Campgrounds near Festus, Missouri encompass multiple state parks within an hour's drive, offering tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin accommodations. Washington State Park Campground provides riverside camping with electric hookups and showers, while St. Francois State Park and Hawn State Park offer additional established camping options. Several campgrounds feature full amenities including water, electric, and sewer connections, with some also providing cabin rentals for those seeking more comfortable accommodations without sacrificing the outdoor experience.
Most campgrounds in the region remain open year-round, though seasonal considerations affect comfort and availability. Washington State Park requires reservations for electric sites, especially during summer months when the swimming pool is operational. The campground's proximity to Big River provides fishing and swimming opportunities, though water levels fluctuate seasonally. Most established campgrounds offer 30-amp hookups for RVs, with some locations like Meramec State Park and St. Joe State Park also providing 50-amp service. "Getting here is an adventure but the park is nice. I only had 30 amp electric and no water or sewer hookup. Didn't see any sites with water but there were ample water spigots to fill our tank."
Campers consistently praise the hiking trails and natural features throughout the area's state parks. Washington State Park receives high ratings for its prehistoric petroglyphs, swimming pool, and river access, with multiple visitors noting the helpful campground hosts and well-maintained facilities. The park offers canoe and kayak rentals for river exploration. Several campgrounds provide a balance of wooded privacy and open sites, though some visitors mention the need to carefully select sites away from roads for a quieter experience. One camper noted, "We absolutely love this park. It's just under an hour from St. Louis, with river access, amazing hiking trails & great views. Very clean campsites with lots of shade for tent campers & nice level lots." For those seeking convenience during travel, several overnight parking options exist at businesses in Festus and nearby Herculaneum, though these locations typically offer minimal amenities and experience variable noise levels from nearby highways.
$15 - $27 / night
"Not a huge campground but, Its a really simple beautiful place to enjoy Missouri's rolling hills. It is located 1 hour from St. Louis and 30 ish min from Elephant Rock State park."
"All sites are within reasonable walking distance to the very nice shower house, bathrooms, it even had laundry. All facilities were well maintained and clean. Campground host sells wood and ice."
$15 - $42 / night
"This park is so rich in Missouri and USA history - from buildings costructed by the African-American CCC stonemasons to Native American petroglyphs, there's some fascinating stuff here."
"Washington State Park is a hidden gem in Missouri! We camped in mid-March 2021 for 7 days and thoroughly enjoyed the area. They had just opened a new shower house which was clean and well kept."
"Our site was gravel to park on with grass around it. Close to train tracks and highway, but didn’t notice with AC on in the camper. Close to 6 flags."
"This campground is fairly close to downtown and very close to lots of shopping. A great place to stay to stock up on supplies before heading west."
$15 - $29 / night
"Hawn State park, located off of highway 32 near St. Genevieve, is a wonderful, must visit in southeast Missouri."
"There is 3 trails with the longest having two loop options with connectors from the other two trails. There are also walk in sites here and hike in sites. This park will not disappoint."
$15 - $65 / night
"Miles upon miles of trails. Spacious campground, caves to explore, old time blast furnace to explore, fresh Missouri spring with exceptional fishing. Then theres a general store with a restaurant"
"Growing up near here, this was the state park that my family always went to. Forty some years later, it is still my favorite park in Missouri. I enjoy camping here with my family and friends."
$15 - $42 / night
"Hiking trails, a stocked pond, meramec river access, 12 basic and 13 electric shaded campsites available, play ground away from the campground and shelters available to rent for a family gathering. 2 trails"
"The hook up sites are on the inside of the loop and the tent sites are on the outside of the loop. You need to look carefully for a level tent site as some are fairly slopped."
"pros- activities for kids/fam nice pool tons of trees easy access from highway close amenities (Walmart, six flags, etc) close to StL (tons to do) we did grants farm and city museum one day"
"We spent a weekend here because we wanted to be close to six flags. I swear this place was more fun!!!"
$15 - $52 / night
"A great spot with a minute walk to a very well kept shower house and bathroom. We really liked this spot at CG#1."
"There’s a couple nice lakes with big beaches great swimming for the kids and you can rent a canoe or a kayak to paddle around on the lake."
