McCully Heritage Project offers tent, RV, and cabin camping in a natural setting near Kampsville, Illinois. While this conservation area provides hiking trails and outdoor recreation opportunities, there are no dedicated horse corrals or equestrian-specific facilities listed among its amenities. The campground maintains a $10 per night fee that supports land maintenance. Trails have maps but some newer sections would benefit from additional markings according to visitors who have explored the area. The site provides picnic tables, toilets, showers, and allows fires with firewood available on site.
Cuivre River State Park Campground, located about an hour from St. Louis in Troy, Missouri, includes an equestrian section for visitors camping with horses. The park connects to a network of trails suitable for horseback riding, with spacious campsites that accommodate horse trailers. Water access points throughout the campground serve both campers and their horses. The park offers both basic and full hookup sites, with the equestrian camping area designed to provide appropriate space between sites for horse comfort and safety. Vault toilets are accessible near the playground area during off-season periods when the main facilities remain closed until mid-April.
$20 - $100 / night
"Nice hiking trails near. Watch for ticks. Don’t be alarmed if you see cats or the neighbors dogs roaming around the site. They are friendly."
"There’s a house to rent or primitive camping trails have a map but need a little more marking on newer sections. Very well maintained. Neat look out points"
$15 - $42 / night
"Plenty of gorgeous campsites and a lake to swim and kayak! And if you need a place to camp with your horse they have an entire equestrian section. Close to St."
"It’s close to our house and there’s always something new to do each time. The bathrooms are well maintained and the campsites are fairly large and provide lots of shade."
$15 - $35 / night
"There is no equestrian camping and the parking for horse trailers is super small. There’s a neat 7 mile loop goes by old stable as well."
"Babler State Park Wildwood, MO
💰 $12-$21/night
🗓 Feb 19-21, 2022
Site 48 ⚡️💧
🦮 Pets Welcome (on leash at all times)
➕Concrete Pads, Quiet, Close to Interstate 40, Paved Roads, Easy to Access"
"You can rent kayaks, canoes, and boats and fish in many locations. Great for horse back riders too!"
"Not a bad State Park/Camp ground, theres an Amish store close by with ice and amenities. The map online is wrong when choosing a campsite though."
LegendThis is a perfect place to enjoy with the family. Plenty of gorgeous campsites and a lake to swim and kayak! And if you need a place to camp with your horse they have an entire equestrian section. Close to St. Louis but far enough out to enjoy peace and quiet!
GuideThere is no equestrian camping and the parking for horse trailers is super small. There’s a neat 7 mile loop goes by old stable as well.
GuideBabler is located off I-64 in the chesterfield area about 30 minutes from Saint Louis. There are many spots to choose from. Basic and electric/water sites. Tent and Rv set ups are mixed. The site provides wood, ice, water, shower house and outhouses. There are equestrian and hiking trails. No rivers or water available. It is quiet and some areas are on hills. I would say the only issue is the raccoons. They dont give a darn who you are. They will walk right up to, smile, and take your chips. Scandalous! We love this site because its close and convenient.
GuideWe loved our stay at Babler, aside from the snow & wind - the park is great! Review below ⬇️
⛺️ S I T E R E V I E W ⛺️
📍 Dr. Edmund A. Babler State Park Wildwood, MO
💰 $12-$21/night
🗓 Feb 19-21, 2022
Site 48 ⚡️💧
🦮 Pets Welcome (on leash at all times)
➕Concrete Pads, Quiet, Close to Interstate 40, Paved Roads, Easy to Access, Gated Overnight with access code
➖Small/Close Sites, No Water in Off Season, Only Vault Toilets - No Showers in Off Season
📶 AT&T Service 4 out of 5
🚮 Dump Station located behind bathhouse. NO WATER during off season!
🚻AMENITIES •Playground •Hiking, Biking & Equestrian Trails •Wood & Ice •Interpretive Programs •Visitor Center •Special Use Area •Laundry, Flush Toilets & Showers ON SEASON ONLY!
🏕SITES Reservable 12 Months-FCFS in off season 72 Reservable 8 Accessible sites Basic - Electric Concrete Back In Lantern Hook, Picnic Table & Fire Ring
⏰ HOURS/DATES April - October 7:am - 9:pm Nov - March 7:am - 6:pm
🔺Park Office 8:30am - 4:pm M-F
🔺Visitor Center April - Oct 9:am - 4:30pm W - Sun Nov - March 9:am - 4:pm - Sat-Sun Dec - Feb CLOSED
GuideBabler is always a place you should try. we camp here every weekend because its so close to our house when we cant travel. but there are a few things to keep in mind.
