Meramec Caverns Natural Campground

The sites are very close together and some of the electric boxes were on the wrong side and too far too connect. We had a site on pavement along the river. We parked our trailer in the numbered spot and out truck next to it. There was about 4' between us and our neighbors. We only stayed here to wait out a big storm that was coming. The river is pretty but boats are loud. We paid $38 per noght.

If I could give six stars, I would — and I’m doing it anyway because this place has earned it over decades of camping, chaos, and questionable hot dogs. I grew up coming to Meramec Caverns Campground, and now in my 40s I’m dragging my own kids here to make the same kind of core memories that smell like bug spray and burnt marshmallows.

The non-electric sites? Chef’s kiss — quiet, grassy, and perfect. The electric sites? Let’s just say you might want to pack a level and a sense of humor. A little more grass wouldn’t hurt, unless they’re saving it for the zip line — which, by the way, costs about the same as refinancing your house.

The playground is adorable, the tours are awesome, and the vibes are unmatched. There’s something special about sitting by the river, roasting s’mores, and yelling at your kids to put down sticks they just found in the mud.

Bottom line: this place isn’t perfect, but it’s perfectly Meramec. I’ve been coming here since I had hair, and I plan on coming back until my kids are old enough to complain about the zip line price themselves.

I did go to the river side beside the campground today with my two kids which are only 3 and 1, it was quite and after 5min the security came up to us and told us to leave because it is a private property, but if u have a receipt from cave i can stay, i told him i been there 3years ago and don't want to go there but we will leave and he had a good behavior and just was doing his job, and as a brown citizen i don't like to make problem for myself or others, so we simply left.
The 0 star is for the owner of that place
And i forgot to mention the big snake there that almost bite my kid in the water, i think this officer was the angel of my son who came there and we gathered our senses and saw that snake before it bite him.
If the officer ever see my comment i want to say thank you man❤️

Primitive camping and electric sites are trash don't waste your money. The hotel might be ok we didn't get to see the inside. Bathroom/shower house...... if you didn't have it when you went in you might have it when you come out. Slime on the walls dog feces in the shower stalls bugs dead and alive swarming toilets clogged and the smell will make you vomit. I would rather use the Porta potties. Grounds are deceiving looks like good level ground with drain off till it rains. When you arrive you will be told pull your vehicle on the grass wherever and that's your site. Only marked spots are for electric that's a pole with a hook and rv sites.

Wonderful 6-mile float experience. Staff were friendly, helpful, knowledgeable, and they were flexible with us when we had to push back our start time. Road construction ultimately delayed our start time, but the road looks great now, and we had plenty of time to spend on the river. Great looking campgrounds, most with bbq pit, clean, functional shower house with warm water and plenty of shopping amenities close-by. Plenty of beautiful spots along the river to stop and refresh during your float.