Camping options near Maryland Heights provide convenient access to outdoor recreation while staying close to St. Louis amenities. The region has a humid continental climate with hot summers where temperatures often exceed 90°F and mild winters, making spring and fall the most comfortable camping seasons. The terrain varies from riverside lowlands to wooded bluffs, with elevations ranging from 450 to 600 feet above sea level.
What to do
Water activities at Pere Marquette State Park: The park sits at the confluence of the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers, offering excellent fishing opportunities. "The hiking is worth the effort. The views from the bluffs are gorgeous," shares Joel R., who notes "there were owls when we were there."
Historic exploration in downtown St. Charles: Access the Sundermeier RV Park and hop on the Katy Trail for a short ride. "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 on the Missouri River," says Cheryl K.
Wine and beer tasting in Defiance: Beyond the Trail RV Park offers easy access to local wineries. "It is located in a sleepy little winery town. It is just a few minutes from the main part of town with multiple beautiful wineries within a few miles," notes Jamie C., who adds "Just on the other side of the trail is a great brewery with a fantastic patio and rooftop deck."
What campers like
Level, secure sites at Casino Queen: The Draft Kings at Casino Queen RV Park offers urban camping with city views. "Very clean and secure overnight park just outside of STL. Phenomenal views of downtown and the arch, and fairly easy access to I-55/64/70," reports Scott C., who appreciates the "clean, paved, level sites with full hookups throughout."
Family-friendly amenities at Jellystone: Families enjoy Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Resort At Six Flags for its recreational options. "This is not a rugged style campground as there are many amenities such as a pool, putt putt golf, volleyball, and more. They also host daily kids activities and crafts," says Lindsey R., who recommends it for "camping with kids."
Lake views and recreation at St. Peters: Campers appreciate the maintained facilities at St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park. "The grounds are clean and pleasant, if a bit sparse with little shade. This will change over the subsequent years, however, as there are many relatively newly planted trees. The nicest spots are the ones by the lake," notes Suzie S.
What you should know
Train and aircraft noise: Several campgrounds in the region experience noise from nearby transportation. At Sundermeier RV Park, "trains pass 2 blocks away several times nightly, but after the first night you won't notice," according to Jennifer B. Similarly, Josh F. mentions that at Casino Queen RV Park "there are trains every 15-30 minutes all day long."
Weather and seasonal considerations: Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F with high humidity from June through August. Spring brings potential flooding, especially at riverside campgrounds. "It was out of commission for most of the summer of 2019 as the entire area was flooded," Annie C. reports about St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park.
City ordinances on fires: Campfire restrictions vary by location. At Sundermeier RV Park, Brian A. notes "the only bad thing which isn't the campgrounds fault, is you can't have a camp fire due to the city ordinances." Always check current rules before planning evening activities.
Tips for camping with families
Recreation rentals for kids: Rent equipment at St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park to keep children entertained. "They rent out peddle boats, bikes and peddle cars/buggies as well. We rented a peddle buggy. Those are a lot harder to get moving then they look. Awesome workout for the whole family!" shares Barbie B.
Playgrounds and activities: Cahokia RV Parque includes family-friendly facilities. "The grounds, pool, laundry, and bathrooms were all in excellent repair and clean. The park was quiet, but very family friendly," notes Lee T., who adds there's "a great playground for the kids!"
Gateway Arch access: When visiting St. Louis attractions, consider proximity to major landmarks. "Easy check in, but the camp host said the shaded spots were too narrow, they were not. Stayed three nights and saw all the sites: The Gateway Arch, Union Station, aquarium, botanical gardens," shares Dennis P. about his family's stay at Casino Queen RV Park.
Tips from RVers
Hookup positioning: Be prepared for varying utility setups. At Casino Queen RV Park, Josh F. warns "Utilities are set up weird on all sites - Water and electric are at the very rear of the site by the sewer, so you will need a decent sized hose to reach if your water intake is in the front of your camper."
Leveling challenges: Some sites require extra attention to level properly. At Jellystone, "The site was ok, tricky to level. There was a steep drop just past our steps, and not a lot of room to set up chairs," explains Jan S.
Water pressure variations: Expect significant differences in water pressure between campgrounds. Susan L. noted at St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park "The water pressure was so strong that I could barely open the water pump!"
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