The good: good trails, the whole park is a memorial so good history, very large, equestrian available, showers and bathrooms, playground, paved drive in, wood and ice available, near a grocery store and restaurants
The bad: racoons everywhere! they are scandalous and will be happy to shake your hand they dont care. thats how close they get to you. we used homemade cayenne pepper water for a perimeter but it only works until we went to bed. if you are tent camping your spot is very hit or miss. we always plan ahead and look at the pictures because some sites say its for tent but its just a dropping slope. you might as well pitch on the concrete. the sites are good are Very good! the sites that are bad... just annoying while sleeping. it lools like they are fixing it this year though. the ticks are pretty bad in spots nesstled into the trees. fpr RV's half the spots for you are out in the sun. you have to look at the pictures and choose wisely.
i know its a lot but babler is really a great park.
RangerI love this camground! They have great hikes throughout the area. You can rent kayaks, canoes, and boats and fish in many locations. Great for horse back riders too!
LegendThis quiet little campground had some hidden trails that would not expect to find in Illinois. The sites were shady and spaced out for some privacy. The woods around the lake make it a fun spot to explore with families The campground was quiet which lead to the enjoyment.
GuideThis is truly a hidden gem. Tucked away, not far from St. Louis, you wouldn't know you were that close to a big city. It is clean and feels extremely safe. There aren't many sites, but the ones they have are quiet and spacious. There is one bathroom, centrally located, that was a 2-3 minute walk from our campsite. There was a picnic table and firpit provided. The main gate closes at 9 p.m. but if you call ahead there is a code you are given....or you can contact the camp host. I would love to go back and explore the lush, green trails.
LegendWhat we liked about this campground was the comfortable feel of being at a state park with plenty of trees, hiking trails, space between sites, but also the convenience of having a level, paved site with electricity and television/phone reception. We happened to be there during the week in the fall so there were not many other campers. This gave the park the quiet feel we like so much. There are miles of hiking and biking trails right outside your doorstep and plenty of woods to explore. The park is located about 10 miles from where my parents live so we come here a couple of times a year.
The campground has 30 basic and 43 electric sites (which are either 50 amp or 30 amp). There is no sewer or water at individual sites but water spigots are scattered throughout the campground and there is a dump station with potable water fill-up. All campsites and patios are paved and level with a comfortable amount of space between sites. Picnic tables and fire pits are located at each site. Sites are a mix of shaded, partial-shade, and full sun. The roads are paved and big rig-friendly (with the exception of one loop that is clearly marked “short turning radius”). Sites 13-33 are popular open and sunny campsites with nice grassy areas between them. In contrast sites 52-75 are much more treed and have a private feel to them. It seems this is where most of the tent campers like to be. These sites are farther from the main bathhouse but there is a pit toilet in that loop.
There is one main bathhouse with free showers that was very clean. There are also two vault toilets located in the campground. The campground is open year-round but the bathhouse with flush toilets closes November 1 and doesn’t open until the spring. During the winter the only water spigot is available located near the camp hosts at site #36. Our Verizon 4G phone and hotspot worked great. We were able to get satellite reception at our site (#24) and the antenna picked up a dozen or so local channels including all the major networks. This is one of the few state park campgrounds that we have visited that has WiFi (and that actually worked well).
We love the setting of this park and how you feel like you are in a nice wooded setting but not too far from surrounding amenities. It is an 868-acre urban park with miles of hiking/paved biking/equestrian trails, picnic shelters, a playground, and ball fields. There is a visitor center with exhibits and an amphitheater in the campground where interpretive programs are held.
You can reserve sites on-line and the prices are reasonable. A $2 discount is given to seniors.
April - October November - March
Basic $13 $12
Electric (30A) $21 $19
Electric (50A) $23 $21
We love this park and would definitely recommend it to anyone coming through the area. Not all sites are long enough for large RVs and the roads in some loops prevent you from turning around. The camp hosts we encountered are very helpful and have a list of site lengths and can tell you which ones are appropriate for large RVs. If this campground had sewer and water, it would get 5 stars.
Kampsville, Illinois lies in the lower Illinois River Valley, characterized by forested bluffs and bottomland wetlands. The area maintains a humid continental climate with four distinct seasons, receiving approximately 39 inches of annual rainfall. Camping options near Kampsville span from conservation areas with primitive sites to developed state parks within an hour's drive, with seasonal closures affecting some facilities during winter months.
