Washington State Park offers diversified camping options near Festus, Missouri, with elevations ranging from 700 to 1,020 feet along Big River. The park's pine forest setting creates a cooler microclimate during summer months, often 5-7 degrees cooler than surrounding areas. The campground features both shaded and open sites across two distinct camping loops, with varying levels of privacy depending on site selection.
What to do
Explore prehistoric petroglyphs: Washington State Park's most unique feature isn't just the camping but its ancient rock art. "The prehistoric Petroglyphs nearby are a must see," notes Phil W. who camped at Washington State Park Campground for a week in spring 2021.
Hiking trails for all abilities: The park system offers trails ranging from easy to challenging. At St. Francois State Park, "there are plenty of good walking trails along the river. We are looking forward to coming back in the spring to walk these nice wooded trails," shares a camper named Mats. The park's trails follow the river with good shade coverage.
Fishing and river activities: Multiple parks offer river access with varying facilities. At Meramec Caverns Natural Campground, visitors appreciate the "clear water" for swimming according to Sherry P. Another camper, Allyson D., reported "My husband and i kayaked here and it was amazing! probably the best short trip you could take on a kayak."
Cave exploration: Beyond camping, the region features notable cave systems. "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 Annie C. about Meramec Caverns.
What campers like
Spacious, varied sites: At St. Francois State Park Campground, Leah H. appreciated that "We had a beautiful campsite with soft grassy ground... The site had a picnic table and fire ring." The campground offers waterside sites but with varying privacy levels.
Clean facilities: Multiple reviewers across parks mentioned well-maintained bathrooms. At Hawn State Park, campers find "Great restrooms/showers" according to Jenny H., who appreciated the small park's peaceful atmosphere and limited number of sites making it "secluded."
Proximity to St. Louis: For those wanting quick nature access without long drives, several parks deliver. "This is a nice campground if you're looking for an easy place to get to from St Louis. The campsites are nice and shaded," notes Chris P. about Washington State Park, which is under an hour from the city.
Fall colors viewing: The region shines during autumn. At Hawn State Park Campground, Gonzo A. describes it as "a lovely park just south of the city a few clicks. It's tucked away into the trees with ample shade and options for backpacking, backcountry hiking." Another reviewer called it "one of the best fall campgrounds close to the St. Louis area."
What you should know
Site selection matters: Many campgrounds feature varied site quality. At St. Francois, one camper noted "The park itself is huge, but they unfortunately have plots right on top of one another. Its really nice to have space but here there's almost no space for a larger tent."
Weather considerations: Missouri parks can experience sudden changes. At Twin Eagle Lake Estates & Hideout, campers recommend bringing water shoes as "The lake has many easy entrances for swimmers near the club house - broad steps or large boulder for the more adventurous. Can be a bit slippery though so bring your water shoes."
Reservation timing: For popular seasons, advance planning is essential. According to Cody S., "Hawn is a one of the best fall campgrounds close to the St. Louis area. There are a number of hiking options around the campground in the park and nearby nature reserve. It is a smaller campground with a good mix of electric and non-electric sites."
Noise factors: Some parks have external noise sources. At St. Louis West / Historic Route 66 KOA, Brian W. advises visitors to "be prepared for a lot of noise from the busy main road and passing trains in the near distance." Similarly, at St. Francois, Cody S. warns "The campground is also loud on the weekends especially if there are races at the nearby Bonne Terre drag strip."
Tips for camping with families
Look for parks with structured activities: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Resort At Six Flags offers numerous kid-friendly options. One camper shares, "We stayed here last minute for Labor Day Weekend and the staff were great with finding us a good tent site available. This is not a rugged style campground as there are many amenities such as a pool, putt putt golf, volleyball, and more. They also host daily kids activities and crafts."
Check swimming options: Many parks feature swimming areas of varying quality. At Twin Eagle, a camper reported "Played in the waterhole, played on the lake w/paddleboats and kayaks. Nice campsites and showerhouse. The bar and store were beautiful. Arcade, pool, games for kids and adults."
Consider seasonal events: Several campgrounds host special weekends. Nancy A. recommends Twin Eagle for Halloween: "They have day long family friendly activities and the campsites deck out for Halloween with a $500 prize for best. Then at dish trick or treat. Very accommodating."
Evaluate hiking difficulty: When planning with children, trail ratings matter. At Washington State Park, Scott M. reports "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. Most of the campers did fine but those who were not use to hiking did struggle a bit."
Tips from RVers
Check site dimensions carefully: At Greensfelder County Park, Matthew H. advises "Small campground ground ram by saint louis county parks... 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 35-38 ft)."
Hookup locations vary: Some sites have unusual utility placement. At Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park near Six Flags, GW C. notes "our water hook up and electric hookup was significantly far apart. (1st world problems I know but handy info for those with campers) may be site specific."
Elevation challenges: Many parks in this region feature hilly terrain. Cassondra P. warns about Jellystone Park: "There is a very large hill to get in and some sites are VERY tight - we thankfully had a decent size site comparatively."
Consider dump station access: Not all parks have on-site dump stations. At Greensfelder County Park, Matthew H. points out there's "no dump but KOA and RV dealer 5-7 mins away." For glamping near Festus, Missouri, this is less relevant but important for self-contained RVers.
