Camping options near St. Louis span across both Missouri and Illinois sides of the Mississippi River, with elevations ranging from 400-700 feet above sea level. The region features a mix of hardwood forests, grasslands, and riparian zones where tent and RV campers access both state and privately operated facilities. Fall camping in September and October offers ideal temperatures between 50-75°F with less precipitation than summer months.
What to do
Kayaking at 370 Lakeside Park: Located in St. Peters, this urban park offers paddle rentals and a 4-mile trail circling the lake. As one camper noted, "This is a great place to kayak and camp if you don't want to drive that fare and live in the city" with special mention of "watching the sunsets" over the water at St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park.
Bike the Katy Trail: Access this historic rail-trail directly from Sundermeier RV Park through a dedicated gate. "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. Charles a wonderful historic river town on the Missouri River," explains one visitor at Sundermeier RV Park.
Gateway Arch views from Illinois: Casino Queen RV Park offers direct views of the St. Louis skyline and iconic arch from the east side of the Mississippi. A camper mentioned, "Even though this RV park is in a city, we felt safe. And it's view of the Gateway Arch can't be beat... Easy check in... Asphalt level pads with FHU, both 30 & 50 amp service."
What campers like
Budget-friendly state park camping: Horseshoe Lake State Park charges just $8 per night for tent camping with basic amenities. One camper described it as having "Great spots to camp. Very private and clean. 5 ⭐ in my opinion simply because of the overnight price and privacy." Another noted you get "access to drinking water and waste water dump for just 8$" at Horseshoe Lake State Park Campground.
Security features at urban sites: Casino Queen RV Park uses access codes and regular security patrols to ensure safety. "Security rolled through frequently. Your gate code can be used for the pool and gym at the casino in addition to the bathroom and laundry area," noted one reviewer at Draft Kings at Casino Queen RV Park.
Convenient access to downtown: Multiple sites offer transit connections to St. Louis attractions. At Cahokia RV Parque, "They have a shuttle to the various tourist attractions, just ask the staff at the office for details. The staff are friendly, the facility is clean and professional." Another camper mentioned "the casino has a metro stop that takes you into St Louis over the river."
What you should know
Train noise affects several campgrounds: Many St. Louis area campgrounds sit near active rail lines. At Granite City KOA, "trains pass 2 blocks away several times nightly, but after the first night you won't notice." At Casino Queen, "there's a train that goes by a couple times in the middle of the night," while another reported "you can hear trains occasionally as well as the METRA rail" at St. Louis NE-Granite City KOA.
Flooding concerns in lowland areas: Sites near rivers may experience flooding during heavy rains. At Covered Bridge RV Park, "While we were there they had a record rainfall amount and the park apparently already has flooding issues so it was flooding pretty bad but also our RV was right next to a creek that had risen really high."
Limited grocery options: Several campgrounds sit in industrial or commercial areas without nearby supermarkets. One camper at Cahokia RV Parque advised: "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."
Tips for camping with families
Playground availability: Several campgrounds offer dedicated play areas for children. At Cahokia RV Parque, there's "an awesome playground for the kids!" while 370 Lakeside Park features "a nice bathhouse with free showers for the campers and pay laundry. If you are lucky, you can get a site close to the water, but it means the walking trail is right next to your unit."
Swimming options vary by location: While the existing description mentions Washington State Park's swimming pool, Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park Campground offers a different experience with "miles of hiking/paved biking/equestrian trails, picnic shelters, a playground, and ball fields. There is a visitor center with exhibits and an amphitheater in the campground where interpretive programs are held."
Kid-friendly recreation rentals: 370 Lakeside Park rents specialty bikes and boats for families. "The park/campground rents paddleboats, kayaks, and canoes in addition to different kinds of bikes. There is a walking trail around the lake (4+ miles). There is fish in the lake and you are allowed to fish."
Tips from RVers
Entrance challenges at some parks: Several campgrounds have tricky access points to navigate. At Granite City KOA, "When you first pull down the road you'll be worried you're going to end up in the train yard, but the campground is hidden and actually really quiet and secluded." Meanwhile, at Cahokia, "Entrance to campground is tight, swing wide."
Urban site spacing varies significantly: Some campgrounds offer more breathing room than others despite being in metro areas. At St. Louis West / Historic Route 66 KOA, "We stayed at a primitive tent site with both dogs. Site t13, which unfortunately was one of the very few camp spots with zero trees so we're unable to use our hammock. (Most of the other sites had great trees for hammock setups)."
Hookup configurations differ between parks: Water and electric connections may require longer hoses at certain sites. At Casino Queen, "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."
