Tent campsites near Manchester, Missouri range from basic to primitive accommodations with varying accessibility. St. Charles County's Klondike Park offers sandy beaches surrounding a small quarry lake with access to the Katy Trail for hiking and biking. Most sites require a short walk from parking areas, with varying levels of shade and privacy depending on site selection.
What to do
Hiking at Little Lost Creek Conservation Area: The conservation area features valley hiking with a challenging return trip. "There is a great hike down into a valley with the actual Lost Creek at the bottom, completely worth the hard hike back up out of the valley," notes one camper at Little Lost Creek Conservation Area.
Mountain biking at Klondike Park: Technical mountain bike sections provide challenges for riders of various skill levels. "One other really cool thing about Klondike is there are several technical mountain bike sections that are located in the park. Bring your mountain bike and have a go!" recommends a visitor to St. Charles County Klondike Park.
Visit nearby wineries: Many tent camping areas provide access to Missouri wine country. "This Campground places you in the heart of Missouri Wine Country and there's a perfect base for visiting the wineries and restaurants along highway 94," writes a camper about the tent camping options at Klondike Park.
What campers like
Affordable camping options: Little Lost Creek Conservation Area offers free primitive camping with scenic surroundings. "But what the sites are lacking is made up for with scenery and hiking, and it is free," explains a camper about the no-frills camping experience.
Water activities: McCully Heritage Project offers water access for various activities. "We have only stayed at the largest site as it has good fishing and a place for us to launch our paddleboards and kayaks," mentions a visitor to McCully Heritage Project.
Campsite amenities: Some tent campsites offer unexpected features despite their primitive nature. "The tent camping amenities and views are a solid 5 stars," notes a camper about St. Charles County Klondike Park, which includes a shared camp kitchen and clean shower facilities.
What you should know
Seasonal closures and hunting: Conservation areas often close for hunting seasons. "The conservation area is closed to camping during various hunting seasons (I ran into a hunter scoping out his turkey hunting spot for the following week's hunt)," warns a Little Lost Creek visitor.
Site privacy varies significantly: Many campgrounds have a mix of secluded and open sites. "Campsites are pretty close to each other is the only downfall. The views make up for that though," mentions a reviewer at Klondike Park.
Wildlife encounters: Be prepared for local wildlife visitors. "Watch for ticks. Don't be alarmed if you see cats or the neighbors dogs roaming around the site. They are friendly," advises a McCully Heritage Project camper.
Tips for camping with families
Choose sites with playgrounds: Some areas provide family-friendly amenities beyond just camping. "We had a picnic and the kids got to play on the playground equipment," mentions a visitor about McCully Heritage Project.
Consider cabin options: For families wanting more comfort, cabins provide an alternative to tent camping. "The cabins look great from the outside and sit back in the woods. The park is beautifil and a great place for a quick escape ftom St. Louis," notes a visitor at Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park Campground.
Look for shorter trails: Some parks offer hiking appropriate for younger campers. "The park has a lot to offer. The trails are not too long but can be challenging for small kids or folks that are not used to hiking," advises a Babler State Park camper.
Tips from RVers
Limited options for larger rigs: Most tent camping areas near Manchester have restrictions for RVs. "Sites 13-33 are popular open and sunny campsites with nice grassy areas between them. In contrast sites 52-75 are much more treed and have a private feel to them," explains a visitor to Babler State Park about site selection.
Plan for limited hookups: Many campgrounds prioritize tent camping over RV amenities. "A friend discovered this gem a while back and we now frequent it. Super inexpensive for the space that you get. Free firewood," notes a camper about Old Cove about the value despite limited amenities.
Consider size limitations: Site accessibility varies significantly between parks. "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," mentions a Babler State Park visitor.
