We travel from southwest Missouri to the St. Louis region each year to meet family members from northern IL for camping over Memorial Day weekend. We always have a hard time getting sites with hook-ups at state parks and such, and would like to explore private RV parks. We don't want a parking lot for RV's though - we need space for 2 boys to ride bikes, play Frisbee with the dogs, have campfires, etc. Would love swimming facilities if possible. 100 mi. radius from St. Louis at absolute max. Reasonable proximity to I-55, I-44, I-70 or I-270 preferred. We welcome your suggestions. Thanks!

This might the best park in the St. Louis area to stay at http://www.sundermeierrvpark.com/ Try the camground search to get ideas. There's a lot of good one's around your radius you want. Yogia Bear on Rt 44 is another one.

East of St Louis about 40 miles is Carlyle Lake. There are several campgrounds and plenty of places for kids to ride bikes, hike, play, dogs to run, and have campfires.

Ozark,

I don't want to sound like too much of a "grinch" here, but I think you may have trouble finding some of the things you are looking for in a private park in the St. Louis area. The Sundermeier park previously mentioned sounds nice but is expensive. Additionally, their website makes no mention of campfires, has no pool, like most parks probably does not allow dogs off-leash, and from the reviews and satellite view, does not have spacious sites. There is, however, a local park across the street where the boys (if they are old enough to be on their own) could let loose with their bikes, dogs, and frisbees. Unfortunately, that still leaves the campfire and swimming issues.

The only park I have been to in the immediate St. Louis area is the Casino Queen RV Park in East St. Louis which certainly does not meet your criteria. Wadcutter's suggestion of the Carlyle, IL area sounds promising. There is also a park (something with "Pines" in the name) in Pittsfield, IL (about 40 miles east of Hanniabal, MO just south of I-72 on U.S. 54). It is listed in the Reviews section of this site and you can access their website from the park's listing. It sound like the kind of place local families go for weekends and summer vacations. They have fire rings, a swimming beach, and don't seem to be the "parking lot" kind of park. The only problem I see here is that they do have the typical "dog must be leashed" rule found in most private parks today. It may also be a bit longer and more inconvenient drive for you - but not your relatives.

Good luck with your search and, especially if you want to get a couple sites together, I wouldn't wait to long trying to get reservations for Memorial Day weekend.

You might look at the Pin Oak Creek campground in Villa Ridge, MO just off I-44. It's very family oriented with planned activities for kids on weekends. They have a pool and a small fishing lake. It can get crowded on weekends though.

Thanks - we've been to two of the public campgrounds at Carlyle but the full hookup sites (IF they even have any) are always reserved by January 1st! We get stuck with electric sites and have to fill water tanks and use the dump station. Not the worst thing but full hookups would sure be nice! We did find a park called Cedarbrook RV Park in Mulberry Grove just N of Carlyle which I think we will try. It appears to have most of what we're looking for. It got mixed reviews here but we think it's worth a look. Thanks for your reply!

Thanks to all for suggestions. We'll check out Sundermeier's and Pin Oak in future trips.

Lady Bug RV Park is a campground we plan to stay at in May. I think it has great potential under its new ownership. It's at exit 203 about 1/4 mile north of Interstate 44 near Cuba, MO so it may be further from St. Louis than you want. Six Flags is at Exit 261.

I just drove across Interstate 44 as I drove back to Illinois from Oklahoma. I had some time so I checked out several campground/RV Parks while I was in the car since we'll be towing on our next trip.Lady Bug RV Park

I met the new Lady Bug owners as they were out working on the RV sites. I was impressed with their friendliness, evident hard work, and plans they have for the RV Park. The facility is not fancy yet it did seem clean and actively maintained. I rather doubt that they have cable or WiFi. Their rates sounded very reasonable.

The park has 30 sites with a mix of services (W, E, full, tent), bathroom and showers, pavilion, swimming pool, and pond with lots of open grassy areas. It is far enough away from the interstate that you feel you are out in the country with no neighbors -- you really are. Yet it is just a short drive to Cuba, Steelville, Mark Twain National Forest and Missouri Wine Country.

We haven't stayed there yet so I can't give you a true review; only share my initial impressions. They said to just give them a call when I want to make reservations. If you do decide to give them a try, would you mind mentioning that the lady in the red Honda with Illinois license plates who stopped by in March told you about them. I don't get any reimbursement for mentioning them. They are just nice folks and I'd like them to know that taking the time to visit with me was very much appreciated.

Safe travels ....

Thanks for the suggestion, Emma. It is a bit too far out from St. Louis for our annual meeting with family coming down from Chicago area, but close enough to us in SW Mo that we just may try it some weekend for ourselves. Many of the park's sites look shady and that pool is inviting! Again, thanks - to all who have responded - for the suggestions.

Hi
I wanted to tell you about a RV park near St Louis. It's called Pin Oak Creek RV Park. It's west of St Louis off I-44. It was far enough from the city, but not too far that we thought it was inconvenient. My husband and I stayed there a couple days last year. It's very family oriented, there's a pool, mini-golf, playground and a small lake to fish. They said they have lots of activities for kids also. It was easy manuevering through and the rate was good.
Good luck,
Doris