Lake activities at Siloam Springs: Visitors can rent kayaks, canoes, and boats for fishing or recreation at Siloam Springs State Park Campground. "You can rent kayaks, canoes, and boats and fish in many locations," notes Hannah S., who recommends spring through fall visits.
Trail exploration: Numerous hiking trails offer varying difficulty levels throughout the region. A camper at Siloam Springs describes, "The trails are pretty well marked and are best in mid/late fall or early spring. We've redone them numerous times and still enjoy them. My favorite trails are the Red Oak and Hoot Owl!"
Wildlife viewing: The region supports diverse wildlife habitats. At Cuivre River State Park Campground, Maria E. shares, "We saw bunnies hopping around and when we first arrived to our site a deer was grazing nearby, such a bonus!"
Backpacking adventures: For more challenging outdoor experiences, backpacking trails provide overnight options. "We loaded up our packs, put the little packs on the dogs, and headed up the Red Oak Backpacking Trail," reports Lindsey P., describing her experience at Siloam Springs State Park.
Quiet, spacious sites: Most camping areas near Kampsville provide adequate space between sites. At Waverly Lake City Park, Darren D. notes, "Each site is spread out and fairly well. We had a pleasant and fairly private experience."
Affordable options: Budget-conscious campers appreciate low-cost camping opportunities. "Ten dollars a night helps maintain land and natural area, all donation, very family oriented," explains Michele G. about McCully Heritage Project.
Water proximity: Many campers value sites with water access. Cody S. mentions that Cuivre River "campground is quiet and has big campsites. The campground is close to Lincoln Lake for kayaking."
Pine forest settings: The distinctive environment at some campgrounds provides natural shade and ambiance. "The pines give great cover when hot and add that familiar pine sent to the whole park," reports Olivia S. about her stays at Siloam Springs State Park.
Seasonal considerations: Facilities and services vary by season at most campgrounds. Kyle R. notes about Cuivre River, "it looks like you can rent canoes/kayaks in the summer (was not open in the winter)."
Wildlife precautions: Local wildlife can affect camping experiences. "Don't leave anything out at night or raccoons will scavenge," warns Maria E. At Waverly Lake, campers should "Be mindful of field roaches and raccoons at night... Oh, and the mosquitoes are BRUTAL. Come prepared."
Water availability: Not all campgrounds provide reliable water access. John H. states about Waverly Lake City Park: "As far as I know there's no running water. There are portable toilets that are kept clean."
Map discrepancies: Online reservation systems may not accurately represent site locations. Peter H. cautions about Siloam Springs: "The map online is wrong when choosing a campsite though. The site I chose appeared off by itself on the map and when I arrived it was in the same area as all other sites."
Accessible recreation: Multiple family-friendly activities provide options for all ages. Leo S. shares about McCully Heritage Project: "I just love the bridge across the pond. We had a picnic and the kids got to play on the playground equipment."
Trail difficulty awareness: Consider trail challenges when planning hikes with children. One backpacker at Siloam Springs notes, "Towards the end, there were stairs built into the earth that were way too difficult to manage when your legs are jelly and your pack is heavy."
Swimming options: During summer months, water activities provide relief from heat. Tracie S. mentions that Cuivre River has "a large lake to swim in and you can kayak as well! Their trails are well marked and a pretty walk."
Animal encounters: Some campgrounds allow pets but also have resident animals. Eric from McCully Heritage Project advises, "Don't be alarmed if you see cats or the neighbors dogs roaming around the site. They are friendly."
Equestrian camping near Kampsville: For those traveling with horses, specialized camping areas exist within driving distance. J K. notes that at Cuivre River State Park Campground, "if you need a place to camp with your horse they have an entire equestrian section."
Hookup distribution: Electric sites are typically separated from standard sites at many area campgrounds. Kayla S. notes, "The sites for full hook ups are separate from the other sites" at Cuivre River State Park.
Stay duration limits: Some campgrounds restrict the length of continuous stays. John H. advises about Waverly Lake: "There's also a 4 consecutive day per month limit."
Seasonal facility access: RVers should check which services are available during their planned visit. Bathroom and shower facilities often follow seasonal schedules, with some closed during winter months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Kampsville, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Kampsville, IL is McCully Heritage Project with a 4.8-star rating from 5 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Kampsville, IL?
TheDyrt.com has all 5 equestrian camping locations near Kampsville, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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