Camping options near Chesterfield, Missouri primarily consist of established RV parks and campgrounds along the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers at elevations ranging from 400-600 feet. The region experiences humid continental climate with four distinct seasons, making spring and fall the optimal camping periods. Most campgrounds in the area feature level sites to accommodate the relatively flat terrain of this Mississippi River valley region.
What to do
Bike the Katy Trail: Beyond the Trail RV Park provides immediate access to the Katy Trail. "The Katy trail borders the park for easy access to town. Beautiful views across a large farm field (soy beans when we were here) to the hills beyond with incredible sunsets," notes a camper at Beyond the Trail RV Park.
Explore historic towns: Several campgrounds provide access to charming historic riverfront communities. "Easy ride in to St. Charles a wonderful historic river town on the Missouri River. Great shops, great restaurants," reports a visitor staying at Sundermeier RV Park.
Water activities: Fishing and boating opportunities abound at local parks. "This park is beautiful. Located about 25 minutes from St Louis. They have paddle boats and bikes and group bikes for rental. Located right next to a lake with a lot of RV and tent camping spots," explains a camper at St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park.
What campers like
Convenient Gateway Arch views: Some RV sites near Chesterfield, Missouri offer direct views of St. Louis landmarks. "Even though this RV park is in a city, we felt safe. And it's view of the Gateway Arch can't be beat. Easy check in, but the camp host said the shaded spots were too narrow, they were not," shares a visitor at Draft Kings at Casino Queen RV Park.
Urban amenities with natural settings: Many parks balance accessibility with natural features. "Although it wasn't initially appealing to be set in a field, the views around the park were really nice," explains a camper at Beyond the Trail RV Park.
Quality internet connectivity: Unlike many rural campgrounds, several RV parks in the area provide reliable connectivity. "The wi-fi was surprisingly good enough that my wife and I could both work off of it and even stream shows on the Roku the whole week," notes a visitor at Covered Bridge RV Park.
What you should know
Train and highway noise: Many campgrounds in the area experience noise from transportation infrastructure. "One caution, if you don't want to see trains going by on an elevated trestle in the distance, or be on a flight path from Lambert Field, it's not for you," mentions a camper at Sundermeier RV Park.
Seasonal flooding concerns: Low-lying campgrounds may experience flooding issues. "This park is prone to flooding. It was out of commission for most of the summer of 2019 as the entire area was flooded," explains a visitor at St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park.
Variable shade coverage: Tree cover varies significantly between campgrounds. "It's a new campground so 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," notes a visitor at St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park.
Tips for camping with families
Recreation facilities: Look for campgrounds with dedicated family activities. "The park has planted some trees, but they are really just saplings, so there is no shade yet. There is a nice bathhouse with free showers for the campers and pay laundry," shares a visitor who explored St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park.
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature playground equipment. "Kids had a blast riding bikes. Even finding a few little frogs jumping around and fireflies at night," notes a family that stayed at St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park.
Swimming options: Pools provide relief during hot summer months. "Facilities are clean and orderly. We have booked a return trip already," mentions a family at Cahokia RV Parque, which maintains a swimming pool for guests.
Tips from RVers
Electrical safety precautions: Some RV parks have reported electrical issues. "DO NOT use the 30A receptacles here unless you have a surge protector with an Electrical Management System (EMS) that explicitly confirms correct wiring before connecting your RV," warns an experienced RVer at Sundermeier RV Park.
Extra hookup length: Prepare for variable utility placement. "The sites were a little close together and there were a lot of campers. They've got great amenities: 30/50amp, water, sewer, wifi, pool, showers, fire rings, and a trash dumpster," notes an RV camper at St. Louis West / Historic Route 66 KOA.
Level sites availability: Most area campgrounds offer level parking areas. "The roads within the campground were double-wide so we had no trouble turning and getting into our spot. The sites were double-wide concrete," explains an RV owner who stayed at St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park.
