Valley Park, Missouri provides several camping options within easy driving distance of the St. Louis metropolitan area. Established campgrounds like Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Resort At Six Flags and Greensfelder County Park offer varying accommodations including tent sites, RV spaces, and cabins. Several parks in the region maintain facilities with different amenity levels, from the more developed St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park with full hookup RV sites to the more rustic options at Klondike Park. The area features a mix of county-managed and privately operated campgrounds, most concentrated within a 20-mile radius of Valley Park.
Camping conditions vary seasonally throughout the St. Louis area, with most parks remaining open year-round but offering their peak experience from April through October. Summer temperatures can reach into the 90s with high humidity, while spring camping may encounter flooding issues in low-lying areas. Many campgrounds require reservations, particularly on weekends and during summer months when families visit nearby attractions like Six Flags. The mixed-use nature of several parks means equestrian traffic can affect campground activity, especially at Greensfelder County Park where horse camping is a primary focus. One camper noted: "Heavy equestrian park, it's not required to have a horse to stay here. A few piles of horses droppings but very well maintained."
Visitors to the area mention the convenient proximity to St. Louis attractions as a major benefit of camping in the Valley Park region. Greensfelder County Park receives praise for its well-marked trail system and access to nature despite being close to urban areas. Several campers appreciate the family-friendly atmosphere at Jellystone Park, though they note highway noise can be disruptive at night. Some campgrounds like Covered Bridge RV Park cater primarily to long-term or full-time residents. A visitor to Greensfelder County Park explained: "This is a nice little hidden gem outside St Louis in a great county park. If you are a Six Flags kinda person, the amusement park sits at the southern entrance to Greensfelder. The park itself has some great hiking and biking trails."
"Our site was gravel to park on with grass around it. Close to train tracks and highway, but didn’t notice with AC on in the camper. Close to 6 flags."
"This campground is fairly close to downtown and very close to lots of shopping. A great place to stay to stock up on supplies before heading west."
$15 - $35 / night
"Tucked away, not far from St. Louis, you wouldn't know you were that close to a big city. It is clean and feels extremely safe. There aren't many sites, but the ones they have are quiet and spacious."
"Great for taking long walks or bike rides, although very steep hills. Close to St Louis, so you can do some urban exploring."
"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"
"We spent a weekend here because we wanted to be close to six flags. I swear this place was more fun!!!"
$35 - $60 / night
"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."
"All hookups were conveniently located. Shower house and restrooms were clean and well maintained/cleaned every day. Had a lakefront site but didn’t get to fish this time."
"It's a centrally located campground in the Metro St. Louis area. It's close to interstates and it's a short drive across the river to Missouri attractions."
"Lots of dogs tied up, but with owners nearby. Some still “bolt” at you when you walk by. Could be less littered. Our site had lots of litter when we pulled in."
"The park is known for its well-groomed trails, which are used by hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians alike."
"Well taken care of and close to the city. Trails range from a short walk to an endless combination."
$65 / night
"Very clean and secure overnight park just outside of STL. Phenomenal views of downtown and the arch, and fairly easy access to I-55/64/70."
"Close to the arch, that’s why we chose this place to stay overnight."
$56 - $61 / night
"We were able to park next to our 5th wheel with enough room to not feel crowded while using the picnic bench. Also the site was level. We stayed for a week to enjoy St. Louis, St."
"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."
$14 - $38 / night
"Hiking trails, a stocked pond, meramec river access, 12 basic and 13 electric shaded campsites available, play ground away from the campground and shelters available to rent for a family gathering. 2 trails"
"The hook up sites are on the inside of the loop and the tent sites are on the outside of the loop. You need to look carefully for a level tent site as some are fairly slopped."
ScoutStaff is very friendly and great at their jobs. Bathroom was clean and nice. Gets a little crowded but it's still fairly small so not too crowded. Can't speak much for RV camping, but tent/car camping was better than some other state park sites.
LegendWe enjoyed the family site with another friend. It was good for a tent and 26 foot rv. Not a good big rig campground. It has tight turning and narrow roads. We took out kayak on the river for a float. Dirty water. Good hiking.
LegendGreat place for exploring the cave on a tour or playing in the water to cool off. Campground is small and reservations are needed. Great hiking.
LegendThis is a park not far from St Louis with camping and hiking. Campground is on the small side.
LegendI love this park for the dogwood trees in the spring. Reservations are highly recommend especially if you have a large rig and during summer river floating season. Don't use the back loop with a rig larger than 25 feet. You have to thread the needle between wiggly trees. Great hiking here too and a cave!
ScoutTicks are soooo bad, def bring bug spray. There's also a DG and a gas station within 5 mins so that's a huge plus
LegendI love this campground for its wooded and more rugged feel. It is beautiful in early spring when the dogwood trees are in bloom. It has a nice lake for kayaks and paddle boards. Campaigns are great with nice amenities.
