Notable Campgrounds
Route 66 State Park does not have an onsite campground. Here are some nearby state parks:
- Best for nature-seekers: Robertsville State Park is located 20 away and offers dry camping and partial hookup campsites in a wooded landscape.
- Best for a combo trip to the city: Dr. Edward A Babler Memorial State Park has easy access to Route 66 State Park and downtown St. Louis.
- Best for water play: A scenic river is the focal point of Meramec State Park, providing a landscape for outdoor recreation with an onsite campground.
Tips for Snagging a Campsite Reservation
- Missouri State Parks accept reservations 12 months in advance.
- Reservations may be made on the park website or by phone.
- Advanced reservations are recommended for weekends, holidays, and other peak travel times.
- Walk-up reservations are allowed on non-booked sites.
- Missouri State Parks generally have basic and electric sites, with water/electric and full hookups sometimes available. Check with the individual park for details.
When to Go
Since the visitor center is not guaranteed to be open year round, it is best to visit this park between March and October. Those dates happen to also correspond with some of the best months to enjoy the park’s trails and landscapes. Early spring is cool, with temperatures warming into May, which is when the forests fill with leaves. As late summer arrives in July and August, temperatures can reach the 90s. Fall brings cooler temperatures and a colorful change of scenery.
Know Before You Go
- The park’s gift shop opens on occasion each December for holiday shopping.
- Interstate I-44, which runs by Route 66 State Park, follows much of the old Route 66. Travelers will find several preserved attractions, accommodations, and historic sites along it. Guidebooks offer tips for finding these locations.
- Fishing and boating are allowed on the Meramec River, which runs through the park.
Route 66 State Park
Celebrate the spirit of the Mother Road at this Missouri Park.
Located along the pathway of the original Route 66, this Missouri state park commemorates The Mother Road. A visitor center is housed in the former Bridgehead Inn, a grand hotel that opened in 1935. Inside, historic signs, vintage road maps, and other relics showcase the golden era of the American road trip. Outside, almost eight miles of trails take visitors through a scenic landscape along the Meramec River, providing a spot for hiking, biking, and horseback riding just 30 miles from downtown St. Louis. Head to the river for fishing and boating.
Located along the pathway of the original Route 66, this Missouri state park commemorates The Mother Road. A visitor center is housed in the former Bridgehead Inn, a grand hotel that opened in 1935. Inside, historic signs, vintage road maps, and other relics showcase the golden era of the American road trip. Outside, almost eight miles of trails take visitors through a scenic landscape along the Meramec River, providing a spot for hiking, biking, and horseback riding just 30 miles from downtown St. Louis. Head to the river for fishing and boating.
Notable Campgrounds
Route 66 State Park does not have an onsite campground. Here are some nearby state parks:
Notable Campgrounds
Route 66 State Park does not have an onsite campground. Here are some nearby state parks:
Tips for Snagging a Campsite Reservation
When to Go
Since the visitor center is not guaranteed to be open year round, it is best to visit this park between March and October. Those dates happen to also correspond with some of the best months to enjoy the park’s trails and landscapes. Early spring is cool, with temperatures warming into May, which is when the forests fill with leaves. As late summer arrives in July and August, temperatures can reach the 90s. Fall brings cooler temperatures and a colorful change of scenery.
Know Before You Go
Public campgrounds (book externally) —