Louis and yet world’s away.
Heading west out of St. Louis, the endless metro area eventually gives way to suburbs interspersed with woodlands and farmland. The town of St. Clair is just an hour from downtown St. Louis, far from the hustle and bustle, but close enough for easy access. Some visitors never head into the city, instead choosing to head deeper into the Missouri Ozarks hills or to spend time on the Meramec River. If you plan to stop and stay a while, several private RV parks are located nearby, primarily in Stanton and further west, offering free wifi, full hookups, onsite activities, and more.
The Meramec River snakes a slow trail south of St. Clair. Meramec State Park, 15 minutes southwest of town, provides river access, scenery, and outdoor recreation. Not only can you fish, swim, hike, and paddle in the park, you can also tour a cave. The park’s campground features sites for both tents and RVs, with some offering water/electric and full hookups. A canopy of trees provides shade.
Once a working farm, today, Robertsville State Park is a waterfront retreat along the Meramec River and Calvey Creek. The waters are a hot spot for fishing, boating, and paddling. A small campground offers rustic tent and RV sites with a mixture of dry camping and electric hookups.
Less than an hour north of St. Clair, the enchanting town of Hermann feels like it’s in another country, thanks to the German immigrants that settled the region, as well as the unique landscape. Rolling hills suitable for vineyards have given the area its other claim to fame, its wine. Today, visitors come to sample the local vintages, historic architecture, fine foods, and grand landscapes. Private RV parks and public campgrounds can be found across the region. The city park offers campsites for tents and RVs, as do a number of campgrounds operated by state agencies.
Though summers are humid and hot, visitors can still enjoy the great outdoors, town culture, and historic sites. Spring is usually mild, with a mixture of weather. Fall is a good time to take a scenic drive or to visit the nearby state parks, as Missouri’s forests fill with color. Winter is generally cold and may be snowy or icy. Come prepared for freezing temperatures if you’ll be camping then.