Camping near Arnold, Missouri offers convenient access to both natural riverside environments and urban amenities. Located in Jefferson County at approximately 500 feet above sea level, the area experiences hot summers with temperatures averaging 85-90°F and mild winters. Most campgrounds in this region sit within 30 miles of downtown St. Louis, providing campers access to both metropolitan attractions and wooded retreats.
What to do
River recreation: Meramec River access at Robertsville State Park Campground provides opportunities for fishing and paddling. "We stayed 3 nights at the Robertsville State Park in June of 2016 and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. There's also a lake within a few minutes walking, although the current was too strong to swim we were told it's home to many large catfish," notes reviewer Ana B.
Hiking trails: Various difficulties available at Washington State Park Campground with options for beginners and experienced hikers. "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," shares Scott M.
Urban exploration: Downtown St. Louis is accessible from several campgrounds within 30-40 minutes drive time. "Location was great for a city visit. We parked our RV, summoned an Uber, and were at the top of the arch in an hour!" explains Jenni W. about her stay near the city.
What campers like
Level camping pads at St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park provide stable foundations for all types of camping setups. "The sites are a bit close together and not many trees but I've been to worse. The not many trees is due to it still being a fairly new campground," notes Barbie B.
Clean facilities are consistently mentioned by campers staying at pet friendly campgrounds near Arnold. "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," writes Suzie S. about her experience at St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park.
Historical sites including Native American petroglyphs at Washington State Park Campground offer educational opportunities. "This park is so rich in Missouri and USA history - from buildings constructed by the African-American CCC stonemasons to Native American petroglyphs, there's some fascinating stuff here," Kyle K. explains about the unique historical aspects.
What you should know
Train noise affects some campgrounds near major rail lines. "There is train noise, quite a bit. But large trash bins and a great bbq restaurant on the grounds!" warns Kelsey R. about Cahokia RV Parque.
Seasonal flooding can impact accessibility, especially at riverfront locations. St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park "was out of commission for most of the summer of 2019 as the entire area was flooded. But the City of St Peters did a great job getting this place back to usable with new sod, a new bathhouse, and some general sprucing up," according to Annie C.
Campfire regulations vary between parks with some urban locations prohibiting open flames. Sundermeier RV Park restricts campfires due to city ordinances, as Brian A. notes: "The only bad thing which isn't the campgrounds fault, is you can't have a camp fire due to the city ordinances."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Resort At Six Flags offers structured programming for children. "This is a great place to kayak and camp if you don't want to drive that far and live in the city. They also host daily kids activities and crafts. A very family friendly campground," recommends Lindsey R.
Playground access: Several pet friendly campgrounds near Arnold feature dedicated play areas for children. "There is a playground, pool and pond area to walk around. We were pleased with the cleanliness of the bathrooms and showers and had no major complaints," shares Carlyne F. about facilities for families.
Bike rentals: Allow kids to explore safely within campground boundaries. At St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park, "The park/campground rents paddleboats, kayaks, and canoes in addition to different kinds of bikes. There is a walking trail around the lake (4+ miles)," according to Mats.
Tips from RVers
Satellite hookup limitations: Tree cover at Greensfelder County Park may affect satellite reception. "Pretty nice wooded campground close to St. Louis! Each site has a picnic bench, a fire pit and grill. It was very quiet when we stayed there on a Friday night," reports Kayla B.
Site size considerations: Not all parks accommodate larger rigs. "Only sites 20-29 have electric and 28 can't be reserved. 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," advises Matthew H. about Greensfelder County Park.
Water pressure variances: Bring regulators for inconsistent water systems. Susan L. observed at St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park: "The water pressure was so strong that I could barely open the water pump!"
