Is Meramec Campground 3 first-come first-served or reservation?

Meramec Campground 3 accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

What is the best time to visit Meramec Campground 3?

Meramec Campground 3 is open On-season generally Apr 1 through Oct 31; Off-season Nov 1 through Mar 31.. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Meramec Campground 3?

Meramec Campground 3 does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

Are dogs allowed at Meramec Campground 3?

Pets are not allowed at Meramec Campground 3. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What activities can I do at Meramec Campground 3?

Popular activities at Meramec Campground 3 include Hiking, Fishing, Swimming, Biking, Boating. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Meramec Campground 3

4.20

311 reviews

115 Meramec Park Drive, Sullivan, MO 63080-4271, United States

Featured in:Family-Friendly Campgrounds Missouri

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

On-season generally ...

Cell

No Service

Pets

No Pets

RV Friendly

Book on Missouri State Parks Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

On-season generally ...

Cell

No Service

Pets

No Pets

RV Friendly

Book on Missouri State Parks Official Website

Get Directions

Meramec Campground 3

No fees available

Campsite Fees

Nightly camping rates vary by facility and season; sites with electric or higher amperage are priced differently. On-season and off-season rates are...

No paid fee categories listed.

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Missouri State Parks

Provider

573-468-6072

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

115 Meramec Park Drive, Sullivan, MO 63080-4271, United States

Meramec Campground 3

115 Meramec Park Drive, Sullivan, MO 63080-4271, United States

Nearby places

Sullivan (approx. 3 miles), St. Louis (approx. 50 miles)

Nearby supplies

Sullivan (nearest town for supplies, approx. 3 miles)

Weather at Meramec Campground 3

Best Time to Camp at Meramec Campground 3

Plan your visit between April and October when Section 3 opens its gates to campers ready to embrace the Ozark seasons. Spring brings wildflowers and rising waters perfect for floating, while summer turns the river into a refreshing retreat from warm days spent hiking the bluffs. Keep in mind that seasonal rains can swell the Meramec and occasionally affect water availability at individual sites, so checking current conditions before your trip ensures the smoothest experience.

Best

Summer (Jun-Aug)

Peak season with warm weather, perfect for water activities. Book early.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: On-season generally Apr 1 through Oct 31; Off-season Nov 1 through Mar 31.

About Meramec Campground 3

Follow the winding Meramec River through Section 3 at Meramec State Park, where wooded bluffs frame your riverside camping experience and the dramatic mouth of Fisher Cave beckons explorers. With over 13 miles of trails weaving through Ozark forestland and endless opportunities for paddling, fishing, and cave touring by lantern light, this modern campground serves as your basecamp for Missouri river country adventure.

The park page references a modern campground and also lists cabins and a motel. The site text on the page references camping for both tents and camping trailers.

Historical Significance

Visitor center exhibits interpret the park's natural and cultural features. Fisher Cave tours highlight the park's geological history.

Weather and SeasonsPlan your visit between April and October when Section 3 opens its gates to campers ready to embrace the Ozark seasons. Spring brings wildflowers and rising waters perfect for floating, while summer turns the river into a refreshing retreat from warm days spent hiking the bluffs. Keep in mind that seasonal rains can swell the Meramec and occasionally affect water availability at individual sites, so checking current conditions before your trip ensures the smoothest experience.

Natural Features and SceneryYour campsite in Section 3 nestles beneath a canopy of hardwoods along the Meramec River, where morning mist rises off the water and limestone bluffs tower in the distance. The forest here feels alive—trails wind past rocky outcrops and through thick Ozark woodland, while the river provides a constant, soothing soundtrack to your stay. Fisher Cave's yawning entrance is just a short walk away, offering a cool underground escape where you'll explore by the warm glow of hand-held lanterns, revealing formations that have been quietly growing for millennia.

Geological RegionOzark Highlands (Ozarks)

Scenic ViewsRiverside views of the Meramec River and wooded bluffs; many sites offer shaded, scenic outlooks along the river corridor.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Camping is limited to any 15 days within a 30-consecutive-day period at any one park.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsMissouri State Parks online reservation system (UseDirect). Self-check-in available via emailed instructions or QR code at the campsite.

Best CampsitesSection 3's riverside sites are frequently highlighted for quick river access and shaded settings. The campground offers modern sites and hookups (including electric and full hookups/50-amp options reported by visitors), but specific site numbers are not specified.

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When to Book

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Cancellation Alerts

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Amenities available

Park-level amenities explicitly listed on the Meramec State Park page include picnic sites and picnic shelters, a visitor center, and on-site food/service options (Fireside Store and Grill; River Stop Store). The park page also identifies a modern campground, cabins and a motel, but specific campsite amenities (showers, hookups, dump station, Wi‑Fi) are not listed on the park page.

Picnic tables

Cabin Lodging

I manage this campground

Activities you can enjoy

Meramec State Park offers river-focused recreation plus extensive trails and interpretive features. Key activities on the park page include hiking, fishing, swimming, boating/river floating, bicycling and cave tours.

Hiking

Fishing

Swimming

Biking

Boating

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsRiver hazards include currents and non-designated swimming areas; boating on parts of the river is noted as not recommended for propeller boats. Typical campground hazards include nocturnal wildlife (e.g., raccoons and skunks), spotty cell service, and occasional flooding or site-specific hazards (such as stumps or uneven ground).

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

No Flush ToiletsFlush toilets are not available at this campground. Expect vault or pit toilets only.

No Electric HookupsElectric hookups are not available at this campground. RV campers should arrive with a full battery and plan for off-grid power (generator hours/quiet rules permitting).

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

No Dump StationThere is no dump station at this campground. Plan to use a dump station along your route or at a nearby facility before or after your stay.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

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Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.2

311 reviews

Satisfactory

Meramec Campground 3 is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews are largely positive, praising scenic riverside campsites, trails, clean facilities and helpful staff. Some reviewers note crowding on busy weekends and occasional maintenance or site-layout issues.

Review Summaries

Based on 311 reviews

What Campers Love

Scenic riverside sites with easy river access; over 13 miles of trails; family-friendly campground; visitor center, on-site store/restaurant and lodging options; generally clean restrooms/shower...

Based on 311 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Reserve early for weekend stays; expect limited cell reception; arrive with water/ supplies if your site lacks hookups; use the dump station during off-peak times; be cautious of river conditions and...

Based on 311 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Always my favorite place to camp!"; "Camp sites are a little close together."; "Restrooms were clean. The area is so beautiful."

Based on 311 reviews

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Go if

Families or paddlers who want a scenic river campsite with real hiking and a cave tour worth planning around. The Fireside Store and Grill removes the need to pack every meal, and Sullivan is only three miles out for resupply.

Skip if

No electric hookups, no water hookups, no dump station at this section, and no pets allowed. Crowding gets real on summer weekends, sites run close together, and cell service is too unreliable to count on for navigation or emergencies.

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