3 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Resort at Six Flags and St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park house upscale glamping accommodations within 30 minutes of Defiance, Missouri. Jellystone Park features family-friendly yurts with electricity, comfortable beds, and climate control systems for year-round comfort. St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park offers glamping options with lakefront views and modern amenities. "We stayed here most of the several weeks we needed to be in St. Louis for family matters. Definitely our favorite place in the area. The grounds are clean and pleasant," shared one guest about the lakeside accommodations. Both locations provide a perfect balance of outdoor immersion with creature comforts, including private fire pits, picnic tables, and proximity to clean shower facilities. These glamping sites maintain a rustic aesthetic while offering the conveniences of home.
The surrounding area complements these glamping experiences with abundant recreational opportunities. Meramec Caverns Natural Campground, located within a short drive, combines glamping with access to cave tours and ziplines across the Meramec River. Guests can explore hiking trails at nearby Greensfelder County Park or enjoy water activities at 370 Lakeside Park's fishing ponds. A visitor noted, "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." Six Flags amusement park sits just minutes from Jellystone Park's canvas accommodations, making it ideal for families seeking both adventure and comfortable overnight stays. Most glamping sites in the area remain open from spring through fall, with some offering year-round availability depending on weather conditions.
"Babler State Park Wildwood, MO
💰 $12-$21/night
🗓 Feb 19-21, 2022
Site 48 ⚡️💧
🦮 Pets Welcome (on leash at all times)
➕Concrete Pads, Quiet, Close to Interstate 40, Paved Roads, Easy to Access"
"There are miles of hiking and biking trails right outside your doorstep and plenty of woods to explore. "
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $14 - $29 / night
"Close to all the St Louis attractions as well as practically across the street from Six Flags. There is a pool and store on site."
"They have a dog park, rv hookup sites, electric tent sites and primitive sites. We stayed at a primitive tent site with both dogs."
"The nicest spots are the ones by the lake, with only one neighbor and a better view of the lake. The staff are kind and helpful. Water and electric worked fine."
"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."
from $35 - $60 / night
"We stayed here last minute for Labor Day Weekend and the staff were great with finding us a good tent site available."
"Good breakfast and nice store. Really enjoyed our trip bundled with a Six Flags trip."
"Pretty nice wooded campground close to St. Louis! Each site has a picnic bench, a fire pit and grill."
"The park is known for its well-groomed trails, which are used by hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians alike."
"Given that we had to set up in/right after a rain, our tarp was sitting in grass and mud. I never knew how much I appreciated a designated gravel tent pad until then."
"This campground was a little tricky to find after dark, but was able to show up and set up camp at 9pm. Tons of available spaces in late September."
Available this weekend
from $14 - $36 / night
"It’s about a 30-40 min drive to the arch from campground Sites were all gravel, fire pits were poorly placed and frequently it fell under someone else’s slide or trailer."
"Showers were well stocked and clean. Good hot water. The store and gift shop has everything you could need. Friendly staff and lots of activities to do."
"Good showers 10 dollar tenting fire pits and park benches at each site. Dump stations and there are flushing and pit toilets on site"
"Larger sites but no pull through sites. 2 Handicapped sites next to the restrooms/showers. Electric only in the RV sites, but water available to fill your tanks. Dump station in the park also."
from $10 - $20 / night
"They had hot showers and bathroom which is always a plus. There was a little trash at the site but nothing bad. We had a ton of room between us and others. We could choose our site."
"The staff was very friendly and helpful. Check-in was very easy and we were met at the gate. They drove us over to our spot and brought us over a firepit."
from $23 - $38 / night
TravelerIt’s fun to see the animals. I was happy they have an outdoor shower because I needed it when I got here. I’d say the only down side is the animals roam so there is a lot of poop. Wouldn’t want to wander at night.
TravelerPretty dirty from last people. Toilet paper everywhere. But it’s a quiet place to park for the night. Not recommending anything more than parking for the night.
TravelerStaying in tent area with campervan. 26 dollars a night. Good spot. You do hear the highway a bit. Hosts are friendly and helpful. Bathhouse is basic but does the job.
ScoutThis is one of the worst state parks I’ve ever visited. The sites are small no water or electricity. Takes 15 minutes from civilization to get there.
TravelerTrails in the area re nice but facilities for this many sites are limited. Sites are close to each other.
