Camping sites near Hazelwood, Missouri cluster primarily along major waterways including the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers at elevations ranging from 400-600 feet. The region experiences humid continental climate with hot summers often exceeding 90°F and mild winters, which affects camping conditions across seasons. Most campgrounds remain open year-round, though water hookups at some locations may be unavailable during winter months due to freezing temperatures.
What to do
Hiking opportunities: At Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park Campground, trails vary in difficulty but reward hikers with seasonal woodland views. "The park has a lot to offer. The trails are not too long but can be challenging for small kids or folks that are not used to hiking," notes Scott M. The park contains no bodies of water for fishing, but numerous fishing spots exist within 15 miles.
Water recreation access: Paddleboarding and kayaking are popular at St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park with equipment rentals available on-site. "They 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!" shares Barbie B. The man-made lake offers a 3-mile paved walking path encircling the water.
Historic exploration: Visiting historic St. Charles via the Katy Trail is possible from Sundermeier RV Park. "Through the gate at the rear of the campground, and you can bike for miles. Easy ride in to St. Charles a wonderful historic river town on the Missouri River. Great shops, great restaurants," according to Cheryl K. The trail stretches approximately 1.5-2 miles from the campground to downtown.
What campers like
24-hour security: Several campgrounds in the area maintain round-the-clock security patrols. A visitor at Draft Kings at Casino Queen RV Park noted, "Security rolled through frequently. Your gate code can be used for the pool and gym at the casino in addition to the bathroom and laundry area." The gated entry systems provide peace of mind for campers storing equipment outside.
On-site food options: Convenient dining exists at some campgrounds, eliminating the need for cooking after a long day of activities. "The bonus is the fried chicken," says Joel R. about Pere Marquette State Park Campground. "The lodge has one of the best fried chicken dinners around on Sunday." Similarly, at Cahokia RV Parque, a camper advises, "Do NOT miss the BBQ place in the parking lot... fantastic food and a 10% discount for park customers."
Family-friendly amenities: Playgrounds, pools and recreational rentals create all-day entertainment options. "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). There is fish in the lake and you are allowed to fish," observed one visitor at St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park. Many campgrounds also feature organized activities during summer months.
What you should know
Train and airport noise: Proximity to transportation infrastructure affects sound levels at several camping areas. A guest at Sundermeier RV Park warns, "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." Sites with lower numbers at this campground are closer to train tracks than higher-numbered locations.
Limited shade at newer facilities: Established trees remain sparse at recently developed campgrounds. "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," explains Barbie B. about St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park. Consider bringing portable shade structures during summer months.
Industrial surroundings: Several campgrounds operate within urban industrial zones rather than natural settings. "It's not in the prettiest location, very industrial and the train tracks run close. First night one came through blowing its horns around 5am," shares Peter H. about St. Louis NE-Granite City KOA. Most city-adjacent sites trade natural surroundings for urban convenience.
Tips for camping with families
Playground proximity: Select sites close to play areas for convenient supervision. At St. Louis NE-Granite City KOA, one camper mentioned, "My kids loved the jumping pillow at the park. Minimal playground but they still enjoyed it. Wish there was more of a good walking/biking area around it (I love to be able to walk the dog around the playground while kids play and this wasn't really an option."
Overnight options near attractions: When visiting Six Flags, St. Louis West / Historic Route 66 KOA provides convenient accommodations. "Stayed here for trip to six flags, well taken care of. People are friendly, has a nice and clean pool. Little shop with all sorts of stuff," notes Nik B. The campground sits approximately 5 minutes from the theme park entrance.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Schedule early morning walks for best animal sightings. At St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park, campers report seeing "deer, bald eagles, pelicans, ducks, snakes" around the lake. The best viewing times occur near dawn, with most wildlife becoming less active during midday hours.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for big rigs: Request information about specific site dimensions when booking. "We got site 41 and it was perfect with our 31' travel trailer and we did not have to unhook. To hot and tired to walk around but there is a park and access to a walking trail that looks nice," shares a Riverside Landing visitor. Site capacities vary significantly, even within the same campground.
Water pressure variations: Water pressure at hookup sites can exceed safe levels for some RV plumbing systems. One camper at Sundermeier RV Park noted the "water pressure was so strong that I could barely open the water pump!" Consider using a pressure regulator at campgrounds near municipal water supplies.
Hookup positioning: The arrangement of utilities varies between parks. At Draft Kings at Casino Queen RV Park, a camper observed, "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." Bring extension hoses when camping at urban facilities.
