Several tent camping options exist near Imperial, Missouri, with the closest established tent campgrounds located within a 30-minute drive. Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park in Wildwood offers both basic and electric tent sites with concrete pads. Klondike Park in Augusta provides tent camping with access to hiking trails and scenic views. Brazil Creek Recreation Area and Courtois Creek offer more primitive tent camping experiences farther from town.
Most tent campgrounds in the region feature picnic tables and fire rings, though amenities vary considerably between locations. Basic tent sites at Babler State Park include access to showers and toilets, while more remote areas like Courtois Creek Dispersed camping offer no facilities whatsoever. Tent campers should check seasonal availability, as some parks operate year-round while others have limited services during winter months. Drive-in access is available at most locations, though walk-in tent sites can be found at several parks including Babler and Klondike. A review mentioned, "Nice state park close to St Louis. Good, if short, trails. You might end up pitching your tent on a parking pad as many tent sites don't have level grassy spots for your tent."
The tent camping experience near Imperial offers varying levels of privacy and natural settings. Sites at the end of cul-de-sacs in Babler State Park provide more seclusion for tent campers, while other locations may have sites closer together. A camper noted that "sites 65 and 58 [at Babler] are good for their privacy or grassy tent spots." Tent campers seeking more isolation might prefer the primitive settings at Courtois Creek, where facilities are minimal but natural surroundings are less developed. Walk-in tent sites typically offer more privacy than drive-up locations. During weekdays and off-season periods, tent campers often experience less crowded conditions and quieter surroundings throughout the region.
"There is hiking trails which was wonderful. There is a winery nearby. My campsite was amazing, it was clean and wasn't too far from the restrooms. There is picnic tables and fire rings."
"A few drive up sites and lots of hike in spots around a quarry turned lake. Beautiful and clean setting. We stayed in site 24. There were picnic tables and a fire pit at our site."
from $10 - $65 / night
"The campground is located in a gym of a park located along the Missouri River. Reservations are required and the sites are in high demand. Tent camping only. There is water available in the park."
"Stayed at a walk-in site for a night and enjoyed it. Some sites are closer to the highway and cars flying down the road can make it hard to sleep but after midnight, they stopped."
from $50 - $75 / night
"We arrived on Wednesday and camped for a couple of days, very beautiful and peaceful and just gorgeous, no toilets and no electricity and no cell signal but it was amazing"
"Puddles that could be who know how deep or what's in them (I may be the red flag here)."
"This camp site is along the berryman trail so you can stay here if youre backpacking said trail."
"This is a bare bones campground, located in Mark Twain National Forest, it has a place for you to camp and a fire pit, that's it. No facilities, no water, no bathroom, no lights."
from $27 - $35 / night
from $15 - $16 / night
TravelerIt’s fun to see the animals. I was happy they have an outdoor shower because I needed it when I got here. I’d say the only down side is the animals roam so there is a lot of poop. Wouldn’t want to wander at night.
ScoutMy favorite spot in all of St. Louis! The lady who is the owner and the front desk attendant are wonderful and I have never had a problem here with anything! Free WiFi, laundry, and a public shower and bathroom if needed! There’s also cool walking/biking trails and a park with a children’s playground as well! The gas station is also walking distance for any small necessities
GuideIt appears to be a typical state park. There are lots of old trees. Sites are pretty close together but it is late October so it is not crowded. Each spot has a level gravel spot, electrical hook up (some are 50 and others 30 and ours had a 110 plug in which is what we needed, as well as a picnic table, and a fire pit. There are both pit toilets and a large building that has flush toilets and showers. Everything is old and would benefit from a refresh but it was all clean enough for camping.
RangerYes, the road was a bit bumpy, but worth navigating if you can claim a spot. I scored what I would argue is the second best spot - right on the creek just feet from the flowing water. The spot to the right appeared larger and had a rope for the kids (and cool adults) to utilize for launching into the water. The family occupying this space was in ear shot, but I had total privacy aside from a couple groups checking out the the water during the day. The creek had super cool rocks and the water was perfect for casual wading, but too low to swim in the area I was in. No amenities nearby, so pack in and pack out. I did not have any Verizon coverage, so it was two full days of off-the-grid bliss. I would’ve stayed here a a few more days if I had prepared.
ScoutNice and easy. Good spacing between sites
TravelerTrails in the area re nice but facilities for this many sites are limited. Sites are close to each other.
TravelerStayed overnight, got a great site next to the pond, escorted to site by friendly staff…..
GuideThis is definitely more of a “camp” site with bugs and pretty basic needs. When we arrived on Thursday no one was there. Easy to park. When we left Saturday morning of Labor Day, it was a parking lot zoo! Location near caverns is super cool. Bathrooms are sketchy. Super buggy and only a screen door between outside and toilets/showers. It’s a little concerning for a women to shower behind a curtain and only a flimsy screen door to outside. We were backed to river in a 35’ travel trailer no sewer at site and dump station on way out was in passenger side while all dump pipes are on driver side. It worked to go under but interesting to solve.
ScoutMost of the campers here live here long term. It’s more of a trailer park than a camping spot. They have a pool but most people probably wouldn’t use it. The restrooms and showers or shower, only one for the entire grounds, are 2 stars. If you needed an emergency stop over it would work.
Several tent camping options are available near Imperial, Missouri, with Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park offering one of the more established tent campground experiences. Located in nearby Wildwood, approximately 30 minutes from Imperial, Babler State Park features both basic and electric sites suitable for tent campers. Klondike Park in Augusta represents another option with walk-in tent sites within reasonable driving distance. Brazil Creek Recreation Area provides a more rustic experience for those willing to travel a bit farther, offering primitive tent camping with minimal amenities.
Most tent sites in the area have concrete pads, though some tent-specific areas provide more traditional dirt or grassy surfaces. Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park provides picnic tables and fire rings at each campsite, with a central bathhouse offering showers during the main camping season (April-October). During off-season months, only vault toilets are available at most campgrounds. A review noted that "some sites say they're for tent but it's just a dropping slope. You might as well pitch on the concrete," highlighting the importance of checking site details when making reservations.
Tent camping areas near Imperial provide varying degrees of privacy and natural settings. Sites farther from main roads tend to offer more seclusion, particularly at campgrounds like Brazil Creek where hike-in options exist. Shaded sites are prevalent at Babler State Park, making summer camping more comfortable. A camper wrote, "The sites at the end of cul de sacs give you the most privacy." Walk-in tent sites typically provide more seclusion than standard drive-up spots but require additional effort to transport gear. Many tent-only areas provide access to hiking trails, with Babler offering multiple trail options directly from the campground. Most tent campsites in the region maintain seasonal hours, with gates that close in the evening, particularly at established state parks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Imperial, MO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Imperial, MO is Klondike Park with a 4.7-star rating from 15 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Imperial, MO?
TheDyrt.com has all 9 tent camping locations near Imperial, MO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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