Mariah 
Scout
ScoutWashington State Park Campground
Very peaceful but bring bug spray
Ticks 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
Best Campgrounds near Defiance, MO
Defiance, Missouri supports various camping styles along the Katy Trail and Missouri River corridor. Beyond the Trail RV Park provides full hookups with easy access to both the Katy Trail and downtown Defiance, making it popular for RV travelers and cyclists. Klondike Park, operated by St. Charles County, offers tent camping, cabins, and access to numerous hiking trails. Both parks serve as gateways to Missouri's wine country, with Augusta and neighboring communities accessible via the Katy Trail or nearby Highway 94.
Camping areas throughout the region experience variable conditions depending on rainfall and seasonal factors. Klondike Park features hillside terrain with some sites offering views of the Missouri River valley. Many campgrounds require reservations, particularly during summer weekends and fall wine harvest season. The Katy Trail provides a convenient transportation corridor for cyclists looking to explore multiple campgrounds. Water management can be an issue at some sites during heavy rain. A camper noted, "Warning, this place will likely flood if it rains heavy. Which means the mosquitos might be plenty if they don't spray for them."
Mixed-use campgrounds dominate the landscape around Defiance, combining outdoor recreation with proximity to wineries, breweries and dining options. Campers frequently mention the convenience of Defiance's camping options for accessing both natural and cultural attractions. "This new little (and fast expanding) campground has it all. A short 5 minute walk to 'downtown' Defiance, the campground is right next to the Katy Trail," noted one reviewer about Beyond the Trail RV Park. Several visitors highlighted the benefits of camping near the Katy Trail for bike-packing adventures, with some sites requiring "a tough, but short, climb from the trail." Raccoon activity is mentioned in multiple reviews, suggesting proper food storage is essential when tent camping at Klondike Park. Both parks attract a mix of overnight cyclists, wine country tourists, and outdoor enthusiasts.
Best Camping Sites Near Defiance, Missouri (91)
1. Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park Campground
28 ReviewsWildwood, MO6 milesWebsite+1 (636) 458-3813$15 - $35 / night
"Tucked away, not far from St. Louis, you wouldn't know you were that close to a big city. It is clean and feels extremely safe. There aren't many sites, but the ones they have are quiet and spacious."
"Great for taking long walks or bike rides, although very steep hills. Close to St Louis, so you can do some urban exploring."
2. St. Louis West / Historic Route 66 KOA
30 ReviewsEureka, MO10 milesWebsite+1 (636) 257-3018"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."
3. Klondike Park
14 ReviewsAugusta, MO4 milesWebsite$10 - $65 / night
"The views are spectacular with some sandy shores of a small pond in the middle of the campground and some great trails. Augusta is a nice place away from St. Louis and a short drive down 94."
"Amazing park close to the city. Great lake and hiking trails. Access to the Katy and bike trails. Camp site are large, warning that some are hike in and not car camping."
4. Beyond the Trail RV Park
10 ReviewsDefiance, MO1 mileWebsite+1 (636) 484-0059$25 - $58 / night
"A short 5 minute walk to “downtown” Defiance, the campground is right next to the Katy Trail. Forgot your bike? Walk 3 minutes away and rent one. Want to float the Missouri?"
"Excellent little RV park behind a brewery. The Katy trail borders the park for easy access to town."
5. St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park
26 ReviewsSt. Charles, MO17 milesWebsite+1 (636) 387-5253$35 - $60 / night
"I've been to 370 Lakeside Park many times to walk around the huge lake and to hear concerts in the summer, but I had never camped there. Still haven't. I'll explain."
"All hookups were conveniently located. Shower house and restrooms were clean and well maintained/cleaned every day. Had a lakefront site but didn’t get to fish this time."
6. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Resort At Six Flags
13 ReviewsEureka, MO11 milesWebsite+1 (636) 938-5925"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!!!"
7. Robertsville State Park Campground
16 ReviewsRobertsville, MO15 milesWebsite+1 (636) 257-3788$14 - $38 / 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."
