Map showing campground location near Stanton, Missouri

Camper submitted image from Meramec Caverns Natural Campground

Meramec Caverns Natural Campground

Accessible via drive-in, walk-in, or boat-in access, Meramec Caverns Natural Campground operates seasonally from April through October in Sullivan, Missouri. The campground features a large grassy area with plenty of trees but no privacy screens between sites. Campers can park vehicles and pitch tents anywhere on the grass, as there are no numbered or designated campsites.

Several sites include fire pits, small paved picnic shelters, and picnic tables, though these amenities are not available at every camping spot. The campground provides electric and water hookups for RVs, along with drinking water, restrooms, showers, and a dump station. A centrally-located camp store offers supplies at reasonable prices. However, multiple campers note that the main bathrooms can be crowded and run-down, with one reviewer recommending the visitor center facilities instead.

The real draw here extends beyond camping to the famous caverns themselves, plus zip lining and river floating activities. "The real attraction here is the caverns themselves, plus the zip lining, river floating, and whatever other activities are on offer," notes one visitor. The visitor center serves surprisingly good food and provides public WiFi access. For additional camping options in the region, consider campgrounds around Stanton.

Reservations are available for those wanting to secure their spot during peak season.

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Map & DirectionsMeramec Caverns Natural Campground is located in Missouri near Stanton

Private Campground

Directions

Take I-44 West from St. Louis approx. 60 miles to Exit 230 (Stanton, MO). Take a left passing over the railroad tracks and continue for 3 miles.

Address

1135 Highway W
Sullivan, MO 63080

Coordinates

38.24126621 N
91.092368 W

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Connectivity

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Good Coverage
Verified by 11 users
Last on 5/22/26
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Good Coverage

Connectivity

Presented by

T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoors

T-Mobile
No Coverage
Verified by 2 users
Last on 5/22/26
VerizonLTE
Good Coverage
Verified by 11 users
Last on 5/22/26
AT&T5G
Good Coverage

Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.
Boat-In
Sites accessible by watercraft.

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Group
Cabins

Features

For Campers

Market
ADA Access
Trash
Picnic Table
Firewood Available
Phone Service
Reservable
Showers
Drinking Water
Electric Hookups
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Sanitary Dump
Water Hookups
Pull-Through Sites
50 Amp Hookups

Contact

General Info

Drive Time

1 hr 4 min from St. Louis, MO
1 hr 42 min from Jefferson City, MO
2 hrs 1 min from Columbia, MO
2 hrs 10 min from Cape Girardeau, MO

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Reviews4 Camper Reviews - Meramec Caverns Natural Campground

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5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

4.0

out of 5

4 Reviews

Campers regularly cited the large grassy sites with trees and excellent family activities including caverns and zip lining. However, several reviews noted significant concerns about bathroom cleanliness and maintenance.

Gage D.

Scout

Reviewed Jun. 16, 2024

Cool campground, terrible bathrooms

Campground was nice, pretty buggy, but bathrooms were in shambles, showers were full of mud and dirt

Month of VisitJune

Alex M.

Legend

Reviewed Jul. 9, 2022

Cool destination with a great campground

The real attraction here is the caverns themselves, plus the zip lining, river floating, and whatever other activities are on offer. But, the campground is not half bad! It's a large grassy area with plenty of trees (though no shrubbery or other privacy screens). There are no numbered campsites. Vehicles can be parked and tents pitched anywhere on the grass. My campsite, located in the far southwest corner, was one of a few with a fire pit, small paved picnic shelter, and picnic table. I was very happy to have the shelter, as there was a thunderstorm the morning of my visit.

There is a centrally-located camp store here. Their prices were reasonable when I visited. The bathrooms are located nearby, but these were quite run down, crowded, and dirty. I recommend seeking out the bathrooms at the visitor center. These seemed to be open 24/7 and were much, much nicer (and empty in the morning and evening).

Speaking of the visitor center, their food was surprisingly good. I had dinner and breakfast there, and was glad I did. They also had serviceable public WiFi that I used to catch up on Internet stuff while I waited for the rain to let up.

SiteN/A

Month of VisitJune

Michael H.

Traveler

Reviewed Aug. 26, 2021

Slow

I'm confused

Site81

Month of VisitAugust

Anthony J.

Traveler

Reviewed Jun. 25, 2021

Lots to do

If you love the outdoors, this is the place for you! They also have other activities for the kids and kids at heart.

Month of VisitMay

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there guided tours of Meramec Caverns available when staying at the campground?

Yes, guided tours of Meramec Caverns are available and are considered the main attraction for visitors staying at the campground. The caverns feature impressive natural formations and historical significance. Beyond cave tours, guests can also enjoy additional activities like zip lining and river floating. The proximity of the campground to these attractions makes it convenient for campers to experience multiple adventures during their stay without having to travel far from their campsite.

Is Meramec Caverns a state park or privately owned campground?

Meramec Caverns Natural Campground is a privately owned facility, not a state park. This private ownership is connected to the Meramec Caverns attraction, allowing for integrated access to the caverns and other recreational activities offered on the property. The management focuses on providing camping accommodations specifically for visitors interested in exploring the caverns and participating in the various activities available on site.

What amenities are available at Meramec Caverns Natural Campground?

Meramec Caverns Natural Campground offers a spacious grassy area with plenty of shade trees, though without designated numbered sites. The facilities include bathrooms and showers, although cleanliness can vary with some visitors noting issues with maintenance. The campground provides a natural setting for outdoor enthusiasts and families, with the main attraction being its proximity to the caverns and other recreational activities. While the campground itself is fairly basic, its location serves as an excellent base camp for exploring the surrounding attractions.

How do Meramec Caverns Natural Campground reviews compare to other nearby camping options?

Meramec Caverns Natural Campground generally receives positive feedback for its natural setting and proximity to activities. Campers appreciate the large grassy area with shade trees and the convenient access to cavern tours, zip lining, and river floating opportunities. The campground is noted for being family-friendly with activities that appeal to all ages. However, some visitors mention concerns about bathroom cleanliness and seasonal bug issues. When considering nearby alternatives, Meramec's main advantage is its location directly at the caverns, eliminating travel time between your campsite and the primary attractions.

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