There are times on the road when you crave the all-in-one efficiency of a highway travel center. And then there are times when you want to be as far away from the interstate noise as possible, surrounded by nothing but the sound of wind in the trees. For those moments, a place like Babler State Park, tucked away in the beautiful rolling hills of Wildwood, Missouri, is the perfect antidote. Just thirty miles west of the St. Louis hustle, this park offers a peaceful, wooded retreat and, for our practical purposes, a clean and well-maintained dump station.
Pulling into a state park like this feels like a deep exhale. You leave the city and its suburbs behind and enter a canopy of tall oak trees. The roads narrow, the pace slows, and you feel yourself shifting from travel mode to relaxation mode. The campground here is the main draw for overnight visitors, but like many state parks, it often provides services for day-use visitors as well, including access to its sanitary dump station. The station itself is conveniently located near the campground’s exit loop, making it easy to use on your way out without having to navigate the entire campground.
Now, one of the quirks of state parks is that their policies can vary. The official park website for Babler doesn’t explicitly state a fee for non-campers to use the dump station. This is pretty common. My experience with Missouri state parks is that they usually charge a reasonable fee, somewhere in the ten to twelve dollar range, for this service. However, the most important piece of advice I can give you is to call the ranger station ahead of time. A quick phone call will get you the current rate, the best time to arrive to avoid the checkout rush, and any other specific procedures you need to follow. Don’t just show up expecting it to be open and available; a little pre-planning goes a long way.
Using a dump station in a campground setting is generally a more pleasant experience. They are almost always busiest right around the 11 a.m. checkout time, when all the weekend campers are packing up to head home. If you can time your visit for mid-week or in the early afternoon, you’ll likely have the place all to yourself. The pads are paved and properly sloped for good drainage. A huge plus for state parks is that they almost always have a clear separation between the potable water fill-up and the sewer inlet. There will be a fresh water spigot for filling your tank that is located a safe distance from the non-potable rinse hose at the dump station, which is a critical hygiene feature. When you arrive, non-campers should always stop at the main gatehouse or ranger station first to pay the fee. Rangers do patrol the grounds and might check for your reservation tag, so it’s best to follow the proper procedure.
The real reason to make the trip out to Wildwood, though, is the area itself. This is a fantastic staging ground for exploring the St. Louis area without having to stay in an urban RV park. You get the peace and quiet of the forest, but you’re still close enough to drive into the city for a day to see the Gateway Arch or visit a museum. Closer to the park, you’ll find some wonderful natural attractions. Rockwoods Reservation is nearby, offering great hiking among dramatic limestone bluffs. The Al Foster Trail, which runs along the beautiful Meramec River, is another local favorite for walking or biking. Within Babler State Park itself, there are seventeen miles of trails, playgrounds for the kids, and numerous picnic pavilions, making it a destination in its own right.
If you decide to stay the night, which is often a great value, the amenity list is pretty solid for a state park. Most sites offer electric hookups, allowing you to top off your batteries. There are modern bathhouses with hot showers, which feel amazing after a long day of hiking. You’ll find central trash dumpsters near the dump loop, and the park is very pet-friendly, as long as you adhere to the leash laws. The trails are great for walking your dog. What you won’t find are the services of a commercial park. There’s no propane, no gas, and no repair services on site. The nearest fuel and grocery stores are in the town of Chesterfield, so make sure you stock up on supplies before you enter the park. The camp store is minimal, at best.
The value here is excellent, especially if you opt to stay for a night. An overnight campsite with electricity runs in the twenty to thirty dollar range. For that price, you get your campsite, access to the showers and trails, and of course, the use of the dump station. It’s an economical way to combine a necessary chore with a mini-vacation.
A few smart tips for your visit: cell coverage can be notoriously spotty in these wooded, hilly areas. It’s wise to download any trail maps or area information you need before you arrive. If you’re visiting on a weekend, expect the campground and the dump station to be busy. A mid-week arrival will give you a much quieter experience. Finally, bring a handful of quarters. Some parks have a high-pressure spray station for rinsing off muddy gear like bikes or hiking boots, and it can be a great way to keep the dirt outside of your rig.
Ultimately, Babler State Park offers a fantastic combination of function and serenity. It’s a solid, clean dump station coupled with a beautiful natural setting and abundant recreational opportunities. The limited services mean you need to be self-sufficient, but the trade-off is a peaceful, woodland experience that feels a world away from the highway. For any RVer looking to explore the St. Louis region, this is a must-add stop to your itinerary.
18301 Rieger Rd, Wildwood, MO 63005
Cost: Price not available
Category: Campground
Has Water
mostateparks.com/campgrounds/dr-edmund-babler-memorial-state-park