100% (62) • 3 campsites
Top-rated campgrounds near Wood River
Matt's Place at Meramec n Labarque
1. Matt's Place at Meramec n Labarque
100%
(69)
42mi from Wood River · 5 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
Located at the confluence of the Meramec River and Labarque Creek, my place (Matt's Place) is a ridge above a bottomland bowl of sorts.
The old iron truss bridge here is likely built in 1910 and it has a survey marker from 1932.
The creek has a nice little swimming hole, and a beach that is sometimes sand, sometimes, gravel, and sometimes a mix of both with some silt or even mud after a storm. It's peaceful down there to explore in the creek, wade while looking outward to an opening into the Meramec River. It's also fun to stand just at the mouth of the creek in the Meramec River. It's an awesome view upstream or downstream of tree lined banks, rock bluffs, and every now and then, passing boats, canoes, paddle boards, or kayaks. The old iron truss bridge hovers above the meeting of two waters. The water is cool and clean. Some fifty species of fish have been recorded in this creek, the most in all of Jefferson County and St Louis County. The bottomland has two levels, the lower bottoms down by the creek and the upper bottoms about a hundred feet from the creek. The upper bottoms has a clearing like a meadow with mowed grass.
My favorite things to do here include gazing up at a cottonwood tree that must be sixty feet tall. It's leaves in a breeze are like a thousand hands waving hello. The bottomland meadow offers just enough sky to see bats dance in the dusk air between the trees, then fireflies as it gets darker yet. Up top is where I live.
Just five miles off HWY 44 and HWY 109, at Eureka, MO, (30 minutes west of downtown St Louis, 18 minutes from Six Flags) this place sits on a ridge with great views above the Meramec River.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from
$20
/ night
Beaver Dam State Park
2. Beaver Dam State Park
100%
(1)
76 sites · Chesterfield, Illinois
With such different ecosystems (we’re talking farmland, open fields, woodlands, lake, and a marsh) wrapped up in one park, Beaver Dam is the place to go see a vast variety of plants and animals. Hike any of the trails and have fun trying to keep count of all the creatures you see! Bring your bow and arrows to the archery range, or spend your time hunting the area. Getting the winter blues? Beaver Dam is open and ready for ice skaters or cross country skiers. Don’t just take our word for it, get down here!
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Pere Marquette State Park
3. Pere Marquette State Park
100%
(2)
30 sites · Grafton, Illinois
See one of the most beautiful state parks in Illinois.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
100% (62) • 3 campsites
Top-rated campgrounds near Wood River
Matt's Place at Meramec n Labarque
1. Matt's Place at Meramec n Labarque
100%
(69)
42mi from Wood River · 5 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
Located at the confluence of the Meramec River and Labarque Creek, my place (Matt's Place) is a ridge above a bottomland bowl of sorts.
The old iron truss bridge here is likely built in 1910 and it has a survey marker from 1932.
The creek has a nice little swimming hole, and a beach that is sometimes sand, sometimes, gravel, and sometimes a mix of both with some silt or even mud after a storm. It's peaceful down there to explore in the creek, wade while looking outward to an opening into the Meramec River. It's also fun to stand just at the mouth of the creek in the Meramec River. It's an awesome view upstream or downstream of tree lined banks, rock bluffs, and every now and then, passing boats, canoes, paddle boards, or kayaks. The old iron truss bridge hovers above the meeting of two waters. The water is cool and clean. Some fifty species of fish have been recorded in this creek, the most in all of Jefferson County and St Louis County. The bottomland has two levels, the lower bottoms down by the creek and the upper bottoms about a hundred feet from the creek. The upper bottoms has a clearing like a meadow with mowed grass.
My favorite things to do here include gazing up at a cottonwood tree that must be sixty feet tall. It's leaves in a breeze are like a thousand hands waving hello. The bottomland meadow offers just enough sky to see bats dance in the dusk air between the trees, then fireflies as it gets darker yet. Up top is where I live.
Just five miles off HWY 44 and HWY 109, at Eureka, MO, (30 minutes west of downtown St Louis, 18 minutes from Six Flags) this place sits on a ridge with great views above the Meramec River.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from
$20
/ night
Beaver Dam State Park
2. Beaver Dam State Park
100%
(1)
76 sites · Chesterfield, Illinois
With such different ecosystems (we’re talking farmland, open fields, woodlands, lake, and a marsh) wrapped up in one park, Beaver Dam is the place to go see a vast variety of plants and animals. Hike any of the trails and have fun trying to keep count of all the creatures you see! Bring your bow and arrows to the archery range, or spend your time hunting the area. Getting the winter blues? Beaver Dam is open and ready for ice skaters or cross country skiers. Don’t just take our word for it, get down here!
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Pere Marquette State Park
3. Pere Marquette State Park
100%
(2)
30 sites · Grafton, Illinois
See one of the most beautiful state parks in Illinois.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community
T
Teresa
October 2025
Weekend Trip to Matt's Place at Meramec n Labarque
Matt is a wonderful host. We stayed in his cabin and had a great evening in front of the fire listening to the sounds of the river. Matt can provide extras to enhance your stay - we had coffee and toast and jam in the morning. Everything was perfect- Matt is very responsive, thoughtful and kind. I loved the new outhouse!
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