St. Peters camping areas lie within the Mississippi River floodplain at approximately 500 feet elevation, creating seasonal challenges for low-lying campgrounds. The region experiences humid continental climate with average summer temperatures between 85-90°F, while winter lows frequently drop below freezing. Water levels fluctuate dramatically with the spring melt and summer storms, affecting campground accessibility from March through June.
What to do
Kayaking at 370 Lakeside Park: Located within St. Peters city limits, this park offers kayak and paddleboat rentals for exploring the man-made lake. "This is a great place to kayak and camp if you don't want to drive that fare and live in the city," notes reviewer Lindsey C. at St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park.
Katy Trail biking from Defiance: The 240-mile rail trail connects directly to several campgrounds, with Beyond the Trail RV Park providing immediate trail access. "The Katy trail borders the park for easy access to town. Beautiful views across a large farm field to the hills beyond with incredible sunsets," reports Sam C. at Beyond the Trail RV Park.
Winery tours from Augusta: Several campgrounds serve as bases for exploring Missouri wine country. "Close enough to wineries to bike to," mentions Annie C. about Klondike Park. The area features over a dozen wineries within a 15-mile radius, many offering tastings under $10.
What campers like
Security measures: Many campgrounds provide 24-hour security staff and controlled access. At St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park, campers appreciate the vigilance: "The staff is SUPER NICE AND CARING. Example 1: There was some rough springtime weather expected one day. A park ranger went around to every site and notified every camper of where the shelters were and gave out a flyer about the specific weather forecast!"
Night sky viewing: Several campgrounds offer minimal light pollution for stargazing. "We love going here and watching the sunsets," says Lindsey C. about 370 Lakeside Park. The open meadow setting at Beyond the Trail RV Park also provides "great night sky viewing," according to a reviewer.
Historic attractions: Proximity to historic sites draws many campers. "Easy ride in to St. Charles a wonderful historic river town on the Missouri River. Great shops, great restaurants," notes Cheryl K. at Sundermeier RV Park, which connects directly to historic St. Charles via the Katy Trail.
What you should know
Train noise impacts sleep quality: Several campgrounds near St. Peters are affected by railroad noise. "On Lambert international airports flight path, next to a major train trestle, right next to Highway 370," warns Jack G. about Sundermeier RV Park. Consider packing earplugs if staying at urban-adjacent sites.
Wildlife encounters are common: Prepare for wildlife interactions at most campsites. "You can see all kinds of wildlife in and around the lake- deer, bald eagles, pelicans, ducks, snakes," notes one reviewer. At Cuivre River State Park, campers report: "We saw bunnies hopping around and when we first arrived to our site a deer was grazing nearby."
Mosquito pressure varies seasonally: Low-lying areas near rivers experience significant mosquito activity, especially after flooding. "Stay away from creek side spot lots of mosquitoes and possible flooding with enough rain," advises Matthew H. about Beyond the Trail RV Park. Campgrounds typically spray for insects but bringing repellent is recommended.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas for children. "Located right next to a lake with a lot of RV and tent camping spots. Kids had a blast riding bikes. Even finding a few little frogs jumping around and fireflies at night," shares Joseph F. about St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park.
Bike rentals save packing space: Many campsites near the Katy Trail offer bicycle rentals, eliminating the need to transport bikes. "The park/campground rents paddleboats, kayaks, and canoes in addition to different kinds of bikes," notes a reviewer at 370 Lakeside Park. Prices typically range from $7-15 per hour.
Group camping options: For family reunions or multi-family trips, several parks offer group sites. At Klondike Park, "The sites by the vault toilet looked closer together so I could see that being a cool spot for multiple families or friend groups," observes Maria E. Group rates often provide savings of 15-20% over individual site bookings.
Tips from RVers
Electrical safety concerns: Check electrical hookups carefully at urban campgrounds. At Sundermeier RV Park, one engineer warns: "DO NOT use the 30A receptacles here unless you have a surge protector with an Electrical Management System (EMS) that explicitly confirms correct wiring before connecting your RV."
Water pressure variations: Water systems at St. Peters area campgrounds can deliver surprisingly high pressure. "The water pressure was so strong that I could barely open the water pump!" reports Susan L. about 370 Lakeside Park. Consider using a pressure regulator when connecting to water hookups.
Site selection for length: Many campgrounds have varying site lengths not always clearly indicated online. At Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park, "Not all sites are long enough for large RVs and the roads in some loops prevent you from turning around. The camp hosts we encountered are very helpful and have a list of site lengths and can tell you which ones are appropriate for large RVs."
