90 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Meramec Caverns Natural Campground accommodates pets across its 200 sites with tent, RV, cabin, and glamping options. The campground features electric hookups, water access, fire pits, and picnic tables at most sites. Pet owners particularly appreciate the riverside locations where dogs can enjoy water access while remaining leashed. Pin Oak RV Park offers pet-friendly cabin accommodations alongside traditional tent and RV sites, with full hookups available for those traveling with animals. Both campgrounds maintain clean facilities, with reviewers noting the Meramec location's security staff regularly patrols to ensure all campers, including those with pets, follow established guidelines. Dogs must remain supervised throughout these campgrounds, with waste disposal expected.
Riverside camping spots provide excellent opportunities for dogs to cool off during warmer months, though owners should watch for wildlife along shorelines. The primitive sites at Meramec Caverns offer more spacious and shaded options for campers with pets compared to the paved RV area. Walking trails near the campgrounds accommodate leashed pets, with the Walking Fern trail mentioned as suitable for dog walks despite its short half-mile length. Security personnel are available to address any pet-related concerns, and the camp store stocks basic pet supplies. For those planning pet-friendly camping near Wappapello Lake during summer, shade access and a reliable water source for animals are worth prioritizing when choosing a site, as afternoon temperatures in the region can be intense.
"We had arrived a little too early in the camping season and we happened to pick days where Missouri had a cold front (previous weekend was warm)."
"Security patrols around the clock and doesn't put up with any ridiculousness. Campsites available on pavement, gravel for campers and RVs and grass for tents."
from $23 - $38 / night
Check Availability"Nice little lake to fish in and areas to walk around in."
"Stayed overnight, got a great site next to the pond, escorted to site by friendly staff….."
"Positives: quiet time starting at 11:00 pm, we didn’t hear cursing, loud music, or anything else that disturbs little ones once they go to sleep, close to the river, clean restroom and shower house, shaded"
"They have a family section if you prefer to be away from the louder bunch."
"Relaxing to walk around the park."
"Dinner was delivered with a smile after driving through a spring storm. Pool looked nice. The sites were kind of tight."
"My campsite, located in the far southwest corner, was one of a few with a fire pit, small paved picnic shelter, and picnic table."
"There’s a fenced dog area too, which was a nice surprise. You will hear some highway noise, but honestly, after years in trucking, it just felt like home."
"I rolled in about 1030 with my daughter and dog. 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."
from $20 - $39 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $25 - $100 / night
Check Availability"We park close to the creek, we drive to the Meramec River and sometimes enjoy petting a horse or goat. Last year we zip lined. It’s close to the caverns and other awesome sites."
"It's up by the cabins/cottages and you definitely need to drive there. Get there early in the morning to set up your chairs in the river to get a good spot."
"There is a pavilion near the access points to the Berryman and Ozark trails."
"Pretty creek right behind campsite. Enjoyable walking trails."
from $8 - $15 / night
Check Availability
ScoutMy favorite spot in all of St. Louis! The lady who is the owner and the front desk attendant are wonderful and I have never had a problem here with anything! Free WiFi, laundry, and a public shower and bathroom if needed! There’s also cool walking/biking trails and a park with a children’s playground as well! The gas station is also walking distance for any small necessities
GuideIt appears to be a typical state park. There are lots of old trees. Sites are pretty close together but it is late October so it is not crowded. Each spot has a level gravel spot, electrical hook up (some are 50 and others 30 and ours had a 110 plug in which is what we needed, as well as a picnic table, and a fire pit. There are both pit toilets and a large building that has flush toilets and showers. Everything is old and would benefit from a refresh but it was all clean enough for camping.
TravelerTent to electric to full hookups available. multiple shower toilet facilities throughout campground. All sites with nice concrete parking pad.
ScoutMy favorite RV spot in St. Charles. It’s pretty quiet minus the cool boats and train but other than that it’s peaceful…also love the price!
GuideYes, the road was a bit bumpy, but worth navigating if you can claim a spot. I scored what I would argue is the second best spot - right on the creek just feet from the flowing water. The spot to the right appeared larger and had a rope for the kids (and cool adults) to utilize for launching into the water. The family occupying this space was in ear shot, but I had total privacy aside from a couple groups checking out the the water during the day. The creek had super cool rocks and the water was perfect for casual wading, but too low to swim in the area I was in. No amenities nearby, so pack in and pack out. I did not have any Verizon coverage, so it was two full days of off-the-grid bliss. I would’ve stayed here a a few more days if I had prepared.
