Maryland Heights camping options range from basic tent sites to premium RV accommodations throughout eastern Missouri. Located at elevations between 450-600 feet, this suburban area experiences humid continental climate with hot summers and moderate winters. Most campgrounds remain open year-round with peak visitation between April and October when temperatures average 75-90°F during summer days.
What to do
Hiking trails with lake views: Cuivre River State Park Campground offers extensive woodland hiking opportunities with trails ranging from easy to challenging. "The hiking trails are plentiful and quiet. The campground was updated and the facilities were clean," notes one visitor who appreciates the natural surroundings just an hour from the city.
Water recreation rentals: St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park provides kayak, paddleboat and bike rental options for visitors looking to explore the man-made lake. "Beautiful area next to a man-made lake. Concrete pads with full hookups, as well as dirt pads with full hookups," explains one camper describing the setting.
Historical exploration: Pere Marquette State Park Campground combines outdoor recreation with historical interest. "Beautiful hiking on dirt trails with gorgeous views of the Illinois River. The lodge has a restaurant and giant chess board!" remarks a visitor who enjoyed both natural and cultural attractions.
What campers like
Security and safety: Cuivre River State Park receives high marks for well-maintained facilities and peaceful atmosphere. "Great well maintained state park right outside of St Louis. Park has an awesome trail system around the lake, and it looks like you can rent canoes/kayaks in the summer," states one winter visitor who appreciated the year-round accessibility.
Family-oriented activities: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Resort At Six Flags specializes in family entertainment with activities beyond traditional camping. "We stayed here last minute for Labor Day Weekend and the staff were great with finding us a good tent site available. This is not a rugged style campground as there are many amenities such as a pool, putt putt golf, volleyball, and more," explains a camper who enjoyed the recreational options.
Convenient location: St. Louis West / Historic Route 66 KOA offers proximity to city attractions while maintaining natural surroundings. "This was such a nice and serene setting. Close to the city and local attractions, yet surrounded by nature none the less. The family atmosphere at this campground brings a smile to your face," notes a visitor describing the balance between accessibility and natural environment.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park Campground operates with limited facilities during winter months. "Not having water available except at the camp host, and no open restrooms and showers until after April 1, regardless of when the last freeze is was inconvenient for a spring break trip," reports one camper who visited during shoulder season.
Train noise at some locations: Several campgrounds near Maryland Heights experience railroad noise that may affect light sleepers. "Close to train tracks and highway, but didn't notice with AC on in the camper," mentions a visitor at St. Louis West KOA, highlighting how vehicle amenities can mitigate noise issues.
Site selection matters: Horseshoe Lake State Park Campground offers varying site quality. "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," explains a visitor who found value in the $8 nightly fee despite limited amenities.
Tips for camping with families
Budget-friendly options: St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park provides economical family camping with generous amenities. "I wish I could add more stars! This campground, a City of St Peters park and campground, is as excellent as a campground comes. The campsites are 'state-park-size', especially the back-in sites which all have plenty of lawns behind them," enthuses a visitor who appreciated the staff attention to safety during weather events.
Entertainment for different ages: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park hosts organized activities for children. "They also host daily kids activities and crafts. A very family friendly campground and would highly recommend if camping with kids!" shares a parent who found the structured programming valuable for keeping children engaged.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Horseshoe Lake State Park offers opportunities to observe seasonal bird migrations. "This is a great place when the geese are migrating thru," notes a visitor who appreciated the natural educational opportunities for children.
Tips from RVers
Level site availability: Greensfelder County Park offers suitable options for various RV sizes. "Most sites are great for trailers 26' or less and 1 slide (sites 24-26 can fit a fifth wheel probably no bigger than 36-38 ft)," advises an RVer who carefully documented the amenities, noting the "2-20 amp plugs and 1-30amp plug" electrical setup.
Off-season accessibility: St. Louis NE-Granite City KOA maintains good conditions for RVers during shoulder seasons. "There are few campgrounds with full hook-ups in the Edwardsville, IL area, so we were pleased to find this one," states a visitor who notes that despite train noise and some full-time residents, the campground remains "clean and safe."
Hook-up variations: Pere Marquette State Park Campground offers limited but functional RV accommodations. "Most of the sites were fairly level, but I didn't see any pull through sites," reports a visitor who noted the campground's amenities include "water and electric hookups."
