79 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The Mississippi and Illinois Rivers converge near Valmeyer, Illinois, creating a region rich with camping opportunities within an hour's drive. Cahokia RV Parque offers RV sites and cabin accommodations, while Washington State Park Campground provides tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin options about 40 miles southwest. Several campgrounds in the area feature riverside locations, with both state parks and private facilities offering various accommodation types including glamping yurts at St. Louis West KOA and cabins at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Resort.
Access to most developed campgrounds requires reservations, particularly during summer weekends when sites fill quickly. "Most of the sites were fairly level, but I didn't see any pull through sites," noted one visitor to Pere Marquette State Park. Road conditions vary significantly between the well-maintained state park roads and the more rustic forest service roads. Weather patterns along the river valleys create unique microclimates, with spring flooding sometimes affecting campground availability—the St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park was closed for much of summer 2019 due to flooding. Cell service is generally reliable at most developed campgrounds, though coverage may be spotty in more remote areas like Berryman Trail Campground.
State parks in the region consistently receive high ratings for their water access and hiking trails. Meramec State Park Campground offers boat-in camping opportunities alongside traditional sites, making it popular with paddlers and anglers. Several visitors mentioned wildlife viewing as a highlight, with one camper at St. Francois State Park reporting, "We passed by a momma raccoon in a tree, a few snakes on the trail, some turtles, and even had deer spend time right behind our campsite." Noise levels vary significantly—campgrounds near St. Louis may experience aircraft noise, while those further south provide more solitude. Facilities range from primitive sites with vault toilets at Berryman Trail to full-service RV parks with showers, laundry, and dump stations like Cahokia RV Parque and Sundermeier RV Park.
"It's 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."
"I compared the park to two others near St. Louis on the Illinois side and found this one to be the most pleasant. Most of the sites are sunny, but some have shade."
"Our site was gravel to park on with grass around it. Close to train tracks and highway, but didn’t notice with AC on in the camper. Close to 6 flags."
"This campground is fairly close to downtown and very close to lots of shopping. A great place to stay to stock up on supplies before heading west."
from $50 / night
Check Availability"Very clean and secure overnight park just outside of STL. Phenomenal views of downtown and the arch, and fairly easy access to I-55/64/70."
"Close to the arch, that’s why we chose this place to stay overnight."
from $65 / night
Check Availability"All sites are within reasonable walking distance to the very nice shower house, bathrooms, it even had laundry. All facilities were well maintained and clean. Campground host sells wood and ice."
"We did have a mole or something burrowing around so you had to watch for loose dirt clods but that was NBD. The site had a picnic table and fire ring. There were pit toilets, no showers."
from $15 - $27 / night
Check Availability"Surrounded by trees changing colors the fall is beautiful here. The campground has several hiking trails and also river access to go canoeing. You can rent a cabin here as well."
"Friendly staff, outdoor pool, hikes close by and a windy maybe thirty minutes away. Plenty of things to do to keep everyone happy!"
from $12 - $36 / night
Check Availability"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."
"Great for taking long walks or bike rides, although very steep hills. Close to St Louis, so you can do some urban exploring."
from $15 - $35 / night
Check Availability"We visited in October and were able to hike several great trails in the park and surrounding area. The campsites are nothing special."
"Hawn is my favorite campground close to St. Louis."
from $15 - $29 / night
Check Availability"pros- activities for kids/fam nice pool tons of trees easy access from highway close amenities (Walmart, six flags, etc) close to StL (tons to do) we did grants farm and city museum one day"
"We spent a weekend here because we wanted to be close to six flags. I swear this place was more fun!!!"
"Hiking trails, a stocked pond, meramec river access, 12 basic and 13 electric shaded campsites available, play ground away from the campground and shelters available to rent for a family gathering. 2 trails"
"The hook up sites are on the inside of the loop and the tent sites are on the outside of the loop. You need to look carefully for a level tent site as some are fairly slopped."
from $14 - $38 / night
Check Availability
GuideThe location to St. Louis is great, and the utility hookups for RV were convenient, but there was ZERO privacy at the sites and hiking trail were extremely limited. Great coverage for Verizon and Starlink.
TravelerThis is the perfect, little spot to set up. The owners are sweet, and have been helpful with everything we have needed and beyond. We definitely would love to come back.
GuideBeautiful grounds. Paved level sites. Great path around the lake. Wish there were trees
GuideThe grounds are so well maintained. The spaces are level and paved. The path around the lake is awesome. A lot of activities in one location. My only issue is no shade. It’s a newer facility so the trees are not mature.
GuideNice campground with full hookups. Only one row has shade since the campground is so new. Shower house is good. My only negative is the wifi was weak in the two spots I stayed in.
ScoutThis is close to the Arch but not well maintained and security is lacking, No staff onsite and the gate is broken. we heard gunshots at 2 AM and left early the next day.
ScoutWe camped here for 5 nights. It is so clean and well maintained. It’s quietly tucked in along the Mississippi River (except for a train that runs nearby). Nice level concrete pads with electric hookup! Water (not potable) and dump available. It’s close proximity to everything in the St. Louis area can’t be beat!
TravelerVery clean. Hiking and cave exploring in the park. Campground is nicely laid out with different amenities.
ScoutSuper family friendly, quiet, clean & everyone who works here is super nice!
