Picking up my new camper a week from today. Thinking of taking it for a weekend "Shakedown" cruise somewhere within a couple hours of the STL before the snow really flies, but IIRC, most Missouri state parks close their campgrounds after Nov. 1st.
Well, if you feel like towing down to Arkansas, there is a campground both at Lake Norfork as well as Bull Shoals open. For some reason, most of our COEs close Oct 31, except for those two which address open year-round.
__________________
2016 Salem Cruise Lite 261bhxl
Ram 1500 5.7l Hemi Crew Cab 4wd
If it is a must camp you can always do the driveway camp, I'm am seriously ignorant of any campgrounds in your area, head to idaho and I can provide
doing an edit, here just remembered I do know some. Try SOAR at Litchfield IL or Poney express at Maysville MO I have stayed at both and they are nice good luck
__________________
Retired Navy
Jake my sidekick (yellow Lab) 10/04 - 05/20
2017 RAM 2500 CC 4X4 Cummins Diesel
2016 Flagstaff 26 FKWS
AF&AM & El Korah Shrine of Idaho
Some of the parks dont shut down, they just may not take reservations or have water except via frost free faucets. St. Francois state park is open for camping year round, but you might check on water availability.
Also, Meramec is year round and has frost free water in section 3.
That might just be an winner. Is there anything to do in the area that weekend once we are set up?
Tim
The tourist season there will be over. So eh.
Try the Fishhouse for a break from cooking. Carlyle Lake
It's a shame that the area COE parks will be closed as Dam West and Coles Creek across the lake should be seen. A few forum members here have been known to haunt those parks.
Bring some firewood as the overpriced stuff sold in the park stinks.
You may want to ask the CG host where in the park you can still get some wood as two weekends ago they were cutting up downed trees from a spring storm. We burned a lot and left a lot behind for the other guy.
Has your DW learned to walk on or not walk on bag chairs yet? Just kidding! That had to hurt!
__________________
Bob & Michelle
2016 Ford F-250 Lariat 4x4
2017 Flagstaff Super Lite 526RLWS
We are from the St Louis area and our shakedown trip was at Binder Park in Jefferson City. They don't have a lot of spaces (maybe 16 to 20) but what they do have is full hook ups on each site. There is a lake for fishing or kayaking, off road bike trails and two disc golf courses. We truly enjoy it and it is very inexpensive.
Corps of Engineers campgrounds at Mark Twain Lake or at Carlyle Lake are open into November, I think. We were just up at Mark Twain a couple of weeks ago, in fact winterized on the last day we were there, and both Ray Beherns and Indian Creek campgrounds were full.
__________________
Mike and Yvonne
and Sophie, the little white dog
2017 Columbus 320RSC
2021 Chevy Silverado 3500HD DRW 4X4 Duramax “It's not how old you are, it's how you are old.” ― Jules Renard "It's not the years...it's the mileage." - Indiana Jones
Just got back from a week in Branson. Great time of year to camp. Stayed at the KOA. Nice place!
We discussed Branson. Especially since our oldest son lives in Springfield. It still might make the cut, but we were hoping for somewhere only an hour or so away for the "Shakedown" cruise.
I know nothing will go wrong, but still, I like the thought of being closer to home the first time out.
Don't mean to repeat, but down here in Branson I am sure you can find campgrounds open & the weather has been great!! No promises about tomorrow, though! I think the Turkey Creek Escapees Campground in Hollister is open year around, as are others, I'm sure. Good luck with your trip!
Indian Creek Campground at Mark Twain Lake says it is open until Nov 20th. that is a nice campground with 2 areas, one you can reserve and one is 1st come....
Anyone in the Charlotte, NC area or the Davenport, FL (in about a month) is welcome to use mine. I made an adaptor to even get the pin weight on a 5th wheel.
Well here goes my two cents. First might I suggest that you cover or store your unit for the winter. I picked mine up last October, the 29th to be exact. No one picks up a new unit this late in the year unless the price was right, i did. Those of us that live in states that have winter weather would probably agree. I spent the winter looking forward to the new camping season and getting things in order for my new unit. Mine was winterized when I picked it up, I assume yours was too. You can check out everything you want on your new unit without the need to travel to a campground. Once the season started for camping here in Ohio, I was please that my unit was flawless this season, no issues that required warranty work or dealership work. This forum has many great idea's and advise on what to look for with your unit. You have a very nice unit, I believe you will like the workmanship.