Camping options near Ste. Genevieve, Missouri vary from basic primitive sites to full-service campgrounds with modern amenities. Located in the eastern Ozark foothills, this region features sandstone formations, pine forests, and creek systems that create diverse camping environments. Seasonal considerations include humid summers with temperatures in the 90s and mild winters that occasionally dip below freezing, with fall offering moderate temperatures ideal for hiking and outdoor activities.
What to Do
Hiking trails: Hawn State Park Campground offers multiple trail options through pine forests and alongside creeks. "The hiking in this state park is fantastic. The eco-system is something to marvel and we would have loved to see it in the summer," noted one visitor to Hawn State Park Campground.
Fishing opportunities: Randolph County State Recreation Area provides access to a 65-acre lake stocked with various fish species. "This is a great little campground with a fishing lake. Sites are gravel but well maintained," according to a camper at Randolph County State Recreation Area.
Urban exploration: For campers wanting to combine outdoor stays with city attractions, Casino Queen RV Park offers easy access to St. Louis. "Centrally located and across the bridge from downtown. Easy check in, but the camp host said the shaded spots were too narrow, they were not. Stayed three nights and saw all the sites: The Gateway Arch, Union Station, aquarium, botanical gardens, Anheiser Busch brewery tour."
What Campers Like
Peaceful settings: Goatey Goat Ranch RV Park provides a quiet experience with scenic views. "Perfect star gazing, only 5 to 10 minutes from grocery store & downtown area for drinks & dining, Sunrise & Sunset were beautiful with hilly country views," shared one visitor at Goatey Goat Ranch RV Park & Campground.
Shade coverage: Many campsites in the region feature good tree coverage, especially valued during summer months. At Perryville RV Resort By Rjourney, campers appreciate the natural setting: "Very well kept and clean campground. Great big trees, very shaded, great store. Decorated for Halloween and very kid friendly."
Convenient amenities: Campgrounds offer various levels of services from basic to full-service. "This is a great place. The staff were super friendly and accommodating, and the bathrooms and camp store were extremely nice," noted a camper about Perryville RV Resort By Rjourney.
What You Should Know
Cell service challenges: Many campgrounds in the region have limited connectivity. This differs by carrier and specific location within campgrounds.
Reservation recommendations: During peak seasons (particularly fall), campgrounds fill quickly. "We did view this through a mobile platform, so it may be better on PC. Also, the bigger volume size packs are only offered in blue or gray," mentioned a visitor at Hawn State Park Campground.
Weather considerations: The area experiences seasonal flooding that can affect camping conditions. At Covered Bridge RV Park & Storage, a camper noted: "While we were there they had a record rainfall amount and the park apparently already has flooding issues so it was flooding pretty bad but also our RV was right next to a creek that had risen really high."
Noise factors: Some rv sites near Ste. Genevieve, Missouri are affected by road or rail noise. "There is road noise, quite a bit. But large trash bins and a great bbq restaurant on the grounds," reported one camper.
Tips for Camping with Families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer dedicated play areas for children. At Perryville RV Resort By Rjourney, one visitor noted, "There is a playground, pool and pond area to walk around. We were pleased with the cleanliness of the bathrooms and showers and had no major complaints."
Educational opportunities: The region offers learning experiences through nature trails and historical sites. "Hawn State park, located off of highway 32 near St. Genevieve, is a wonderful, must visit in southeast Missouri. The work staff is amazing, the campgrounds are always clean and organized, trails could use some tidying up here and there but the lookout points, Pickle creek trails, wildlife, & native pine trees are definitely a sight to see."
Activity planning: First-time visitors should research available amenities. "Plenty of tent camping sites. There are primitive also. Great Lake to fish and plenty of trails to hike. Looks like the rv site can get booked up on weekends," shared a visitor at Randolph County State Recreation Area.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: RV campers should consider specific site dimensions when booking. "The sites are roomy enough, given that you're situated less than 15 miles from downtown St. Louis. The picnic tables and fire rings are nice additions and the lots appear to be level (ours was.) We didn't have any trouble backing our 38 ft travel trailer in either," noted a camper at Cahokia RV Parque.
Hookup locations: Pay attention to the location of utilities when setting up. "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," warned one RVer.
First-timer friendly options: Some campgrounds cater well to new RV owners. At Patt's Place, LLC, a first-time camper appreciated the support: "Owners met us at the entrance and guided us in which was much appreciated. They were extremely nice and helped us get set up since we knew nothing and had just picked up the camper that morning."
