Sundermeier RV Park in St Charles
Chris from Ohio on 10/13/2013 11:17 AM:
They don't allow tent camping. There is no where to tent camp near St Charles, you have to go into woods between trail and river
Jim from St Thomas on 10/13/2013 04:10 PM:
You can tent camp at Klondike park.
Chris from Ohio on 10/13/2013 09:41 PM:
That is like 28 miles away. I'm just saying that this should be removed as an option because it is not. I was forced to sleep in the woods just east of St. Charles because I was lied to by the signs.
MidSouth from Rogersville, MO on 10/13/2013 10:10 PM:
There are many people that come to enjoy the trail by RV and do day rides. I don't believe anyone forced you to camp anywhere. There are many other lodging options in St. Charles that do not entail trespassing.
lone wolf from OKC on 10/14/2013 08:53 AM:
Please define "trespass" as per Missouri State Law. I'm thinkin if its not marked with signs or purple paint it's not trespassing.
Trek on 10/14/2013 09:47 AM:
Basically in Missouri if it is not public space and you enter without the owners permission you are trespassing. If it is public space and you are asked to leave and do not, effectively your permission/right to be there is denied, and you are then trespassing.
If you are inclined to press your luck it is probably best to search the Missouri Statutes to know exactly what the law is. You'll be much more impressive standing before the judge quoting the law than saying that you thought is was okay for you to go where ever you wanted.
Pseudio on 10/15/2013 07:05 AM:
The regulars, both Chris and Lone Wolf, are absolutely correct. This is a constant subject brought up often. The signs and laws are pretty clear about stealth tent camping in and out of this state park. I would not chance a friendly business or landowner or ignorance of the law when law enforcement or a person with a shotgun pulls up to your campsite.
ArkyKenny on 10/15/2013 08:49 AM:
Pseudio,
I totally agree with you: Stealth camping on the Katy is not an option. But the thing is, there is no reason to stealth camp, even if you are a camper.
A couple of years ago my son and I got caught between McKittrick and Treloar (maybe near Case?) in a thunderstorm. We didn't have it in us to make it to Marthasville. Anyway, we came upon a house, knocked on the door, and asked for permission to sleep in the barn. It was granted.
I also slept under someone's tree in Pilot Grove last year because I just felt like quitting for the day--after I asked and received permission to do so.
This is one area where you get permission, not forgiveness. But it's easy to get....Just ask. Offering or giving the landowner $10 for the camping spot doesn't hurt either.
Momma said "You catch more flies with honey than vinegar".........what momma said.
lone wolf from OKC on 10/17/2013 05:25 PM:
But (true) stealth camping never happened. ;)
Pseudio on 10/17/2013 07:47 PM:
ArkyKenny, you must know many landowners along the trail or are pretty lucky. My suggestion is get into better riding shape or reduce your riding distance with a planned stop. MO ain't Arky!!
ArkyKenny on 10/17/2013 08:41 PM:
I must a) look harmless, b) look pitiful, c) look desperate, d) be able to talk a good game. I suspect it is some combo of the above, because I don't know the landowners of the places I have stayed. Of course, circumstances, like the crazy thunderstorm, also helped me make my case.
My technique is usually something like this: "Do you know of anywhere I can put up a tent? ...........Would you be willing to let me pay you some money to sleep in your barn?"
Hank on 10/17/2013 09:07 PM:
I would never camp somewhere without permission. But ask and you shall receive. Bicycle tourists everywhere live in part by the goodwill of others. I would never purposely put myself in a position to DEPEND on others, but if in a bind I would never hesitate to ask. And the door will be opened. It is the "not asking" that gets one in trouble.
boomhauer on 10/24/2013 04:06 PM:
i think the original poster is correct.
There are signs at St. Charles that indicate tent camping yet there are none in St. Charles.
I too was "forced" to camp in the mountain bike trails. Hope that was okay. Fix the signs!!! or can you camp at The Landing right in the middle of town?
MidSouth from Rogersville, MO on 10/24/2013 04:31 PM:
I didn't realize everyone that visits St. Charles is forced to camp and trespass. Last time I was there we stayed in a motel, guess we didn't get the memo, go figure?
Trek on 10/24/2013 04:45 PM:
I think the original poster may have misinterpreted the signage. I don't know what signs they are talking about that lied to them, but following the logic used on this site and in many, many other places, the "tent" symbol indicates that camping is available. That symbol seems to be international or standard signage. It does not indicate the type of device that you can sleep it. It simply indicates that a camping facility is available.
At this point, it becomes a matter of personal responsibility for the individual to determine if they can stake their tent, or if their 40 foot camper will fit in any of the spots there. Others do the same by calling the hotel to make sure they have a room, instead of just knowing that lodging is available.
But to neglect to do the required research and then claim to be a victim in that a sign lied and that they were then "forced" to do something illegal displays a lack of personal responsibilty.
The signs may need "fixed" but sometimes it helps to help yourself.
Or maybe there are huge signs in St. Charles that read "Tent Camping Here" and when you get there the armed guards yell at you and tell you that you can't pitch a tent here as they force you into the woods to bed down for the night.
Doug from Bluffton on 10/24/2013 05:22 PM:
Well said Trek! My vote is for personal responsibility. Stealth camping is illegal and the result of ones own poor choices, not outside forces acting upon one.
