The Meramec River region near Wappapello Lake offers diverse camping environments across elevations ranging from 350 to 800 feet. Most camping areas sit within mixed hardwood forests dominated by oak and hickory trees, creating varied terrain for different camping styles. Winter overnight temperatures often drop below freezing while summer camping frequently experiences humidity levels above 80% with daytime highs in the 90s.
What to do
Cave exploration: tour underground: Onondaga Cave State Park provides walking tours of one of North America's most impressive cave systems. "No matter how many caves you've seen, you'll remember this one. Elevated walkways, pools, absolutely lovely," notes a visitor. The tour takes approximately 1.5 hours and costs around $15-20 per adult.
Hiking: access multiple difficulty levels: Washington State Park features trails for various skill levels, including the challenging 1000 Steps Trail. "We hiked the 1000 step trail. Most of the campers did fine but those who were not use to hiking did struggle a bit," explains one camper. The park also contains prehistoric petroglyphs accessible via short walking paths.
Fishing: catch multiple species: Pin Oak RV Park offers a private catch-and-release fishing pond on property. "Fishing pond was a blast for the kids!" reports one visitor. The nearby Meramec River contains catfish, bass and panfish species, with bank access available at multiple points.
Floating: rent equipment onsite: Ozark Outdoors Riverfront Resort provides canoe, kayak and tube rentals directly from their campground. A visitor shares, "This is a fun place to camp. Very accommodating for large groups and great for float trips." Float trips range from 2-6 hours depending on water levels and chosen routes.
What campers like
Secluded sites: peaceful camping options: Robertsville State Park Campground features quiet, wooded campsites away from crowds. A visitor notes, "The area is immaculately clean showers or private bathrooms are plentiful. It's in the tall trees with lots of shade and greenery you kind of feel like you're in a jungle."
Natural water features: direct river access: Meramec Caverns Natural Campground offers riverside campsites with swimming areas. "Good swimming! Clear water. Camp store. Firewood available," reports one camper. Many sites allow visitors to walk directly from their campsite to swimming or fishing spots along the river.
Wildlife viewing: frequent encounters: Campers at Meramec State Park frequently spot wildlife within camping areas. "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," shares one visitor.
What you should know
Flooding risk: seasonal considerations: River campsites can flood during heavy rain periods, particularly in spring. At Stanton-Meramec KOA, a camper observed, "The only reason I didn't rate it 5 stars is because sometimes the park closes or they have to evacuate due to the quick rise of the river. Easy fix though, just call ahead to see if they're open."
Cell service limitations: connectivity varies: Meramec State Park Campground has unreliable service for some carriers. "The campground is great. There is WiFi available but it is not reliable. The cell phone service is virtually non-existent. We had planned to work from here and had to cut our visit short," reports one visitor.
Weekend crowds: plan accordingly: Most campgrounds experience significant crowding during summer weekends, especially those offering river access. A visitor to Ozark Outdoors notes, "The sites were close together and there wasn't much privacy. On summer weekends it is crowded and noisy."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: kid-friendly amenities: Onondaga Cave State Park Campground provides family facilities beyond camping. "The campground itself is very developed. There are showers, bathrooms, a store, a playground and even a little stage," explains a visitor. The park often hosts ranger-led educational programs for children.
Swimming options: supervised water access: Multiple campgrounds offer designated swimming areas for families. One visitor to Ozark Outdoors Riverfront Resort states, "We stayed on the family side and had a great time. Staff super helpful and upbeat, everyone looked like they wanted to ACTUALLY be there."
Safety considerations: weather awareness: Summer storms can develop quickly in this region. "We made it 3 miles, and swam to a competitor's pull out point after swimming the last 1/4 mile to it," reports one family caught in a storm while floating. Always check weather forecasts before water activities.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: preparation needed: Robertsville State Park requires leveling equipment for most sites. A camper warns, "The lots are pretty uneven so make sure you bring plenty of cribbing. The spaces are electric only, so if you are wanting full hookups you better look elsewhere."
Easy access options: convenient overnight stops: RV Self-Park provides simplified camping for those traveling through. "Very well lit, very clean and very easy to get in and very secure with a ton of cameras. Also has a really nice dog area," mentions one RVer. The self-service system allows for late-night arrivals without staff interaction.
Hookup placement: site selection matters: Some campgrounds have unusual utility layouts. A visitor to Stanton-Meramec KOA observed, "Sites were crammed together with hardly any trees in the full hookup area. Your neighbors sewer sat right by your picnic table." Reviewing site maps before booking can prevent unpleasant surprises.
