The Sullivan area sits along the Meramec River valley with elevations ranging from 700-900 feet above sea level. Campgrounds in this region feature mature oak-hickory forests that provide natural shade during summer months when temperatures regularly exceed 85°F. Cell service remains spotty throughout the area, particularly in river bottoms where many campsites are located.
What to do
Cave exploration: 1.5-hour guided tours at Onondaga Cave State Park Campground provide access to one of North America's significant cave systems. "The Onondaga Cave is a bit pricey to see but it's well worth it, one of the larger caves you can do a walking tour with well maintained and careful paths, lighting etc. Takes about 1.5hrs, our guide was very knowledgeable and humorous," notes Julia M.
Ropes course challenge: $30-50 per person at Ozark Outdoors-Riverfront Resort offers an elevated experience. "My family also enjoy the Floating Trees ropes course. It was supposed to be about 2 hours but the instructors let them go an extra 45 minutes without anyone feeling rushed," reports Joy F.
River float options: 4-6 mile trips on the Meramec are most popular with varied difficulty levels. "We did a 5 mile float which was amazing! They bus you up river and then you end up back at the campground," explains Caitlin F. from Blue Spring Ranch. Most outfitters charge $25-40 per person with equipment rental.
What campers like
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The mature forests provide excellent habitat for diverse species. "The State Park has a great canopy of trees located next to a stream as a setting for the campground that bounds with wildlife. We saw deer and raccoons here that entered our campsite," observes Tom K. about Meramec State Park Campground.
River access for cooling off: During hot summer days, multiple access points allow easy water entry. "Great concrete slab sights with River and hiking trails close by," notes Hannah S. The Meramec River maintains water temperatures around 72-75°F during summer months, ideal for swimming.
Varied camping options: Sites range from primitive to fully equipped. "The campground itself is very well taken care of. Spotless bathroom/shower, attentive campground hosts and plenty of amenities. The basic campsites are right by the water too, just walk down a short path and boom!" describes Julia M.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Coverage varies dramatically across the region. "There is WiFi available but it is not reliable. The cell phone service is virtually non-existent. We had planned to work from here and had to cut our visit short," warns Mats from Meramec State Park.
Off-peak advantages: Visiting during weekdays or spring/fall seasons significantly reduces crowding. "We've camped here a couple times and each time it hasn't been overly crowded. We had plenty of space and privacy," shares Amy E.
Weather preparedness: Summer thunderstorms develop quickly in this region. "I was very happy to have the shelter, as there was a thunderstorm the morning of my visit," notes Alex M. from Meramec Caverns Natural Campground. Spring flooding can impact riverfront sites with little warning.
Tips for camping with families
Dedicated family areas: Some dog friendly campgrounds near Sullivan designate separate camping zones. "We stayed on the family side and had a great time. Staff super helpful and upbeat, everyone looked like they wanted to ACTUALLY be there," says Matt from Ozark Outdoors-Riverfront Resort.
Cave tours with children: Most area caves accommodate younger visitors. "We were able to do the walk with our whole family with NO melt downs from the kids, which is kind of special. We toured with a 4month old in a baby harness, two 6 year olds and a 9 year old," reports Julia M.
Kid-friendly water areas: Look for shallow sections of river for safer play. "We have children in tow, and love all of the amenities. We park close to the creek, we drive to the Meramec River and sometimes enjoy petting a horse or goat," explains Leslie G. from Blue Spring Ranch.
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: Choose sites away from the main road for less noise. "I highly suggest you go for the day or stay the weekend and enjoy the cave tours and surrounding area," recommends Charlotte B.
Electrical reliability issues: Some campgrounds experience power problems during peak usage. "Thankfully other camp-goers brought generators and were generous enough to share with us. I had a feeling at that time they they'd been here before and this was a common occurrence," notes Ryan L.
Security features: For travelers concerned about equipment safety, RV Self-Park offers enhanced monitoring. "Very well lit, very clean and very easy to get in and very secure with a ton of cameras. Also has a really nice dog area," reports Grant. This pet-friendly option provides dedicated exercise space for dogs after travel days.
Traveler
