SITES TO BEHOLD
Unique places to stay on your next outdoor adventure.
By Brad Kovach
C
amping doesn't have to mean staying in a cramped tent pegged to the ground. These days, you can find a great variety of outdoor lodging options around Missouri and Illinois. Here are seven of our region's most unique places to stay on your next getaway.
Lost Hill Lake
This 200-acre property in St. Clair, Missouri, just a short drive from St. Louis, boasts four glamping opportunities that include a repurposed school bus that sleeps five, two refurbished Apache campers that sleep four each (pictured), and a VW Microbus for three. All the accommodations lie nearby the property's 15-acre lake. There's also access to the Meramec River, a scenic hiking trail, and a 3-acre black walnut grove. The glamping spaces are served by an outdoor restroom and shower house with hot water and a community kitchen with refrigerator, toaster, grill, sink, and coffee station. They also include porches with outdoor lighting, furniture, fire pits, and availability of equipment like kayaks, paddleboards, and small boats. losthilllakeevents.com
Camp Long Creek
Set against the backdrop of Table Rock Lake in Table Rock, Missouri, the glamping tents at this campground within the property of Big Cedar Lodge are rustic and inviting spaces. Each unit expands around a king-size bed with overhead chandelier. Relax out front in a private space with firepit and outdoor tub, or out back on a patio with table and chairs overlooking the water. On-site amenities include a swimming pool, beach access, boat rental at the Long Creek Marina, fishing and hiking, and other special touches like s'mores kits for guests upon arrival. Additional accommodations include two- person luxury huts, two-person camp cabins, and four-person camp cabins. bigcedar.com
Glamping St. Louis
Modern-day river barons will feel right at home in either of two safari-style tents that float on private docks along a channel leading to the Mississippi River. Each heated/cooled tent is decked out with a king bed, futon bed, mini refrigerator, and fire ring. Guests gain access to a private bathroom at the lodge and can take advantage of complimentary coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and drinking water at the outdoor kitchen, which also has a grill, camp stove, and microwave. A third glamping tent on land is more secluded and overlooks a private pond. A cozy cottage and A-frame round out the offerings. Enjoy fishing, biking, boating, or simply watching the wildlife from your relaxing refuge. glampingstl.com
Spring Lake Ranch
Perfect for a romantic escape in the woods, the High Hope Treehouse floats 20 feet in the air just a stone's throw from beautiful Sayersbrook Lake on Spring Lake Ranch in Potosi, Missouri. Soak in the private hot tub and then count the stars as you gaze through the high windows in the loft area with California king bed. The climate-controlled space also comes with a richly decorated kitchenette, bathroom with shower, living room, sitting area, and outdoor patio. Explore the hiking trails, rent a kayak or canoe, or sign up for a horseback riding excursion. The ranch also includes RV sites on the lake, a cottage, and new rustic cabins for rent. springlakeranchmo.com
Table Rock State Park
Never stayed in a yurt? You're in for a fun experience. For the uninitiated: a yurt is a circular structure with a fabric cover, like a tent, and a wooden frame that makes it strong and weathertight. The premium yurt at Table Rock State Park sleeps up to six in two bedrooms - one with a queen bed and the other with twin bunkbeds - plus a living
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terrain March/April 2021
camping
CLOCKWISE FROM FAR LEFT:
Lost Hill Lake; Glamping St. Louis; High Hope Treehouse; Camp Long Creek.
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