Glamping options near Kirkwood, Missouri complement the region's diverse camping landscape situated within 35 minutes of downtown St. Louis. The area features mostly flat terrain with occasional rolling hills, and summer temperatures regularly reach the mid-90s with high humidity. Fall camping typically offers more comfortable conditions with daytime temperatures in the 60s-70s and cooler evenings.
What to do
Kayak on 370 Lakeside Park: Located about 30 minutes from Kirkwood, this park offers water-based recreation with easy rental options. According to visitor Lindsey C., "This is a great place to kayak and camp if you don't want to drive that fare and live in the city."
Explore hiking trails at Pere Marquette State Park: This park features challenging terrain unusual for the typically flat St. Louis region. One visitor notes, "Pere Marquette has great hiking for Illinois. The campground has 88 sites total, 1-85 are either 30 amp or 50 amp electric sites." Another camper shared, "Great hikes! Very strenuous in some locations, but well worth the effort for the views!"
Attend seasonal events: Yogi Bears Jellystone Park Resort at Six Flags offers scheduled activities during peak seasons. A visitor mentioned, "Great private campground in the StLouis area... lots of activities to do."
What campers like
Proximity to attractions: St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park positions visitors within easy reach of St. Louis landmarks. One camper noted, "Staff on duty at all hours is awesome! Five minutes from food and stores. 30 minutes from downtown Saint Louis."
Spacious, private sites: Many glamping facilities near Kirkwood offer more secluded options than standard campgrounds. At Horseshoe Lake State Park Campground, "The campground is relatively small but has great sites to camp. Very private and clean. 5 ⭐ in my opinion simply because of the overnight price and privacy."
Budget-friendly options: Some parks offer exceptional value for cost-conscious glampers. One visitor to Horseshoe Lake mentioned, "Great spot in a beautiful area close to St. Louis. No power but access to drinking water and waste water dump for just 8$." Another noted it's "one of my most favorite park in the STL and surrounding areas" with a self-service pay system that "makes it simple, easy, and fast."
What you should know
Train noise affects some locations: At St. Louis West / Historic Route 66 KOA, visitors should prepare for occasional train disturbances. One camper mentioned, "Close to train tracks and highway, but didn't notice with AC on in the camper." Another visitor noted, "It will be even better when they invent silent trains."
Weather considerations: The St. Louis region experiences severe weather, particularly during spring and summer. Be prepared for sudden storms and high humidity from June through August.
Reservation requirements vary: Some glamping sites near Kirkwood require advance planning while others allow walk-ups. One camper at St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park reported, "We called ahead but didn't need a reservation."
Tips for camping with families
Pool access: Greensfelder County Park provides family-friendly amenities despite its natural setting. According to one camper, "This is well maintained park with plenty of activities and close to all the luxuries that a town can offer."
Kid-friendly activities: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Resort features scheduled entertainment beyond what's mentioned at other glamping sites. A visitor shared, "This campground is geared for kids and family activities and accomplished same. It is pretty commercialized but did have a lot of trees."
Safety considerations: Some sites offer better security than others. One camper at 370 Lakeside Park noted, "The park has planted some trees, but they are really just saplings, so there is no shade yet. The office told me that they have 24 hour on site security also."
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategies: At Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park Campground, RVers should choose locations based on privacy needs. One camper advised, "Sites 13-33 are popular open and sunny campsites with nice grassy areas between them. In contrast sites 52-75 are much more treed and have a private feel to them."
Utility access varies: Electric hookups are common but other utilities differ between sites. An RVer at Babler State Park noted, "There is no sewer or water at individual sites but water spigots are scattered throughout the campground and there is a dump station with potable water fill-up."
Leveling challenges: Not all sites provide even ground for larger rigs. One visitor mentioned, "Not all sites are long enough for large RVs and the roads in some loops prevent you from turning around. The camp hosts we encountered are very helpful and have a list of site lengths."
