continuing around the room, you’ll find an auditorium for special programs. To the left of the information desk are accessible restrooms, a water fountain, and the entrance into the interpretive area. As you walk through the entrance of the interpretive area, you are instantly aware of being observed by a deer, which is part of a very realistic diorama. Also in this room, you'll find a hands-on area with microscopes, one being located on an accessible desktop, surrounded by interpretive displays.
Read more from the park
Picnic Area
•
- Alta Shelter
This wooded area has undergone modifications for complete accessibility. The mostly level asphalt parking provides two handicap spaces with a continuous concrete pathway accessing a drinking fountain, restroom, individual picnic site and the shelter.
The shelter accommodates 130 people. The structure provides three fireplaces and two grills.
- Walnut Grove Shelter
This structure is located in a level area and a concrete pathway to the shelter. The structure provides a group grill and accommodates 56 people. The closest accessible restroom is at the visitor center or the Alta Shelter area.
- Cochran Shelter
This is also a heavy-timber 1930s CCC shelter. It accommodates 70 people and provides a water fountain. This area is situated on a hill and has not been modified for accessibility. The closest accessible restroom is at the visitor center.
- Henry Babler Enclosed Shelter
This area is a good example of the 1930s CCC architecture. It has heating and air conditioning and can be reserved throughout the year by groups for meetings or events.
- Individual Picnicking
Scattered throughout the park are pull-off areas for individual picnicking. Modifications are planned for several of these sites.
Campground Area
This spacious campground offers a choice of paved sites in a lightly wooded meadow or off in the woods. There are three accessible sites; each one features full hookups, extended-end tables and pedestal grills. The accessible sites are in close proximity to frost-free hydrants on concrete pathways
The centrally located showerhouse is accessible by a concrete pathway from an asphalt parking lot with two handicap spaces.
The dump station has been modified to be accessible to most campers.
An accessible vault toilet with a paved pathway is available in the lower loop for off-season camping.
Special-Use Area
The special-use area is primitive and not modified for accessibility.
Jacob L. Babler Outdoor Education Center
This amenity is a full-service, barrier-free resident camp containing paved pathways, cabins, a dining hall, a recreation hall and a swimming pool. The camp can accommodate 112 residents in an attractive area surrounded by scenic woodland. A public phone is located in the administration building.
Trails
Two miles of trail are paved; however, the trail contains slopes that may be prohibitive to some users.
Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park
800 Guy Park Drive
Wildwood, MO 63005
636-458-3813
1-800-334-6946
1-800-379-2419 TDD
Last updated: October 2025
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Getting there
- Address
- 800 Guy Park Drive
Wildwood, MO 63005-6134 - Nearest town
- Wildwood — about 3 mi northwest (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 38.6209, -90.6953
- Phone
- (636) 458-3813
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- Missouri State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026
- Quick List of Parks and Historic Sites (HTML) + MoDNR ArcGIS boundary layer for coordinates
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology