Greensfelder County Park offers specialized horse camping facilities in Missouri's eastern region. Surrounding woodlands create a varied terrain for equestrians with multiple trail access points at elevations from 500-800 feet. Water remains accessible year-round from frost-free spigots, and the area maintains moderate temperatures with summer highs around 85°F and winter lows near 35°F.
What to do
Explore multiple lakes and waterways: At Cuivre River State Park Campground, visitors can enjoy paddling and fishing opportunities. "This campground has a lake you can rent kayaks for... It also has an accessible fishing dock that is covered," notes Kayla S. The lake attracts kayakers throughout the warmer months, with rentals typically available from April through October.
Enjoy hiking trails across varied terrain: Trails throughout the region offer different difficulty levels and scenic views. "This park has plenty of well groomed trails and facilities spread out nicely. You could camp here for a weekend and stay busy," explains Tony M. Many trails connect between campgrounds, allowing for extended hikes across multiple conservation areas.
Visit nearby attractions: The proximity to Six Flags provides unique entertainment options. "Stayed here for trip to six flags, well taken care of. People are friendly, has a nice and clean pool," shares Nik B. about St. Louis West / Historic Route 66 KOA. The amusement park sits minutes away from several campgrounds, making day trips convenient.
What campers like
Spacious, private sites: Campers appreciate the generous space between sites at many horse campgrounds. "Campground is beautiful and very woodsy. We saw bunnies hopping around and when we first arrived to our site a deer was grazing nearby, such a bonus!" reports Maria E. Wildlife sightings occur frequently, particularly in the early morning and evening hours.
Proximity to St. Louis while maintaining natural setting: The region offers camping close to urban amenities without sacrificing outdoor experiences. "Close to St. Louis but far enough out to enjoy peace and quiet!" says J K. Most campgrounds sit within 30-60 minutes of downtown St. Louis.
Lake access for multiple activities: Water features rank highly among camper preferences. "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," notes Kyle R. Fishing licenses can be purchased online or at nearby bait shops.
What you should know
Weather conditions affect trail usage: Seasonal changes impact trail conditions significantly. "For a two burner stove, it really didn't take up much room in my trunk and it is sturdy enough that I wasn't worried about piling gear on top of it," Annie C. shares about packing for Greensfelder County Park. The region experiences occasional flooding in spring, making some low-lying trails impassable.
Train noise affects some locations: Several campgrounds experience railway noise. "It will be even better when they invent silent trains," mentions Todd P. Trains pass near certain campgrounds throughout day and night, though many campers report adapting quickly to the sound.
Weekend crowding requires advance planning: Popular horse campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. "We camped in the RV area. There were a couple of other tents and a popup and aside from the popup running his generator 24hrs a day, it was very quiet and relaxing," reports Erik R. about Daniel Boone Conservation Area. Weekdays offer significantly less crowded conditions.
Tips for camping with families
Choose sites with dedicated kids' activities: Several campgrounds offer child-specific amenities. "Lost valley happens to be one of our favorite camp grounds. They are extremely family friendly, they have an indoor pool, hot tubs, and sona, an outdoor pool and hot tubs, inflatable jump pillows," explains Joshua R. about Lost Valley Lake Resort. Designated swimming areas provide safer water access for younger children.
Look for shorter, beginner-friendly trails: Families with young children benefit from easier hiking options. "The park features jumping obstacles along certain routes," mentions one visitor. Most parks maintain at least 1-2 miles of easier trails suitable for children and beginners.
Consider noise levels when selecting sites: Some camping areas provide quieter environments for families with young children. "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. Camping loops farther from main roads typically offer reduced traffic noise.
Tips from RVers
Site selection varies by rig size: Larger RVs require careful site selection. "Only sites 20-29 have electric and 28 can't be reserved... sites 24-26 can fit a fifth wheel probably no bigger than 36-38 ft," advises Matthew H. Many horse campgrounds accommodate larger rigs but may have limited availability for the biggest vehicles.
Check hookup amperage before booking: Electrical requirements need verification. "No 50 amps," notes a camper about electrical limitations at certain sites. Most horse-friendly campgrounds offer 30-amp service, with fewer providing 50-amp connections needed by larger RVs.
Consider water access locations: Water hookup availability varies between campgrounds. "Great spot in a beautiful area close to St. Louis. No power but access to drinking water and waste water dump for just 8$," shares Helge Vandel J. about Horseshoe Lake State Park Campground. Many sites require filling tanks before parking as direct hookups may be limited.
