St. Louis West / Historic Route 66 KOA and Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Resort offer glamping accommodations near Arnold, Missouri, about 20 miles southwest of downtown St. Louis. The area sits in the northern Ozark Highland foothills with elevations ranging from 450-700 feet. Spring and fall camping seasons provide the most comfortable temperatures, with summer highs typically reaching the 90s with high humidity. Winter glamping options remain available at several parks with heated accommodations.
What to do
River exploration: Big River: St. Francois State Park provides multiple access points for kayaking, swimming, or fishing. "We spent a Saturday and Sunday there camping in the electric site. They do have tent sites but we wanted to be closer to the river which was a 2min walk," writes one camper at St. Francois State Park Campground.
Hiking trails: Various difficulty levels: Washington State Park offers trails for all skill levels, including the challenging 1000 Steps Trail. According to a reviewer, "We hiked the 1000 step trail. Most of the campers did fine but those who were not use to hiking did struggle a bit. If you are use to hiking, then this trail should not be any problem for you." One visitor to Washington State Park Campground adds, "Lots to do for all ages, including swimming and hikes of any difficulty/length. Famous for petroglyphs and other history too."
Historical sites: Native American petroglyphs: Washington State Park features preserved ancient rock carvings. A recent visitor notes, "The prehistoric Petroglyphs nearby are a must see." Another adds that the park is "famous for petroglyphs and other history too." The area combines natural beauty with significant historical artifacts.
What campers like
Privacy levels: Varied by campground: Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park offers sites with differing privacy. "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," explains one reviewer at Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park Campground. Another camper adds, "Tucked away, not far from St. Louis, you wouldn't know you were that close to a big city."
Clean facilities: Modern bathhouses: St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park maintains excellent facilities. "Because it's new the restrooms/showers were very clean and modern," reports a visitor. Another camper at St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park adds, "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."
Glamping variety: From tents to yurts: The region offers diverse glamping options including safari tents and yurts. At Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park, "You can go from rustic rent a tent to a really nice cabin with lots amenities," according to one visitor. The park provides glamping opportunities with convenient access to area attractions.
What you should know
Noise considerations: Railroad tracks: Some campgrounds experience train noise. At St. Louis West / Historic Route 66 KOA, a camper reports, "Close to train tracks and highway, but didn't notice with AC on in the camper." Another notes, "It will be even better when they invent silent trains." Consider campground location if noise sensitivity is an issue.
Spacing between sites: Variable by campground: Site spacing differs significantly between parks. One camper at Greensfelder County Park observed, "Pretty nice wooded campground close to St. Louis! Each site has a picnic bench, a fire pit and grill." However, some campgrounds offer less separation between sites.
Weather preparation: Flooding potential: Some parks experience occasional flooding. For St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park, a reviewer mentioned, "One of the downsides to this location is that it is prone to flooding. It was out of commission for most of the summer of 2019 as the entire area was flooded."
Seasonal limitations: Winter facilities: Winter campers should note facility closures. "The campground is open year-round but the bathhouse with flush toilets closes November 1 and doesn't open until the spring," explains one reviewer about Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Activity options: Kid-friendly amenities: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park features numerous family activities. "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 a reviewer at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Resort At Six Flags.
Location flexibility: City proximity options: Families can choose between parks closer to or farther from urban areas. "Babler 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," notes one camper.
Wildlife awareness: Local fauna: Wildlife encounters add educational value for children. A visitor to St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park noted, "You can see all kinds of wildlife in and around the lake- deer, bald eagles, pelicans, ducks, snakes."
Safety planning: Park security: Many parks offer security measures. One camper mentioned that St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park provides "24 hour on site security."
Tips from RVers
Hookup considerations: Variable options: RV sites offer different hookup configurations. At Horseshoe Lake State Park, a camper notes, "No power but access to drinking water and waste water dump for just 8$." Another camper recommends checking site lengths before booking.
Parking surface quality: Paved vs. gravel: Surface types vary by campground and affect leveling ease. One reviewer mentioned, "All campsites and patios are paved and level with a comfortable amount of space between sites," while another noted their site had "gravel to park on with grass around it."
Pull-through availability: Limited but available: Some parks offer pull-through sites for larger rigs. A camper at St. Louis NE-Granite City KOA reports, "Sites are mostly level. Nice staff. Appears cabins are going through some refurbishing efforts."
Road conditions: Narrow access at some parks: RVers should research access routes. One visitor warns, "Entrance to campground is tight, swing wide," suggesting caution when navigating larger rigs into some facilities.
