Best Cabin Camping near University City, MO

Several cabin rental options exist within an hour's drive of University City, Missouri, including Washington State Park Campground and St. Charles County Klondike Park. Most cabins provide basic amenities such as electricity, beds, and picnic tables, though furnishing levels vary significantly between locations. Some offer full kitchens with refrigerators and microwaves, while others provide only basic cooking facilities. "We absolutely love this park. It's just under an hour from St. Louis, with river access, amazing hiking trails & great views," noted one visitor about Washington State Park. Bathroom facilities range from private bathrooms in premium cabins to shared bathhouse facilities for more rustic accommodations.

Rustic and deluxe cabins are both available, depending on the location. The KOA in Granite City offers standard KOA-style cabins with electricity and beds, while Jellystone Park Resort at Six Flags features more elaborate family cabins with additional amenities. Most cabins require advance reservations, especially during summer months when availability becomes limited. A camper described Klondike Park's accommodations as "small cabins though pretty basic," noting they are conveniently located for Katy Trail access. Pet policies vary by location, with some parks like Washington State Park allowing pets in designated cabins while others restrict pets entirely.

Most cabins include beds but require visitors to bring their own linens, towels, and toiletries. Kitchen supplies are typically limited, so guests should pack cooking utensils, dishware, and food storage containers. Some locations like Cahokia RV Parque offer on-site dining options, with one visitor noting "fantastic restaurant right on site — Sawmill BBQ!" Firewood is available for purchase at most cabin locations, though some restrict open fires. Dollar General and similar stores are located near several campgrounds for basic provisions, and larger grocery stores can be found within a 10-15 minute drive of most cabin locations.

Best Cabin Sites Near University City, Missouri (19)

    1. Cahokia RV Parque

    18 Reviews
    Columbia, IL
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 332-7700

    "Pet-friendly, full hookups, space for our larger rig and parking around for extra vehicle. Laundry and propane on site. Spaces were a little close together, but minutes from downtown St."

    "I specifically would like to point out things that I look for when booking because I’m usually already on the road when trying to find a place to stay. There was after hours check in!"

    2. St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park

    26 Reviews
    St. Charles, MO
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (636) 387-5253

    $35 - $60 / night

    "The nicest spots are the ones by the lake, with only one neighbor and a better view of the lake. The staff are kind and helpful. Water and electric worked fine."

    "I've been to 370 Lakeside Park many times to walk around the huge lake and to hear concerts in the summer, but I had never camped there. Still haven't. I'll explain."

    3. St. Louis NE-Granite City KOA

    13 Reviews
    Granite City, IL
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 931-5160

    "We had tram tickets for the arch so we needed a shore power hookup for run the AC for our dog. This was a good spot for that. Some grass and shade, a pool and a playground for the kids."

    "Had shade and a nice concrete pad to park on. Good clean power. Clean bathrooms and pool looked like it was taken care of."

    4. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Resort At Six Flags

    13 Reviews
    Eureka, MO
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (636) 938-5925

    "We spent a weekend here because we wanted to be close to six flags. I swear this place was more fun!!!"

    "pros- activities for kids/fam nice pool tons of trees easy access from highway close amenities (Walmart, six flags, etc) close to StL (tons to do) we did grants farm and city museum one day"

    5. Cuivre River State Park Campground

    41 Reviews
    Troy, MO
    38 miles
    Website
    +1 (636) 528-7247

    $15 - $38 / night

    "Fire rings with attached rebar grills on a bricked square. Picnic table and lantern post. Small playground near the check in station/camp store. The store is small but will have what you need."

    "Water and restrooms where still closed until the 15th of April, except a outhouse across from the playground on the right as you enter."

    6. Yogi Bears Jellystone Park Resort at Six Flags

    3 Reviews
    Eureka, MO
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (636) 938-5925

    "We stopped her for a few nights to check out St. Louis."

    "Everything open except the pool and playground. Hopefully all the amenities will open soon. Showers were well stocked and clean. Good hot water. The store and gift shop has everything you could need."