8. Pin Oak RV Park
15 ReviewsUnion, MO14 milesWebsite+1 (406) 962-1501"Nice little lake to fish in and areas to walk around in."
"We were close to the playground though, which had bright lights at night and loud kids - I would avoid that area next time."
9. Greensfelder County Park
8 ReviewsEureka, MO9 milesWebsite+1 (314) 615-4386"The park is known for its well-groomed trails, which are used by hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians alike."
"Well taken care of and close to the city. Trails range from a short walk to an endless combination."
10. St. Charles County Klondike Park
5 ReviewsAugusta, MO4 milesWebsite+1 (636) 949-7535"It is a tough, but short, climb from the trail. You may have to walk up the hill - challenge made :-) . This is a St. Charles County Park and it is well maintained."
"The campground is located in a gym of a park located along the Missouri River. Reservations are required and the sites are in high demand. Tent camping only. There is water available in the park."
Recent Camping Photos near Defiance, MO
158 Photos of 91 Defiance Campgrounds
Brooklyn G.
Beyond the Trail RV Park
Tony M.
Klondike Park
Shawn S.
Dr. Edmond Babler State Park
April D.
Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park Campground
Lucas M.
Greensfelder County Park
Lindsey R.
St. Louis West / Historic Route 66 KOA
Tim K.
Pin Oak RV Park
Ana B.
Robertsville State Park Campground
David E.
St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park
Rick I.
Cherokee Lakes Campground
The Dyrt
Tentrr Signature Site - Camp on 300 acres with Winery at Idle Acres
Nick
Idle Acres
Recent Reviews near Defiance, MO
728 Reviews of 91 Defiance Campgrounds
Shawn S.
RangerCuivre River State Park Campground
Wooded
I love this campground for its wooded and more rugged feel. It is beautiful in early spring when the dogwood trees are in bloom. It has a nice lake for kayaks and paddle boards. Campaigns are great with nice amenities.
- Shawn S.Ranger
Dr. Edmond Babler State Park
Great location
We 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.
- SSharon J.
TravelerLazy Day Campground
hidden gem
We had so much trouble finding a place for the night before St. Louis. The one place we were going to go to was full so we were scrambling. Found this place and were a little uncertain, but we took it. We were pleasantly surprised. They were friendly in the office and escorted us to our site. We got a little worried as the RV next to us had taken the 30 volt and we did not have a converter for the 50. Went up to office- no problem, he lent us a converter. We were surprised at how we lucked out on the site- no one wound up next to us downhill and we had a beautiful view of the hills an valley below us. We sat outside and enjoyed the view for hours. The bathroom was a short walk and was clean. Only disappointment was the lack of privacy to get dressed after the shower. They have a privacy screen but it is short and no privacy for those walking by the shower rooms. To top it off the woman in the bathroom while i was showering left the bathroom door wide open. It leads to the laundry room and the men walk by to get to their bathroom. They need to do something better. Someone here is very artistic- stumps were carved into delightful animals and the toilet doors were decorated with woman painted on them. It was very quiet at night and no traffic noise at all even though 2 miles from interstate.
- JJason K.Traveler
Robertsville State Park Campground
Cozy campground in the woods
Secluded campsites. Even though they are close together, the dense trees isolate them visually from each other. We did have a neighbor with loud dogs that were very annoying
Sherry G.ScoutCozy Campsite
Great Location for Horses or Pets that need space
We spent a week at this location. It has a great level slab to park your camper. They also have a wonderful fenced in area for horses as well as a fenced in area where you park your camper. Let your dogs run free!
Sarah and Justin were very attentive hosts. They live on the property but are not so close that you know they are there. They also raise chickens and sell their fresh eggs! If you need a secure place for your dogs or horses, this spot is perfect!