"It's a centrally located campground in the Metro St. Louis area. It's close to interstates and it's a short drive across the river to Missouri attractions."
"The spots 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.)"
ScoutStaff is very friendly and great at their jobs. Bathroom was clean and nice. Gets a little crowded but it's still fairly small so not too crowded. Can't speak much for RV camping, but tent/car camping was better than some other state park sites.
LegendWe enjoyed the family site with another friend. It was good for a tent and 26 foot rv. Not a good big rig campground. It has tight turning and narrow roads. We took out kayak on the river for a float. Dirty water. Good hiking.
LegendGreat place for exploring the cave on a tour or playing in the water to cool off. Campground is small and reservations are needed. Great hiking.
LegendThis is a park not far from St Louis with camping and hiking. Campground is on the small side.
LegendI love this park for the dogwood trees in the spring. Reservations are highly recommend especially if you have a large rig and during summer river floating season. Don't use the back loop with a rig larger than 25 feet. You have to thread the needle between wiggly trees. Great hiking here too and a cave!
ScoutTicks are soooo bad, def bring bug spray. There's also a DG and a gas station within 5 mins so that's a huge plus
LegendThis is my favorite campground in Missouri. It has the best atmosphere with grand hiking, both day hikes and back country camping. I have stayed all over in this campground. The spring that runs through it is great in the heat of the summer and the huge pine trees provide excellent shade. There is not much cell service down in the valley, but calls will go out if you drive up the hill. The sites book up quickly so make sure to have a reservation before showing up.
LegendWe have stayed at this campground so many times and love it. Cell service is excellent enabling me to work from my rv. It is close to anything you would need, but secluded enough and surrounded by huge trees and hiking trails. I have also rented a pavillion for a party.
ScoutPower / water at sites, single dump site available, at far end of runway, trees around all sites. Has a bathroom / shower / laundry bld. Nice for short visits. Annoying for more than a week.
Eastern Missouri's hilly landscapes create diverse camping experiences near Festus, with elevations ranging from 400 to 900 feet throughout the region. The area's humid continental climate produces warm summers with temperatures averaging 85-90°F during peak camping season from May through September. Winter camping remains available at several parks but temperatures frequently drop below freezing from December through February.
Explore prehistoric petroglyphs: At Washington State Park Campground, visitors can see Native American rock carvings. "The prehistoric Petroglyphs nearby are a must see," notes Phil W., who camped there for a week in March 2021.
Hike pine forest trails: Hawn State Park Campground offers unique pine-filled terrain unusual for Missouri. "Nowhere else in the state of Missouri have I been able to camp and feel like I'm in the middle of the Rocky Mountains. The car camping area is nestled in the middle of a pine filled valley," writes Megan M.
Paddling opportunities: Seasonal water conditions affect kayaking options. "My husband and i kayaked here and it was amazing! probably the best short trip you could take on a kayak," shares Allyson D. about Washington State Park, where on-site rentals are available.
Fall color viewing: Several campgrounds showcase fall foliage. "Great time of year to visit! Surrounded by trees changing colors the fall is beautiful here," according to Lindsey R., who visited Washington State Park in autumn.
Secluded campsites: Robertsville State Park Campground offers quieter camping options. "The camp sites felt secluded. We did not visit the facilities (COVID) but the campground is well kept and nice," writes a camper who appreciated the natural setting.
River access: Multiple parks provide water recreation. "We absolutely love this park. The campground is right along the river which was a 2min walk," notes Alex T. about St. Francois State Park Campground, who enjoyed the proximity to swimming areas.
Wildlife viewing: "We saw deer and raccoons here that entered our campsite," reports Tom K. at Meramec State Park Campground, highlighting the abundant wildlife in the area.
Varied terrain: Unique landscapes differentiate the camping areas. "The trails are amazing with big boulders and beautiful creeks," explains one visitor to Hawn State Park, where the rocky terrain provides distinctive hiking experiences.
Seasonal considerations: Spring flooding affects certain parks. "While we were there they had a record rainfall amount and the park apparently already has flooding issues so it was flooding pretty bad," reports a camper at Covered Bridge RV Park, though staff quickly offered alternative sites.
