Camping spots near Fairview Heights, Illinois sit at approximately 500-600 feet above sea level in a region characterized by gentle hills, forests, and proximity to the Mississippi River floodplain. The area experiences four distinct seasons with hot, humid summers where temperatures can reach the 90s and mild winters with occasional snow. Campgrounds regularly need to manage drainage issues after the region's frequent thunderstorms, which average 45 inches of rainfall annually.
What to do
Water recreation at Horseshoe Lake State Park: Boat rentals and fishing opportunities available for catching bass, crappie, and catfish. "Nice little campground close to down town St Louis (when the leaves are down I bet you can see the Arch). Campsites are nice and flat with the standard picnic tables and fire rings," notes Annie C. about Horseshoe Lake State Park Campground.
Visit historic St. Charles: Located approximately 35 minutes from Fairview Heights, the historic district offers shops, restaurants and river access. "We stayed for a week to enjoy St. Louis, St. Charles and Meramec Caverns (about 1 hr away). The Katy Trail is right behind the campground, so one day we walked into St. Charles historic district via the trail, since we had our dog with us," shared Bea about their stay at Sundermeier RV Park.
Bike riding and outdoor activities: Paved trails and rental equipment available at many parks for family exploration. "This park is beautiful. Located about 25 minutes from St Louis. They have paddle boats and bikes and group bikes for rental. Located right next to a lake with a lot of RV and tent camping spots. Kids had a blast riding bikes. Even finding a few little frogs jumping around and fireflies at night," reported Joseph F. about St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park.
What campers like
Budget-friendly camping options: Several parks offer affordable rates, with tent camping available for as little as $8 per night. "Great spot and great value. Great spot in a beautiful area close to St. Louis. No power but access to drinking water and waste water dump for just 8$," notes Helge Vandel J. about their experience at Horseshoe Lake State Park Campground.
On-site food options: Some campgrounds feature restaurants right at the facility. "My favorite part of this park is the onsite Sawmill BBQ restaurant. While we prepare most of our meals, we were so tired; we decided to give the joint a try and, wow, are we glad we did! Delicious food for a reasonable price!" commented Jenni W. about their stay at Cahokia RV Parque.
Security features: Gated access and regular security patrols provide peace of mind for campers. "The casino complex was closed due to COVID. Reservations are online and they email you the gate code and WiFi code. Security is proactive in patrols and are friendly and helpful. No frills but a great view of the arch. Centrally located and across the bridge from downtown," reports Greg S. about Draft Kings at Casino Queen RV Park.
What you should know
Train and airport noise: Many campgrounds in the area experience noise from nearby transportation routes. "Lower# sites are closer to the trains, and the higher# sites were further away. We have gotten used to noise, and my husband loves watching trains, so it didn't bother us one bit," explains Bea about Sundermeier RV Park.
Seasonal closures and flood risks: Check opening dates before planning trips as some parks close during winter months. "Spent one night on our way through. We had tram tickets for the arch so we needed a shore power hookup for run the AC for our dog. This was a good spot for that," notes Jessica N., highlighting the seasonal importance of hookups in the hot months.
Urban camping environment: Many campgrounds are located in industrial or commercial areas rather than wilderness settings. "Went back to see the Arch Natl park and down into historic st. Charles. Beautiful historic town with plenty to see and do, with a casino past that," mentions Fred R. about his stay at Sundermeier RV Park, acknowledging the urban surroundings.
Tips for camping with families
Playground and activity options: Look for campgrounds with dedicated recreation areas for children. "There is lots to do at this park. There is a pool, bike rentals, dog park, movie night, basketball court, and more. You can bring your RV, travel trailer, tent camp, or stay in a cabin. Most of the sites are in the shade and are fairly level," describes Crystal H. about St. Louis West / Historic Route 66 KOA.
Swimming options: Several parks offer pools or lake access during summer months. "This park is beautiful. Located about 25 minutes from St Louis. They have paddle boats and bikes and group bikes for rental. Located right next to a lake with a lot of RV and tent camping spots," noted Joseph F. about St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many campgrounds offer chances to see local birds and animals. "Conveniently located just outside of St Louis. We camped here for a trip to the city for St Louis cardinals game and zoo. My kids loved the jumping pillow at the park. Minimal playground but they still enjoyed it," shares Sarah S. about her family's stay at St. Louis NE-Granite City KOA.
Tips from RVers
Hookup configurations: Water and electric connections vary between campgrounds and may require longer hoses. "Utilities are set up weird on all sites - Water and electric are at the very rear of the site by the sewer, so you will need a decent sized hose to reach if your water intake is in the front of your camper," advises Josh F. about his experience at Draft Kings at Casino Queen RV Park.
Entry and exit considerations: Some campgrounds have tight turning areas that require planning. "The roads within the campground were double-wide so we had no trouble turning and getting into our spot. The sites were double-wide concrete. We were able to park next to our 5th wheel with enough room to not feel crowded while using the picnic bench," describes Bea about Sundermeier RV Park.
Long-term stays: Several parks offer monthly rates for extended stays. "We pay $550 a month including utilities. There are a lot of long term setups. Kind owner. Nice little lake(catch and release I believe). Surrounded by nature, lots of grass and trees, great for dog owners. Spacious spots," reports K about their experience at MGM Campground.
