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St. Francois State Park Campground offers pet-friendly accommodations with clean, well-maintained facilities for campers traveling with dogs. The park features both electric hookup sites and more primitive camping areas where pets are welcome. Campsites are arranged in a somewhat communal layout with moderate spacing between sites, making it suitable for social campers rather than those seeking complete privacy. Basic pet rules include keeping dogs leashed at all times while in the campground. Cherokee Landing and Twin Eagle Lake Estates also accommodate pets in their tent, RV, and cabin offerings. Most reviewers note that the campground facilities are clean and well-maintained, though weekend camping can become crowded and noisy with families.
Several hiking trails near the campgrounds provide excellent opportunities for dog walking, with Mooners Hollow trail being particularly recommended for pet owners. The Big River runs through St. Francois State Park, offering swimming access where dogs can cool off during summer months, though pets must remain leashed even near water areas. Campers should be aware that the nearby motorsports arena can create significant noise during racing events, potentially disturbing pets sensitive to loud sounds. Washington State Park and Hawn State Park also maintain pet-friendly policies and offer additional trails for hikers with dogs. The proximity to Highway 67 means quick access to Bonne Terre's veterinary services should pet emergencies arise during camping trips.
"There are walking paths all around and a beautiful lake /clubhouse area. Super people running the place and of course other campers were so helpful."
"Many walking/cart paths. Great shop and fishing!"
"We love the beautiful lake, the swimming area is big and has a nice patio for access. You can rent a cart to go running around the huge campground. Very friendly staff."
from $25 - $36 / night
Check Availability"Owners met us at the entrance and guided us in which was much appreciated. They were extremely nice and helped us get set up since we knew nothing and had just picked up the camper that morning."
from $50 - $700 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $40 - $80 / night
"Also worth noting is that there is water faucet an a drinking fountain next to the restroom bldg, so you can get fresh water if needed."
"The sites are all walk in but it’s a short walk from your car to the site. Very rocky ground so be careful where you put your tent. Pit toilets are located at the entrance to the campground."
"3 camp sites with picnic table and fire pit, vault bathroom within walking distance."
"Peacefull night of sleep near Shepherd Mountain."
"This is a nice little campground located in the Mark Twain National Forest. The St."
"Our site was right next to the campground hosts who were very nice and very involved (they even found my parents who made the mistake of taking the first Silver Mines exit)."
from $15 - $100 / night
Check Availability"There is a pavilion near the access points to the Berryman and Ozark trails."
"Pretty creek right behind campsite. Enjoyable walking trails."
"The campground and lake are both beautiful. It has basic camping utilities. We ourselves like to rough it but unfortunately no fires were allowed...that kinda sucked."
"Pit toilets in pretty bad shape but did we expect any different😂 loved our visit, went down to the lake to swim and found a walking trail by the water just down from our campsite."
from $15 - $100 / night
Check Availability
GuideThe campground has oddly shaped campsites causing a crowded feel. The campground is also loud on the weekends especially if there are races at the nearby Bonne Terre drag strip.
GuideSaint Francois is a tent and rv campground just 1 hour south of saint louis, MO in Bonne Terre. It also along a river which allows swimming at your own risk because there is no real entrance site. But plenty of gravel bars. I personally enjoy this park and its sites. The rvs and tents are separated which i love. And the tent sites have plenty of room for 2-3 tents plus games. They provide individual showers, out houses every 6 sites, flat areas for tents, ice, wood, and activities. Trails, parks, and lots of fields to play in.The only downfalls are (1) entering the park. You enter on a dangerous highway where you need plenty of room and stopping to enter but there is none. Getting out is the worst especially if you have a trailor and move slow. There is no lane for you to pull out. Cars are fine. (2) the river is monopolized by 1 company for rafting/kayaking/canoing. You have to make an appointment, they only accept cash, and the websites dont show correct equipment. But it gets the job done.
TravelerThis was our first trip together in our new camper. It was a little rough assessing the place thru the website but the reviews swayed us. There are walking paths all around and a beautiful lake /clubhouse area. Super people running the place and of course other campers were so helpful. We took our 2 dogs and would have loved a little more grass for their paws as the entire camping area is rough gravel. We’re hoping for a dog park in the future....? The lake has many easy entrances for swimmers near the club house - broad steps or large boulder for the more adventurous. Can be a bit slippery tho so bring your water shoes. Kids seemed to have little problem. Saturday night there was live music. Just a single guy with a guitar but great choice of music and great singing voice. Had a great 2 days. We plan to come back.
RangerThis 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. We stayed 2 nights to have a day to visit the Gateway Arch. The pool and playground seemed nice even though we didn’t use them. Nice dog park for smaller dogs. Several cabins are available along with RV sites. The tent sites are next to a river under large trees. Plenty of spaces for big rigs. Our site was no very level but nothing our auto-leveling couldn’t handle.
GuideWe had a beautiful campsite with soft grassy ground. 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. Spigots throughout the area. Within walking distance of the river and trail access. Beautiful hiking on the bluffs above the river. The hosts were really friendly. There was also a very cute and very friendly kitty running around the area hunting grasshoppers. He hung out for some pets and cuddles then wandered off for some more adventure. I kind of want to be that cat. ^_^
GuideNice, clean campground, level pull-through sites - ours had a paver-patio and grill, a lot of shade throughout, dog park, and a creek to explore. This was our 2nd time here. Close to Saint Louis, Six Flags, and hiking.
GuideThis is a KOA, so you know what to expect. Pull through, level sites, lots of shade, dog park, pool, and a creek are all here. Have been here before, will be back!
GuideWe stayed one night in campsite 65. Onondaga Cave is amazing with the new lighting; it just reopened July 4, 2024. The river is still fantastic fun, especially for our grandkids ages 9 and 12.
