Camping near Godfrey, Illinois provides access to both urban and rural experiences along the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. The area sits at approximately 600 feet above sea level with mild springs, hot summers reaching 90°F, and cool falls ideal for camping. Winter camping can be challenging with occasional flooding issues affecting campground availability from December through March.
What to Do
Katy Trail access: At Beyond the Trail RV Park, campers can directly access the popular Katy Trail for biking or walking. "The Katy trail borders the park for easy access to town. Beautiful views across a large farm field to the hills beyond with incredible sunsets," notes one visitor who appreciated the trail connection.
Historic town exploration: Several campgrounds provide easy access to historic river towns. "We walked into St. Charles historic district via the trail, since we had our dog with us," explains a camper at Sundermeier RV Park who enjoyed the pedestrian-friendly access to the preserved riverfront area with shops and restaurants.
Water recreation: Lakeside camping options offer fishing and boating opportunities. One camper at St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park noted, "The park/campground rents paddleboats, kayaks, and canoes in addition to different kinds of bikes. There is a walking trail around the lake (4+ miles)."
What Campers Like
Easy metro access: Many campgrounds offer convenient transportation options to urban attractions. "Casino has a metro stop that takes you into St Louis over the river," reports a camper staying at Draft Kings at Casino Queen RV Park, highlighting the public transit option for reaching downtown without driving.
On-site dining: Several parks feature restaurants within walking distance. "Our 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!" shared a visitor to Cahokia RV Parque.
Wine country proximity: Campgrounds west of Godfrey provide access to Missouri wine country. "This is just a great park. It is located in a sleepy little winery town. It is just a few minutes from the main part of town with multiple beautiful wineries within a few miles," explains a camper who enjoyed the tasting opportunities near Beyond the Trail RV Park.
What You Should Know
Noise considerations: Urban rv parks Godfrey, Illinois and surrounding areas often have environmental noise. "Only downside is the train and airplane noise. Otherwise would be a 5 star for me," noted a camper at Sundermeier RV Park, while another mentioned, "We seem well connected. Below the pattern for STL and railroad crosses Missouri River nearby."
Flooding potential: Low-lying areas experience periodic closures. "The staff came out while this was happening to warn us of the potential flooding and offered to let us move to another site away from the creek if we needed to," reports a visitor at Covered Bridge RV Park during heavy rainfall.
Seasonal operation: Many campgrounds have limited winter availability. "I was here only overnight, so didn't explore at all. Laundry on site. No wifi. Closed on weekends," notes a Covered Bridge RV Park visitor, highlighting reduced off-season hours common in the region.
Tips for Camping with Families
Playground access: Some parks offer play facilities for children. At St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park, a visitor mentioned, "There is boating and archery on site, a dog run, and a small playground."
Educational opportunities: Historic sites near camping areas provide learning experiences. "Went back to see the Arch Natl park and down into historic st. Charles. Beautiful historic town with plenty to see and do," shares a camper who appreciated the family-friendly activities near Sundermeier RV Park.
Wildlife viewing: Several campgrounds offer nature viewing opportunities. "You can see all kinds of wildlife in and around the lake- deer, bald eagles, pelicans, ducks, snakes," notes a visitor to St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park, describing the natural encounters possible without leaving the campground.
Tips from RVers
Hookup positioning: Some campgrounds have unusual utility layouts. At Casino Queen RV Park, a camper warns: "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."
Level sites: Most rv parks near Godfrey offer concrete pads with minimal leveling needed. "Nice level concrete pads but definitely a bit crowded. Lots of big rigs," observes a Sundermeier RV Park visitor, while at Kamper Kompanion RV Park, a camper appreciated the "Easy pull thru site with 40' and toad."
Reservation timing: Weekend availability can be limited during peak seasons. "Called to see if any spots were available about two hours out and they had a couple of backin spots," reports a Sundermeier RV Park visitor who managed to secure last-minute accommodations.
