St. Louis camping areas sit at approximately 450 feet above sea level, with moderately humid summers and mild winters. The region features a mix of Mississippi River floodplain and forested bluffs, creating diverse terrain for campers. Year-round camping options exist, though spring flooding occasionally impacts riverside campgrounds between March and May.
What to do
Bike the Katy Trail: Sundermeier RV Park provides direct access to this historic rail-trail. "You can literally be parked right at the Katy Trail. 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," notes Cheryl K.
Fishing opportunities: Horseshoe Lake State Park Campground offers affordable shore fishing without the crowds. "Horseshoe Lake is one of my most visited parks and most favorite park in the STL and surrounding areas. First off absolutely beautiful land and peace is easily achieved," writes Travis, who appreciates the $8 nightly fee and well-maintained sites.
Water recreation: St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park features rentable watercraft for family outings. "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," explains Mats.
What campers like
Urban convenience: Cahokia RV Parque provides quick access to downtown attractions with shuttle options. "Just minutes across the river from St. Louis. They have a shuttle to the various tourist attractions, just ask the staff at the office for details. The staff are friendly, the facility is clean and professional," explains Tom B.
Gateway Arch views: Draft Kings at Casino Queen RV Park offers unique city skyline vistas. "Even though this RV park is in a city, we felt safe. And it's view of the Gateway Arch can't be beat. Easy check in, but the camp host said the shaded spots were too narrow, they were not," shares Dennis P., noting the full hookups and nearby attractions.
Natural settings: Pere Marquette State Park Campground provides a more woodsy alternative with river views. "Great hiking in the park, and a bike trail passes by the front. Lots of historical buildings built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930's. Camping is divided up into an RV section, tents only section, and group tent camping," describes Annie C.
What you should know
Train noise: Several pet-friendly St. Louis campgrounds experience railroad activity. At St. Louis NE-Granite City KOA, "trains pass 2 blocks away several times nightly, but after the first night you won't notice," according to Jennifer B., who found the location "clean and safe" despite the noise.
Flooding concerns: Low-lying campgrounds near rivers may experience seasonal closures. "The park is prone to flooding. It was out of commission for most of the summer of 2019 as the entire area was flooded," reports Annie C. about 370 Lakeside Park, though she notes the city "did a great job getting this place back to usable."
Security considerations: Urban camping areas typically implement safety measures. Casino Queen features "security rolled through frequently. Your gate code can be used for the pool and gym at the casino in addition to the bathroom and laundry area," according to Robert F.
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and activities: Cahokia RV Parque offers dedicated kid zones. "They've got great amenities: 30/50amp, water, sewer, wifi, pool, showers, fire rings, and a trash dumpster... There's a small site for primitive camping by the pond with a gazebo to fish off of," reports Laura M.
Budget-friendly options: Horseshoe Lake State Park provides economical camping for families watching expenses. "Great spot in a beautiful area close to St. Louis. No power but access to drinking water and waste water dump for just 8$," writes Helge Vandel J., highlighting the park's value.
Weather considerations: St. Peters' park staff actively monitor conditions for camper safety. "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 (the restrooms/showers) and gave out a flyer about the specific weather forecast," shares Mats.
Tips from RVers
Electrical concerns: Some campgrounds have inconsistent hookup quality. An experienced camper at Covered Bridge RV Park reports, "Full hook-up was relatively clean and easy to use. The campsite is off a hectic road, but we didn't mind as we only stayed one night."
Food delivery options: Many St. Louis area campgrounds allow restaurant delivery. "IMO's Pizza delivers," notes Becky K. about Covered Bridge RV Park, while others mention the convenience of on-site or nearby dining.
RV pad specifications: Site surfaces vary significantly between campgrounds. At 370 Lakeside Park, "Concrete pads with full hookups, as well as dirt pads with full hookups," according to Ernest G., while Cahokia RV Parque offers "level gravel sites with FHU near downtown St. Louis," per Robert O.
