RV camping near Herculaneum, Missouri offers visitors proximity to both the Mississippi River and nearby rolling hills of eastern Missouri. Located just 30 minutes south of St. Louis, the area serves as a convenient base camp with seasonal temperature variations influencing camping experiences throughout the year. Campgrounds in the region typically experience higher occupancy during summer weekends and fall foliage season when temperatures moderate.
What to do
Katy Trail Access: Beyond the Trail RV Park in Defiance offers direct trail access for cyclists. "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," writes Sam C., who appreciated the location just steps from the popular rail trail.
Local Breweries and Wineries: Several campgrounds position guests near local beverage producers. "Just on the other side of the trail is a great brewery with a fantastic patio and rooftop deck. We walked there a few times to enjoy pizza," notes Jamie C. about Beyond the Trail RV Park.
Gateway Arch Views: For urban sightseeing, some campgrounds offer direct views of downtown St. Louis. One visitor to Draft Kings at Casino Queen RV Park mentioned, "Close to the arch, that's why we chose this place to stay overnight... the view of the arch and downtown St Louis and access to both is fantastic."
What campers like
Urban Conveniences: Cahokia RV Parque earns praise for its strategic location. "This is a centrally located campground in the Metro St. Louis area. It's close to interstates and it's a short drive across the river to Missouri attractions," shares Roger G., highlighting the accessibility factor.
Secure Camping Options: Security measures appear frequently in positive reviews. At RV Self-Park, one camper noted, "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."
Local Entertainment: The region offers numerous entertainment options. Adam F. observed at Beyond the Trail RV Park that "Within walking distance is a really nice winery and a couple bars. All of these places have cold beer and live music on the weekends."
What you should know
Train and Highway Noise: Multiple campgrounds experience noise pollution from nearby transportation. "You will hear some highway noise, but honestly, after years in trucking, it just felt like home," mentions one RV Self-Park reviewer, while others note frequent train traffic at several locations.
Flooding Concerns: Some parks experience seasonal flooding issues. At St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park, visitors should note potential water issues. "The park has planted some trees, but they are really just saplings, so there is no shade yet... One of the downsides to this location is that it is prone to flooding. It was out of commission for most of the summer of 2019."
Site Spacing Varies: Campgrounds in the area differ significantly in site spacing. Charlie & Danielle B. observed at Covered Bridge RV Park that "For this to be such a small RV park (smallest we've stayed at so far) the sites are very spacious!"
Tips for camping with families
Fishing Opportunities: Several campgrounds feature stocked fishing ponds. Pin Oak RV Park provides family-friendly fishing access, as one visitor shared: "A nice private catch and release pond, an old little mini golf setup, a small (but adequate) swimming pool kept the kids busy."
Playground Access: Pin Oak RV Park offers multiple recreation options for children. "Awesome Private Camp. 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," notes Tim K.
Swimming Pools: During summer months, pools provide relief from the heat. At St. Louis West KOA, one visitor reported, "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."
Tips from RVers
Hookup Positioning: Draft Kings at Casino Queen RV Park requires extra planning for connections. One reviewer explained, "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."
Reservation Systems: Self-service check-in procedures vary by park. At Sundermeier RV Park, one traveler noted, "Staff was very courteous and helpful. Facilities were very clean and neighbors were very nice."
Extended Stay Benefits: Longer-term visitors may receive additional perks. At Cahokia RV Parque, a couple mentioned, "We have booked a return trip already" due to positive experiences with the facilities and central location for exploring the St. Louis area.
