Camping

at St. Joe State Park

St. Joe State Park has two campgrounds. The campground you use is dependent on what type of recreational equipment you have with you.  Current nightly camping fees can be found through the Fees and Seasons link to the right; nightly camping fees effective May 1, 2013, can be found by clicking here. 

• Camping with off-road vehicles (ORVs)?
  You must use Campground 1. The required daily riding permit cost is not included in the campsite fee.
• Camping with horses? 
  You must use Campground 2.
• Camping with both ORVs and horses?
  Check with park staff to obtain a campsite.
• Camping with neither an ORV or horse?
  You may use either campground.

IMPORTANT: Please check campsite capacity regulations to make sure your sleeping units and vehicles/trailers can be accommodated on one campsite. If the amount of people, equipment and vehicles exceeds the regulations, you will need to purchase an additional campsite.

Generators are not allowed in the park's campgrounds.  Campers planning to carry in firewood must comply with current firewood advisories.

Due to the high demand for campsites at this park, it is recommended that reservations be made in advance. For all campsites, check-in time is 3 p.m. and check-out time is 2 p.m. For reservations, there is a required two-night minimum stay on weekends year-round. Other limitations exist for Saturday night arrivals.

Please keep all wheels and tires on the asphalt vehicle pad. Park vehicles single file, end to end. All tents must be pitched on the designated tent pad. Travel 10 mph or slower through the campgrounds and comply with all safety rules and regulations.

Both campgrounds are nicely shaded. Campsites are equipped with a picnic table, fire pit and lantern post. Rules and regulations are posted throughout the campground. Please familiarize yourself with these. There are five trailside campsites available at no charge. They are accessible from the equestrian and paved bicycling/walking trails. Interested parties must inquire at the park office.

Campground 1

Campground 1 is open and reservable year-round and has 40 electric pull-through sites. Sites 1-15 have 20 and 30 amp. breakers and sites 101-125 have 20, 30 and 50 amp. breakers. There are 35 basic back-in asphalt sites. For reservations, there is a required two-night minimum stay for weekends.

New Camping Option:  Need a little extra space? Try one of the park's family campsites (sites 26 and 34).  Rates can be found under Fees and Seasons to the right. 

The facilities are for overnight guests only. People with ORVs visiting overnight guests are required to park in the ORV staging area. All other visitors are required to obtain a visitor pass from the park office. Payment for first-come, first-served campsites can be made at the park office. If you plan to bring ORVs, please visit the Off-Road Vehicle Riding Rules page for the ORV rules and regulations.

The showerhouse in Campground 1 is closed during the off-season (November through March). Frost-free hydrants are available near campsites 42 and 118 and at the dump station.

Firewood can be purchased at the wood lot from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. April through October. To purchase firewood from November through March, campers should contact the park office.

Campground 2 (Equestrian Area)

Campground 2 is open and reservable during the on-season (April through October). It has 13 electric back-in gravel sites with 20 and 30 amp. breakers and 12 basic back-in gravel sites. There are hitching posts at each campsite. Payment for first-come, first-served campsites must be made at the park office. For reservations, there is a required two-night minimum stay on weekends.

The showerhouse (available during the on-season -- flush toilets, hot showers and coin laundry facilities), playground, dump station and wood lot are located in Campground 1, but are accessible to all registered campers.

Park Gate Information

Campground 1 can be accessed daily between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. year-round.  Registered campers can request after-hours access by contacting the park office at 573-431-1069 one day prior to their arrival.