Campgrounds and RV parks near Washington Park, IL

St. Louis attractions are the main draw. The Gateway Arch, Busch Stadium, the St. Louis Zoo, Forest Park museums, and the City Museum are all within about 15 minutes of the Illinois riverfront. Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site, a UNESCO World Heritage archaeological site, is minutes from most Metro East campgrounds. On the Illinois side, Horseshoe Lake State Park offers fishing from boats and banks, boating with a 50-horsepower motor limit, hiking, picnicking, and wildlife viewing across the lake and surrounding wetlands. Swimming and jet skiing are not permitted. Hunting programs run in designated areas from September through February. For families, Cahokia RV Parque has a seasonal outdoor pool, playground, and the on-site Sawmill BBQ restaurant, and DraftKings at Casino Queen provides a shuttle to the casino and downtown venues so guests can leave the RV parked.

Spring and fall are the most comfortable seasons for RV travel in the St. Louis area. Spring brings the wettest weather, with May typically the rainiest month, and thunderstorms continuing into early summer. Low-lying sites near the Mississippi and its tributaries occasionally see flooding after prolonged rain. Summer is hot and humid, with July highs commonly near 90 degrees Fahrenheit and afternoon thunderstorms. This is peak season for St. Louis attractions and Cardinals home stands, so private RV parks near downtown can book up on weekends. Fall is generally drier and cooler, with mid-September to mid-October considered the most pleasant window. Winter is cold, with average January lows below freezing and periodic snow. Horseshoe Lake State Park's campground normally operates from May 1 through September 30, closing for the rest of the year, though access has recently been restricted for a causeway repair project, so travelers should check the Illinois DNR site before planning a stay. Private RV parks such as Cahokia RV Parque, Safari RV Park, and DraftKings at Casino Queen RV Park stay open year-round.

Expect a mix of urban and semi-urban site conditions. DraftKings at Casino Queen has paved pull-through sites with full hookups, gated access, security patrols, and easy walking access to the MetroLink station, though sites are open with limited shade and there is train and highway noise. Cahokia RV Parque has gravel sites with concrete patio pads, a mix of sun and shade, picnic tables, fire rings, and 30 and 50-amp service, with some road and rail noise. Horseshoe Lake State Park is primitive when open: pit toilets, drinking-water hydrants, a dump station, picnic tables, and fire rings, but no showers, no electric, and no water hookups at sites. Bring cash or check for the self-service envelope system. Cell coverage across the Metro East is generally strong on major carriers. Mosquitoes and humidity are heavy from June through August near the river bottoms, so bring repellent and plan for hot afternoons.