The Mississippi and Meramec rivers influence House Springs' landscape, creating varied terrain with elevations ranging from 450 to 750 feet. RV parks near House Springs provide a strategic base for both outdoor adventures and urban attractions, with most campgrounds experiencing 30-90°F seasonal temperature variations. Summer thunderstorms can appear suddenly, particularly during afternoon hours.
What to do
Brewery access from camp: 3-minute walk to Defiance Brewery from Beyond the Trail RV Park with direct Katy Trail connection. "The Katy trail borders the park for easy access to town. Beautiful views across a large farm field to the hills beyond with incredible sunsets," notes Sam C.
Fishing opportunities: 10-minute walk to stocked ponds at several parks. Pin Oak RV Park maintains a private catch-and-release pond ideal for beginners. "Nice little lake to fish in and areas to walk around in," reports Robyn C., while others mention catching decent-sized fish without needing a license.
Water recreation: Kayaking and paddleboats available at St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park from April through October. "This is a great place to kayak and camp if you don't want to drive that far and live in the city," says Lindsey C. The park rents paddleboats, kayaks, and canoes alongside different bicycle options for exploring the 4+ mile lake trail.
What campers like
Concrete pads with full hookups: RV Self-Park offers easy pull-through sites with concrete pads that remain level regardless of weather conditions. "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," reports Grant, noting the efficient setup for quick overnight stays.
Access to historic areas: Sundermeier RV Park provides direct Katy Trail access leading to historic St. Charles. "You can literally be parked right at the Katy Trail. 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," explains Cheryl K.
Urban proximity with security: Gated RV parks like Casino Queen RV Park require access codes, providing peace of mind when camping near urban areas. "Security is proactive in patrols and are friendly and helpful. No frills but a great view of the arch. Centrally located and across the bridge from downtown," notes Greg S.
What you should know
Train noise impacts sleep: Multiple campgrounds near House Springs sit close to active rail lines. "There is train noise, quite a bit," warns Kelsey R. about St. Louis West KOA. Sites nearest tracks experience the most disruption, typically between 10pm-6am. Some campers recommend using white noise machines or choosing sites furthest from tracks.
Flooding concerns: Several parks experience flooding issues during heavy rain. At Beyond the Trail RV Park, Adam F. notes, "My only complaint is they have some drainage issues if it rains a lot. A few of the campsites will flood, not bad enough to get to your camper, but just enough to be annoying."
Urban vs. natural settings: Campgrounds closer to St. Louis offer fewer trees and more concrete. "I like trees and nature around. This park had very little of that," explains Susan L. about one location. Parks west of House Springs generally offer more tree cover and natural settings but require longer drives to city attractions.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park offers playground equipment, lakeside activities, and organized weekend events for children. "This park is beautiful. Located about 25 minutes from St Louis. They have paddle boats and bikes and group bikes for rental. Kids had a blast riding bikes. Even finding a few little frogs jumping around and fireflies at night," shares Joseph F.
Halloween events: Pin Oak RV Park hosts annual Halloween celebrations popular with 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 Tim K. Reservations for these special events should be made 2-3 months in advance.
Pool availability: Several campgrounds maintain seasonal pools, typically open Memorial Day through Labor Day. Cahokia RV Parque offers a well-maintained pool area from May through September. "The grounds, pool, laundry, and bathrooms were all in excellent repair and clean. The park was quiet, but very family friendly," reports Lee T.
Tips from RVers
Utility locations: Check hookup positions before booking. At Cahokia RV Parque, utilities are strategically placed but may require planning. "Full hook-up was relatively clean and easy to use," notes Jenni W., though campers with larger rigs should confirm specific site dimensions and hookup locations.
Site spacing considerations: Most parks offer varied spacing between sites. "The spaces are tighter, but that was expected being closer to a city," explains one RVer about metropolitan camping. At Pin Oak RV Park, "Sites at the back of the property are large. Sites in the middle seemed more crowded," advises Chad H.
Electric reliability: Summer demand can strain electrical systems. Most House Springs area RV parks maintain 50-amp service that handles air conditioning units, but during peak summer weekends, voltage fluctuations may occur. Using surge protectors is recommended during thunderstorm season from May through August.
