Camping options near Festus, Missouri include both state and privately operated facilities within 30-60 minutes of town. The region sits at the northern edge of the Ozark Plateau with elevations ranging from 400-700 feet. Several campgrounds maintain availability year-round, though seasonal operations impact water connections during winter months when overnight temperatures can drop below freezing.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Beyond the Trail RV Park in Defiance provides access to nearby waterways with fishing potential. "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," notes one camper at Beyond the Trail RV Park.
Arcade gaming: Pin Oak RV Park maintains indoor entertainment options for rainy days. "Nice pool and an arcade area with plenty of room to hangout inside. There is a pond with some decent sized fish in it," according to a reviewer who spent time at Pin Oak RV Park.
Historic explorations: Proximity to Route 66 provides opportunities for exploring roadside attractions. "Thirty minute drive into see Gateway Arch. Not a bad swap for some peace and quiet. Lots of shade and pull thrus," reports a visitor to St. Louis West/Historic Route 66 KOA.
Winery visits: Multiple wineries operate within a short distance of Defiance campgrounds. "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," shares a camper about the Beyond the Trail RV Park area.
What campers like
Concrete pads: Level parking surfaces make setup easier at several campgrounds. "Full hookup sites on a mostly paved RV park. Big rigs fit easily," notes a reviewer at Draft Kings at Casino Queen RV Park.
Urban accessibility: Convenient locations for city exploration rank highly with visitors. "For RVers requiring shopping or services," one camper at Cahokia RV Parque notes that it's "Just minutes across the river from St. Louis. They have a shuttle to the various tourist attractions, just ask the staff at the office for details."
Lakeside views: Water access provides additional recreational options. "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," shares a visitor to St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park.
On-site dining: Food options without leaving the campground appeal to travelers. "Our favorite part of this park is the onsite Sawmill BBQ restaurant. While we prepare most of our meals, we were so tired; we decided to give the joint a try and, wow, are we glad we did! Delicious food for a reasonable price!" reports a camper at Cahokia RV Parque.
What you should know
Highway noise: Proximity to major roadways affects some campgrounds. At RV Self-Park, "Very well lit, very clean and very easy to get in and very secure with a ton of cameras. Also has a really nice dog area. If you love the sound of freeways this is the place for you."
Train schedules: Railroad tracks near several rv sites near Festus, Missouri create periodic noise. "You will hear some highway noise, but honestly, after years in trucking, it just felt like home. No restrooms or extras, but for a quick, no-hassle stop right off I-44, this place nailed it," notes one traveler.
Site spacing: Many parks feature close quarters between camping spots. "The sites are level, and there is plenty of shade. But the sites are gravel and close together do not much privacy," writes a reviewer about Pin Oak RV Park.
Seasonal operations: Weather impacts facility availability throughout the year. "There is a pool (closed when we were there), playground, mini golf, a lake, game room, laundry and a small store with basics," explains a visitor at Pin Oak, highlighting amenities that may be limited by season.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Dedicated play areas provide entertainment for children. A camper at St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park shares, "Kids had a blast riding bikes. Even finding a few little frogs jumping around and fireflies at night."
Swimming options: Pools offer relief during hot summer months. "They have an archery range. The 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!" notes a visitor to St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park.
Halloween events: Seasonal activities create memorable experiences for families. "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," recommends a regular visitor to Pin Oak RV Park.
Bike rental options: Several parks offer equipment for trail exploration. "The park/campground rents paddleboats, kayaks, and canoes in addition to different kinds of bikes. There is a walking trail around the lake (4+ miles)," explains a camper about the facilities at St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park.
Tips from RVers
Wi-Fi reliability: Internet connectivity varies significantly between campgrounds. A long-term guest at Covered Bridge RV Park reports, "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, except for our last day for some strange reason."
Utility placement: Hookup locations affect parking configuration at some facilities. At Draft Kings at Casino Queen RV Park, "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."
Gate access procedures: Security systems require advance planning. "You need a code to get in the gate, so you must register in advance," advises a visitor to Draft Kings at Casino Queen RV Park, while another camper at RV Self-Park notes, "I rolled in about 1030 with my daughter and dog. Very well lit, very clean and very easy to get in and very secure with a ton of cameras."
Self-service check-in: Several parks operate with minimal staffing. "No staff on site, book via camplife and they send you a gate code," shares a camper about the entry process at a campground near Festus.
