RV Rental St. Louis, MO: Route 66 & Ozarks Campers

Compare campervans, motorhomes and RVs to rent in St Louis, listed by private owners and local rental businesses. See prices, photos and reviews for RV rental in the USA, then book online with insurance included.

If you are looking for an RV rental in St. Louis, you can choose from motorhomes, camper vans, travel trailers and pop-ups listed by private owners and local rental businesses and booked through our partner Outdoorsy. The city sits on the Mississippi at the eastern end of Missouri's Route 66, with the Ozarks, Mark Twain's Hannibal and Lake of the Ozarks all within a few hours' drive. Insurance and payment protection come with every booking, and you can browse RV rental across the USA too. To start here, search RVs near St. Louis.

St. Louis RV rental quick facts

Where to pick up an RV in St. Louis

For a camper rental in St. Louis, the pickup location matters less than the radius you search. Owners are spread across the metro, including the city, St. Louis County, St. Charles and the Illinois side of the river, so set a 20 to 35 mile radius in the search to see the full choice. St. Louis Lambert International Airport is about 15 miles northwest of downtown, and the airport's own figures put the drive at 20 to 30 minutes on Interstate 70.

Many owners will deliver the RV to a campground or address and set it up, for a fee they set. Ask about airport delivery if you are flying in, and check each listing for the delivery area and price. One-way rentals exist on some listings but are not the norm, so confirm with the owner before you book.

Routes from St. Louis

Meramec State Park and the western suburbs: about 70 miles, 1 hour 10 minutes

Meramec State Park, at Sullivan, is the easiest first night out of the city, straight down Interstate 44. Its campground has electric and sewer, electric and water sites, and 50-amp sites are available. On the way, Route 66 State Park at Eureka is a good day stop. See the FAQs below for both.

Route 66 through the Ozarks: about 317 miles to Kansas, 3 to 5 days

Missouri's stretch of Route 66 runs from the Mississippi River in St. Louis to the Kansas line west of Joplin, and Interstate 44 follows much of the old road as far as Springfield. Meramec Caverns, the Cuba murals, Rolla and Springfield make easy stops. The road turns 100 in 2026, and Route 66 State Park lists a centennial celebration for November 7, 2026. Our Route 66 road trip guide covers the whole highway, and Oklahoma City is the next big pickup point west.

Hawn, Johnson's Shut-Ins and the St. Francois Mountains: 65 miles and up, 1.5 to 2 hours

This is the best hiking country within a day of the city. Hawn State Park, about 65 miles south, has basic and electric sites, some at 50 amps, plus a dump station. Johnson's Shut-Ins, about 1 hour 45 minutes south, has sewer, electric and water sites, electric sites at 50 amps and a dump station in Loop 1. Mark Twain National Forest, Missouri's only national forest at about 1.5 million acres, has units across the southern part of the state, with developed campgrounds and dispersed camping. Forest rules limit camping to 14 days in any 30, and each campground's page on the Forest Service site gives its booking details.

Lake of the Ozarks: about 170 miles, 2.5 to 3 hours

The lake is a summer resort area and the busiest place on this list from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Lake of the Ozarks State Park has basic, electric and sewer, electric and water sites, with 50-amp sites available. Weekend reservations need a two-night minimum, and sites can be booked up to 12 months ahead. A midweek start avoids the worst of the weekend crowds.

Hannibal and the Mississippi: about 100 to 115 miles, about 2 hours

Mark Twain's boyhood town is a straightforward drive north along the river. The Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum is downtown, and Mark Twain Cave sits just outside town with its own campground. Holiday weekends fill up, so reserve ahead.

Longer loops are possible too. Kansas City is about four hours west on Interstate 70, Chicago, Indianapolis and Nashville are each a long day's drive of roughly 240 to 310 miles. For more ideas, browse Missouri, Illinois, Indiana and Tennessee.

Choosing an RV for St. Louis

Match the class to the trip. A Class B camper van is easiest in city traffic and on tight Ozark campground loops. A Class C motorhome suits families heading to the lakes and state parks. A Class A motorhome is comfortable on the long Interstate legs, but it is harder to park near downtown. If you are bringing your own tow vehicle, a travel trailer or pop-up camper costs less per night.

Size matters at the parks. The state park pages do not always list maximum rig length, so check the length on the listing against the campground when you book. Owners are advised to allow 200 miles a day, then $0.35 a mile, and Ozarks trips add up quickly.

In summer, treat air conditioning as a deciding feature. Read the reviews for how well it cools, and ask whether a generator is included and how many hours you get.

Where you can stay overnight

RV parks are the simplest answer. They sit mostly outside the city, along Interstate 44 to the west, around St. Charles near the Katy Trail, and on the Illinois side of the river. Browse our RV parks guide to compare options, and confirm hookups and maximum length before you book, since details vary by park.

Missouri State Parks take campsite reservations up to 12 months ahead, online or by phone, and stays are limited to 15 days in any 30 at any one park. Meramec, Hawn, Johnson's Shut-Ins, Lake of the Ozarks and Washington State Park all have electric sites. Book weekends and holidays as early as the window allows.

