Campgrounds near Earth City sit in the Mississippi River floodplain, where the elevation rarely exceeds 500 feet above sea level. The area experiences humid continental climate with hot summers reaching 90°F and moderate winters, affecting camping conditions throughout the year. Highway noise and train activity are common factors at most camping locations within 30 miles of Earth City.
What to do
Katy Trail access: At Sundermeier RV Park, the trail is easily accessible through a rear gate. "You are a stones throw away from Katy trail which will take you to downtown St. Charles. The trail is about 1.5-2 miles to get to downtown. You can bike or walk there," explains one visitor.
Lake activities: St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park offers a 3-mile paved trail around the lake with diverse wildlife viewing. "This is a great place to kayak and camp if you don't want to drive that fare and live in the city. We love going here and watching the sunsets," notes a camper who appreciated the urban convenience.
Brewery visits: Beyond the Trail RV Park positions campers within walking distance of craft beer options. "Brewery just on the other side of the campground with good beer and food," mentions one review. Another camper adds, "There is a really nice brewery right at the entrance. Within walking distance is a really nice winery and a couple bars."
What campers like
Gateway Arch views: Casino Queen RV Park provides direct views of St. Louis's iconic landmark. "Even though this RV park is in a city, we felt safe. And its view of the Gateway Arch can't be beat," shares one camper who stayed three nights while touring St. Louis attractions.
Easy downtown access: Cahokia RV Parque offers shuttle service to downtown attractions. "They have a shuttle to the various tourist attractions, just ask the staff at the office for details," explains one camper. Another notes, "Just minutes across the river from St. Louis. The staff are friendly, the facility is clean and professional."
Spacious sites: Some parks offer more room than others. At Sundermeier RV Park, campers appreciate the concrete pads. "We loved how spacious it was. The roads within the campground were double-wide so we had no trouble turning and getting into our spot. The sites were double-wide concrete," writes a big rig owner.
What you should know
Noise considerations: Airport, highway, and train noise affect most parks. At Casino Queen RV Park, "There are trains every 15-30 minutes all day long." At Sundermeier, "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."
Flooding risks: Low-lying areas can experience water issues. Beyond the Trail RV Park has drainage challenges: "My only complaint is they have some drainage issues if it rains a lot. A few of the campsites will flood, not bad enough to get to your camper, but just enough to be annoying."
Park security: Urban camping locations provide varying levels of security. Casino Queen RV Park requires a gate code for entry, and "Security is proactive in patrols and are friendly and helpful."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park offers family-friendly amenities. "Well maintained and well managed park. Staff on duty at all hours is awesome! The playground was good for the kiddos," reports a family who used the park as a base to explore St. Louis.
Recreational rentals: Several parks offer equipment for family activities. St. Peters' 370 provides "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."
Fishing opportunities: Pin Oak RV Park maintains a stocked fishing pond popular with younger campers. "Nice private catch and release pond, an old little mini golf setup, a small (but adequate) swimming pool kept the kids busy," shares a family visitor who appreciated the diverse activities.
Tips from RVers
Utility placement: At Casino Queen RV Park, be prepared for connection challenges. "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."
Wi-Fi reliability: Connectivity varies significantly between parks for those needing to work remotely. At Beyond the Trail RV Park, one camper notes "WIFI wasn't great when we stayed here twice last year." However, Covered Bridge RV Park received positive feedback: "The wi-fi was surprisingly good enough that my wife and I could both work off of it and even stream shows on the Roku the whole week."
Site selection: For RVers seeking shade or quiet, strategic site choice matters. At Sundermeier RV Park, "The lower# sites are closer to the trains, and the higher# sites were further away."
