🌤 Weather at Meramec State Park by season
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35–78 °F | 63–91 °F | 35–82 °F | 23–48 °F |
Each range runs from the coldest monthly average low to the warmest monthly average high in that season (1991-2020 climate normals), measured at Union, 16 mi away, elevation 540 ft. Conditions at the park can differ from the station, especially where elevation differs — check a forecast before you go.
🏆 Missouri’s Cave Country — 40+ caves, Meramec River canoeing, Ozark forest hiking, and one of Missouri’s most complete state park experiences
Meramec State Park sits in the heart of Missouri’s cave country along the banks of the Meramec River in the eastern Ozarks. With more than 40 known caves within its 6,896 acres — including Fisher Cave, one of the few publicly accessible guided cave tours in the state park system — Meramec is a geological dreamscape. Add a clear, spring-fed river for canoeing and kayaking, 13 miles of hiking trails through Ozark forest, excellent camping, and you have one of the most complete state park experiences in Missouri.
Table of Contents
Caves
Meramec State Park contains more than 40 caves — the highest concentration of any state park in Missouri (itself the “Cave State” with 6,500+ known caves).
🦇 Fisher Cave — Guided Tour
• Type: Ranger-led guided tour (the only cave open to visitors)
• Length: ~1 hour, approximately 0.5 miles underground
• Features: Stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone, cave coral, rimstone dams
• Temperature: Constant 58°F year-round
• Season: Memorial Day through Labor Day (check schedule)
• Cost: $5–8/person (varies by age)
• Footwear: Closed-toe shoes required — cave floor is wet and uneven
Meramec River
The Meramec River is one of Missouri’s premier floating streams — clear, spring-fed water flowing through a scenic Ozark valley with bluffs, gravel bars, and forested banks. The park’s stretch is popular for canoeing, kayaking, and tubing.
| Activity | Details |
|---|---|
| 🛶 Canoeing/Kayaking | Excellent float river — Class I (gentle current, easy for beginners) |
| 🏊 Swimming | River swimming at gravel bars and sandy areas |
| 🎣 Fishing | Smallmouth bass, goggle-eye, catfish |
| 📏 Typical Float | Half-day to full-day trips available from nearby outfitters |
Hiking Trails
| Trail | Distance | Difficulty | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilderness Trail | 6.0 mi loop | Moderate | Longest trail, bluff views, deep forest |
| Bluff View Trail | 1.5 mi | Moderate | River bluff overlook, best views |
| River Trail | 2.0 mi | Easy | Meramec River bank, fishing access |
| Natural Wonders Trail | 2.5 mi | Moderate | Cave entrances, sinkholes, geological features |
Camping & Cabins
| Option | Details | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| ⛺ Basic Sites | ~120 sites, no hookups | $15/night |
| 🔌 Electric Sites | Electric hookups available | $24/night |
| 🏠 Cabins | Rustic and modern cabins along the river | $80–$150/night |
| 🏕️ Group Camp | Large group camping area | Contact park |
Fishing
The Meramec River is an excellent smallmouth bass fishery. Goggle-eye (rock bass), longear sunfish, and channel catfish are also abundant. Fish from the bank, wade, or float-fish from a canoe. Missouri fishing license required.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 📍 Address | 115 Meramec Park Dr, Sullivan, MO 63080 |
| 📞 Phone | (573) 468-6072 |
| 🕐 Hours | Year-round, sunrise to sunset |
| 💰 Entry | Free — Missouri state parks do not charge entry |
| 📡 Cell Service | Limited in park |
Best Time to Visit
| Season | Weather | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 🌸 Spring (Apr–May) | 55–75°F | Wildflowers, trout fishing, cave tours begin |
| ☀️ Summer (Jun–Aug) | 80–90°F | River floating, swimming, cave tours, full camping |
| 🍂 Fall (Sep–Nov) | 50–70°F | Fall colors, comfortable hiking, reduced crowds |
| ❄️ Winter (Dec–Feb) | 30–50°F | Quiet hiking, cabin stays (no cave tours) |
Make it a road trip: Pair a visit with Robertsville State Park (within about an hour’s drive) or Sandy Creek Covered Bridge State Historic Site (within about an hour’s drive).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you tour a cave at Meramec State Park?
