Pere Marquette Campground

The Great Outdoors

Might as well make the most of camping in Pere Marquette State Park, right? A great way to do that is to just sit by the Illinois River and watch the ships and barges slowly go past, and spot some of the birds living in the area. Hike along trails winding through forests, and make sure to bring your camera if you’re visiting during the fall - the colors are out of this world. Go boating or fishing, and look out for the wildlife. You can even go swimming if the weather is right.Hop into your RV rental and drive to Pelican Island Natural Area for some more fantastic nature. On the Missouri River, this island is ideal for anyone renting an RV in Grafton who likes birds. You can see some at the campground, but this is something different entirely. Walk past forest, slough, and scrub swamp and through forests made up by black willow, hackberry, silver maple, and box elder keeping your fingers crossed that you’ll spot a warbler or a gray treefrog. The latter is quite common, so you probably will.You’ve probably guessed that there’s a lot more water to visit in the area, and right you were. At North Riverfront Park you can fish, but it’s a very popular spot so don’t snooze, or you might lose. Many try to catch buffalofish, which is absolutely delicious when fried. There are also many trails to hike, running by the river, on bridges, and past other industrial features, making them excellent for anyone interested in photography. Since the park is located in Saint Louis, you can combine the trip with some shopping.

Exploring the Area

It would be a shame to miss out on St. Louis when you're camping at Pere Marquette Campground, but you don’t really have to leave beautiful Grafton to find something that everyone will enjoy. The wineries, for example, are aplenty, and so are the fine dining options. Walk around the center of the city that is said to have once housed infamous outlaw Jesse James, and admire the architecture while doing some shopping on Main Street. Since this is a riverside city, there’s fresh fish everywhere, ready to be cooked up for you.You can also take your rental RV for a spin and enjoy all the scenic drives in the area, and there are cruises on the river that are both charming and luxurious. Sometimes the cruises coincide with local events, such as Spirit of Peoria & Hakuna Matata river cruises for anyone who wants to see the changing of the leaves. You can also catch flea markets - who knows; you might just find the perfect gift that you’ve been looking for. Another option is to go on the Underground Railroads tours, also in the fall.Do you feel ready to book an RV in Jersey County and start planning your amazing stay at this Grafton campground yet? You might as well do it right away before all the good sites are taken.