Cabins near Lonedell, Missouri typically operate in a humid continental climate zone with average summer temperatures reaching 89°F and winter lows around 22°F. The region sits at approximately 800 feet elevation with rental structures positioned throughout the Ozark foothills. Many cabin rentals in the area maintain seasonal operations, closing during winter when temperatures drop and road access becomes challenging.
What to do
Explore cave systems: Fisher Cave at Meramec State Park Campground offers guided underground tours with historical interpretation. "Pay the extra for the caves tour! Down the road there's an old iron foundry and a historic cemetery to explore," shares Lynn G., who rated the experience 5 stars.
Hike wooded trails: Most cabin properties connect to trail networks ranging from easy to moderate difficulty, typically 1-5 miles in length. "The hiking is great and our camp sites were always clean and good looking," reports Amy E. about Meramec State Park.
River activities: Many cabin areas provide direct access to the Meramec or Big Rivers for swimming, fishing, and water recreation. At Washington State Park Campground, "You can rent a canoe/kayak/tube to enjoy the river (on site!)," according to Lynn G., highlighting the convenience of on-property watercraft rentals.
What campers like
Diverse cabin options: Accommodations range from basic shelters to fully-equipped units with modern conveniences. At St. Charles County Klondike Park, visitors appreciate the variety: "They also have small cabins though pretty basic," notes Mike L., who often bike-packs to the park.
Wildlife viewing: Many properties offer encounters with local fauna. "The State Park has a great canopy of trees located next to a stream as a setting for the campground that bounds with wildlife. We saw deer and raccoons here that entered our campsite," explains Tom K. about Meramec State Park.
Historical features: Several cabin areas contain significant historical sites. Washington State Park offers "Petroglyphs and other history too. Green rolling hills that would be ideal to visit in the fall," writes Lynn G., pointing to the archaeological attractions not found at other properties.
What you should know
Seasonal closures: Many cabin properties shut down during winter months. "This is an older RV park and campground, and the age shows," reports Joel R. about Pin Oak RV Park, noting that "Two of 6 washers were out of service, one bathroom stall was out of order, pot holes in the road."
Limited cell service: Most cabin areas have unreliable connectivity. "The campground is great. Most of the sites are flat and paved. The campground is right next to the Meramec River. There is WiFi available but it is not reliable. The cell phone service is virtually non-existent," reports Mats from Meramec State Park.
Bathroom facilities: Shower and restroom quality varies significantly between properties. "Campground was nice, pretty buggy, but bathrooms were in shambles, showers were full of mud and dirt," warns Gage D. about Meramec Caverns Natural Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Schedule structured recreation programs available at family-focused properties. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Resort offers extensive children's programming: "A very family friendly campground and would highly recommend if camping with kids!" states Lindsey R., noting the "daily kids activities and crafts."
Food preparation: Many cabin rentals provide minimal cooking facilities requiring advanced meal planning. "The real attraction here is the caverns themselves, plus the zip lining, river floating, and whatever other activities are on offer," explains Alex M., adding that "their food was surprisingly good. I had dinner and breakfast there, and was glad I did."
Pack for weather changes: The region experiences rapid temperature shifts, particularly in spring and fall. "We stayed in the group use area with our Cub Scout Pack. There was plenty of room for all of our tents and portable canopies. We hiked the 1000 step trail," recounts Scott M. about Washington State Park.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Carefully review cabin locations when booking as many properties have significant terrain variations. At Meramec Caverns Natural Campground, "My campsite, located in the far southwest corner, was one of a few with a fire pit, small paved picnic shelter, and picnic table. I was very happy to have the shelter, as there was a thunderstorm the morning of my visit," reports Alex M.
Hookup configuration: Water and sewer connections at some properties are positioned problematically close together. "The most disgusting setup with sewer and fresh water literally inches from each other at all full hook up sites. Not worth the money for full hook up," warns Justin P. about Stanton-Meramec KOA.
Limited RV sites: Cabin-focused properties often have restricted RV parking with challenging access roads. "There is a very large hill to get in and some sites are VERY tight - we thankfully had a decent size site comparatively," notes Cassondra P. about Jellystone Park.
