Camping options near Normandy, Missouri extend to both small state parks and commercial facilities within a 40-mile radius. The region experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures frequently exceeding 90°F and mild winters with occasional snow. Noise from transportation infrastructure affects many campsites, with multiple campgrounds reporting train activity throughout the night and early morning hours.
What to do
Access Katy Trail biking: St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park, located 25 minutes from Normandy, offers direct trail connections. "The park/campground rents paddleboats, kayaks, and canoes in addition to different kinds of bikes. There is a walking trail around the lake (4+ miles)," notes one reviewer who mentions the park also has fishing access.
Explore historic towns: Sundermeier RV Park connects to downtown St. Charles via the Katy Trail. "Easy ride in to St. Charles a wonderful historic river town on the Missouri River. Great shops, great restaurants," says one visitor who recommends biking the 1.5-2 mile trail segment to reach the downtown area.
Wildlife viewing: Horseshoe Lake State Park Campground offers budget-friendly primitive camping with abundant wildlife. "You can see all kinds of wildlife in and around the lake- deer, bald eagles, pelicans, ducks, snakes," reports a camper who enjoyed the natural setting just across the Mississippi River from Normandy.
What campers like
Budget-friendly options: Horseshoe Lake State Park offers primitive camping at $8 per night. "Great spot in a beautiful area close to St. Louis. No power but access to drinking water and waste water dump for just 8$," reports a reviewer appreciating the value at this basic campground.
Dedicated security: St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park maintains 24-hour staffing. "Staff on duty at all hours is awesome! We called ahead but didn't need a reservation," writes one camper. Another mentions, "A park ranger went around to every site and notified every camper of where the shelters were and gave out a flyer about the specific weather forecast!"
Gateway Arch views: Draft Kings at Casino Queen RV Park offers unique city views. "Even though this RV park is in a city, we felt safe. And its view of the Gateway Arch can't be beat," reports one camper. The security-focused campground requires advance registration: "You need a code to get in the gate, so you must register in advance."
What you should know
Trains and planes: Most campgrounds near Normandy experience transportation noise. At Sundermeier RV Park, "It is near a highway, there's a railroad bridge right next to it, and it is under the airport flight path," though one camper notes, "The planes and trains stopped after about 10-11pm."
Campground closures: Seasonal flooding affects availability. One visitor to Horseshoe Lake found "a homemade sign that says no camping. I wish we would have known that before we got here. As far as I could tell the website said it's open." Call ahead during spring months when river levels rise.
Urban surroundings: Cahokia RV Parque warns about limited shopping options. "I was planning on grabbing a gallon of milk when we got there...there really is nothing around the rv park! Maybe a couple gas stations at best, but if you need groceries or anything, stop and get them before you get close."
Tips for camping with families
Playground facilities: St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park offers recreation beyond camping. "Located about 25 minutes from St Louis. They have paddle boats and bikes and group bikes for rental. Located right next to a lake with a lot of RV and tent camping spots. Kids had a blast riding bikes."
Bounce pads and pools: St. Louis NE-Granite City KOA offers kid-friendly amenities. "My kids loved the jumping pillow at the park. Minimal playground but they still enjoyed it," writes one parent who used the campground as a base for visiting St. Louis attractions.
Wildlife observation: For wildlife-focused family activities, try Horseshoe Lake. "This is a great place when the geese are migrating thru," reports one visitor. The park offers lakeside tent camping on Walkers Island and opportunities for nature exploration.
Tips from RVers
Site hookup locations: Draft Kings at Casino Queen RV Park requires longer hoses for some RVs. "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."
Site spacing considerations: Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park Campground offers varied site configurations. "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," advises an experienced camper who also notes that "not all sites are long enough for large RVs."
On-site dining options: Cahokia RV Parque features a restaurant many RVers appreciate. "The grounds, pool, laundry, and bathrooms were all in excellent repair and clean... Do NOT miss the BBQ place in the parking lot... fantastic food and a 10% discount for park customers."