Site selection matters: Campsite locations vary in quality and privacy. "Lesson learned to reserve a campsite further from the road," advises David T., who camped at Washington State Park in December, suggesting interior sites provide a better experience.
Varying connectivity: Cell service can be unreliable in some areas. "The cell phone service is virtually non-existent. We had planned to work from here and had to cut our visit short," notes a visitor at Meramec State Park, warning remote workers.
Local noise sources: Some campgrounds experience noise from nearby activities. "The park is close to train tracks and highway, but didn't notice with AC on in the camper," mentions Craig F. about St. Louis West / Historic Route 66 KOA.
Playground access: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Resort offers extensive children's activities. "There is a pool, bike rentals, dog park, movie night, basketball court, and more. You can bring your RV, travel trailer, tent camp, or stay in a cabin," says Crystal H.
Swimming options: Several parks have swimming facilities for children. "The kids were catching crawdads! Great campsite that is pet friendly and very family friendly!" shares a visitor to Jellystone Park.
Educational opportunities: Washington State Park provides learning experiences. "We stayed in the group use area with our Cub Scout Pack. There was plenty of room for all of our tents and portable canopies. We hiked the 1000 step trail," reports Scott M., suggesting it works well for youth groups.
Budget-friendly activities: Free or low-cost options exist at most parks. "It's just under an hour from St. Louis, with river access, amazing hiking trails & great views," notes a visitor about accessible recreation opportunities.
Hookup variations: Electrical service types differ between parks. "Getting here is an adventure but the park is nice. Easy plug n play electric on a 30 amp box, no issues with blowing fuses like I have at other big state parks," notes David T. about Washington State Park.
Site leveling needs: Many campgrounds require preparation for uneven spots. "The sites are a bit more snug together than I would prefer," notes a visitor to St. Francois State Park, while another camper at Robertsville advises: "the lots are pretty uneven so make sure you bring plenty of cribbing."
Supply planning: Limited nearby services require advance shopping. "If you need groceries or anything, stop and get them before you get close. Stop in the town before," advises a camper staying at Cahokia RV Parque, noting the scarcity of stores near some campgrounds.
Weather preparation: Seasonal conditions affect comfort levels. "We camped in mid-March 2021 for 7 days and thoroughly enjoyed the area. They had just opened a new shower house which was clean and well kept," shares Phil W. about early-season camping at Washington State Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any camping resorts with special amenities near Festus?
St. Louis West / Historic Route 66 KOA offers resort-style amenities with level spots, cable TV hookups, and good utilities. Its prime location next to Six Flags St. Louis makes it perfect for entertainment seekers. Onondaga Cave State Park Campground provides unique access to the spectacular Onondaga Cave (recently reopened with new lighting) and river activities that are excellent for families. For wine enthusiasts, St. Charles County Klondike Park places you in the heart of Missouri Wine Country with tent camping sites. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Resort near Six Flags offers family-focused amenities with water features and organized activities. These resorts typically require advance reservations, especially during peak season.
Where are the best campgrounds near Festus, MO?
The Festus area offers excellent camping options within a short drive. Hawn State Park Campground near St. Genevieve is a must-visit with clean, organized grounds and beautiful Pickle Creek trails. St. Francois State Park Campground provides a peaceful retreat among Missouri's rolling hills just an hour from St. Louis. Both parks feature well-maintained facilities with fire pits and picnic tables. Other excellent options include Washington State Park and Meramec State Park, all offering access to the region's natural beauty with hiking trails and water activities. These campgrounds typically require reservations, especially during peak seasons, and provide basic amenities like water access and toilet facilities.
What RV parks are available in the Festus, Missouri area?
The Festus area offers several RV-friendly options. Cahokia RV Parque provides a convenient central location in the Metro St. Louis area with gravel sites, concrete pads, full hookups, and amenities like a playground, pool, and pond. Sundermeier RV Park offers level concrete pads with picnic tables and 30-amp service, located right off Highway 370. For those traveling with big rigs, Covered Bridge RV Park near Fenton accommodates larger vehicles. Most RV parks in the area provide water, electric hookups, and dump stations, with prices varying by season and amenities. Reservations are recommended, especially during summer months and weekends.
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