David P.ScoutOzark Outdoors-Riverfront Resort
Bizzare, Aggressive, Threatening Behavior towards our Family
Decided to visit with family(wife, teenage daughter, and 76 y.o. father) this Saturday afternoon, after completing a peaceful hike at Onandoga S.P., to consider camping later in the week. We politely, respectfully drove into the campground on the MAIN LOOP, around 5-10 mph, and checked the condition of the campsites. We noticed a few other campers present throughout the campground. Our windows were rolled down. Near the primitive campsites, a white vehicle rapidly, aggressively approached us from the left, rear of our car. Horn blaring. RECKLESSLY drove right up onto our rear bumper, then swerved to the left to try to force us over. The man rapidly approached us from his vehicle and accosted us with multiple, rapid fire questions what we were doing and why we were there. WHILE HE WAS AGGRESSIVELY INTERROGATING US, HE WAS CROUCHED FORWARD, POSTURING THAT HE WAS PREPARED TO DRAW ON US. I COULD CLEARLY SEE HIS LEFT HAND ON A FIREARM IN HIS LEFT POCKET- the handle of the firearm was clearly visible. The silhouette of the gun was clearly visible in his left pants pocket. Any reasonably intelligent person would have seen as we drove at a near walking pace on the main loop that we were not there to cause any problems. Any REMOTELY INTELLIGENT person would have instantly realized that we were just a family checking out potential campsites. Any reasonable person would have also considered this RECKLESS ACT OF AGGRESSION as a threat on their family. I was concerned for the safely of my family and myself. An embarrassing act of overreach. The"security guard" identified himself as"Dave." We will NEVER give this place our business again. I will NEVER risk taking my family here again. This place probably does not want your family here either...
- Angie A.Scout
Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park Campground
Nice off-season camping
This campground is nice for March, when it's a little cool. But there is no shade, so mid-summer would be hot! Level sites, full hookups, pretty nice.
- jjohn H.
GuideRJM One RV
Nice overnight stop
As the pictures on the Dyrt show, it’s a large area of white gravel. It’s clean, has very wide spaces for rv’s which are very level and has water and electricity. The Dyrt definitely doesn’t have the location correct, it’s about 4-5 miles north of 70 and your drive through some narrow winding roads to get here. Overall quiet though I heard some loud truck at night.
Guide to Defiance
Campsite options near Defiance, Missouri range from basic tent sites to full RV hookups across several parks. The region sits in the Ozark foothills with elevations between 500-800 feet, creating varied terrain for camping experiences. Summer temperatures average 85-95°F with high humidity, while spring and fall offer milder conditions with temperature ranges of 55-75°F.
What to do
Trail exploration: 5+ miles of hiking available at Klondike Park with routes that provide views of the Missouri River valley. The park features multiple terrains for different hiking experiences. "Trails are beautiful and perfect for families wanting to just come to a park for a day and hikers. Can't go wrong for a 10$ a night campsite with restrooms and water available," notes a visitor.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple stocked ponds at Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park Campground, though without larger bodies of water. "There is no bodies of water within the park for fishing, but there are tons near by," mentions one camper. The park offers varied hiking trails despite its proximity to urban areas.
Biking adventures: Katy Trail access points provide direct connections to Missouri wine country. Bikes can be rented in several locations if you don't bring your own. "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," reports a camper at Beyond the Trail RV Park.
What campers like
Proximity to wineries: Multiple tasting options within short biking or driving distance make this area popular with adult groups. "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," notes a visitor at Beyond the Trail RV Park.
Quiet natural settings: Despite proximity to towns, several campsites maintain a feeling of seclusion. At Robertsville State Park Campground, campers appreciate the atmosphere: "It's in the tall trees with lots of shade and greenery you kind of feel like you're in a jungle. Lots of things to do in the area. Great Verizon reception."
Clean facilities: Modern shower houses at most campgrounds in the area provide comfort without sacrificing outdoor experience. "The showers house is really nice, lake is beautiful. Will definitely be back," mentions a visitor to Klondike Park, while another notes the "clean new shower house" at Beyond the Trail.
