Castlewood State Park RV & Campground Guide
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In the early 1900s, the community of Castlewood was a popular nightspot for the residents of St. Louis. Patrons would ascend the grand staircase at the Castlewood depot to visit the hotel, cabins, and clubs. They could also take a ferry across the river to Lincoln Beach, located on a large sandbar on the Meramec River. In its heyday, more than 10,000 people would come to Castlewood each weekend during the summer. Today, Castlewood State Park is a large public recreation area that's located next to the Meramec River and the surrounding valleys, right near St. Louis and the small town of Ballwin, Missouri. Visitors enjoy fishing, swimming, viewing the wildlife and biking and hiking along the many multi-use trails.
Spring 33-76 F
Summer 63-88 F
Fall 34-80 F
Winter 20-44 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Castlewood State Park
Traveling around the countryside in an RV is a great way to unwind from the stresses of ordinary life. Being able to take your mobile "home" with you as you travel is a convenient way to visit state parks without having to deal with setting up a tent. While you are visiting the park in your own or a rental RV, you may want to branch out and stay at one of the many RV parks and campgrounds in the nearby area.
St. Louis RV Park
You will appreciate the convenience of staying at St. Louis RV Park in downtown St. Louis. You can easily walk around the downtown areas and see many interesting attractions, such as the Gateway Arch, Forest Park, and Busch Stadium. The river is nearby, and there are many shopping and dining options. The campground is close to the city trolley, which will take you around downtown.
- Number of sites: 54
- Rates: $48 nightly, $308 weekly
- Type of hookup: Full hookups
- Electrical Amps: 30 and 50 amps
- Wi-Fi: Yes
- Pool or hot tub: Pool
- Pet-friendly: Pets are allowed on a leash and outside the gate
- Showers: Yes
- Additional amenities: Camp store, fitness room
Pin Oak Creek RV Park
Pin Oak Creek RV Park has been rated as a 10 Best Camping Spot by "Best of Missouri" and offers resort types of amenities and activities that feature plenty of family fun. Visitors will enjoy the arts and crafts, fishing pond, and miniature golf, and there are also seasonal, planned activities throughout the year. The park is close to Six Flags and other St. Louis attractions.
- Rates: $42.77-$59.05
- Type of hookup: Full hookups
- Electrical Amps: 30 and 50 amps
- Wi-Fi: Yes
- Pool or hot tub: Pool
- Showers: Yes
- Laundry: Yes
- Additional amenities: Camp store, paintball, arcade room, playground, volleyball and basketball courts, fishing pond
Sundermeier RV Park
You will be next to the Missouri River when you stay at the Sundermeier RV Park, 20 miles from St. Louis, and close to St. Charles. You will love all the amenities in the park and the proximity to the number of attractions in St. Charles, like concerts, fairs, crafts, and pioneer reenactments. St. Charles was the original capital of Missouri and has many restored and original historical buildings, and the city hosts commensurate themes and events.
- Number of sites: 106 back-in or pull-through
- Rates: $54-$59/daily, $324-$354/weekly
- Type of hookup: Full hookups
- Electrical Amps: 30 and 50 amps
- Wi-Fi: Yes
- Pool or hot tub: No
- Pet-friendly: Yes
- Showers: Yes
- Laundry: Yes
- Additional amenities: Camp store, nature trails
What to Do at
Castlewood State Park
Inside Castlewood State Park
Castlewood State Park straddles the Meramec River on both sides and runs along five miles of the river banks. Visitors can hike or bike on the Grotpeter Trail in the uplands area, the River Scene Trail, which loops along the bluffs and down to the river and back, and the Chubb Trail, which is a multi-use trail for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. You can take part in boating activities or fish along the river for bass, bluegill, carp, drum, gar, walleye, crappie, and catfish. The World Bird Sanctuary houses several birds of prey and related exhibits.
Outside Castlewood State Park
While you are visiting Castlewood State Park, you may want to see other interesting sites or do some shopping and dining out. The city of St. Louis is home to many attractions as well as unique restaurants and shops. Whether you'd enjoy walking around natural settings, visiting a theme park, or indulging in a shopping foray, you are sure to find the perfect amusement.
Restaurants
First Watch
First Watch is a restaurant that serves breakfast and lunch. They specialize in fresh fruits and vegetables and dishes made from scratch on-site. Their menu features omelets, pancakes, sandwiches, soups, salads, and desserts. One of their signature plates is the Chickichanga, a flour tortilla with whipped eggs with chorizo sausage, spicy white-meat chicken, green chilies, cheddar and Monterey Jack, onions, avocado, Vera Cruz sauce, and sour cream. They are open for breakfast and lunch.
Type: American
Location: 1507 South Brentwood Blvd, Brentwood, MO 63144
Pappy's Smokehouse
Pappy's Smokehouse has all the smoked meats you could want. Some of their popular dishes include baby-back pork ribs and beef burnt-ends, which are served with a choice of sauces like sweet, spicy, vinegar and original, and their brisket sandwiches. Popular sides include burnt corn and vinegar slaw. They are open for lunch and dinner.