ScoutNice and easy. Good spacing between sites
GuideQuiet like the night. Clean well groomed spaces are about average size. Off season sure is nice.
TravelerTrails in the area re nice but facilities for this many sites are limited. Sites are close to each other.
TravelerCame to Riverside landing on a Tuesday-Thursday for car camping and there was only a few other RVs and one other tent camper. Reserved a spot right on the river, very scenic and quiet. Right by some train tracks so trains do run by, but that was the only loud noise! No restrooms here so bring your own amenities if you aren’t in an RV
Campgrounds near Wappapello Lake, Missouri offer a range of pet-friendly options for campers seeking river access and shaded sites. The Ozark region's rolling hills reach elevations of 500-1,000 feet with summer temperatures averaging 85-90°F. Humidity levels typically range from 60-80% during summer camping season, creating conditions where shade becomes essential for comfort.
Cave exploration nearby: Onondaga Cave State Park Campground features underground walking tours with impressive formations. "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.
River activities: Spend time on the Meramec River with canoe, kayak or tube rentals. "We kayaked here and it was amazing! probably the best short trip you could take on a kayak. It started pouring halfway thru our ride, but even still we had a blast!" shares Allyson D. about Washington State Park Campground.
Historical sites: Visit the prehistoric petroglyphs at Washington State Park. Phil W. writes, "The prehistoric Petroglyphs nearby are a must see." The park contains Native American rock carvings dating back hundreds of years.
Quiet, secluded spots: Robertsville State Park Campground provides peaceful camping experiences away from crowds. "Not much to do here, it's just a place for me to camp 15 minutes from home. It has a nice loop trail behind the camp ground that goes down to the river," mentions Tony S.
Wildlife viewing: Campers appreciate natural encounters in these areas. "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," reports Tom K. about Meramec State Park Campground.
Swimming options: Natural water features provide cooling opportunities. "Good swimming! Clear water. Camp store. Firewood available," says Sherry P. about Meramec Caverns Natural Campground, noting the river access that many visitors enjoy.
Cell service varies: Coverage can be spotty in some campgrounds. "The campground is great. Most of the sites are flat and paved. The campground is right next to the Meramec River. There is WiFi available but it is not reliable. The cell phone service is virtually non-existent," warns Mats about Meramec State Park.
Summer crowds: Many campgrounds fill during peak season. "This is primarily a campground for people floating the Meramec River and other area streams. They provide canoe rental, and transport to the put-in points. On summer weekends it is crowded and noisy," explains Joel R. about Ozark Outdoors-Riverfront Resort.
Reservations recommended: Book in advance for holiday weekends. Some parks require minimum stays. "On the weekends in the high season be prepared to reserve two nights in a row, which can make it more difficult to get a spot. But if you go during the week you can have the place pretty much to yourself," advises Annie C. about Robertsville State Park.
Choose camps with kid-friendly amenities: Pin Oak RV Park offers activities for children. "A nice private catch and release pond, an old little mini golf setup, a small (but adequate) swimming pool kept the kids busy," shares Carrie A.
Consider cabin options: For families new to camping, cabins provide comfort. "A good stopover on I 44. Stay in cabins or the campground. Small camp store. Nice hiking trails, all easy/moderate. Rent canoes (not sure about kayaks) on site," recommends Lynn G.
Look for dog-friendly campgrounds: When traveling with pets, some spots are better than others. "I do wish they had a playground or some level place for the kids to play, but overall it was very nice and quiet," notes Montt B. about family camping at Robertsville State Park Campground.
Check site levelness: Many RV sites require leveling equipment. "The sites are level, and there is plenty of shade. (One advantage of being an older park.) But everything is just a little run down. The sites are gravel and close together do not much privacy," observes Joel R. about Pin Oak RV Park.
Quick overnight options: For travelers passing through, RV Self-Park provides convenient access. "I rolled in about 1030 with my daughter and dog. 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," notes Grant.
Road noise considerations: Some campgrounds have highway sound. "Very easily accessible from Interstate. They serve and deliver a limited menu from 4-7 pm. Nice pool area. They have canoes for rental onsite. Nice place but sites are un-level for Motorhomes and they are a little tight," says Schelly D.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Wappapello Lake?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Wappapello Lake is Meramec Caverns Natural Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 23 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Wappapello Lake?
TheDyrt.com has all 90 dog-friendly camping locations near Wappapello Lake, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
