Meramec State Park

Introduction of Meramec State Park

Meramec State Park may be the ideal location for your next RV vacation if you enjoy caves. This park has been a favourite since it opened in 1927, thanks to the beauty of the Meramec River and its surrounding forests, cliffs, and bluffs. The 6,896-acre park offers year-round RV and tent camping, as well as cabins and a motel, so no matter what type of camping you prefer, you won’t be disappointed. This fantastic getaway is just four miles from Sullivan in east central Missouri, on the edge of Mark Twain National Forest, where the river meets the caves and forest.

You can find it here if you enjoy floating, boating, fishing, or hiking. You can even spend the day picnicking and exploring the park’s dozens of caves. During the main summer season, guided tours of Fisher Cave are available for a small fee, but the other caves are open to the public for free. There’s also a dining lodge, a store, and a nature centre, so you can eat and relax without missing out on Meramec State Park’s natural area. They even have a conference centre with rentable rooms, a motel, and cabins for those who do not enjoy “roughing it” in their camper or motorhome.

Meramec State Park  Camping

Stanton/Meramec KOA spans nine rural, wooded acres and offers numerous amenities. There is an on-site canoe company that outfits guests with everything they need for a wonderful day on the Meramec River. Hungry? From April to October, guests can dine at the Cricket Cafe, which serves traditional southern Missouri barbecue and pizza. Play pool in the game room or take a swim in the seasonal swimming pool. There are several community fire pits where guests can reconnect with old friends or meet new ones. For dogs, the campground has an off-leash Kamp K-9 dog park. With large pull-through sites available, big rigs are always welcome. With sparkling bathrooms, hot showers, and laundry facilities, you’ll feel right at home.

Group tent areas A, B, and C can be reserved for groups of 15 to 50 people. Each area has a paved parking lot with about 15 cars, two lantern hangers, two fire pits, and eight picnic tables. They lack electricity and water, but there is potable water between Areas A and B, as well as at the restroom and shower house near Area C. The campground is open all year, but potable water is only available at the frost-free spigot near the dump station from November to April. Dogs are permitted as long as they are leashed for at least 10 feet.

Campground 3 has 32 sites with driveways ranging in length from 35 to 63 feet. Seven of these are in a loop near the shower house, restrooms, and laundry access, and 22 are in a loop near the boat ramp, restaurant, camp store, and visitor centre. There are also three sites off to the side of the river, secluded from the rest of the camp. Between the shower house loop and the three riverbank campsites, there is also an RV dump station and a frost-free water spigot. Each of these locations has electricity, a picnic table, and a fire ring. The campground is open all year, but potable water is only available at the frost-free spigot near the dump station from November to April.

Campground 2 has 78 campsites with driveways ranging from 37 to 82 feet long, allowing you to find a spot to fit even the largest motorhome or trailer. The 20 riverside campsites have electric, sewer, and water hookups, as well as direct access to the playground and potable water. The next 38 campsites in the first loop have electricity and are close to the shower house, restrooms, and an overflow parking lot. The remaining 20 sites in the final loop are basic sites with several spots with potable water. These locations all have electricity, a picnic table, and a fire ring.

These locations are ideal for families because they are close to the Meramec River, a playground, and caves. This campground has 40 sites with driveways ranging from 53 to 78 feet in length, allowing even the largest rigs to fit. Fourteen of these sites have both electricity and water, and the remaining sites have both electricity and potable water. There is also a hot water shower house, restrooms with flush toilets, and vault toilets nearby. During the on-season months, the amphitheatre is located next to the cave, where special programmes for children and adults are held.

Meramec State Park Activities

Hiking

Make sure to park the RV and hike the 8.25-mile Wilderness Trail, which winds through the most remote and rugged areas of Meramec State Park. You’ll see the river, rocky glades, woodlands with high peaks and ridge tops, and some exhilarating climbs on slopes that will put your skills to the test. This is not a trail for beginners; it is only for experienced hikers. If you’re new to hiking, try the half-mile Walking Fern Trail, a moderately difficult but short trek that begins and ends at the Fisher Cave entrance. You will pass through a variety of habitats as well as the entrance to the Indian Cave.

Fishing

The Meramec River is known for having some of the best fishing in the Midwest, as well as a diverse variety of aquatic critters. Meramec State Park has it all, from panfish like bluegill and crappie to game fish like small and largemouth bass, catfish, and carp. Whether you use cut bait, worms, or lures, you are sure to catch something worthwhile if you try, so pack your fishing gear as well as a large net in your camper before heading to the park.

Boating

There’s a concrete boat launch near Campground 3 where you can launch your boat and park your trailer or campervan for the day while you enjoy the river. Whether you want to get wet, go fishing, or simply enjoy a relaxing day on the water, the Meramec River at Meramec State Park is a great place to be on a hot summer day. Spend the day on the water before returning to your campsite for a barbecue.

Float Trip

The Meramec River is a popular float trip destination in Missouri, with some of the best rapids and clear water sections where you can meander along the riverbank in a tube, raft, or canoe. Bring some water toys and a picnic lunch so you and your friends can take a break on a gravel bar. If you forget to bring your inner tubes or rafts, you can rent or purchase them at the camp store.

Meramec State Park Location

Meramec State Park is located in east central Missouri, about an hour from St. Louis or four hours from Kansas City. It offers rugged wilderness, RV camping, boating, and swimming. This park should be easy to find after a short drive down Interstate 70 and Highway 44. Because it is one of the most popular and well-known parks in the state, there are signs all along the highway, and you can get directions from almost anyone in the area because everyone knows where it is. If you’re driving a big rig or pulling a trailer, the roads after you exit the highway can be tricky.

Take it easy and keep an eye out for critters that occasionally wander into the road, as well as the curves and narrow lanes. Once inside the park, the roads are usually well-kept and maintained for RV or trailer use, but keep an eye out for low-hanging branches and potholes, as well as children and other campers. Because it is a large park, you may not be able to leave the RV at the campsite if you want to go somewhere far away, such as the conference centre, visitor centre, or motel. If you bring your bike, you should be fine.

Parking

Parking is available.

Public Transport

Public Transport is not available