Tent and RV camping options within 30 miles of St. Charles, Missouri provide direct access to the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. The area sits at an elevation of 430-780 feet with a humid continental climate featuring hot summers and mild winters. Fall camping typically offers temperatures between 45-75°F with moderate rainfall, while summer months can reach 90°F with high humidity.
What to do
Lake activities at 370 Lakeside Park: This park in St. Peters offers paddleboats, kayaks, canoes and various bike rentals for exploring the 4+ mile lakeside trail. "The park has planted some trees, but they are really just saplings, so there is no shade yet. There is a nice bathhouse with free showers for the campers and pay laundry," notes Annie C. from St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park.
Hiking at Cuivre River State Park: Located 30 minutes north of St. Charles, this park maintains well-marked trails through diverse woodland terrain. "Great well maintained state park right outside of St Louis. Park has an awesome trail system around the lake, and it looks like you can rent canoes/kayaks in the summer (was not open in the winter)," reports Kyle R. from Cuivre River State Park Campground.
Archery range access: Several parks in the region offer dedicated archery facilities. "There is a lot to do here. They have an archery range. They rent out peddle boats, bikes and peddle cars/buggies as well," shares Barbie B. about St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park.
Wildlife viewing near rivers: The confluence of major rivers creates habitat for diverse wildlife. "You can see all kinds of wildlife in and around the lake- deer, bald eagles, pelicans, ducks, snakes," mentions Annie C. about the St. Peters area.
What campers like
Concrete camping pads: Many sites feature level, durable surfaces that work well in wet weather. "Concrete pads with full hookups, as well as dirt pads with full hookups," notes Ernest G. about St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park.
Affordable primitive sites: Budget-friendly options exist for tent campers. "Horseshoe Lake is one of my most visited parks and most favorite park in the STL and surrounding areas... Self service pay system makes it simple, easy, and fast... 8$ a night," explains Travis from Horseshoe Lake State Park Campground.
24-hour security: Some parks provide round-the-clock staff presence. "The office told me that they have 24 hour on site security also," mentions Annie C. about St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park.
Spacious wooded sites: Several campgrounds offer more secluded options. "Campground is quiet and has big campsites. The campground is close to Lincoln Lake for kayaking," reports Cody S. about Cuivre River State Park.
What you should know
Train noise at some locations: Proximity to rail lines impacts certain campgrounds. "Not to bad. The bathroom down the hill was in dire need of a remodel when we stayed here in 2019 and be prepared for a lot of noise from the busy main road and passing trains in the near distance," warns Brian W. about St. Louis West / Historic Route 66 KOA.
Limited shade in newer campgrounds: Tree cover varies significantly between parks. "The sites for full hook ups are separate from the other sites," notes Kayla S. about Cuivre River State Park Campground.
Wildlife encounters: Expect interactions with local fauna. "Don't leave anything out at night or raccoons will scavenge, we accidentally left our trash bag hanging (ugh!) but that was our fault," admits Maria E. from Cuivre River.
Seasonal flooding impacts: Low-lying areas may experience closures. "One of the downsides to this location is that it is prone to flooding. It was out of commission for most of the summer of 2019 as the entire area was flooded," explains Annie C. about St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Many campgrounds include dedicated play areas. "This park is beautiful. 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," shares Joseph F. from St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park.
Kid-friendly programming: Some parks offer scheduled activities. "We stayed here last minute for Labor Day Weekend and the staff were great with finding us a good tent site available. 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," reports Lindsey R. about Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Resort At Six Flags.
Swimming options: Several parks feature dedicated swimming areas. "This is a perfect place to enjoy with the family. Plenty of gorgeous campsites and a lake to swim and kayak!" notes J K. about Cuivre River State Park.
Wildlife education opportunities: Animal sightings provide learning experiences. "We saw bunnies hopping around and when we first arrived to our site a deer was grazing nearby, such a bonus!" shares Maria E. from Cuivre River.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Look for level spots with adequate amenities. "Most of the sites are small. This works well for me since I like to talk and meet other campers. However, if you prefer some space while camping, this one may not be for you," advises Scott M. about Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park Campground.
Water pressure considerations: Some parks provide strong water connections. "The water pressure was so strong that I could barely open the water pump!" mentions Susan L. about St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park.
Turning radius limitations: Larger rigs should check access routes. "Only sites 20-29 have electric and 28 can't be reserved... Most sites are great for trailers 26' or less and 1 slide (sites 24-26 can fit a fifth wheel probably no bigger than 36-38 ft)," details Matthew H. about Greensfelder County Park.
Seasonal bathroom access: Winter camping may have limited facilities. "Not having water available except at the camp host, and no open restrooms and showers until after April 1, regardless of when the last freeze is was inconvenient for a spring break trip," shares Archie S. about Babler State Park.