LegendWe have stayed at this campground so many times and love it. Cell service is excellent enabling me to work from my rv. It is close to anything you would need, but secluded enough and surrounded by huge trees and hiking trails. I have also rented a pavillion for a party.
ScoutPower / water at sites, single dump site available, at far end of runway, trees around all sites. Has a bathroom / shower / laundry bld. Nice for short visits. Annoying for more than a week.
Campsites near Valley Park, Missouri provide varying camping experiences within a 20-mile radius of the city, at elevations ranging from 450 to 700 feet above sea level. The area sits at the convergence of the Meramec River watershed and features predominantly oak-hickory forests with some prairie remnants. Winter camping options remain available but with reduced amenities, as most shower facilities close between November and April.
Hiking accessible trails: At Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park Campground, campers can explore multiple hiking trails directly from their sites. "The hiking trails are not too long but can be challenging for small kids or folks that are not used to hiking," notes Scott M., who found the park to be "a quick getaway from the city."
Boating and water activities: St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park offers water-based recreation with boat rentals. "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," explains Lindsey C. The park "rents paddleboats, kayaks, and canoes in addition to different kinds of bikes," adds Mats.
Biking on paved trails: Many camping areas connect to regional bike paths. The 3-mile paved trail around the lake at St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park lets visitors see wildlife including "deer, bald eagles, pelicans, ducks, snakes," according to Annie C. From Klondike Park, campers can access the Katy Trail, making it "a great campground for a stayover if you are bikepacking the Katy Trail," as Megan K. points out.
Proximity to attractions: Camping near Valley Park allows easy access to regional destinations. The Draft Kings at Casino Queen RV Park provides "phenomenal views of downtown and the arch, and fairly easy access to I-55/64/70," according to Scott C., making it ideal for exploring St. Louis.
Family-oriented activities: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Resort At Six Flags offers structured entertainment for children. "We stayed here last minute for Labor Day Weekend and the staff were great with finding us a good tent site available. This is not a rugged style campground as there are many amenities such as a pool, putt putt golf, volleyball, and more. They also host daily kids activities and crafts," shares Lindsey R.
Unexpected natural settings: Despite urban proximity, several parks offer surprising natural environments. At Babler State Park, "you wouldn't know you were that close to a big city. It is clean and feels extremely safe. There aren't many sites, but the ones they have are quiet and spacious," according to Lahree C.
Train noise impacts: Several campsites near Valley Park experience railroad noise. At St. Louis West / Historic Route 66 KOA, "close to train tracks and highway, but didn't notice with AC on in the camper," reports Craig F. Todd P. adds, "it will be even better when they invent silent trains."
Seasonal flooding concerns: Low-lying areas experience periodic flooding issues. At St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park, one reviewer noted it "was out of commission for most of the summer of 2019 as the entire area was flooded. But the City of St Peters did a great job getting this place back to usable with new sod, a new bathhouse, and some general sprucing up."
Bathhouse availability varies: Winter campers should check which facilities remain open. At Babler State Park, "the bathhouse with flush toilets closes November 1 and doesn't open until the spring. During the winter the only water spigot is available located near the camp hosts at site #36," explains Nancy W.
Pool access locations: Several campgrounds offer swimming options for hot summer days. At Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park, "there's swimming, games, lots of activities and you can go from rustic rent a tent to a really nice cabin with lots amenities," reports Mike T.
Playground availability: Families with young children should look for sites with play areas. At Cahokia RV Parque, one visitor highlighted an "awesome playground for the kids!!" Mimi mentions the park also has "laundry on site" which can be helpful for longer family stays.
Safety considerations: Security varies between campgrounds. St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park has "24 hour on site security" according to staff, and one camper mentioned park rangers actively check on visitors during severe weather: "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."
Hookup locations: RVers should check utility placement details before arrival. At Casino Queen RV Park, "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," warns Josh F.
Site dimensions: For larger rigs, Greensfelder County Park has specific sites that accommodate bigger vehicles: "Sites 24-26 can fit a fifth wheel probably no bigger than 36-38 ft" while "site 29 where we stayed can fit a 40' fifth wheel," according to Matthew H.
Water pressure variations: Be prepared for significant differences in water pressure between campgrounds. At Sundermeier RV Park, one camper found "30 pound water pressure" which was sufficient, while Susan L. noted about St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park: "The water pressure was so strong that I could barely open the water pump!"
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Valley Park, MO?
According to TheDyrt.com, Valley Park, MO offers a wide range of camping options, with 78 campgrounds and RV parks near Valley Park, MO and 2 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Valley Park, MO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Valley Park, MO is St. Louis West / Historic Route 66 KOA with a 4.2-star rating from 30 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Valley Park, MO?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 free dispersed camping spots near Valley Park, MO.
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