The Mississippi and Illinois River junction near Valmeyer creates distinct camping microclimates with summer temperatures typically 5-10 degrees cooler along riverbanks than inland sites. Many campgrounds in the region sit at elevations between 400-600 feet, with riverside locations often experiencing morning fog during spring and fall months. Seasonal flooding can dramatically alter access routes, particularly during April and May when riverside campsites may close with little notice.
Fishing opportunities: 2 miles from Draft Kings at Casino Queen RV Park, the Mississippi River offers catfish and bass fishing. The park provides easy river access, making it popular with anglers. "Even though this RV park is in a city, we felt safe. And its view of the Gateway Arch can't be beat," notes Dennis P., who visited in June 2024.
Historical exploration: The prehistoric petroglyphs at Washington State Park Campground offer unique cultural insights. Located about 40 miles southwest of Valmeyer, this park preserves significant Native American rock art. "The prehistoric Petroglyphs nearby are a must see," writes Phil W., who spent a week there in March 2021. Another camper mentioned, "Washington State Park is a hidden gem in Missouri! We camped in mid-March 2021 for 7 days and thoroughly enjoyed the area."
River floating: Rent kayaks or tubes at Meramec State Park for self-guided river adventures. The park offers watercraft rentals right at the campground. "Rent a canoe/kayak/tube to enjoy the river (on site!)," reports Lynn G., who appreciated the diverse activities. The park's location beside the Meramec River makes it ideal for water-based recreation.
Wildlife viewing: At St. Francois State Park Campground, visitors regularly spot diverse animals. Located about an hour south of Valmeyer, the park offers rich wildlife habitats. "It has decent camping sites and they are right next to the river and swimming holes. The hiking trails are a few of my favorites in MO," notes Kristen R., who camped there in June 2020.
Pine forest environment: Hawn State Park Campground creates a mountain-like atmosphere despite being in the Midwest. The distinctive pine forests make this park stand out from others in the region. "Nowhere else in the state of Missouri have I been able to camp and feel like I'm in the middle of the Rocky Mountains. The car camping area is nestled in the middle of a pine filled valley," explains Megan M., adding, "There's nothing more refreshing than sitting in the evening and hearing the wind whistle through the pines."
Seasonal color changes: Fall camping offers spectacular foliage views at several parks near Valmeyer. "Hawn is a one of the best fall campgrounds close to the St. Louis area. There are a number of hiking options around the campground in the park and nearby nature reserve," writes Cody S., who recommends autumn visits. Washington State Park is similarly described as having "green rolling hills that would be ideal to visit in the fall."
Train noise: Multiple campgrounds near Valmeyer experience railroad disruptions. At St. Louis West / Historic Route 66 KOA, train tracks run nearby. "This was such a nice and serene setting. Close to the city and local attractions, yet surrounded by nature none the less... It will be even better when they invent silent trains," notes Todd P. Similarly, Casino Queen RV Park reports train noise: "Writing this review at 4am as a loud train goes by. Which it will about every hour."
Flash flooding risk: Spring rains can quickly impact river-adjacent sites. Covered Bridge RV Park experienced significant flooding issues during heavy rains. "While we were there they had a record rainfall amount and the park apparently already has flooding issues so it was flooding pretty bad," reported Charlie & Danielle B. They added, "Our RV was right next to a creek that had risen really high and was in danger of flooding our site completely."
Limited cell service: Coverage varies dramatically across the region. Meramec State Park has connectivity challenges according to Mats: "The cell phone service is virtually non-existent. We had planned to work from here and had to cut our visit short." Before counting on remote work capabilities, check with specific campgrounds about current coverage.
Kid-friendly activities: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Resort offers structured programs for children. Located near Six Flags, this campground specializes in family entertainment. "We stayed here last minute for Labor Day Weekend and the staff were great with finding us a good tent site available. This is not a rugged style campground as there are many amenities such as a pool, putt putt golf, volleyball, and more. They also host daily kids activities and crafts," shares Lindsey R., who recommends it for families.
Spacious sites: Cahokia RV Parque provides comfortable family accommodations. The park offers well-maintained facilities that accommodate families of various sizes. "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 Lee T., adding that "The spots are roomy enough, given that you're situated less than 15 miles from downtown St. Louis."
Safety considerations: Check for hazards at riverside sites during high water seasons. Spring flooding can create unexpected dangers at waterfront campgrounds. Multiple reviews mention swift changes in water levels that can create hazardous conditions for children, particularly at sites along the Mississippi and Meramec Rivers.
Utility placement: Check hookup locations before selecting a site. At Casino Queen RV Park, the utilities are positioned differently than at many campgrounds. "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," advises Josh F. from a November visit.
Urban camping convenience: Several RV parks offer city proximity with unexpected quiet. Covered Bridge RV Park provides a balance of urban convenience and reasonable peace. "For this to be such a small RV park (smallest we've stayed at so far) the sites are very spacious! The wi-fi was surprisingly good enough that my wife and I could both work off of it and even stream shows on the Roku the whole week," reports Charlie & Danielle B.
Restaurant options: On-site dining can reduce setup/breakdown when staying short-term. Cahokia RV Parque offers a popular BBQ restaurant. "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!" shares Jenni W., who appreciated this convenience during a quick overnight stop.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Valmeyer, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, Valmeyer, IL offers a wide range of camping options, with 79 campgrounds and RV parks near Valmeyer, IL and 1 free dispersed camping spot.
Which is the most popular campground near Valmeyer, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Valmeyer, IL is Cahokia RV Parque with a 4.1-star rating from 18 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Valmeyer, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Valmeyer, IL.
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