Cabin camping near House Springs, Missouri offers accommodations ranging from primitive structures to modern rentals within a 45-minute drive. Located in the northern Ozark foothills with elevations around 500-800 feet, this area maintains slightly cooler temperatures than St. Louis proper, often 3-5 degrees lower during summer months. Seasonal flooding can affect availability at riverside campgrounds like Meramec Caverns and Pin Oak RV Park.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Lincoln Lake at Cuivre River State Park Campground features an accessible covered fishing dock and kayak rentals. "This campground has a lake you can rent kayaks for. They have a small store at the check in booth. It also has an accessible fishing dock that is covered," notes a visitor.
Cave exploration: Tours at Meramec Caverns Natural Campground provide underground adventures, though prices run higher than some attractions. "Do the cave tour it's really cool!" recommends a camper, while another notes, "The cave tour is a bit hokey, but if you can look past the mannequins and silliness, the caves themselves are really spectacular."
River activities: Access to the Meramec River allows tubing and floating from several campgrounds. "We also found a place nearby that rented tubes and kayaks for floating down the Meremec River," shares a camper who stayed at Pin Oak RV Park. Meramec Caverns offers similar water recreation: "There is a restaurant, general store, canoe rental, zip line (it goes across the Meramec River, not sure how you get back!)."
What campers like
Quiet locations: Many cabin campers appreciate secluded settings away from highway noise. At Washington State Park Campground, "We stayed in mid-March 2021 for 7 days and thoroughly enjoyed the area. They had just opened a new shower house which was clean and well kept. The campground hosts were especially helpful and friendly."
Family-friendly activities: Scheduled events keep children entertained at Yogi Bears Jellystone Park Resort at Six Flags. "Great privete campground in the StLouis area open during the Cronavirous crises. Everything open except the pool and playground. Hopefully all the amenities will open soon. Showers were well stocked and clean. Good hot water. The store and gift shop has everything you could need," reports a visitor.
Historical features: Washington State Park provides unique educational opportunities beyond standard camping. "This park is so rich in Missouri and USA history - from buildings costructed by the African-American CCC stonemasons to Native American petroglyphs, there's some fascinating stuff here," explains a reviewer. The prehistoric petroglyphs are described as "a must see" by another camper.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Fall and spring offer ideal conditions for cabin stays, while summer requires advance booking. At Yogi Bears Jellystone Park, operation runs "March 31 to October 1," with limited availability during peak season.
Accessibility factors: Cabin locations vary in ease of access. "There is a very large hill to get in and some sites are VERY tight - we thankfully had a decent size site comparatively," notes a camper at Jellystone Park.
Price variations: Cabin rentals range from $65-175 per night depending on amenities and location. Pin Oak RV Park offers competitive rates according to reviewers: "Great privete campground. Clean and peaceful, very quaint very nice along the river, gorgeous by the caverns shower house and bathrooms provided couldn't be happier."
Cellular connectivity: Signal strength varies significantly between locations. At Cahokia RV Parque, "They have internet, but it is weak and spotty," while a Meramec State Park visitor notes, "The cell phone service is virtually non-existent. We had planned to work from here and had to cut our visit short."
Tips for camping with families
Playground amenities: Several campgrounds offer dedicated children's play areas. "There is a playground, mini golf, a lake, game room, laundry and a small store with basics," reports a visitor to Pin Oak RV Park.
Supervised activities: Organized events keep children entertained during peak season. "Great kids activities! Good breakfast and nice store. Really enjoyed our trip bundled with a Six Flags trip," shares a Jellystone Park visitor.
Safety considerations: Some cabin locations present terrain challenges for small children. "The sites are gravel and close together do not much privacy. They come with water, sewer & electric," notes a Pin Oak RV Park reviewer, while another cautions, "There was a steep drop just past our steps, and not a lot of room to set up chairs, etc."
Nature education: St. Charles County Klondike Park provides nature exploration opportunities. "We had a great time on the trails and near the Mighty Missouri River," shares a camper who visited with family.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategies: Choose locations based on specific needs rather than just availability. At St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park, "The nicest spots are the ones by the lake, with only one neighbor and a better view of the lake."
Utility considerations: Water pressure and electrical capacity vary significantly. "The water pressure was so strong that I could barely open the water pump!" notes a camper at 370 Lakeside Park.
Level sites: Look for campgrounds with level pads to minimize setup time. "The sites are level, and there is plenty of shade. (One advantage of being an older park)," shares a Pin Oak RV Park visitor.
Seasonal impacts: Be aware of potential weather-related closures and restrictions. "The only reason I didn't rate it 5 stars is because sometimes the park closes or they have to evacuate due to the quick rise of the river. Easy fix though, just call ahead to see if they're open," advises a Meramec Caverns camper.
