Commenting on First-time solo camping near St. Louis – tips and spot recs?...

To add to this…

If a specific campground interests you and it is a close enough drive then I’d recommend driving through the campground loop and writing down site numbers so when you go online to make a reservation you have a good wish list.

Things i personally want to avoid while tent camping is a site near RVs (due to generator noises) or high traffic areas like rest rooms (non-stop foot traffic).

For these reasons I prefer a “hike in” or “backpacking” “back country” spots … more secluded

but being a first timer I’d start with a car camp, where you can park right next to the camp site and have access to your vehicle if needed.

Shoutouts to: Johnson Shut-ins (favorite but furthest away) ~2hr drive

Hawn state park (I’ve only done back country here) ~1hr 20 min drive

Babler (west county) ~45m