St. Francois State Park is located in eastern Missouri, approximately 70 miles southwest of St. Louis in the St. Francois Mountains. The park sits at elevations ranging from 750 to 1,200 feet above sea level with terrain characterized by rolling hills and hardwood forests. Campers can access over 2,000 acres of wilderness with seasonal temperatures ranging from below freezing in winter to 90°F+ in summer months, making spring and fall the most popular camping seasons.
What to do
Trail riding with non-equestrians: The park trail system connects riders to multiple networks. "I've been camping at both campgrounds offered at St. Joe. In the fall of 2018, we stayed at CG#1... There was a trail located right by our spot at CG#2, it's a good hike!" notes Olivia S. about St. Joe State Park Campground.
Creek exploration: Several waterways provide natural cooling spots after riding. "Beautiful clear water creek runs directly behind this 'pull off' campground. There is only one actual fire ring & picnic table, but folks have built other rock fire rings dispersed throughout the campground," says Staci R. about Brazil Creek Recreation Area.
Mountain biking: Connect riding with cycling adventures on shared trail systems. "This is a great free campground, no water or anything, just a toilet house. The trailhead to the BerryMan Trail is there. This is a 24 mile trail we backpacked overnight to the Brazil Creek campground and back," explains Patti M. about Berryman Trail & Campgrounds.
What campers like
River access: Multiple campgrounds offer river proximity for cooling off after rides. "St. Francois is a nice park tucked in the forest off of Hwy 67. There are some nice hiking options within the park. It was exceptionally quiet when I stayed both times," reports Gonzo A. about St. Francois State Park Campground.
Equestrian-friendly sites: Some locations offer spaces specifically designed for trailers and horses. "The campground #2 sites are set up for horses, something I know almost nothing about, but they make the sites larger to accommodate equestrian needs and that's nice. Hiking, MTB, and horse trails are separate from the atv trails," explains Grant M. about St. Joe State Park.
Primitive camping options: Remote sites available for those seeking solitude. "The 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," notes Cody S. about St. Francois State Park.
What you should know
Limited services: Many sites lack amenities requiring preparation. "No cell signal, and as the other reviewer has said, have your map to get there, because it's easy if you do. Your phone will not get you there. No water, amenities (not even a vault toilet) or cell service," warns Staci R. about Brazil Creek.
Seasonal considerations: Spring flooding can impact trail conditions. "We have been to St Francois to RV camp 3 times in past year. Hiking is beautiful especially if you go the first few weeks in April and the wild flowers of the bluebells are in bloom. Not a 5 star as had flooding and quite a bit of dried mud on our paved site," explains Delores B. about St. Francois State Park.
Noise levels: Proximity to motorsports venues affects some areas. "NOTE. The park is close to some motorsports arena which had loud events (drag racing?) during the entire weekend we were there. If you appreciate peaceful days and nights, check out the racing schedule first," advises Mats about St. Francois State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Water activities: Combined riding with swimming opportunities. "The sites are a bit more snug together than I would prefer. There are some nice hiking options within the park," notes Gonzo A. about St. Francois State Park.
Playground access: Some parks offer recreation areas for children. "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. Great place, awesome people and kid friendly," shares Alex T. about St. Francois State Park.
Wildlife viewing: Morning and evening rides offer wildlife spotting opportunities. "Enjoyed my stay and hikes on the equestrian trails. Hazel creek is a picturesque crystal clear creek that is near the campground, featuring tons of wildlife and peaceful views," reports Sterling M. about Hazel Creek Campground.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Research carefully for trailer accommodation. "The campsites are large. Several back up to the creek, which is shallow and pretty. The rest are scattered through the wooded campground. The gravel road into the campground was no problem for a pickup with a trailer," shares Art Z. about Hazel Creek Campground.
Electrical connections: Some parks offer limited hookups. "This campground offers no-services tent/RV and RV with electrical. The electrical spots are all in cut grass areas, many with great shade trees. The no-service sites are more wooded," notes Mats about St. Francois State Park.
Access roads: Conditions can challenge larger rigs. "Down a dirt road... No amenities here. Including the pit toilet which smells so ripe I would much rather use my hand trowel to dig a pit to use!" warns Shelly S. about Brazil Creek.
