Camping near Maryville, Illinois offers convenient access to the Mississippi River valley at elevations averaging 450-580 feet above sea level. The region experiences hot summers with high humidity, which can affect camping comfort from June through August. Most campgrounds in this area maintain paved or gravel sites to manage seasonal precipitation, with some prone to drainage issues during heavy rainfall.
What to do
Trail access for cyclists: The Katy Trail borders Beyond the Trail RV Park, providing direct routes into nearby towns. "The Katy trail is right next to the campground for walking or biking. There is also a really nice brewery right at the entrance," notes one visitor, highlighting the convenient recreational options within walking distance.
Water recreation: St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park offers boating opportunities on its small lake. "The lake is nice and they have some spots close to it. They rent out peddle boats, bikes and peddle cars/buggies as well," explains one camper. Park visitors can fish, kayak, or walk the 3+ mile trail around the water.
Historic towns: Several campgrounds provide access to historic districts. "Easy ride in to St. Charles a wonderful historic river town on the Missouri River. Great shops, great restaurants," mentions a visitor to Sundermeier RV Park. Wine enthusiasts can explore Defiance's small-town atmosphere, where "there is a really nice winery and a couple bars" within walking distance.
What campers like
Security measures: Many RV parks near Maryville prioritize safety. "Easy to access, quite campground. Full hookups, concrete pads," notes a camper at Covered Bridge RV Park. Another camper at St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park appreciates that "the staff is SUPER NICE AND CARING. Example 1: There was some rough springtime weather expected one day. A park ranger went around to every site and notified every camper of where the shelters were."
Food options: On-site dining enhances the camping experience at some locations. At Cahokia RV Parque, a visitor noted, "Getting in after a long drive and seeing the on-site BBQ restaurant was a huge positive." Another camper recommends, "Do NOT miss the BBQ place in the parking lot... fantastic food and a 10% discount for park customers."
Proximity to attractions: Camping near Maryville allows easy access to regional highlights. "Even though this RV park is in a city, we felt safe. And its view of the Gateway Arch can't be beat," shares a visitor at Draft Kings at Casino Queen RV Park. Another adds, "This is a centrally located campground in the Metro St. Louis area. It's close to interstates and it's a short drive across the river to Missouri attractions."
What you should know
Noise levels: Several RV parks in the region experience noise from transportation routes. At Draft Kings at Casino Queen RV Park, a camper notes, "There are trains every 15-30 minutes all day long." Similarly, at Sundermeier RV Park, visitors mention "it might be considered too noisy. It is near a highway, there a railroad bridge right next to it, and it is under the airport flight path. The planes and trains stopped after about 10-11pm I think."
Flooding concerns: Some campgrounds experience seasonal flooding. One camper at Beyond the Trail RV Park cautions, "Stay away from creek side spot lots of mosquitoes and possible flooding with enough rain." At Covered Bridge RV Park, a visitor observed issues during heavy precipitation: "While we were there they had a record rainfall amount and the park apparently already has flooding issues."
Site specifications: RV campers should note varying site designs across facilities. A camper at Draft Kings at Casino Queen RV Park advises, "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
Playgrounds and recreation: Love's RV Hookup in Hamel provides basic amenities for overnight stays at a convenient location. For more recreational options, consider St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park where "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 then they look. Awesome workout for the whole family!"
Shade availability: Limited shade exists at newer facilities. At St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park, a camper observes, "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." Another notes, "It seems to be new, and there are trees planted, but it will be awhile before they provide any shade."
Kid-friendly amenities: Look for parks with family facilities. At Cahokia RV Parque, a visitor mentions "an awesome playground for the kids!" Similarly, Draft Kings at Casino Queen RV Park has "a small play area for kids" according to one review, though it primarily offers "full hookup sites on a mostly paved RV park."
Tips from RVers
Overnight convenience: For short stays, several parks offer hassle-free processes. At Kamper Kompanion RV Park, a visitor reports, "Easy on off, right by highway, pulled in after dark and they met us to show us to the site and got us settled. Easy pull thru site with 40' and toad." This park operates seasonally from mid-March through October.
Big rig accessibility: Many RV parks near Maryville accommodate larger vehicles. Cahokia RV Parque offers "space for our larger rig and parking around for extra vehicle," according to one camper. Others note "we didn't have any trouble backing our 38 ft travel trailer in either" and that the sites are "level gravel sites with FHU near downtown St. Louis."
Hookup arrangements: Check for full hookup details when booking. At Covered Bridge RV Park, "Back in sites are paved and level with additional space for vehicle parking," while a camper at Beyond the Trail RV Park mentions, "All the roads and pads are gravel and level. All the campsites are decently sized and looks like all of them will house 25' or bigger campers."
