Best Tent Camping near Portage Des Sioux, MO

Several tent campgrounds dot the Missouri landscape within a short drive of Portage Des Sioux, offering diverse experiences for campers seeking overnight stays in natural settings. Klondike Park, operated by St. Charles County, features walk-in tent sites set around a former quarry, while Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park provides established tent camping approximately 30 miles southwest in Wildwood. William R. Logan Conservation Area offers more primitive tent camping options with basic amenities for those seeking a less developed experience.

Tent sites throughout the region vary significantly in amenities and setup. Most established tent campgrounds provide fire rings and picnic tables, with Klondike Park offering hammock stands at select sites. As described in feedback on The Dyrt, "Some sites are closer to the highway and cars flying down the road can make it hard to sleep but after midnight, they stopped." Vault toilets are common at primitive locations, while more developed parks like Babler State Park feature shower facilities during peak season. Campers should verify seasonal availability, as many facilities close during winter months, with Babler's flush toilets closing November through spring.

The tent camping experience near Portage Des Sioux provides good access to natural features and outdoor recreation. Tent-specific sites at Klondike Park include both drive-up options and walk-in sites that offer more seclusion. A visitor commented that "Campsites were great. Stayed at a walk-in site for a night and enjoyed it." Many tent campgrounds in the area connect to hiking trail networks, with Klondike providing access to the Katy Trail for cyclists. While some tent sites cluster together with minimal privacy, others, particularly walk-in sites, offer more secluded experiences among the trees. Primitive tent camping at William R. Logan Conservation Area places campers near fishing lakes, though campers should be prepared for basic conditions with limited facilities and no drinking water available on site.

Detours Nearby

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Riverside Landing

Riverside Landing

39 min away

McCully Heritage Project

McCully Heritage Project

39 min away

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Best Tent Sites Near Portage Des Sioux, Missouri (11)

    1. Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park Campground

    27 Reviews
    Wildwood, MO
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (636) 458-3813

    "We loved our stay at Babler, aside from the snow & wind - the park is great! Review below ⬇️

    ⛺️ S I T E R E V I E W ⛺️

    📍 Dr. Edmund A."

    "Nice state park close to St Louis. Good, if short, trails. The campground is used a lot by RV and campers, not so much by tenters. Lots of campsites had electric."

    2. Klondike Park

    14 Reviews
    Augusta, MO
    36 miles
    Website

    $10 - $65 / night

    "There is hiking trails which was wonderful. There is a winery nearby. My campsite was amazing, it was clean and wasn't too far from the restrooms. There is picnic tables and fire rings."

    "A few drive up sites and lots of hike in spots around a quarry turned lake. Beautiful and clean setting. We stayed in site 24. There were picnic tables and a fire pit at our site."

    3. McCully Heritage Project

    5 Reviews
    Kampsville, IL
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 653-4687

    $20 - $100 / night

    "Super inexpensive for the space that you get. Free firewood. We have only stayed at the largest site as it has good fishing and a place for us to launch our paddleboards and kayaks."

    "Great for tent camping and hiking."

    4. Countryside Escape

    2 Reviews
    Edwardsville, IL
    23 miles

    $15 - $16 / night

    6. St. Charles County Klondike Park

    5 Reviews
    Augusta, MO
    36 miles
    Website
    +1 (636) 949-7535

    "The campground is located in a gym of a park located along the Missouri River. Reservations are required and the sites are in high demand. Tent camping only. There is water available in the park."

    "Stayed at a walk-in site for a night and enjoyed it. Some sites are closer to the highway and cars flying down the road can make it hard to sleep but after midnight, they stopped."

    7. William R. Logan Conservation Area

    2 Reviews
    Silex, MO
    39 miles
    Website
    +1 (636) 441-4554

    "Plenty of tent spots with tree cover and fire pits. Lighting bugs came out at night."

    8. Waverly Lake City Park

    3 Reviews
    Woodson, IL
    50 miles
    Website
    +1 (217) 435-4611

    "There are portable toilets that are kept clean. There's also a 4 consecutive day per month limit."

    9. Indian Camp Creek Park

    Be the first to review!
    Foristell, MO
    32 miles
    Website
    +1 (636) 949-7535

    10. Old Cove

    1 Review
    Robertsville, MO
    48 miles
    Website

    $50 - $75 / night

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Tent Camping Reviews near Portage Des Sioux, MO

277 Reviews of 11 Portage Des Sioux Campgrounds


  • Jessica B.
    Apr. 4, 2022

    Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park Campground

    Our 1st Trip In Our Camper!