Avoid campsite 65 when it rains. We had over an inch of standing water on the concrete pad when we arrived. 18 hours after it stopped raining, we still had some water on the concrete pad.
Other than the water, Onondaga Cave SP has been one of my favorite places to camp in Missouri for more than 20 years.
GuideCampground review:
Once googling local campsites at the last minute for a weekend getaway with both dogs, we came route 66 campground. They have a dog park, rv hookup sites, electric tent sites and primitive sites. We stayed at a primitive tent site with both dogs. Site t13, which unfortunately was one of the very few camp spots with zero trees so we're unable to use our hammock. (Most of the other sites had great trees for hammock setups). Other amenities on the campground included a heated pool, bike rentals, basketball courts, a country store for firewood, supplies, and gift shop. Needless to say this was not a "roughing" it type campground. For the dogs though, we were right across from the creek to take them down to play. Also, kids were catching crawdads! Great campsite that is pet friendly and very family friendly!
Product review:
Ledlenser mh10
This headlamp first of all comes with a 7 year warrantly(must register the product)! On top of that all these features: a rechargeable battery with a USB port. Rapid focus system with 2 tough button on headlamp to adjust lighting. The strap is very easy to adjust and fit to comfort, lightweight despise the battery pack attached to the headlamp. The lighting is phenomenal! You also get a green and red additional glass lense that you can screw into the front of your lense for any activity and not disturb others with a bright white light. Me, howsoever, I was able to on this camping trip, use the headlamp to continue to play a game of cornhole... and winter, might I add.. thanks to my headlamp for optimal vision;). Included are some pictures of how bright and fitting the headlamp is. I was highly impressed! Never once did it slip... which I have struggled with in many headlamps that it seems the lamp is too heavy and slowly makes its way down your forehead. The Ledlenser stays in place and is very comfortable! Also, doesn't leave that weird band line on your head... at least I didn't experience it like I have on others. Very impressed overall!
St. Francois County and surrounding areas offer camping options within rolling Missouri hillsides at elevations ranging from 700-1,100 feet. The region features a mixture of hardwood forests and pine stands with spring wildflowers appearing in April. Campgrounds near Bonne Terre experience four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 85-95°F and winter nights frequently below freezing.
Explore waterways at St. Joe State Park: The park contains four lakes and two swimming beaches for water recreation during summer months. "We found that there are some rules that didn't make much sense. But overall they probably have their reasons. Anyway it's kinda expensive but still well worth the money," notes J.T. from St. Joe State Park Campground.
Visit prehistoric petroglyphs: Located at Washington State Park, these ancient rock carvings provide historical interest beyond standard outdoor activities. Phil W. reports, "Washington State Park is a hidden gem in Missouri! The prehistoric Petroglyphs nearby are a must see."
Mountain biking opportunities: Several parks maintain dedicated trails for cyclists. "There's even a nice 11 mile long paved trail that has some hills but will work for kids/strollers/etc.," shares Grant M. about the options at St. Joe State Park Campground.
Off-road vehicle areas: St. Joe State Park features extensive ATV and dirt bike trails for motorized recreation. "Good place to ride your off road vehicles. Lots of trails and plenty of different types of trails to try out," writes J.T.
Wide spacing between sites at Hawn: Unlike more crowded parks, campers appreciate privacy at some locations. "It's a smaller campground with a good mix of electric and non-electric sites. The restrooms were clean and they also have some vault toilets in the park for convenience," notes Cody S. about Hawn State Park Campground.
Pine forest camping atmosphere: Unique compared to typical Missouri deciduous forests. "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," writes Megan M. about Hawn State Park.
Varying noise levels: Some campgrounds experience noise from nearby activities or highways. "The campground is also loud on the weekends especially if there are races at the nearby Bonne Terre drag strip," warns Cody S. about St. Francois State Park Campground.
Strict regulations at some parks: Rules enforcement varies by location. Shannon H. reports about St. Joe: "Terrible state park! The rules are absolutely ridiculous; you can't do ANYTHING! The staff and rangers are extremely rude."
Seasonal water access: Water systems may be shut down during winter months. "The water was turned off at the time of year we were there and the pit toilets were pretty full, but otherwise still clean," notes Mara F. about camping at Taum Sauk in December.
Beach access for children: Several parks offer swimming areas suitable for kids. "The kids loved the beach," shares Shannon M. about Washington State Park Campground. The park also features organized activities: "They also had neat programs going on while we were there including a smores contest and adult scavenger hunt."
Clean facilities: Family campers note bathroom cleanliness as important. "Very nice campground with nice showers and clean bathrooms," reports Erin J. about Johnson's Shut-Ins.
Tent pad quality varies: Some sites offer better surfaces for family tents. "The spot has a nice gravel tent pad with border, picnic table, and a fire pit. The spot also offered a concrete section for a camper and cars," details Olivia S. about camping at St. Joe.
Site surface variations: RV campers note different parking surfaces between campgrounds. "We had a spot with electric and no water, water is located close by the vault toilets. The site has a gravel parking area rather than the concrete one at CG#1," explains Olivia S. about Twin Eagle Lake Estates.
Amenities for extended stays: Some private campgrounds offer services beyond public parks. "They have a general store with just about anything you could need. The pizza from the restaurant is very good as well," notes Tiffany L. about Twin Eagle Lake Estates.
Electric hookup locations: Sites with utilities may have different proximity to natural features. "The electrical spots are all in cut grass areas, many with great shade trees. The no-service sites are more wooded," reports Mats about St. Francois State Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Bonne Terre, MO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Bonne Terre, MO is Twin Eagle Lake Estates & Hideout with a 4.6-star rating from 9 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Bonne Terre, MO?
TheDyrt.com has all 91 dog-friendly camping locations near Bonne Terre, MO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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