RV camping near Grafton, Illinois provides access to the natural beauty where the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers meet at an elevation of approximately 440 feet. The region's relatively flat terrain along the Great River Road transitions to limestone bluffs, creating distinct camping environments throughout the area. Seasonal flooding affects campground availability, particularly in spring when the rivers can rise rapidly.
What to Do
Biking on the Katy Trail: Located near Beyond the Trail RV Park, the Katy Trail offers miles of paved paths for cyclists. "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 camper.
Fishing opportunities: The man-made lake at St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park provides ample fishing access. "There is fish in the lake and you are allowed to fish," states a reviewer who appreciated the well-maintained 4+ mile walking trail that circles the water.
Historical exploration: St. Charles historic district offers a glimpse into early river commerce. "Easy ride in to St. Charles, a wonderful historic river town on the Missouri River. Great shops, great restaurants," mentions a visitor who stayed nearby.
What Campers Like
Accessible city attractions: Casino Queen RV Park provides urban convenience. "Even though this RV park is in a city, we felt safe. And its view of the Gateway Arch can't be beat. Easy check in," reports a camper who used the location as a base for exploring St. Louis attractions.
Winery access: The Grafton area features multiple wineries within short driving distance. A reviewer at Beyond the Trail RV Park noted, "Great location to go to all the wineries and restaurants nearby. Brewery just on the other side of the campground with good beer and food."
Outdoor activities: Parks offer various rental options for recreation. "They have an archery range. They rent out peddle boats, bikes and peddle cars/buggies as well. We rented a peddle buggy. Those are a lot harder to get moving than they look," explains a camper about St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park.
What You Should Know
Weather considerations: Flash flooding impacts lower elevation sites during heavy rain. "While we were there they had a record rainfall amount and the park apparently already has flooding issues so it was flooding pretty bad," reports a camper at Covered Bridge RV Park, noting that "the staff came out while this was happening to warn us of the potential flooding."
Urban noise levels: Many RV parks experience noise from transportation corridors. "The only downside is the train and airplane noise. Otherwise would be a 5 star for me," mentions a reviewer about Sundermeier RV Park.
Water hookup challenges: Visitors should come prepared with extra hose length. One camper noted, "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."
Tips for Camping with Families
Look for play areas: Some campgrounds feature dedicated recreational spaces. "There is a nice bathhouse with free showers for the campers and pay laundry. If you are lucky, you can get a site close to the water, but it means the walking trail is right next to your unit," shares a visitor about waterfront locations.
Consider safety features: Cahokia RV Parque offers family-friendly amenities. "We had a great experience in the 4 nights we spent here. The grounds, pool, laundry, and bathrooms were all in excellent repair and clean. The park was quiet, but very family friendly," notes a reviewer who stayed with their family.
Check for shade: Newer campgrounds may lack mature trees. A visitor to St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park observed, "The grounds are clean and pleasant, if a bit sparse with little shade. This will change over the subsequent years, however, as there are many relatively newly planted trees."
Tips from RVers
Pull-through availability: For larger rigs, specific sites offer easier access. "We loved how spacious it was. 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," reports an RVer with a fifth wheel at Sundermeier RV Park.
Leveling considerations: Concrete pads provide stability for larger vehicles. "Sites are concrete and gravel, very urban camping," notes a reviewer who stayed at Casino Queen RV Park, while another camper at Kamper Kompanion described sites as "clean, level, convenient."
Hookup locations: Position your RV strategically to reach utilities. "Full hookups, concrete pads but the property in general is mostly concrete - no green space for kids or pets," comments a visitor about site layout considerations at Covered Bridge RV Park.