    We loved our stay at Babler, aside from the snow & wind - the park is great! Review below ⬇️

    ⛺️ S I T E R E V I E W ⛺️

    📍 Dr. Edmund A. Babler State Park Wildwood, MO

    💰 $12-$21/night

    🗓 Feb 19-21, 2022

    Site 48 ⚡️💧

    🦮 Pets Welcome (on leash at all times)

    ➕Concrete Pads, Quiet, Close to Interstate 40, Paved Roads, Easy to Access, Gated Overnight with access code

    ➖Small/Close Sites, No Water in Off Season, Only Vault Toilets - No Showers in Off Season

    📶 AT&T Service 4 out of 5

    🚮 Dump Station located behind bathhouse. NO WATER during off season!

    🚻AMENITIES •Playground •Hiking, Biking & Equestrian Trails •Wood & Ice •Interpretive Programs •Visitor Center •Special Use Area •Laundry, Flush Toilets & Showers ON SEASON ONLY!

    🏕SITES Reservable 12 Months-FCFS in off season 72 Reservable 8 Accessible sites Basic - Electric Concrete Back In Lantern Hook, Picnic Table & Fire Ring

    ⏰ HOURS/DATES April - October 7:am - 9:pm Nov - March 7:am - 6:pm

    🔺Park Office 8:30am - 4:pm M-F

    🔺Visitor Center April - Oct 9:am - 4:30pm W - Sun Nov - March 9:am - 4:pm - Sat-Sun Dec - Feb CLOSED

  • k
    Jun. 28, 2016

    Klondike Park

    Klondlike county

    Really nice place when you get into the woods. There is hiking trails which was wonderful. There is a winery nearby. My campsite was amazing, it was clean and wasn't too far from the restrooms. There is picnic tables and fire rings. I usually bring my own firewood because i believe in the leave no trace rule. I would definitly come back to this site

  • R
    Jun. 30, 2024

    Cherokee Lakes Campground

    Secluded and spacious tent camping sites

    I spent a night here camping while on a road trip. The check-in was quick and easy. The host showed me the tent campsites, which are secluded and private from the RV sites. The sites are outfitted with a picnic table and brick fire rings. Some have water spickets. There's a central covered picnic area. Lots of shade and tall trees. You'll want to check them for dead limbs before setting up your site. I didn't ask if hammock camping is allowed. There are at least two sites that would work nicely for a hammock. A portable toilet is available to keep the area sanitary for urgent needs; the flush toilets, laundry, and fitness center at the main entrance are also available for a longer walk or short drive.

  • Shelly S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 6, 2020

    Beaver Dam State Park Campground

    Saw no Beaver

    Beaver Dam State Park, Il

    We did an overnighter here. We arrived in time to get a hike in before dinner meal.

    The trail map is very basic and not totally accurate. The trails are poorly marked but with basic knowledge of your compass points you can figure them out. Staff may be limited due to Corona , so the trail maintenance may have suffered, it is overgrown in several areas. The overlook to the marsh is pretty cool. I found no mileage for the trails , there may be a purchasable map with more information or of course a trail App. The lake is picturesque and busy. Lotsa fisher people here. The trail goes all the way around the lake with several fishing spots. Theres a boat ramp near the parking area and several docks to use across the lake. A nice feature is located next to the boat ramp, a fish cleaning pavilion complete with pull down hoses.

    The campground had an interesting set up. The sites in the loops are gravel and you have room but not a lot of privacy. I was in site 26 and you have to back between the two other sites into this one. Not difficult in my van but it could get interesting with a camper. I don’t think you would have the room to pull in and circle out. Electric at these sites , no water. There were hydrants spaces throughout for your water needs. The fire “rings” were interesting, with a flat “platform” to set your coals/fire on. Nice campground, I felt like somewhat of an outsider here, the occupants were possibly locals who obviously use the entire 14 day stay limit. Otherwise nice, basic, water activity centered campground. I did not see any swimming areas.

  • Hannah W.
    Jul. 15, 2021

    Cuivre River State Park Campground

    Beautiful campground and warm showers

    The campsites and grounds are well-maintained. However, the campsites did not have designated gravel tent pads. Given that we had to set up in/right after a rain, our tarp was sitting in grass and mud. I never knew how much I appreciated a designated gravel tent pad until then. Having never camped here, we had reserved site 25 and had the whole loop to ourselves (it was a Monday night, though). Our site, though, was the smallest in the loop, tucked away in the weeds, and the only area to pitch our tent was on a slight slope. After walking the loop, I noticed that sites 26 and 29, offered more room and were better maintained. We probably could’ve changed sites had we not arrived so late and in the rain.

