Pere Marquette State Park Campground provides standard camping options with 88 sites total, divided between Class A electric sites ($20/night) and Class C tent sites without electric ($8/night). The campground is situated on partially hilly terrain with a mix of sandy, grassy ground. Most RV sites offer either 30-amp or 50-amp electric hookups, with ongoing upgrades potentially adding more 50-amp, water and sewer connections to select sites. The tent camping section is separate from the RV area, with one shower house serving the entire campground. Located near the confluence of the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers, the campground serves as an excellent base for exploring the region's natural attractions and nearby communities.
What to do
Hiking with views: The trail system at Pere Marquette State Park Campground features varied terrain with excellent overlooks. "We did a 7 mile loop that led us to an amazing overlook. Excited to go back!" shares Andrew S. For those seeking more challenging routes, Hannah S. notes, "Great hikes! Very strenuous in some locations, but well worth the effort for the views!"
Fishing spots: Cuivre River State Park, located about an hour from St. Louis, offers multiple fishing opportunities. While the park doesn't have water access directly from campsites, visitors can enjoy the lake for fishing and other water activities. "Park has an awesome trail system around the lake, and it looks like you can rent canoes/kayaks in the summer," reports Kyle R.
Eagle watching: Winter transforms Horseshoe Lake State Park Campground into a prime eagle-watching location. "In winter there are a lot of eagles feeding in the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers which meet at the park. The Lewis & Clark expedition started nearby," explains Joel R. The park's proximity to both rivers creates ideal conditions for spotting these magnificent birds.
Equestrian adventures: Greensfelder County Park caters to horse enthusiasts with specialized camping facilities. "There's tie stalls under a roof and a round pen mounting blocks shower and bathrooms in camp," describes Alicia B. The park is also known for "well-groomed trails, which are used by hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians alike," according to Lucas M.
What campers like
Spacious campsites: At Cuivre River State Park, campers appreciate the generous site sizes. "Campground is quiet and has big campsites. The campground is close to Lincoln Lake for kayaking," notes Cody S. The wooded setting enhances privacy between sites, making it ideal for those seeking more seclusion.
Convenient location: St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park offers an ideal spot for exploring St. Louis without staying directly in the city. "Best campsite we've found to explore STL," says Nathaniel B., adding it's "Well maintained and well managed park. Staff on duty at all hours is awesome!" The park's proximity—"30 minutes from downtown Saint Louis"—makes day trips easy.
Affordable primitive camping: Horseshoe Lake provides budget-friendly options for campers. "Great spot in a beautiful area close to St. Louis. No power but access to drinking water and waste water dump for just 8$," reports Helge Vandel J. Another camper appreciates the "Self service pay system makes it simple, easy, and fast."
Wildlife viewing: The natural setting of Pere Marquette attracts various wildlife. Leah H. describes the "Beautiful hiking on dirt trails with gorgeous views of the Illinois River." Campers often spot owls in the tree groves, while winter visitors can observe bald eagles feeding in the nearby rivers.
What you should know
Campground proximity to urban areas: Several campgrounds near Grafton are located in surprisingly urban settings. St. Louis NE-Granite City KOA is "in an industrial area off the beaten path a little," according to Stephanie S. Similarly, Greensfelder County Park is described by Lucas M. as "not a place for a person who wants to get away from people" with sites "very close to the road."
Seasonal conditions: Campground facilities vary by season. At Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park, "the bathhouse with flush toilets closes November 1 and doesn't open until the spring," notes Nancy W. Similarly, Kyle R. found that at Cuivre River State Park, canoe and kayak rentals "was not open in the winter."
Noise factors: Train tracks run near several campgrounds in the area. At St. Louis West / Historic Route 66 KOA, Danielle C. mentions "train tracks that run near by the campground so it can be quite noisy." Todd P. adds, "It will be even better when they invent silent trains."
Yurt camping options: For those interested in yurt camping near Grafton, Illinois, Cuivre River State Park offers yurt accommodations for visitors seeking a balance between tent and cabin camping. These structures provide a unique alternative for those who want to experience yurt camping in Grafton area without sacrificing basic comforts.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Resort At Six Flags specializes in family entertainment. "This is a very family friendly campground and would highly recommend if camping with kids!" says Lindsey R. The campground features "swimming, games, lots of activities and you can go from rustic rent a tent to a really nice cabin with lots amenities," according to Mike T.
Water recreation: St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park offers various water activities suitable for families. "The park/campground rents paddleboats, kayaks, and canoes in addition to different kinds of bikes," shares Mats. Joseph F. adds, "Kids had a blast riding bikes. Even finding a few little frogs jumping around and fireflies at night."
Accessible camping: Pere Marquette State Park provides options for families with varied camping experience. Annie C. notes the campground is "divided up into an RV section, tents only section, and group tent camping," making it flexible for different family setups. The "nice trails as well" offer easy-to-moderate hiking suitable for most ages.
Safety considerations: For families concerned about security, St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park has "24 hour on site security," providing peace of mind. When extreme weather threatens, staff are proactive—one camper mentioned that "a park ranger went around to every site and notified every camper of where the shelters were."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: At Pere Marquette State Park, Michael M. advises that "1-85 are either 30 amp or 50 amp electric sites. These are the class A sites $20 a night." He also notes that "the campground is doing some upgrades as of October 2017 and probably will be adding more 50 amp, water and sewer to some sites."
Site selection strategies: For RVers visiting Greensfelder County Park, Matthew H. provides detailed guidance: "Most sites are great for trailers 26' or less and 1 slide (sites 24-26 can fit a fifth wheel probably no bigger than 36-38 ft)" and "site 29 where we stayed can fit a 40' fifth wheel." He also notes that each electric site has "2-20 amp plugs and 1-30amp plug."
Water pressure considerations: When staying at St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park, Susan L. found that "the water pressure was so strong that I could barely open the water pump!" This is important information for RVers who may need to use pressure regulators to protect their systems.