Sleeping in an RV on a city street is a different matter. Do not assume the curb is allowed, because the City of St. Louis and its suburbs set their own limits on parking large vehicles and trailers. Use a campground, and check local signage everywhere else. Do not count on highway rest areas for camping either, and follow the posted signs. Store lots such as Walmart are decided store by store. Ask the store manager before you park, and move on if the answer is no.

Parking at the Gateway Arch

Gateway Arch National Park does not run any parking of its own. Its preferred option is the Stadium East Parking Garage at 200 S Broadway, which has a clearance of 6 feet 8 inches. That rules out almost every RV. Pre-buying parking is recommended on Cardinals game days, when the discounted rate can be unavailable on the day.

Levee parking beside the riverfront may be available depending on water level, for a cash fee, and is not run by the park. The simplest plan with an RV is to leave it at a campground and come in by car or rideshare.

Storm season and summer heat

Spring is the main severe weather season in Missouri, with the most tornadoes in April and May, though the National Weather Service notes that a tornado can happen at any time of year. An RV is not a shelter. When you check in at a campground, ask where the storm shelter or sturdy building is, and keep a weather radio or alert app on.

Flooding is the other risk after heavy rain. The National Weather Service says 12 inches of rushing water can carry away most cars and 2 feet can carry away SUVs and trucks. The rule is Turn Around Don't Drown. In July, normal highs are close to 90°F with high humidity, so book an electric site if you plan to run the air conditioning all night.

Costs and when to go

A typical RV runs $150 to $350 a night. Go RV Rentals' 2026 index puts the average Class A at $343, Class B at $252, Class C at $225 and travel trailers at $128. Outdoorsy adds a 10% guest service fee, and the minimum deposit is $500 for most RVs and $1,500 for a Class A. For the full breakdown, read how much it costs to rent an RV.

The best weather runs from late April to early June and from September to October. Summer is busy at Lake of the Ozarks and hot everywhere, and winter is quiet. Book the RV two to three months ahead, and state park campsites as early as the 12-month window allows for summer weekends.

How RV rental works

1. Search. Enter St. Louis or your pickup area and set a radius.
2. Check the listing. Read the length, sleeping capacity, mileage terms, generator rules, pet policy and the owner's cancellation tier (Flexible, Moderate or Strict).
3. Book through our partner Outdoorsy. Insurance and payment protection come with every booking. 24/7 roadside assistance is an optional extra.
4. Pickup or delivery. Collect the RV from the owner, or ask for delivery and setup to your campground for the fee they set.

Drivers must normally be 25 or over, and 21 to 24 is allowed only on some listings, with limits. Most RVs of 45 feet or less that are not towing more than 10,000 pounds need no special license, and Missouri's license rules let a standard license cover a recreational vehicle used for personal travel. Check the weight rating and the owner's terms on the listing. A basic kitchen kit comes with every listing, and separate cleaning fees are not allowed.

St. Louis RV rental FAQs

Can I camp in an RV at Meramec State Park from St. Louis?

Yes. Meramec State Park, at Sullivan, is about 70 miles south-west of St. Louis on I-44, roughly an hour and 10 minutes away. Its campground has basic, electric, and sewer, electric and water sites, with 50-amp sites available, plus cabins, and sites can be booked up to 12 months ahead. Fisher Cave tours close for the winter to protect hibernating bats, and the 2026 schedule shows regular tours ending in mid-September and returning in mid-May 2027, so check the park's hours page. Confirm site lengths when you book. See the Meramec State Park page.

Is there an RV campground at Route 66 State Park near St. Louis?

The park page does not list camping, so treat it as a day stop. Route 66 State Park, at Eureka on the western edge of the St. Louis area, has a visitor center in the former Bridgehead Inn, a 1935 roadhouse, with displays on the old highway, plus trails, fishing and picnic areas. Stay at an RV park or at Meramec State Park, further south-west. See the Route 66 State Park page.

Can I park an RV at the Gateway Arch?

Not easily. The park has no parking of its own, and the preferred garage has a clearance of 6 feet 8 inches, lower than almost any RV. Most RV travelers park at a campground and come downtown by car or rideshare. See the Gateway Arch parking page.

Do I need a special license to drive an RV in Missouri?

Usually not. Missouri's driver license rules let a standard Class F license cover a recreational vehicle used for personal travel, and Outdoorsy's guidance is that most RVs of 45 feet or less that are not towing more than 10,000 pounds need no special license. Drivers must normally be 25 or over. Check the listing for the weight rating and any owner requirements.

Can I sleep in an RV on the street in St. Louis?

Do not plan on it. The city and its suburbs set their own limits on parking large vehicles, so use a campground and check local signage everywhere else. Do not count on highway rest areas for camping, and store lots such as Walmart are decided store by store, so ask the manager first.

How far ahead can I book a Missouri state park campsite?

Up to 12 months in advance, online or by phone. Stays are limited to 15 days in any 30 at any one park, and Lake of the Ozarks State Park requires two nights on weekends.

What should I do if there is a tornado warning while I am camping?

Leave the RV and go to a sturdy building or the campground's storm shelter. An RV is not a safe place to ride out a tornado. Ask about the shelter when you check in, and follow National Weather Service warnings.

Ready to go? Search RVs near St. Louis, or read our full guide to RV rental.