    Firewood is available for $5. We saw a nice playground at the entrance. There were plenty of showers (water was nice and hot!) and flush toilets in the bathhouse. The bathhouse could use some TLC, but the warm water made up for it. There are laundry facilities, though we didn’t use them.

  • Annie C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 29, 2016

    Horseshoe Lake State Park Campground

    Horseshoe Lake Recreation Area

    Nice little campground close to down town St Louis (when the leaves are down I bet you can see the Arch). Campsites are nice and flat with the standard picnic tables and fire rings. No showers, but decent toilets. The nice thing is the campground is staffed by rangers in the day, and at night they sometimes take a security swing through the campground. Nice lake for fishing and boating.

  • Maria E.
    Jul. 18, 2021

    Cuivre River State Park Campground

    Immersed in Nature

    Campground is beautiful and very woodsy. We saw bunnies hopping around and when we first arrived to our site a deer was grazing nearby, such a bonus! No electricity but water was conveniently located right across from our site to do dishes and whatnot. Staking the tent wasn’t difficult at all. Our site was fairly spacious and a not super close to others which we liked. The sites by the vault toilet looked closer together so I could see that being a cool spot for multiple families or friend groups. Don’t leave anything out at night or raccoons will scavenge, we accidentally left our trash bag hanging (ugh!) but that was our fault. We stayed only one night passing through on a road trip but would stay again if we end up in the area.

  • Annie C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 17, 2016

    Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park Campground

    Babler State Park

    Nice state park close to St Louis. Good, if short, trails. The campground is used a lot by RV and campers, not so much by tenters. Lots of campsites had electric. All had the standard pininic tables and fire rings, and the campground has a decent and clean shower house. You might end up pitching your tent on a parking pad as many tent sites don't have level grassy spots for your tent. Sites are not very private, and some are right on top of the next. I like sites 65 and 58 for their privacy or grassy tent spots.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 2, 2021

    St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park

    Great stop over with dozens (hundreds?) of sites

    We stayed here as we blitzed across the country (16 hour days!!) This was the perfect flat spot right off of the highway for us to pull in, open our roof top tent, eat some freeze dried food and go to bed. 

    There is a 24/7 security guard who takes you to your site (Security and maybe because one could easily get lost?) Showers and restrooms are located throughout the campground. 

    Truthfully, we were only there for maybe 8 hours before we got back in the car and took off again. I would definitely stay again in our larger trailer if we find ourselves in the area because of it's location to St. Louis it's a clear draw for those who want to visit the city and stay... not in the city.


Guide to Portage Des Sioux

Tent camping near Portage Des Sioux, Missouri, offers a variety of unique experiences, from serene natural settings to engaging outdoor activities. Here are some top options for tent campers in the area.

Tent campers should check out McCully Heritage Project

  • The McCully Heritage Project features spacious sites with free firewood and great fishing opportunities, making it a favorite for families and groups.
  • Enjoy a picnic by the pond and let the kids play on the playground equipment at the McCully Heritage Project.
  • This well-reviewed spot is perfect for tent camping and hiking, providing a peaceful retreat away from the crowds.

Some prices for tent camping range from $10 to $50

  • At the Old Cove, group camping sites are available for $50 per night, accommodating up to 10 people with amenities like picnic tables and a fire ring.
  • The St. Charles County Klondike Park offers tent camping for just $10 a night, featuring well-maintained sites and access to beautiful trails.
  • For a budget-friendly option, the William R. Logan Conservation Area provides free primitive camping, perfect for those looking to enjoy nature without breaking the bank.

Tent campers like these nearby activities

  • Experience the thrill of float trips with group camping at Old Cove, where you can paddle down the Meramec River and return to your campsite.
  • Hiking enthusiasts will appreciate the scenic trails at McCully Heritage Project, which offer beautiful views and a chance to connect with nature.
  • For a unique camping experience, visit the St. Charles County Klondike Park, where you can explore the trails and enjoy the nearby Mighty Missouri River.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Portage Des Sioux, MO?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Portage Des Sioux, MO is Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park Campground with a 3.9-star rating from 27 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Portage Des Sioux, MO?

TheDyrt.com has all 11 tent camping locations near Portage Des Sioux, MO, with real photos and reviews from campers.