What you should know
Seasonal crowding: Weekends fill quickly from May through October, especially at sites near the Katy Trail. Reservations are essential during peak times. "Klondike park is a gorgeous park along the Katy Trail in Augusta, MO. The campsites are very quiet, very family friendly park... Campsites are pretty close to each other is the only downfall," notes one visitor.
Wildlife management: Raccoons are active at multiple campgrounds, requiring proper food storage. "Make sure to store your food securely overnight - the racoons are pretty thick and hungry at night," warns a camper at Klondike Park, while another mentions at St. Louis West / Historic Route 66 KOA: "It was a nice campground with tree cover over most of it. Our site was gravel to park on with grass around it."
Drainage issues: Heavy rain can affect some sites, particularly at lower elevations. "Warning, this place will likely flood if it rains heavy. Which means the mosquitos might be plenty if they don't spray for them," advises a camper about Beyond the Trail RV Park. "A few of the campsites will flood, not bad enough to get to your camper, but just enough to be annoying."
Tips for camping with families
Site selection strategies: Choose higher ground for family camping to avoid potential drainage issues during storms. For families with children, sites near shower facilities provide convenience. "Our site, 35, like its neighbor sites was small and pretty close to others. Other sites like #19 and 20 were more secluded, offered more trees and privacy," shares a Klondike Park visitor.
Activities for kids: Multiple playgrounds and designated recreation areas exist at several parks. At Pin Oak RV Park, "Nice pool and an arcade area with plenty of room to hangout inside. There is a pond with some decent sized fish in it. A lot of the campground has good tree coverage."
Event scheduling: Special themed weekends occur throughout the camping season at various campgrounds. "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," notes a Pin Oak RV Park visitor.
Tips from RVers
Hookup locations: Extension cords may be necessary at some campgrounds due to placement of utilities. At Beyond the Trail RV Park, "The site services, electric, water and sewer, are located to the front of the site and extensions were needed for both the electric and sewer."
Site leveling considerations: Many campgrounds have uneven terrain, requiring leveling blocks. "The spaces are pretty uneven so make sure you bring plenty of cribbing," recommends a visitor to Robertsville State Park. "Mostly gravel pads and two cemented Ada accessible sites."
Length restrictions: Sites vary considerably in maximum accommodations. At Greensfelder County Park, "Most sites are great for trailers 26' or less and 1 slide (sites 24-26 can fit a fifth wheel probably no bigger than 36-38 ft)." At some parks, premium sites are recommended for larger rigs: "You need to reserve a premium spot for a little room."
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Defiance campground located in Missouri?
Where is Defiance campground located in Missouri?
Beyond the Trail RV Park is located in Defiance, Missouri, a small town situated along the Katy Trail. Defiance is in eastern Missouri, approximately 45 minutes west of St. Louis. The town and campground are nestled in Missouri's wine country, making it an ideal base for exploring local vineyards and outdoor attractions in the region.
What amenities are available at Defiance campground?
What amenities are available at Defiance campground?
Camping options in Defiance offer various amenities to enhance your stay. Beyond the Trail RV Park provides full hookups for RVs, proximity to the Katy Trail, and on-site canoe outfitting services. The campground is within walking distance to downtown Defiance and offers bike rentals nearby. For those wanting to experience the area's outdoor activities, the park provides convenient access to both the Katy Trail for cycling and the Missouri River for floating adventures.
Do I need reservations for camping at Defiance campground?
Do I need reservations for camping at Defiance campground?
Reservations are highly recommended for camping in the Defiance area, especially during peak seasons. While specific reservation policies for Beyond the Trail RV Park aren't detailed in the reviews, nearby St. Charles County Klondike Park requires reservations, and sites are in high demand. This is typical for campgrounds in this popular region of Missouri wine country. To secure your preferred dates and site, it's advisable to book in advance, particularly during weekends, holidays, and the summer months.
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