Camping options near Wentzville, Missouri span from basic tent sites to luxury yurt accommodations across several state and county parks. Located in eastern Missouri at approximately 623 feet elevation, the area experiences four distinct seasons with humid summers and moderate winters that allow for year-round camping at select locations. Most campgrounds in the region sit within 20-40 minutes of Wentzville, providing convenient access to both natural settings and urban amenities.
What to do
Hiking at multiple difficulty levels: Cuivre River State Park offers trails for various skill levels, including a popular lake loop. "Campground is beautiful and very woodsy. We saw bunnies hopping around and when we first arrived to our site a deer was grazing nearby, such a bonus!" reports Maria E. about Cuivre River State Park.
Winter eagle watching: Pere Marquette State Park becomes a prime eagle viewing location during colder months. "In winter there are a lot of eagles feeding in the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers which meet at the park. The Lewis & Clark expedition started nearby," explains Joel R. from Pere Marquette State Park Campground.
Kayaking local waterways: Multiple parks offer water recreation with rental equipment available seasonally. "We come here to have a fire at night and go kayaking the next day. Perfect little getaway," notes a camper at Cuivre River State Park. The lake is particularly popular for beginners with calm waters.
Mountain biking trails: Greensfelder County Park maintains dedicated mountain biking paths with varying technical challenges. "The park has planted some trees, but they are really just saplings, so there is no shade yet," notes Annie C., indicating newer trail development areas.
What campers like
Close-to-home convenience: St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park offers proximity to urban amenities while providing natural surroundings. "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. about St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park.
Site privacy levels: Some parks offer more secluded camping experiences than others. "The sites for full hook ups are separate from the other sites," notes Kayla S. at Cuivre River, indicating layout considerations for different camping styles.
Year-round bathhouse access: Lazy Day Campground maintains clean facilities regardless of season. "The laundry and bathrooms/showers are adorable. The sites are well spaced and nice and level," reports Darlene T. about the consistent amenities.
Historical significance: Several parks contain structures built during the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. "Lots of historical buildings built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930's," Annie C. mentions about Pere Marquette, adding historical context to camping trips.
What you should know
Site reservations essential: Greensfelder County Park has limited sites that fill quickly, especially for equestrian camping. "This campground caters to the horse-set, with more campsites attached to the equestrian park than not, which means you should make reservations in advance as it is a busy little campground," advises Annie C..
Seasonal facility limitations: Some parks restrict water access during winter months. "Not having water available except at the camp host, and no open restrooms and showers until after April 1, regardless of when the last freeze is was inconvenient for a spring break trip," notes Archie S. about Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park.
Noise considerations: Several campgrounds mention train or highway noise factors. "Close to train tracks and highway, but didn't notice with AC on in the camper," reports Craig F. about St. Louis West / Historic Route 66 KOA, suggesting RVs have advantages over tents in these locations.
Yurt camping availability: Specialized yurt accommodations exist at select parks in the Wentzville area with varying amenity levels. The most developed yurt camping near Wentzville, Missouri is available at Cuivre River State Park, though availability is limited and requires advance booking.
Tips for camping with families
Jellystone Park activities: The themed campground offers scheduled family programming from March through October. "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," shares Lindsey R. about Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Resort.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Morning and evening hours provide the best animal sightings at multiple parks. "You can see all kinds of wildlife in and around the lake - deer, bald eagles, pelicans, ducks, snakes," Annie C. reports about St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park.
Food storage precautions: Multiple parks report active wildlife interested in campers' food. "Don't leave anything out at night or raccoons will scavenge," warns Maria E. about Cuivre River State Park, highlighting the importance of proper storage.
Accessibility considerations: Some parks offer accessible fishing docks and facilities. "It also has an accessible fishing dock that is covered," mentions Kayla S. about options at Cuivre River State Park that accommodate different mobility needs.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds have uneven sites requiring preparation. "The gravel pad was fairly level, and although the utilities were toward the back of the site, we had no trouble connecting. There were two sewer hookups—a nice touch," shares MickandKarla W. about Lazy Day Campground.
Water pressure variations: RVers report significant differences in water systems between parks. "The water pressure was so strong that I could barely open the water pump!" notes Susan L. about St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park.
Electric hookup specifications: Available power varies significantly between campgrounds with implications for air conditioning use. "Only sites 20-29 have electric and 28 can't be reserved...no 50 amps," reports Matthew H. about Greensfelder County Park.
Satellite reception factors: Tree coverage impacts connectivity at several parks. "While the grounds have mature trees, most sites—including 17—are satellite-friendly," explains MickandKarla W. about Lazy Day Campground, providing information important for RVers needing consistent connections.
