Camping in St. James, Missouri takes place in the northern edge of the Ozark Highlands, where elevations range between 900-1,200 feet. The area sits at the convergence of several watersheds including the Meramec River basin, creating diverse riparian camping environments. Summer temperatures typically reach 85-90°F during day and cool to 65-70°F at night, with humidity levels often exceeding 80% from June through August.
What to do
Explore cave systems: Onondaga Cave State Park Campground offers guided tours of its spectacular underground formations. "Pay the extra for the caves tour! Down the road there's an old iron foundry and a historic cemetery to explore," notes one visitor. Tours last approximately 1.5 hours and cost $10-15 per person, with all ages welcome.
River activities: Garrison Canoe Rental and Campground provides affordable water recreation options. "20 bucks for a 4 hour float, ya can't beat it! Definitely be back," shares one camper. Their new tubes feature back support and pillows for comfortable floating on the Meramec River, with shuttle service included in rental fees.
Hiking trails: Campsites near St. James offer extensive trail systems. At Meramec State Park Campground, "The hiking is great and our camp sites were always clean and good looking," reports one visitor. Most trails are rated easy to moderate, with several accessible directly from campsites along the river.
What campers like
Fishing opportunities: The Meramec River and nearby springs provide excellent fishing. At Maramec Spring Park, trout fishing is particularly popular. A camper notes, "Nice small park. Beautiful trout fishery and streams. Easy stroll. Very well-kept." Daily fishing permits cost $5 for adults and $3 for children under 15.
Natural swimming areas: Many campsites feature water access for swimming. "The river was fun to play in and we floated one day while we were there too. Lots of places to stop and play on the river," explains a visitor to Maramec Spring Park. Most swimming areas are unsupervised, with natural stone and gravel bottoms.
Seasonal events: Indian Springs Resort and Campground hosts regular activities for guests. "Fun time! Clean campground and beach area," reports one visitor. The resort offers programs including scavenger hunts, movie nights, and pancake breakfasts primarily during peak season (May-September).
What you should know
Flood potential: Several campgrounds in the area sit in flood-prone locations. Sites 49 and 50 at Maramec Spring Park "will be covered in water even with a little rain," according to one camper. Always check weather forecasts before booking riverside campsites, particularly during spring and early summer.
Limited connectivity: Cell service is inconsistent throughout the region. At Meramec State Park Campground, "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. For reliable communication, plan to use campground WiFi where available or travel to St. James or Rolla for service.
Bathroom facilities: Quality varies significantly between campgrounds. At Ozark Outdoors-Riverfront Resort, "They have pay showers," while Onondaga Cave State Park features "Spotless bathroom/shower, attentive campground hosts and plenty of amenities."
Tips for camping with families
Cave tours for kids: Several cave systems accommodate young explorers. At Onondaga Cave, "We toured with a 4-month-old in a baby harness, two 6-year-olds and a 9-year-old. We did see a couple with a stroller and it is doable," shares a family camper. Tours typically last 60-90 minutes with moderate walking required.
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. At Doolittle Acres RV Park and Campground, visitors note a "cute playground" and "small fenced dog park type area" convenient for families traveling with both children and pets.
Wildlife viewing: Many campsites near St. James offer wildlife observation opportunities. At Meramec State Park, "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."
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: Level pads and adequate hookups are important for larger rigs. At Haven Hollow RV Park, "The sites support about a 40' rig with some able to support up to 42' max. When you make your reservation they will confirm the length of your rig and put you in the appropriate site."
Hookup availability: Water pressure can be inconsistent in some locations. One RVer at Haven Hollow RV Park noted, "Utilities worked fine," while another commented on Pheasant Acres RV Park's "full hookups (electric/water/sewer) for RVs, as well as primitive tent sites."
Road access concerns: Many campgrounds require navigating narrow country roads. At Haven Hollow RV Park, "The last 1.5 miles is gravel and it was a little dusty coming in. Once we got to this small CG with 8 back-in sites, we were delighted on how nice Haven Hollow was set up."