    7. St. Charles County Klondike Park

    5 Reviews
    Augusta, MO
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (636) 949-7535

    "It is a tough, but short, climb from the trail. You may have to walk up the hill - challenge made :-) . This is a St. Charles County Park and it is well maintained."

    "Even has a shared camp kitchen very clean showers house very spacious some campsites are close together but everyone seemed nice. Bring your own wood."

    8. Pin Oak RV Park

    15 Reviews
    Union, MO
    34 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 962-1501

    "A nice private catch and release pond, an old little mini golf setup, a small (but adequate) swimming pool kept the kids busy."

    "Mini golf, activity room with a pinball machine and pool table. A band played on Saturday night at the pavillion but unfortunately it was very cold and we didn't stay long."

    9. Washington State Park Campground

    22 Reviews
    Cadet, MO
    44 miles
    Website
    +1 (636) 586-5768

    "We absolutely love this park. It’s just under an hour from St. Louis, with river access, amazing hiking trails & great views."

    "This park is so rich in Missouri and USA history - from buildings costructed by the African-American CCC stonemasons to Native American petroglyphs, there's some fascinating stuff here."

    10. Beaver Dam State Park Campground

    11 Reviews
    Carlinville, IL
    42 miles
    Website
    +1 (217) 854-8020

    "All sites are shaded and mostly level with pull-thru or back-in parking. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring with a grate over it."

    "Clean bathrooms and shower. Nice big common areas. A nice big lake for fishing. It’s a real pretty place to just get away for a weekend or so."

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Cabin Reviews near University City, MO

186 Reviews of 19 University City Campgrounds


  • Anne H.
    Jul. 23, 2018

    Cuivre River State Park Campground

    Natural, well maintained

    Nice campground with tent areas and RV area well separated. Fire rings with attached rebar grills on a bricked square. Picnic table and lantern post. Small playground near the check in station/camp store. The store is small but will have what you need. The showers were adequate with the requisite daddy long legs. There were a fair amount of ticks so spray your gear with permethrin. Many of the sites were pretty small - we had a hard time seeing where a tent would fit, usually the answer was on the side of the road. Also, many were close together with little privacy. We stayed on site 53. Which I definitely recommend. Plenty of space for the tent (on a bit of a slant with tree roots, but doable, especially with air mattresses), great privacy on one side, decentprivacy on the other, and a lovely view of the woods at the back.

  • Morgan S.
    Sep. 8, 2021

    Washington State Park Campground

    The perfect park

    We absolutely love this park. It’s just under an hour from St. Louis, with river access, amazing hiking trails & great views. Very clean campsites with lots of shade for tent campers & nice level lots. There is even a swimming pool if the river isn’t your thing & a couple playgrounds too. There is a dollar general right outside the park entrance which is super convenient if you forget something or your lighter runs out of fluid like us lol. They have cabins to rents as well as Camper spots and basic lots. Pet friendly! Highly recommend this park. The whole family enjoyed staying here.

  • Carlyne F.
    Feb. 12, 2021

    Cahokia RV Parque

    Cahokia RV Parque, IL

    We chose Cahokia RV Park because of its close proximity to St. Louis Missouri. We stayed in a gravel site with a concrete pad, fire pit, picnic table and full-hook ups. The spaces are tighter, but that was expected being closer to a city. 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. The price reflected what we got out of our stay.

  • GoWhereYouAreDraw N.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 14, 2020

    Beaver Dam State Park Campground

    Nice campsites

    All sites are shaded and mostly level with pull-thru or back-in parking. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring with a grate over it. Each site has electric, however the water spigots are scattered about. The restroom and shower house is very clean.

    There is a nice walking trail path that goes around the exterior of the lake. The lake has boat access and some good fishing spots. There is also a restaurant and store on the lake. The breakfast at the restaurant is great! Mosquitoes are bad, remember to bring repellent.

