St. Francois County offers campers a range of terrains from pine-forested hills to riverside sites within a 30-minute drive of Park Hills, Missouri. The area experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 85-90°F and winter lows frequently dropping below freezing. Several campgrounds maintain year-round operations with varying levels of facilities and amenities depending on the season.
What to do
Hiking trails: The region features diverse trail systems beyond the off-road vehicle areas. Hawn State Park Campground has "a nice 11 mile long paved trail that has some hills but will work for kids/strollers/etc." according to one visitor. The park is known for its unique pine forest ecosystem that creates a distinctive camping experience.
Water activities: Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park provides natural water features for summer recreation. "We stayed in the fall and the colors were amazing. Our kids loved climbing all over the shut-ins. We have already planned to return in the summer to swim!" reports one camper. The park's distinctive rock formations create natural water slides and swimming areas.
Historical exploration: Washington State Park Campground offers cultural experiences beyond natural attractions. "This park is so rich in Missouri and USA history - from buildings constructed by the African-American CCC stonemasons to Native American petroglyphs, there's some fascinating stuff here," notes one visitor. The prehistoric petroglyphs are considered "a must see" by regular campers.
What campers like
Secluded camping options: Many local campgrounds offer walk-in sites for those seeking privacy. At Taum Sauk Mountain State Park, "The sites are all secluded from each other by trees and are very beautiful. The overlook to the valley is beautiful, especially for sunrise, and another short walk will take you to the marker for MO highest point."
River access: Silver Mines campground provides direct water access with sites positioned near the St. Francis River. "Each campsite is private and has its own picnic table and fire pit. Trails from the campground lead down to the water. Depending on the water levels there are usually people kayaking through the white water," explains one visitor.
Seasonal experiences: Fall camping attracts visitors for the changing colors. "We camped in mid-March 2021 for 7 days and thoroughly enjoyed the area. They had just opened a new shower house which was clean and well kept," reports a Washington State Park camper. Different seasons offer varying experiences across the region's campgrounds.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most established campgrounds require advanced planning. Hawn State Park Campground is described as "a smaller campground with a good mix of electric and non-electric sites" but one camper advises it's "one of the best fall campgrounds close to the St. Louis area" making it popular during peak seasons.
Site selection considerations: Campsite layouts and privacy levels vary considerably between parks. One camper at Johnson's Shut-Ins noted, "Each walk-in was spread apart from each other. We loved it and cannot wait to go back," while at Hawn State Park, a walk-in camper reported their site "did not offer the privacy that is typical for walk-in sites. We could hear people in the tents nearby when they sneezed at night."
Phone connectivity: Cell service varies significantly by location. At Bismark Lake Conservation Area, visitors report "No Verizon signal at camping area but signal down the road," making it important to plan communications accordingly if staying at more remote sites.
Tips for camping with families
Accessible water features: Cherokee Landing offers family-friendly water recreation options. "We love the beautiful lake, the swimming area is big and has a nice patio for access. You can rent a cart to go running around the huge campground," reports one family. This provides easier access to water activities compared to more rugged swimming areas at other parks.
Site spacing awareness: Families should research site proximity before booking. "The campground has oddly shaped campsites causing a crowded feel," notes one visitor about St. Francois State Park, while another mentions, "We had a beautiful campsite with soft grassy ground" at a different loop within the same park.
Educational opportunities: Several parks feature interpretive displays. "The hiking is amazing. The swimming is absolutely wonderful," notes a Silver Mines visitor, adding that educational activities are available throughout the region with "amazing science at work" at Johnson's Shut-Ins.
Tips from RVers
Site specifications: St. Joe State Park Campground offers different campground areas with varying RV accommodations. "I've camped at both campgrounds offered at St. Joe. In the fall of 2018, we stayed at CG#1, the spot has a nice gravel tent pad with border, picnic table, and a fire pit. The spot also offered a concrete section for a camper and cars," reports one RVer who found the setup spacious.
Hookup quality: Electric reliability varies by campground. At Patt's Place, a first-time RVer found "Well graveled spaces, easy water and electric hook-up with both 30 and 50 amp," noting that owners "were extremely nice and helped us get set up since we knew nothing and had just picked up the camper that morning."
Rule enforcement: RVers should be aware of varying rule strictness between parks. One camper at St. Joe State Park noted, "They were very picky about every single thing we set up," while others found the same park accommodating, suggesting experiences may depend on specific staff or seasonal policies.