Pseudio on 10/25/2013 08:47 AM:
I went to the website of this RV Park and it did not even mention tent camping. The other postings here are correct, research and planning help to make an enjoyable ride. Also having a plan b helps when problems arise. Like others said, get a motel. And finally if all else fails go begging and ask permission to tent camp from landowners, plan c. It's all good. But don't whine about it Chris.
lone wolf from OKC on 10/27/2013 09:52 AM:
Not being judgmental, just an observation. But most of the comments on this thread condemning stealth camping are by the same people that recently congratulated a recent thru racer on his illegal (partial closed hours) attempt. whats with that.
Besonst from Fayetteville, Arkansas on 10/27/2014 12:36 PM:
I agree with the original post. I just rode the Katy Trail, and planned my stops based on where I would be able to camp by tent, and this site shows Sundermeier as allowing camping and uses a "tent" symbol. At the very minimum, the Sundermeier page should be updated to show that no tent camping is allowed but even better from my perspective would be to remove the "tent" symbol altogether and use a "trailer" symbol for Sundermeier's version of camping.
Sorry I didn't notice this forum prior to my trip, but a forum shouldn't be the way to clarify whether a site described as allowing camping actually does. That should be up there at the top in the description of the site.
As for the rest of the Katy Trail, it was a delight and all the other campgrounds matched up with expectations. Thanks for maintaining this service for riders.
jim on 10/27/2014 03:13 PM:
I also agree. What the hell Ray
...why should I take a couple minutes to call someplace to verify I can camp there when it would be a simple matter for you to drive the trail end to end daily verifying the information that the vendors have given you.
Ray (webmaster) on 10/28/2014 09:49 AM:
Yes indeed that business is not relevant to Katy Trail users, and I have removed it from the website. Unfortunately, there is no camping east of Augusta.
Sundermeier RV Park (St Charles)
Ron and Jo Davidson from Paw Paw Il. on 03/04/2010 06:30 PM:
We love this park! We have been going there for years. The owners are wonderful people and so helpful. Very clean. Nice big sites. The "old street in St Charles" is wonderful. So many good resturants and so much history. I love that when we pull our rig into this park We know everyting will be top notch!
Gary Androsky from Superior, WI on 06/13/2014 12:45 PM:
Ron & Jo... did you used to live in Aurora? email me if you did: gary@skydivesuperior.com
MidSouth from Rogersville on 06/13/2014 04:16 PM:
Be nice if they would set aside a couple square feet for tent campers that are riding the trail.
Sundermeier RV Park (St Charles)
Scott on 04/25/2009 07:54 PM:
This place is very expensive for an RV park in the midwest, nearly double the price of anywhere normal. I liked the location and it is a nice park but not nearly worth what they charge. I would never stay there again or recomend it due to the greed of the ownership. Just because you can charge what you want doesn't make it right.
Sluggo on 04/26/2009 12:00 PM:
I agree that it is fairly expensive however, location location location. It's not midwest it's BIG CITY and the taxes that go along with that. Awfully convenient to the trail and other amenities tho. $20 a night state parks are a long ways off and located in rural areas with considerably lower tax rates. I wouldn't stay there for a week but for a night or two to ride the trail and have dozens of bars and restaurants and other shops along the ride back to my RV it's pretty nice. It's not greedy to have to cover your costs of operation.
Steve from KC on 04/27/2009 01:58 PM:
Alice at the RV park seems extremely nice over the phone. Offered to hold a package for us since we are backpacking from Clinton to St. Charles. Even got one of the cottages for $60 for one night.
DougK from Troy on 04/28/2009 12:08 PM:
No tent camping there. Really stinks for hikers/bikers on a budget!!
Ron Davidson from Paw Paw IL on 04/03/2010 04:44 PM:
What part of "RV PARK" don't you understand?!
steve from Kansas City on 05/17/2011 11:21 AM:
Are there any camping sites nearby? Pulling my single wheeled bike trailer is enough work. I don't want to pull an RV trailer along a bike trail!
DK on 05/17/2011 11:49 AM:
how could someone possibly be worried about a RV campsite charge after spending fortunes to purchase and fuel a mammoth RV?
Sundermeier RV Park (St Charles)
Sandy from St. Peters, Mo. on 08/31/2009 05:33 PM:
This is concerning the Sundermeier's Storage facility in St. Charles, Mo. On Aug. 31st. we sold our camper and had already paid the Sept. payment but the Sundermeiers would not refund the payment. I would not recommend them to any one. There is nothing in writing stating they need a month in advance to rent the space as the lady informed me when I requested the refund on Aug. 31st. She was very curt and refused to discuss the matter.
Sundermeier RV Park (St Charles)
Bentcruiser from Oklahoma on 10/17/2005 09:37 AM:
Okay...so they do not allow tents. But let me tell you at the end of a week in a tent, a cabin
was a welcome site. They were pretty nice. Plus they have a convenient trolley shuttle that will
take you into St Charles until like 5pm.
Bill Wildes from Homewood, AL on 05/10/2006 07:49 AM:
A fine place to stay. They are very friendly, and most helpful. The host helped me cut through a bicycle lock, when I found I had left my key at home. We are staying there again this year in transit.