Glamping near Chesterfield, Missouri offers seasonal accommodations within a 45-minute radius of the city. Located at the edge of the Missouri River valley, this area sits at approximately 500 feet above sea level with decidedly four-season weather patterns. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing, affecting campground operations and amenities, while summer humidity often exceeds 80% during peak camping months.
What to do
Kayaking at lakeside parks: St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park provides water recreation options just 30 minutes from Chesterfield. "We love going here and watching the sunsets. This is a great place to kayak and camp if you don't want to drive that fare and live in the city," notes camper Lindsey C.
Trail exploration: Pere Marquette State Park offers hiking with elevation gains unusual for the region. "Pere Marquette has many options for your stay... the hiking is worth the effort. The views from the bluffs are gorgeous," explains reviewer Shawn M. The park features several miles of varied terrain.
Ranger programs: For educational activities, check Cuivre River State Park's naturalist-led events. "This park has plenty of well groomed trails and facilities spread out nicely. You could camp here for a weekend and stay busy," mentions Tony M. The park hosts seasonal interpretive programs focusing on local ecology.
What campers like
Privacy variations: Many campers appreciate secluded spots at Greensfelder County Park. "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.
Urban proximity: The convenience of Marquette Mobile Village surprises many visitors. "We stayed here for 10 months. The place did nothing but improve the entire time. Rent is cheap, and the people are nice," shares Eugene P., highlighting its accessibility to city amenities.
Open atmosphere: Some glamping enthusiasts prefer the more open setting at St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park. "Beautiful area next to a man-made lake. Concrete pads with full hookups, as well as dirt pads with full hookups," notes Ernest G. The park offers both shaded and open sites for different preferences.
What you should know
Seasonal limitations: Winter campers should note reduced amenities at some parks. At Cuivre River State Park, facilities remain open but modified. "Great well maintained state park right outside of St Louis. Park has an awesome trail system around the lake, and it looks like you can rent canoes/kayaks in the summer (was not open in the winter)," reports Kyle R.
Train noise: Several campgrounds near Chesterfield sit close to active rail lines. At St. Louis NE-Granite City KOA, "trains pass 2 blocks away several times nightly, but after the first night you won't notice," according to Jennifer B.
Flooding potential: Low-lying campgrounds can experience seasonal closures. "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," Annie C. warns about certain camping areas.
Site spacing: Many review several campgrounds as having tight quarters. "I am not a fan of how small and close together these sites are and during the season they fill up quickly," notes Teresa B. about Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Off-season visits: For less crowded glamping experiences near Chesterfield, consider weekday or off-season stays. "We were there during the week in the fall so there were not many other campers. This gave the park the quiet feel we like so much," shares Nancy W. about her experience at Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park.
Kid-friendly activities: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Resort At Six Flags offers themed entertainment for children. "Great kids activities! Good breakfast and nice store. Really enjoyed our trip bundled with a Six Flags trip," recommends Erin P. The resort schedules regular character appearances and organized games.
Swimming options: During summer months, several parks offer swimming facilities. At Pere Marquette State Park, "the campground is located in an open grove of old trees. There were owls when we were there," mentions Joel R., highlighting natural attractions alongside recreational amenities.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Experienced RVers recommend researching specific site dimensions before booking. "The camp hosts we encountered are very helpful and have a list of site lengths and can tell you which ones are appropriate for large RVs," notes Nancy W. about Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park's accommodations.
Access challenges: Some upscale glamping sites have difficult approaches. "There is a very large hill to get in and some sites are VERY tight - we thankfully had a decent size site comparatively," warns Cassondra P. about Yogi Bears Jellystone Park Resort at Six Flags.
Hookup variations: Water and electrical connections vary widely between parks. "Water pressure was so strong that I could barely open the water pump!" reports Susan L. about one campground's utilities, highlighting the importance of using regulators at certain locations.