Yes — Fisher Cave offers ranger-led guided tours (Memorial Day–Labor Day). Tours are ~1 hour, 0.5 miles underground, and cost $5–8. The cave is a constant 58°F. Closed-toe shoes required.
Can you canoe the Meramec River?
Yes — the Meramec is an excellent float river (Class I — gentle, suitable for beginners). Several outfitters near the park offer canoe, kayak, and tube rentals with shuttle service. Half-day and full-day floats available.
Is there an entrance fee?
No — Missouri state parks do not charge entrance fees. Cave tours, camping, and cabin stays have separate fees.
How many caves are in the park?
More than 40 known caves — the most of any state park in Missouri. Only Fisher Cave is open to the public via guided tours. The other caves are closed to protect bat habitat and fragile formations.
Are there cabins?
Yes — the park offers rustic and modern cabins along the Meramec River. Rates range from $80–$150/night. Cabins book up quickly for summer weekends. Reserve through mostateparks.com.
Is there swimming?
Swimming in the Meramec River is informal — at gravel bars and sandy areas. There is no lifeguarded swimming beach. The river water is spring-fed and clean but cold.
How far from St. Louis?
Meramec State Park is approximately 60 miles southwest of St. Louis — about a 1-hour drive via I-44. It makes an excellent day trip or weekend getaway from the city.
🦇 Visit Meramec State Park
Tour a living cave, float a pristine Ozark river, camp beneath Missouri hardwoods, and explore one of the most cave-dense landscapes in America.
🗺️ Official Park PageExplore More Missouri State Parks
Meramec State Park is one of many outstanding state parks in Missouri. Discover more parks in our Best State Parks in Missouri guide, or use our Park Finder to search by activity, location, or features.
Wildlife & Nature
Meramec SP — 6,896 acres along the Meramec River — has over 40 caves (more than any other Missouri state park). The park’s Ozark forest, river, and cave systems support bald eagles, river otters, and eastern pipistrelle bats. Smallmouth bass fill the Meramec. Timber rattlesnakes inhabit the bluffs.
Nearby Attractions
Sullivan — adjacent. Onondaga Cave SP — 15 miles south. Route 66 SP — 20 miles east. St. Louis — 60 miles east.
⛺ Camping at Meramec State Park: Campgrounds & Cabins
| Campsites | Three sections: Section 1 (Electric*, Electric/Water*, year-round, showers/water Apr 1-Oct 31, reservable Mar 1-Nov 30), Section 2 (Basic, Electric*, Sewer/Electric/Water*, same seasonality), Section 3 (Electric*, Family*, Sewer/Electric/Water*, same seasonality). *50-amp electric available. Also group tent areas for 15-50 people, each with a paved lot for about 15 vehicles, eight picnic tables, two fire grills and two lantern posts (some group tent sites may be unavailable during rainy months). |
|---|---|
| Cabins & Lodging | Rental cabins and motel rooms are run by the park concessionaire (Fireside Store and Grill), not the state camping reservation system: 11 cabins, 8 duplex/four-plex units and 22 motel rooms, heated and air-conditioned, complete with linens, cooking utensils and dishes. Book via 573-468-6519 or 888-Meramec (637-2632); no email reservations. Dogs allowed in a limited number of cabins for an additional fee via Cabins for Canines. |
| Pets | Recommended no more than two dogs per campsite; leashes no longer than 10 feet at all times; portable fences, shock collars and similar devices do not meet requirements; pets barred from buildings (except Cabins for Canines), swimming areas and fishing waters. |
| Reservations | Reserve up to 12 months in advance online or by phone, 877-ICampMO (877-422-6766). Walk-up registration available if a site is unreserved. Camping limited to any 15 days within a 30-consecutive-day period. |
| Special sites | Eight primitive backcountry backpacking campsites along Wilderness Trail (free, backpackers must register before starting their trip). Watercraft/ATV trailer parking permitted off the campsite pad. |
| Season notes | All three sections open year-round; showers/water Apr 1-Oct 31; off-season potable water available from the frost-free spigot at the dump station. |
Camping questions about Meramec State Park
Can you camp at Meramec State Park?