  • T
    Nov. 2, 2020

    Cahokia RV Parque

    Nice close park to St. Louis

    Pet-friendly, full hookups, space for our larger rig and parking around for extra vehicle. Laundry and propane on site. Spaces were a little close together, but minutes from downtown St. Louis, and staff was friendly and accommodating. Also, fantastic restaurant right on site -- Sawmill BBQ!

  • K
    Dec. 10, 2020

    Cahokia RV Parque

    Close to STL, beautiful bathrooms, restaurant on site, after hours check in

    I specifically would like to point out things that I look for when booking because I’m usually already on the road when trying to find a place to stay. There was after hours check in! But also a so friendly staff in the office. Beautiful coded bathrooms with showers. They were heated and warm and very well marked.
    We did get a 30amp spot, because we have a van with solar panels and didn’t need to hook up. From doing this we were placed under street lights so they were always on and bright directly on our van. The next night they let us move to a 50 amp. The 50 amp spaces were the only ones with firepits. Rvs are close to one another but I was completely okay with that. There was road noise, quite a bit. But large trash bins and a great bbq restaurant on the grounds! I was planning on grabbing a gallon of milk when we got there...there really is nothing around the rv park! Maybe a couple gas stations at best, but if you need groceries or anything, stop and get them before you get close. Stop in the town before.

    Oh and an awesome playground for the kids!!

  • Mike L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 10, 2024

    St. Charles County Klondike Park

    Fantastic Camping Just Off The Katy Trail

    I have bike-packed along the Katy and this is an excellent spot for an overnight(s) stay. It is a tough, but short, climb from the trail. You may have to walk up the hill - challenge made :-) . This is a St. Charles County Park and it is well maintained. They also have small cabins though pretty basic. Make sure to store your food securely overnight - the racoons are pretty thick and hungry at night. I have also done short bike-packing trips from Chesterfield and St. Charles for an overnight(s) stay. If you need it, grab food in Augusta or Defiance before arriving. There are no services in the park.

  • Kyle K.
    Aug. 2, 2017

    Washington State Park Campground

    Quiet camping, hiking, petroglyphs in MO hills

    This park is so rich in Missouri and USA history - from buildings costructed by the African-American CCC stonemasons to Native American petroglyphs, there's some fascinating stuff here. The campgrounds are a bit rocky like, but each has a picnic table and fire pit, and they sit on the hills of a beautiful Missouri pineforest. Big River runs through this park, so there's some great swimming and fishing here, and there are three hiking trails of varying difficulty, so most people can do whatever. No supplies are available onsite, so bring everything you need!

  • L
    Aug. 3, 2021

    Beaver Dam State Park Campground

    Good place to rest and shower for the night

    Drive by, choose a spot, let the host know. We tent camped. The ground was relatively flat minus some tree stumps. Every site has a fire pit with adjustable grill, picnic tables, ours had a concrete slab for gatherings, 2 vehicle parking bumper to bumper. Outhouse was a short walk from us and was decent (no sink). Water spicket just beyond that. They’re sporadically placed. Our site was in the shade and not far from the road though there were others that were further back. We did some of the trails which were okay. Something to do, a bit of exercise, and it had some cute little bridges and stops to sit or step out onto the water (must be able bodied). It is a pond not a lake, I could see all points of it from one standing position. Also, no beavers, they left a long time ago. The showers were clean. Walmart is about ten minutes away if you need groceries. It’s a good stop if you’re passing through and need to rest, get a little walk in, shower. Definitely wouldn’t recommend for some one out of town or state who wants to plan a vacation here.


Guide to University City

Cabin camping near University City, Missouri offers access to a varied landscape of rolling hills, forested terrain, and water features within a 60-mile radius. Most cabin sites sit at elevations between 400-700 feet above sea level, providing moderate temperatures that average 30°F in winter and 85°F in summer. Local cabin options range from rustic structures to fully-equipped units, with peak reservation demands occurring April through October.

What to do

Hiking along river trails: Washington State Park Campground offers several hiking options with varying difficulty levels. A visitor noted, "Lots to do for all ages, including swimming and hikes of any difficulty/length. Famous for petroglyphs and other history too."

