St. Francois State Park offers equestrian camping access in the mineral-rich countryside surrounding Bonne Terre, Missouri. Located in the foothills of the St. Francois Mountains, this region features forested terrain with elevations ranging from 700-1,500 feet. Winter camping temperatures typically range from 20-40°F, while summer months often exceed 85°F with high humidity.
What to do
Creek swimming access: At Cherokee Landing, campers can enjoy swimming and wading in the Big River. "They have a nice, small, clean campground... Right on the Big River and they offer floats. Within 2 mins from town," notes Natalie F.
Trail exploration: The Berryman Trail & Campgrounds offers extensive hiking and equestrian trails. "We stayed at one of the middle sites which was nice and spacious. There was a trail leading down to a pond at the site across from us," writes Tommy S. The trails connect to the larger Ozark Trail system.
Off-road vehicle areas: St. Joe State Park Campground features designated areas for ATVs and dirt bikes. "Good place to ride your off-road vehicles. Lots of trails and plenty of different types of trails to try out. Good clean campground for the hole family to enjoy," reports J T.
What campers like
Water features: The natural river formations at Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park create unique swimming opportunities. "Our kids loved climbing all over the shut-ins. We have already planned to return in the summer to swim! Well maintained facilities and the store had everything you could need," says Ashlee B.
Spacious equestrian sites: Horse owners appreciate the accommodation at Brazil Creek, where sites are designed with riders in mind. "This camp site is along the berryman trail so you can stay here if youre backpacking said trail... They also have several hitching posts for horses here since you can ride horses on berryman trail," explains DiveSyke.
Free camping options: Budget-conscious campers enjoy no-fee horse campgrounds near Bonne Terre. "This 8 site campground has well kept vault toilets and no other services, but is fee-less to match. There is a pavilion near the access points to the Berryman and Ozark trails," notes Hannah W. about Berryman Trail Campground.
What you should know
Site availability challenges: Campgrounds in the Bonne Terre area fill quickly during summer weekends. "St. Francois is a nice park tucked in the forest off of Hwy 67. It's a quaint park that tends to fill up fast depending on time of year," reports Gonzo A.
Variable facilities: Services vary widely between established and primitive sites. "This campground is completely free and most of all well spaced out. There is plenty of room to keep to yourself and remain undisturbed between the 8 available spots. Far from the road so no noise or blaring light... but no access to water," says Hannah F. about Berryman Trail Campground.
Connectivity limits: Cell service is limited at many horse campgrounds near Bonne Terre. "No cell signal, and as the other reviewer has said, have your map to get there, because it's easy if you do. Your phone will not get you there," warns Staci R. about Brazil Creek Recreation Area.
Tips for camping with families
Choose shaded sites: For summer camping with children, look for tree cover. "We loved this clean and beautiful campground! We stayed in the fall and the colors were amazing. Nice paved sites that have picnic tables & fire pits," writes Ashlee B. about Johnson's Shut-Ins.
Consider noise factors: Some campgrounds have nearby attractions that create noise. "The campground is also loud on the weekends especially if there are races at the nearby Bonne Terre drag strip," notes Cody S.
Look for kid-friendly water access: Sam A. Baker State Park offers safe water play areas. "Beautiful camp sites and a beautiful river to paddle around on. This park usually isn't very crowded which is really nice. It is very tranquil and perfect for a weekend get away," shares Charlotte B.
Tips from RVers
Electric hookup availability: Most established campgrounds provide electric sites, but amp ratings vary. "They do have tent sites, and RV sites with 50 amp hookups, water, and sewer. Some sites have river access and some river views," explains Joel R. about Ozark Outdoors-Riverfront Resort.
Site leveling challenges: Be prepared for uneven terrain at some locations. "The sites were a bit more snug together than I would prefer," shares Gonzo A. about St. Francois State Park.
Seasonal access considerations: While most parks remain open year-round, winter access requires preparation. "There are two huge campgrounds (around 100 sites each!) and a nice paved bike path connecting them. There is also a visitor's center were you pay for your campsite, a camp store that sells all kinds of things," notes Mara F.
