RV camping near Hillsboro, Missouri offers gravel, concrete, and grass sites spread across various terrain elevations ranging from riverside locations to slightly higher grounds with views of surrounding farmland. The region experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F and moderate winters where overnight freezing can affect water connections. Campgrounds within a 40-mile radius of Hillsboro provide varying levels of tree cover, with flooding potential in low-lying areas during spring rain events.
What to do
Katy Trail access: At Beyond the Trail RV Park, campers can directly access Missouri's famous rail-trail for biking or walking. "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 Sam C. who stayed at Beyond the Trail RV Park.
Winery excursions: Multiple wineries surround Defiance and the broader Hillsboro region, accessible by short drives or even walking from select campgrounds. "It is located in a sleepy little winery town. It is just a few minutes from the main part of town with multiple beautiful wineries within a few miles," reports Jamie C. about the area's wine country proximity.
Historic downtown exploration: St. Charles historic district offers walkable access to shops and restaurants. "You can literally be parked right at the Katy Trail. Through the gate at the rear of the campground, and you can bike for miles. Easy ride in to St. Charles a wonderful historic river town on the Missouri River," explains Cheryl K. at Sundermeier RV Park.
What campers like
Gate-secured facilities: Casino Queen RV Park offers protected camping with controlled entry. "You need a code to get in the gate, so you must register in advance. It was hot in late July and with no trees on the larger sites, it seemed hotter. But the full hookups worked great with no issues," shares Richard H. from Draft Kings at Casino Queen RV Park.
On-site breweries: The proximity to breweries makes several locations popular for evening entertainment. "Just on the other side of the trail is a great brewery with a fantastic patio and rooftop deck. We walked there a few times to enjoy pizza," writes Jamie C. about the conveniences surrounding Beyond the Trail RV Park.
Lakeside recreation: St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park offers water activities adjacent to campsites. "The park/campground rents paddleboats, kayaks, and canoes in addition to different kinds of bikes. There is a walking trail around the lake (4+ miles). There is fish in the lake and you are allowed to fish," mentions Mats in their review of St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park.
What you should know
Train and airport noise: Several campgrounds experience regular noise disruptions. "It is near a highway, there a railroad bridge right next to it, and it is under the airport flight path. The planes and trains stopped after about 10-11pm I think," explains Bea about Sundermeier RV Park, while noting, "The lower# sites are closer to the trains, and the higher# sites were further away."
Flooding concerns: Low-lying areas may experience seasonal flooding. "Stay away from creek side spot lots of mosquitoes and possible flooding with enough rain," advises Matthew H. about Beyond the Trail RV Park, while others mention similar issues across multiple locations during heavy rain periods.
Limited shade at newer parks: Some newer parks haven't developed mature tree canopy. "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," observes Suzie S. at St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park.
Tips for camping with families
Halloween events: Pin Oak RV Park offers special seasonal activities. "We go every October for Halloween. It is tight you need to reserve a premium spot for a little room. Staff and owners are great lots to do for the kids," recommends Tim K. from Pin Oak RV Park, highlighting the park's popularity during fall festivities.
Kid-friendly amenities: Look for parks with specific children's facilities. "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. Kids had a blast riding bikes. Even finding a few little frogs jumping around and fireflies at night," shares Joseph F. about St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple parks feature fishing ponds or lake access. "A nice private catch and release pond, an old little mini golf setup, a small (but adequate) swimming pool kept the kids busy," reports Carrie A. regarding Pin Oak RV Park's family-friendly activities.
Tips from RVers
Site layout considerations: At Cahokia RV Parque, review the site arrangement before booking. "The sites are roomy enough, given that you're situated less than 15 miles from downtown St. Louis. The picnic tables and fire rings are nice additions and the lots appear to be level (ours was). We didn't have any trouble backing our 38 ft travel trailer in either," mentions Lee T. from Cahokia RV Parque.
Utility placement challenges: Some parks have unusual hookup configurations. "Utilities are set up weird on all sites - Water and electric are at the very rear of the site by the sewer, so you will need a decent sized hose to reach if your water intake is in the front of your camper," warns Josh F. about Draft Kings at Casino Queen RV Park.
Late arrival options: Several parks accommodate after-hours check-in. "Easy to book online even the day of. Choose your spot ahead of time and pull in, easy as that! Had no problem booking around 7pm the day of and arrived around 1 am quietly set up in my previously reserved spot," explains Brooklyn G. about RV Self-Park, noting the 2pm checkout time provides flexibility.