Three sections: Section 1 (Electric*, Electric/Water*, year-round, showers/water Apr 1-Oct 31, reservable Mar 1-Nov 30), Section 2 (Basic, Electric*, Sewer/Electric/Water*, same seasonality), Section 3 (Electric*, Family*, Sewer/Electric/Water*, same seasonality). *50-amp electric available. Also group tent areas for 15-50 people, each with a paved lot for about 15 vehicles, eight picnic tables, two fire grills and two lantern posts (some group tent sites may be unavailable during rainy months).
How do you reserve a campsite at Meramec State Park?
Reserve up to 12 months in advance online or by phone, 877-ICampMO (877-422-6766). Walk-up registration available if a site is unreserved. Camping limited to any 15 days within a 30-consecutive-day period.
Are there cabins at Meramec State Park?
Rental cabins and motel rooms are run by the park concessionaire (Fireside Store and Grill), not the state camping reservation system: 11 cabins, 8 duplex/four-plex units and 22 motel rooms, heated and air-conditioned, complete with linens, cooking utensils and dishes. Book via 573-468-6519 or 888-Meramec (637-2632); no email reservations. Dogs allowed in a limited number of cabins for an additional fee via Cabins for Canines.
Are pets allowed at the Meramec State Park campground?
Recommended no more than two dogs per campsite; leashes no longer than 10 feet at all times; portable fences, shock collars and similar devices do not meet requirements; pets barred from buildings (except Cabins for Canines), swimming areas and fishing waters.
Source: mostateparks.com (verified July 2026). Details change seasonally — confirm when booking.
🐾 Dogs & Pets at Meramec State Park
- Pets allowed? statewide rule
- Responsible pet owners and their pets are welcome in Missouri state parks and historic sites, with pets leashed and under control.
- Leash rule statewide rule
- Leash not longer than 10 feet required at all times; portable fences and shock collars do not satisfy the requirement.
- Beaches & swim areas statewide rule
- Pets are not allowed in public swimming areas or on beaches.
- Cabins & lodging statewide rule
- The 'Cabins for Canines' program opens about 30% of lodging units to dogs (max two dogs per unit) at roughly 15 participating parks including Lake of the Ozarks, Bennett Spring, Echo Bluff and Roaring River; per-dog per-night fee varies by unit type.
- Pet fees statewide rule
- No day-use pet fee; Cabins for Canines charges a per-dog, per-night lodging fee (varies by unit).
- Statewide exceptions statewide rule
- Maximum two dogs per campsite; pets not allowed inside any park building.
Are dogs allowed at Meramec State Park?
Responsible pet owners and their pets are welcome in Missouri state parks and historic sites, with pets leashed and under control. Individual parks can post stricter rules — check signage on arrival.
Rules verified July 2026 via mostateparks.com. More: Missouri state parks guide · Dog rules in all 50 states compared
🐻 Wildlife at Meramec State Park: What to Watch For — and Watch Out For
Worth watching for: Fisher Cave is the headline wildlife experience: naturalist-led tours by hand-held lantern pass bear claw marks, cave wildlife and calcite formations. Above ground, the park publishes a bird checklist, and the Meramec River holds largemouth and smallmouth bass, catfish and sunfish beneath its bluffs.
Watch out for: Fisher Cave closes in winter because bats hibernate there, and white-nose syndrome screening is in place for tours: do not wear any clothing, footwear or equipment that has been in another cave — Missouri State Parks' rule is 'twice is too much.' For snakes, follow the state's official guidance: look before stepping over logs and rocks, allow the animal a clear path of escape, and leave it be. A statewide tick advisory also applies — use repellent and tuck long pants into socks in tall grass.
Are there venomous snakes at Meramec State Park?
Yes — see above for where they occur in the park and how to behave. Sightings are a normal part of a healthy park; incidents are rare when visitors keep distance and store food properly.
Wildlife information verified July 2026 via mostateparks.com.
Park Location
Plan your gear for Meramec State Park
From our editorial guides, matched to this park’s activities:
