St. Louis N.E. / I-270 / Granite City KOA

The Great Outdoors

Camp in a travel trailer near Granite City, Illinois, and make the short drive across the border into Missouri to visit the Pelican Island Natural Area, which is only accessible by boat. It’s considered the best remaining example of a mature floodplain forest in the Missouri River floodplain, with the island comprising riverfront forest, shrub swamp, and old-field habitat. Bird watchers should keep their eyes peeled for American redstart, Nashville warbler, and black-throated green warbler while the forested wetlands are home to large numbers of gray tree frogs.For some of the best views of the Mississippi River Valley in the region, head to the John M. Olin Nature Preserve near the city of Alton. It encompasses steep limestone bluffs, sinkholes, and ravines, as well as picturesque streams, cascading waterfalls, and hill prairies. More than 150 nesting and migratory bird species have been recorded within its bounds, as have over 300 native plant species and nesting sites for bald eagles and eastern timber rattlesnakes. Aside from its natural beauty, the preserve is also home to the original trap houses and shooting stations of Olin, which have been restored by The Nature Institute.If you continue driving north along the Mississippi River, you’ll arrive at the Pere Marquette State Park, which encompasses more than 8,000 acres near Grafton. It lies where the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers meet and forms part of the Meeting of the Great Rivers Scenic Byway, as well as being at the end of the 21.5-mile Sam Vadalabene Bike Trail. Begin your visit at the heritage-listed Civilian Conservation Corps-built lodge to browse the exhibits detailing the local ecology and history, then hit one of the marked hiking trails or explore on horseback from the seasonal riding stable.

Exploring the City

Granite City campers are within easy access of numerous supermarkets where you can stock up on grocery supplies, as well as gas stations if you need to fill up your RV rental. There are also a handful of dining establishments around the nearby highway intersection, with plenty more options just 10 minutes' drive away in the center of Granite City.Camping at St. Louis N.E. / I-270 / Granite City KOA is a good base for visiting St. Louis, which is around 25 minutes’ drive from the RV campground. It’s famed as home to the Gateway Arch, the United States’ tallest human-made monument that honors the early 19th-century explorations of Lewis and Clark. Watch the documentary film that details America’s westward expansion and browse the museum exhibits, then ride the tram that leads to the top of the arch for sweeping views across St. Louis. Or, you can get a view of the arch from below on one of the replica paddlewheelers that ply the river, with both daytime and moonlit dinner cruises available.If you’re traveling with kids, don’t miss a visit to the St. Louis Zoo, which is home to more than 6,600 animals. Get up close to spectacled bears, hippopotamus, and Asian elephants in the River’s Edge exhibit, as well as gorillas, chimpanzees, and orangutans in the Jungle of the Apes display. African lions, Amur tigers, and snow leopards are a highlight of Big Cat Country while Australian kangaroos and wallabies can be seen in the Red Rocks exhibit.Whether you want to soak up the views from the Gateway Arch or discover the wildlife-filled preserves along the Mississippi River, book an RV in Madison County and start planning your next vacation.