Kayaking on nearby lakes: 370 Lakeside Park provides equipment rentals for water activities. "We love going here and watching the sunsets. This is a great place to kayak and camp if you don't want to drive that fare and live in the city," mentioned one camper.

Fishing at stocked ponds: Many cabin locations offer fishing opportunities, particularly in spring and fall. "The lake has boat access and some good fishing spots. There is also a restaurant and store on the lake," reported a visitor at Beaver Dam State Park.

Wine country exploration: Klondike Park serves as a convenient base for vineyard visits. "This Campground places you in the heart of Missouri Wine Country and there's a perfect base for visiting the wineries and restaurants along highway 94," explained one reviewer.

What campers like

Proximity to St. Louis attractions: Cahokia RV Parque offers convenient access to urban amenities. "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," mentioned one reviewer.

Clean, modern facilities: Many cabin locations prioritize facility maintenance. "Showers were good...The camp staff were friendly and helpful. And the sunrise from our site was beautiful!" noted a camper at Jellystone Park.

Family-oriented activities: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Resort provides structured entertainment for children. "We spent a weekend here because we wanted to be close to six flags. I swear this place was more fun!!! There's swimming, games, lots of activities," commented a visitor.

Scenic lake views: Multiple cabin locations feature water views. "The sites for full hook ups are separate from the other sites," noted a camper at Cuivre River State Park, adding that the park "has a lake you can rent kayaks for."

What you should know

Reservation requirements: Most cabin facilities require advance booking, especially during peak season (May-September). "Well maintained and well managed park. Staff on duty at all hours is awesome! We called ahead but didn't need a reservation," shared a camper at 370 Lakeside Park.

Noise considerations: Some cabin locations experience ambient noise. "This campground is close to I-44 and there are a lot of excess lights kept on all night long," explained a reviewer at Pin Oak RV Park.

Seasonal closures: Availability varies significantly by season. "The park/campground rents paddleboats, kayaks, and canoes in addition to different kinds of bikes," a visitor noted about 370 Lakeside Park's summer offerings.

Linen requirements: Cuivre River State Park Campground and similar locations require campers to bring their own bedding. "The nicest spots are the ones by the lake, with only one neighbor and a better view of the lake," shared a reviewer.

Tips for camping with families

Children's activities: Structured recreation options vary by location. "This park has plenty of well groomed trails and facilities spread out nicely. You could camp here for a weekend and stay busy," noted a Cuivre River State Park visitor.

Playground access: Several cabin locations feature dedicated play areas. "The grounds are clean and pleasant, if a bit sparse with little shade. This will change over the subsequent years, however, as there are many relatively newly planted trees," explained a camper at 370 Lakeside Park.

Kid-friendly trails: Pin Oak RV Park offers manageable hiking for younger visitors. "Nice little lake to fish in and areas to walk around in," shared one reviewer about the accessible paths.

Safety considerations: Most cabin locations have staff on-site to assist with emergencies. "Staff on duty at all hours is awesome!" noted a visitor to 370 Lakeside Park.

Tips from RVers

Site dimensions: Many cabin areas also accommodate RVs with varying space limitations. "Sites are mostly level. Nice staff. Appears cabins are going through some refurbishing efforts," observed a visitor to Granite City KOA.

Utility connections: Facilities vary significantly between locations. "Each site has electric, however the water spigots are scattered about," noted a camper at Beaver Dam State Park.

Camp store availability: On-site provisioning options differ between locations. "They've got great amenities: 30/50amp, water, sewer, wifi, pool, showers, fire rings, and a trash dumpster," explained a visitor to Cahokia RV Parque.

Accessibility features: Cabin and common areas have varying accommodation levels. "Shower house was nice, with one small shower stall and large ADA shower stall," reported a visitor to Beaver Dam State Park.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular cabin campsite near University City, MO?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near University City, MO is Cahokia RV Parque with a 4.1-star rating from 18 reviews.

What is the best site to find cabin camping near University City, MO?

TheDyrt.com has all 19 cabin camping locations near University City, MO, with real photos and reviews from campers.