Type: Barbecue
Location: 3106 Olive St, St. Louis, MO 63103
Broadway Oyster Bar
Broadway Oyster Bar has a wide variety of Cajun-Creole and seafood dishes, housed in a historic building that is more than 170 years old. The oysters are served in 10 different ways, and they also have crawfish enchiladas, Dungeness crabs, fish tacos, burgers, po'boys, and more. Their signature dish is the alligator sausage and shrimp cheesecake. They have outside dining as well as inside, and they have live music in the evening hours. They are open for lunch and dinner.
Type: Cajun, Creole
Location: 736 S Broadway, St. Louis, MO 63102
Anthonino's Taverna
Anthonino's Taverna is an Italian restaurant that serves traditional Italian dishes with a Greek influence. They offer pizzas, pasta, lamb, chicken, steaks, gyros, and more. A favorite dish is their roasted ravioli. They are located in "The Hill" district, an Italian neighborhood of St. Louis. They are open for lunch and dinner.
Type: Italian
Location: 2225 Macklind Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110
Brasserie by Niche
Brasserie by Niche offers fine dining menu choices in a casual atmosphere. The cuisine is American, and there is a wide variety of entrees, sandwiches, soups, and salads. Some favorite dishes include the brasserie burger, trout amandine, sea scallops, and other meals. They serve lunch and dinner through the week but have a brunch menu on Sundays.
Type: American
Location: 4580 Laclede Ave, St. Louis, MO 63108
Shopping
Urban Matter
Urban Matter is a retail shop that has home decor, gifts, and home-made items from local artisans. They also offer design services and custom lighting.
Location: 3179 S Grand Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63118
Zee Bee Market
You can find a truly unique gift at the Zee Bee Market. They specialize in offering handcrafted and fair trade items that are ethically produced. There is something for every taste, and they sell jewelry, ceramics, gifts, clothing, and even chocolates.
Location: 3211 South Grand Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63118
Cool Stuff Period
Cool Stuff Period is an antique and consignment store, but it is not your usual antique-and-flea-market type of establishment. The items are singular and of high quality, and everything is well-displayed.
Location: 2301 S Big Bend Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63143
Retro 101
Retro 101 is a store that sells vintage, used clothing. They offer handbags, jewelry, clothing, and accessories for both men and women. They also have some unique items sold seasonally, like vintage Valentine's Day cards.
Location: 2214 Cherokee St, St. Louis, MO 63118
Sightseeing
Gateway Arch
The Gateway Arch is the symbol of the spirit of St. Louis. The monument to the gateway to the west is the tallest archway in the world. It is 192 meters tall and sits beside the Mississippi River on the Missouri side. The purpose of the Gateway Archway is to commemorate all the pioneers who set out from St. Louis on their westward travels. Visitors can either take a ride inside the arch to the observation floor, or they can enjoy the shady park that runs along the Mississippi River.
Location: 11 N 4th St #1810, St. Louis, MO 63102
Missouri Botanical Garden
You will feel refreshed and rejuvenated after visiting the Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis. This botanist's dream contains flower beds, greenhouses, lawns, and stands of trees. Established more than 150 years ago, this garden has served to present to visitors a variety of local and non-native plants. The exhibits include the Gladney Rose Garden with accents of red and white, the Grigg Nanjing Friendship Chinese Garden with gilded gateways, and the Biblical Garden with fig and olive trees. The resident butterfly house is the largest in the U.S.
Location: 4344 Shaw Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63110
Six Flags St. Louis
The Six Flags theme park is spread out on 323 acres in western St. Louis and is home to thrilling rides, like the Bonzai Pipeline, the Boomerang, American Thunder, the Fireball, and the Ninja. The adjacent water park contains rides like the Big Kahuna with rafts, the Tree House with slides, and Hook's Lagoon with splash pools.
Location: 4900 Six Flags Rd, Eureka, MO 63025
How to Get to
Castlewood State Park
Castlewood is outside St. Louis near Ballwin along Kiefer Creek Road. Take Hwy 141 (Meramec Station Road) until the Big Bend exit. Turn west onto Big Bend. Big Bend turns into Oak Street. Turn left at Ries Road. After you go over the hill, turn left at the Castlewood sign.
Entering Castlewood State Park
Castlewood State Park is open year-round, from 7 a.m. to sunset. The gates are closed 30 minutes after sunset.
Per person : $0
All Missouri State Parks are free
Castlewood State Park is a great destination for anyone looking for plenty of outdoor recreational activities. The Meramec River has been a longtime favorite site for the residents of St. Louis, and now it's also a favorite for all travelers. Visiting in an RV rental from RVshare is one of the best ways to get to Castlewood State Park, and your fellow RVers would love to see your photos that you can send to [email protected] Don't forget to tag RVshare on your trip-related social media posts.