St. Joe State Park Campground sits at about 900 feet elevation in the eastern Ozarks, approximately 70 miles south of St. Louis. The park encompasses 8,238 acres with two distinct campgrounds that accommodate different camping styles. Temperatures average 85°F in summer months with January lows typically around 25°F, creating a varied camping season from April through October when most facilities remain fully operational.
What to do
Off-road vehicle trails: St. Joe State Park offers extensive ORV riding areas spanning several thousand acres. "Good place to ride your off road vehicles. Lots of trails and plenty of different types of trails to try out," notes one visitor to St. Joe State Park Campground, though they also mention "some rules that didn't make much sense."
Paved trail access: The 11-mile paved trail through St. Joe is suitable for all skill levels. "There's even a nice 11 mile long paved trail that has some hills but will work for kids/strollers/etc," reports a camper who appreciates the separation between motorized and non-motorized recreation areas.
Waterfall exploration: Hike the Mina Sauk Falls trail near Taum Sauk Mountain State Park Campground for Missouri's highest waterfall. "Mina Sauk Falls trail is a little under 4 miles and rated moderate. Best to hike after a heavy rainfall to see the waterfall but don't let that stop you if it hasn't rained in awhile, still beautiful to see," advises one camper who recommends wearing proper footwear.
Whitewater kayaking: The St. Francis River provides whitewater opportunities at Silver Mines during high water periods. "Just a short walk down to the river and stunning views. Beautiful hiking trails as well," reports a visitor who enjoyed watching kayakers navigate the rapids during spring runoff.
What campers like
Spacious sites: St. Joe State Park Campground offers large sites that accommodate multiple setups. "We had a spot with electric and no water, water is located close by the vault toilets. The site has a gravel parking area rather than the concrete one at CG#1. We had two tents, two cars, and five people, just as spacious."
Privacy options: For those seeking seclusion, Campground #2 at St. Joe provides a quieter atmosphere. "If you want more seclusion and don't really care about being right next to the showers, I would suggest CG#2," recommends a camper who also notes "there was a trail located right by our spot at CG#2, it's a good hike!"
Pine forest atmosphere: Hawn State Park Campground offers a unique pine-dominated environment. "Hawn State Park is a park like no other. Nowhere else in the state of Missouri have I been able to camp and feel like I'm in the middle of the Rocky Mountains. The car camping area is nestled in the middle of a pine filled valley."
Access to water features: Most parks in the region provide swimming opportunities during summer months. At Johnson's Shut-Ins, campers appreciate the unique river formations. "Two clean and well kept swimming areas, great trails, good camp sites, and great bathrooms/showers!" notes a visitor comparing the main campgrounds in the area.
What you should know
Tent pad restrictions: Some parks enforce strict tent placement rules. One camper at St. Joe mentioned, "They were very picky about every single thing we set up. They required the tent had to be set up on the gravel but we had 2 large tents and they did not fit. Plus who wants to sleep on gravel."
Seasonal waterfall flow: Mina Sauk Falls at Taum Sauk is highly dependent on recent rainfall. Plan your visit accordingly, as one camper suggests: "Best to hike after a heavy rainfall to see the waterfall but don't let that stop you if it hasn't rained in awhile."
Campground noise variations: Noise levels vary significantly between parks and campground loops. At Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park, one camper noted, "Camp sites were somewhat close together so hope you like neighbors," while another praised the walk-in sites as being "spread apart from each other."
Cell service limitations: Mobile connectivity varies dramatically across the region. At Bismark Lake Conservation Area, a camper reported "No Verizon signal at camping area but signal down the road," which affects planning for those needing to stay connected.
Tips for camping with families
Platform camping options: Johnson's Shut-Ins provides raised platforms at walk-in sites. "The cart provided was great to walk our gear down the trail to our site, and there was a flat deck for us to camp on (which was great on our rainy weekend)," notes a camper who appreciated this feature during wet weather.
Campground selection for children: Hawn State Park offers family-friendly accommodations. A camper shares, "Beautiful park and really comfortable with kids. Many different camp options with different prices and amenities. Clean shower and laundry room too."
Pet trail restrictions: Not all trails permit dogs, which affects family planning. "Very nice campground with nice showers and clean bathrooms... We didn't check the nearby trails to the shut-ins before coming. The shut-ins trail DOES NOT allow dogs so that's a bummer," cautions a visitor to Washington State Park Campground who had to find alternative hiking options for their pet-friendly family trip.
Proximity to attractions: Cherokee Landing provides good access to water activities. "We love the beautiful lake, the swimming area is big and has a nice patio for access. You can rent a cart to go running around the huge campground," explains a family that enjoyed the amenities.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: At St. Joe, RV site quality varies between campgrounds. "I've camped at both campgrounds offered at St. Joe. In the fall of 2018, we stayed at CG#1, the spot has a nice gravel tent pad with border, picnic table, and a fire pit. The spot also offered a concrete section for a camper and cars."
Electric hookup considerations: Some parks have limited electrical options. At St. Joe, a camper noted they "had a spot with electric and no water, water is located close by the vault toilets," which requires planning for water needs.
Pad material variations: Different campgrounds offer varied parking surfaces. At Patt's Place, LLC, a first-time RVer reported, "Well graveled spaces, easy water and electric hook-up with both 30 and 50 amp. Owners met us at the entrance and guided us in which was much appreciated."
Weather impact awareness: Prepare for post-rain conditions at many area campgrounds. One RVer at Patt's Place mentioned, "It was a bit muddy but we had just had a bunch of rain but the gravel kept us from having to fight it," highlighting the importance of site materials during wet conditions.
