Camping sites near St. Charles, Missouri primarily experience a humid continental climate with average summer temperatures reaching 90°F and winter lows dropping to 20°F. The region sits at approximately 450-500 feet above sea level, positioned at the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. During spring months, particularly April through June, campers should be prepared for sudden thunderstorms that can develop quickly in this Midwestern river valley terrain.
What to do
Bike the Katy Trail: Beyond the Trail RV Park in Defiance provides direct access to this historic rail trail. "The Katy trail borders the park for easy access to town. Beautiful views across a large farm field (soy beans when we were here) to the hills beyond with incredible sunsets," notes one visitor to Beyond the Trail RV Park.
Visit wineries and breweries: The Defiance area features several options within walking distance. "Within walking distance is a really nice winery and a couple bars. All of these places have cold beer and live music on the weekends," according to a camper at Beyond the Trail RV Park.
Water recreation: St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park offers multiple water activities. A visitor mentioned, "They rent out paddleboats, kayaks, and canoes in addition to different kinds of bikes. There is a walking trail around the lake (4+ miles). There is fish in the lake and you are allowed to fish."
Historical exploration: Camping near historic districts provides cultural opportunities. "Easy ride in to St. Charles a wonderful historic river town on the Missouri River. Great shops, great restaurants," shares a visitor from Sundermeier RV Park.
What campers like
Access to trails: The Katy Trail connectivity ranks high for visitors. "Immediate access to Katy trail. Bring your bikes or rent e-bikes in town. Lots of wineries nearby and several pub type restaurants nearby," reports a camper at Beyond the Trail RV Park.
Security and staff assistance: Many campgrounds provide reliable security. "Staff on duty at all hours is awesome! We called ahead but didn't need a reservation," notes a visitor at St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park.
Wildlife viewing: Natural areas provide wildlife observation opportunities. "We saw bunnies hopping around and when we first arrived to our site a deer was grazing nearby, such a bonus!" shares a camper at Cuivre River State Park.
Clean facilities: Maintenance quality matters to campers. "The City of St Peters did a great job getting this place back to usable with new sod, a new bathhouse, and some general sprucing up," notes a visitor about St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park.
What you should know
Noise considerations: Urban-adjacent campgrounds have noise factors. "On Lambert international airports flight path, next to a major train trestle, right next to Highway 370," warns a visitor to Sundermeier RV Park.
Flooding potential: Low-lying areas can experience water issues. "My only complaint is they have some drainage issues if it rains a lot. A few of the campsites will flood, not bad enough to get to your camper, but just enough to be annoying," mentions a camper at Beyond the Trail RV Park.
Campfire restrictions: Not all campgrounds allow fires. "No campfires due to the city ordinances," notes a visitor to Sundermeier RV Park, an important consideration for traditional camping experiences.
Site layouts and size: Campground designs vary significantly. "The sites for full hook ups are separate from the other sites," explains a visitor to Pere Marquette State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Some campgrounds offer play areas. "There is a nice bathhouse with free showers for the campers and pay laundry. If you are lucky, you can get a site close to the water, but it means the walking trail is right next to your unit," shares a visitor about St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park.
Wildlife education: Nature encounters provide learning opportunities. "You can see all kinds of wildlife in and around the lake- deer, bald eagles, pelicans, ducks, snakes," reports a camper about St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park.
Activities for different ages: Some parks offer varied recreation. "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)," mentions a visitor to St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park.
Budget-friendly options: State parks generally offer more economical camping. "I'm giving it four stars is because it was $20 a night," notes a camper at Pere Marquette State Park about the value.
Tips from RVers
Hookup locations: Site designs affect setup requirements. "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," warns a visitor to Draft Kings at Casino Queen RV Park.
Maneuverability considerations: Navigation within campgrounds varies. "The roads within the campground were double-wide so we had no trouble turning and getting into our spot. The sites were double-wide concrete," shares an RVer at Sundermeier RV Park.
Site surface types: Different campgrounds offer varied parking surfaces. "Concrete pads with full hookups, as well as dirt pads with full hookups," notes a visitor about St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park, which affects leveling and setup.
Water pressure awareness: Utility variations can affect RV systems. "The water pressure was so strong that I could barely open the water pump!" reports a camper at St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park.
