Camping sites near St. Ann, Missouri primarily cluster along the Mississippi and Missouri River valleys, with elevations ranging from 400-600 feet above sea level. Most campgrounds in this area experience hot, humid summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F between June and August. Flash flooding can affect low-lying campgrounds, particularly during spring when the region averages 4-5 inches of rainfall monthly.
What to do
Kayaking on man-made lakes: St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park offers kayak rentals and a 3-mile paved trail around the water. "This is a great place to kayak and camp if you don't want to drive that fare and live in the city," notes one camper who enjoys "watching the sunsets" from the shore.
Historic exploration in St. Charles: Just 20 minutes from St. Ann, Sundermeier RV Park connects directly to historic districts via trail access. "Through the gate at the rear of the campground, and you can bike for miles. Easy ride in to St. Charles a wonderful historic river town on the Missouri River," explains one visitor.
Hiking woodland trails: About 30 minutes west of St. Ann, Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park Campground offers hiking trails with moderate elevation changes. While one reviewer notes the trails are "not too long but can be challenging for small kids," another appreciates how "you wouldn't know you were that close to a big city" while exploring the park's "lush, green trails."
What campers like
Urban camping convenience: Cahokia RV Parque offers Illinois-side access to St. Louis attractions. A reviewer notes it's "a centrally located campground in the Metro St. Louis area. It's close to interstates and it's a short drive across the river to Missouri attractions."
Security features: Several campgrounds near St. Ann prioritize security. At Draft Kings at Casino Queen RV Park, campers appreciate that "security rolled through frequently" and "you need a code to get in the gate, so you must register in advance."
Recreational facilities: St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park maintains extensive recreation options beyond just camping. "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). There is fish in the lake and you are allowed to fish," reports one visitor.
What you should know
Train and airport noise: Many campgrounds experience transportation noise. At Sundermeier RV Park, campers note: "It is near a highway, there's a railroad bridge right next to it, and it is under the airport flight path."
Seasonal closures and flooding: St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park "was out of commission for most of the summer of 2019 as the entire area was flooded. But 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."
Limited tent camping options: While RV sites dominate the area, tent campers have fewer choices. At St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park, one camper explains: "Since they opened the campground, most of their campers have been RV owners, and so it is really designed for the RV camper. There is a small primitive section for group tent camping."
Tips for camping with families
Affordable state park camping: For budget-conscious families, Horseshoe Lake State Park Campground offers basic sites at $8 per night. "Great spot and great value," reports one camper, while another mentions the "self service pay system makes it simple, easy, and fast."
Playground access: Many campgrounds include play areas for children. At Cahokia RV Parque, one visitor noted "an awesome playground for the kids!" while another mentioned that St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park has "a dog run, and a small playground."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Several parks offer wildlife sighting possibilities. At St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park, "You can see all kinds of wildlife in and around the lake- deer, bald eagles, pelicans, ducks, snakes," while a family at Pere Marquette State Park observed "owls when we were there."
Tips from RVers
Full hookup availability: St. Louis West / Historic Route 66 KOA provides complete utilities with level sites. "Our site was gravel to park on with grass around it," reports one RVer, while another mentions "level pull-through sites - ours had a paver-patio and grill."
Big rig accessibility: Several campgrounds accommodate larger RVs with specific site designs. At St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park, "The campsites are 'state-park-size', especially the back-in sites which all have plenty of lawns behind them."
Site surface considerations: Different campgrounds offer varied parking surfaces. Cahokia RV Parque provides "level gravel sites with FHU," while St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park features "concrete pads with full hookups, as well as dirt pads with full hookups."
