Meramec Campground

The Great Outdoors

RV rentals in Franklin County are how your epic vacation will begin; where your rental RV takes you from there is entirely up to you. A good outdoor destination you should consider is Mark Twain National Forest, a huge nature preserve that covers dozens of counties, including Franklin County. There are trails where you can hike and mountain bike, and some of the trails allow for motorized vehicles such as dirt motorbikes and ATVs. You can canoe or kayak in the rivers, or float lazily downstream in a tube while you admire the breathtaking scenery. You should inquire about renting canoes or kayaks if you don't have one; if you're looking for something more relaxing, the park has numerous picnic sites for you to choose from.Pea Ridge Conservation Area consists of four separate tracts of land. You can expect to see three distinct ecosystems here; the areas that are glades have cedar tree stands, while the large forested areas have stands of oak, pine, hickory, and other species. The area has several streams, one of which is Indian Creek, and the stream banks are populated by bottomland hardwood tree stands. Hunting is allowed for deer, turkey, rabbit, and other smaller mammal species; fishing is also allowed in the streams, and you can camp overnight and spend some time bird watching.Huzzah Conservation Area is a wildlife area that supports selective logging to produce timber resources while providing a refuge for wildlife and recreational opportunities for the general public. It has hiking trails, some of which are a part of the Ozark Hiking Trail and numerous streams and rivers. In the park's southwest area, there is a ridge between the Huzzah and Courtois creeks that is very steep and has vegetation that changes swiftly from the top of the ridge down to the creek bed. While you're here, you'll probably see the remains of a furnace that used to produce pig iron.

Exploring The Area

Now that you've had your fill of the outdoors, you should consider spending some time enjoying the culture of this area, and the town of Sullivan is a good place to start. This quaint little town has a city park and a zipline business where you can sail through tree canopies before reaching the end of the line. The town's restaurant scene is expansive with Mexican and Asian cuisine on hand, pub restaurants and pizzerias, family restaurants, and much more. Most of the establishments are reasonably priced, and there is a balance of commercial chain restaurants and locally owned and operated venues, so there should be something for everyone.Saint Clair has a historical museum and a canoe-kayak tour company that can take you on local excursions. If you need to get a shopping fix, there is a family-owned business that crafts garden ornaments on-site; they have some items on display which are for sale. Saint Clair's restaurant scene is also quite diverse with cafes, barbecue joints, pub restaurants, and more. One of the establishments has outdoor seating so you can enjoy the scenic views with your meal.Whatever you need to make your vacation complete, whether it's simple but effective accommodations, nature at your doorstep, or something else, you'll find it while camping at Meramec State Park.