ScoutGreat place overall. We just needed somewhere over night. Great for Short term or long term. The guys were helpful when we pulled in. Helped us set up.
ScoutGood showers 10 dollar tenting fire pits and park benches at each site. Dump stations and there are flushing and pit toilets on site
ScoutTraveling for the first time with our two Bangal cats. Easy to get to from stl area. Clean bathrooms.
GuideLate arrival. Yet Host was accommodating. Needed a campsite for Roof top tent site. Dog Blue and myself. They have a large pool and off leash dog park. Showers included in camping fee. I enjoyed my stay. Very quite.
Defiance, Missouri sits at the eastern edge of the Ozark Mountain region with an elevation ranging from 400-700 feet above sea level. The area experiences all four seasons with hot, humid summers and mild to cool winters, making camping possible nearly year-round. Most glamping accommodations in the region stay open through mid-October, with a few offering heated options during cooler months.
Hiking at multiple skill levels: Greensfelder County Park offers well-marked trails used by hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians. "This is a well maintained park with plenty of activities and close to all the luxuries that a town can offer, lots of amenities nearby or on site," notes a visitor to Greensfelder County Park.
Cave exploration: Located about 90 minutes from Defiance, Meramec Caverns Natural Campground combines camping with unique underground adventures. "The cave tour is a bit hokey, but if you can look past the mannequins and silliness, the caves themselves are really spectacular. You can definitely see why Jesse and Frank James used this as a hideout," explains a reviewer at Meramec Caverns Natural Campground.
Water activities on multiple lakes: Paddleboats, kayaks and canoes are available for rent at several parks. "They rent out peddle boats, bikes and peddle cars/buggies as well. We rented a peddle buggy. Those are a lot harder to get moving then they look. Awesome workout for the whole family!" shares a camper about St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park.
Year-round accessibility: Several state parks in the region maintain camping operations throughout winter. "Great well maintained state park right outside of St Louis. Park has an awesome trail system around the lake, and it looks like you can rent canoes/kayaks in the summer (was not open in the winter)," notes a visitor to Cuivre River State Park Campground.
Varied glamping options: The region offers multiple cabin and luxury camping styles. "There is a nice bathhouse with free showers for the campers and pay laundry. If you are lucky, you can get a site close to the water, but it means the walking trail is right next to your unit," explains a reviewer about St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Campsites often provide nature encounters. "Campground is beautiful and very woodsy. We saw bunnies hopping around and when we first arrived to our site a deer was grazing nearby, such a bonus!" shares a camper at Cuivre River State Park Campground.
Seasonal considerations: Some facilities close during colder months. "Not having water available except at the camp host, and no open restrooms and showers until after April 1, regardless of when the last freeze is was inconvenient for a spring break trip," advises a visitor to Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park Campground.
Noise factors: Highway proximity affects some camping experiences. "Close to train tracks and highway, but didn't notice with AC on in the camper," reports a camper at St. Louis West / Historic Route 66 KOA.
Varying shade availability: Newer campgrounds may lack mature trees. "The park has planted some trees, but they are really just saplings, so there is no shade yet," notes a camper about St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park.
Activity packages: Many glamping sites offer family entertainment bundles. "You can get a band allowing your kids to do games of mini-golf, free train rides on the Yogi Bear Express Train, two arcade tokens, and a discount on Pizza at the Snack Shack," explains a visitor to Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Resort At Six Flags.
Swimming options: Several parks feature lakes with designated swimming areas. "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," shares a camper at St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park.
Educational opportunities: Historical sites add learning dimensions to camping trips. "The Lewis & Clark expedition started nearby," notes a visitor to Pere Marquette State Park about its historical significance.
Site selection strategy: For larger rigs, specific campground areas work better. "Only sites 20-29 have electric and 28 can't be reserved. 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)," advises an RVer about Greensfelder County Park.
Power considerations: Different campgrounds offer varying electrical capabilities. "No 50 amps, no dump but KOA and RV dealer 5-7 mins away," notes a camper about Greensfelder County Park's limitations for larger RVs.
Water pressure variations: Some campgrounds have particularly strong water systems. "The water pressure was so strong that I could barely open the water pump!" warns an RVer about St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Defiance, MO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Defiance, MO is Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park Campground with a 3.9-star rating from 28 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Defiance, MO?
TheDyrt.com has all 27 glamping camping locations near Defiance, MO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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