Glamping and camping options near Florissant, Missouri offer outdoor experiences in the eastern Ozark foothills region, where elevations range from 580 to 830 feet. The area's humid continental climate features four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 85-90°F during peak camping months and spring/fall providing milder conditions in the 60-70°F range. Winter camping remains viable with proper preparation as temperatures typically hover between 30-45°F during daytime hours.
What to do
Hiking diverse terrain: Cuivre River State Park features multiple trail systems with varying difficulty levels. According to one visitor, "Great hikes! Very strenous in some locations, but well worth the effort for the views! Overall well kept and have an incredible lodge! Just down the road from Grafton IL." Trails range from short family-friendly paths to more challenging routes through wooded hills.
Fishing year-round: Horseshoe Lake State Park Campground provides accessible fishing opportunities with stocked waters. A recent camper noted, "Great spot in a beautiful area close to St. Louis. No power but access to drinking water and waste water dump for just 8$." The park maintains fishing access throughout all seasons.
Kayaking and canoeing: St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park offers paddle craft rentals and launch access. "We love going here and watching the sunsets. This is a great place to kayak and camp if you don't want to drive that fare and live in the city," shares one visitor. Rental rates typically range from $10-15 hourly during the April through October season.
Mountain biking: The well-maintained trail system at Greensfelder County Park accommodates riders of various skill levels. A visitor explains, "The park is known for its well-groomed trails, which are used by hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians alike. Plenty of stables surround the area, where you may rent a horse and go for a stroll through the woods."
What campers like
Affordable camping options: Horseshoe Lake State Park Campground offers tent sites at reasonable rates. A camper shares, "Horseshoe Lake is one of my most visited parks and most favorite park in the STL and surrounding areas. First off absolutely beautiful land and peace is easily achieved. Self service pay system makes it simple, easy, and fast." Sites cost approximately $8 per night for tent camping.
Equestrian facilities: Greensfelder County Park provides dedicated equestrian camping areas with specialized amenities. "There's tie stalls under a roof and a round pen mounting blocks shower and bathrooms in camp. Electricity at each site and water nearby... Love this place!" reports one horse enthusiast. The park includes designated equestrian-only trails.
Proximity to attractions: Pere Marquette State Park Campground offers camping with access to cultural and natural attractions. "Pere Marquette has many options for your stay... Outside, the hiking is worth the effort. The views from the bluffs are gorgeous," mentions one visitor. Sites range from basic to full-hookup options approximately 45 minutes from Florissant.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently praise the maintenance standards at parks near Florissant. "This is a very nice park. The spaces are a bit close together and not many trees but I've been to worse. The not many trees is do to it still being a fairly new campground. The lake is nice and they have some spots close to it," explains one reviewer about St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Many glamping sites close to Florissant, Missouri operate with limited services during winter. A visitor to Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park Campground noted, "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."
Reservation systems vary: Some parks require advance booking while others operate first-come, first-served. For Cuivre River State Park Campground, a camper advises, "You can reserve sites on-line and the prices are reasonable. A $2 discount is given to seniors."
Train noise impacts: Several campgrounds experience railroad noise. At St. Louis West/Historic Route 66 KOA, "Spent two nights. Office Staff was super friendly. Went above and beyond for service. Separate handicap shower facilities are always a huge plus for us... Thirty minute drive into see Gateway Arch. Not a bad swap for some peace and quiet."
Wildlife encounters: Raccoons and other wildlife actively visit campsites. A visitor to Cuivre River State Park Campground warns, "Don't leave anything out at night or raccoons will scavenge, we accidentally left our trash bag hanging (ugh!) but that was our fault."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Resort At Six Flags offers comprehensive family programming. A parent shares, "We spent a weekend here because we wanted to be close to six flags. I swear this place was more fun!!! There's swimming, games, lots of activities and you can go from rustic rent a tent to a really nice cabin with lots amenities!! We will be back!!"
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. One visitor to St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park noted, "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."
Safety considerations: Some campgrounds offer enhanced security features. A reviewer at St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park mentioned, "The office told me that they have 24 hour on site security also," providing peace of mind for families with young children.
Tips from RVers
Hookup details: St. Louis NE-Granite City KOA provides various hookup options. "Clean and fairly well maintained. Close to St. Louis attractions. Nice enough for staying a night or two," notes one RVer. Electric service ranges from 30-50 amp depending on site selection.
Site specifics: Understanding site limitations helps RVers choose appropriate locations. At Greensfelder County Park, a camper advised, "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)... site 29 where we stayed can fit a 40' fifth wheel."
Limited dump stations: Not all campgrounds offer on-site dumping facilities. "No dump but KOA and RV dealer 5-7 mins away," mentions a reviewer about Greensfelder County Park, highlighting the need for planning longer stays.
