The best camping in Lake Wappapello State Park, MO

·

Camper favorites near Lake Wappapello State Park

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

Calendar icon
Snag sold-out campsites.
Get notified the instant a national park campsite becomes available, for free.
Van icon
See the best spots in one place.
Explore 500K+ public lands, RV resorts, and private sites you won't find anywhere else.
Star icon
Book with confidence.
Read millions of real reviews from campers like you—so you know what to expect.

Stories from the community

Top-rated campgrounds

Arcadia Valley Outdoors Land

98%
(839)
48mi from Lake Wappapello State Park · 37 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Ironton, MO
A wooded, more private camping experience with unique site designs and natural elements. Wood-burning sauna and hot tub available for guest use. Primitive Camping Van/vehicle Camping Small Trailers Glamping Bike Trails, Hiking, creek sit-in' on site! Best of the midwest biking, hiking, Ozark Trail, rock climbing Elephant Rocks Park, Johnson Shut-ins and more swimming holes nearby! Wood for sale on site, $5 per bundle, Fire starters also available. Ask us about our "Really Good At Camping" merchandise. We have shirts, mugs & wine tumblers! *Cash Only* at this time. We Have free stickers! *For camp site locations please refer to our map in the campsite listing photos. We are located just west of the Ironton Water Works Plant and the Shepherd Mountain Lake dam. Turn right after the dam, drive through Shepherd Mountain Lake Park. If our "campground guests only" gate if it is closed, and please close gate behind you. Thank you! No Hook Ups No swimming in the lake and no outside boats, but we have boats for campers to use free of charge! General Store and restroom facilities/showers coming soon!
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$32
 / night

Williams Camp : Eleven Point River

98%
(30)
45mi from Lake Wappapello State Park · 10 sites · Tents, RVs · MO
Learn more about this land: You'll have a private place of your own, with access to some of Missouri states most hidden springs, rivers, waterfalls, fishing, hunting, hiking, (some of the best) horseback riding trails, and historic landmarks.  Rather you're after solitude or sport, this area has you covered.  Kayak, canoe, and shuttle rental, service is available at hufstedlers.com and is a short 11.5 mile drive.  Beautiful eleven point river offers blue, red, and white ribbon, spring fed trout/walleye water.  If you're looking to float the river, be sure to research the many springs on the way down your trip and the historic mill communities that once flourished there.  These are perfect opportunities to take a break, eat a meal, and explore the area.  Most also will have public bathrooms.  Unless there are multiple reservations, you will be allowed to hookup/stay at whichever site is the easiest for you to get parked at.  Maps of the area and things to do will continue to be updated as they are developed.  In the mean time, a great resource is MissouriScenicRivers.com. We do not live near this site so this is an exclusively non-hosted listing.
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
from 
$35
 / night

The Holliday Landing on the Lake

94%
(65)
7.8mi from Lake Wappapello State Park · 44 sites · Tents, RVs · Greenville, MO
Learn more about this land: Holliday Landing Resort & Marina offers a variety of beautiful campsites to meet your camping needs. There are 11 sites with water, electric, and sewer hook-ups, 28 sites with water and electric, there is a secluded mini-loop where tent campers can enjoy the same access and amenities. All water and electric campsites have 30/120 amp electric service and frost-free water. Guests may use the modern restroom facility with showers. A dump station is available for your use. Each non-primitive site has a gravel pad for RV campers and parking, a grassy area for tent camping, visiting, or playing, a picnic table, and a fire ring with grill. Each primitive site has a grassy area, picnic table, and fire ring with no designated parking area. For your convenience, camping guests may use the boat ramp and may rent a boat slip for a $10 nightly fee.  Kids and adults alike can play together at our playground area. Camping guests also have access to an inground swimming pool at no extra charge.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$35
 / night

Saco Valley Farm, LLC

98%
(26)
30mi from Lake Wappapello State Park · 4 sites · Tents · Fredericktown, MO
Camp, Swim, BBQ, wade the creek, enjoy the campfire! Primitive Camping. Very Private. Water is cool and clear. Open to the stars. A great place to commune with nature, or enjoy some peace and quiet! 12 mile creek runs directly through our property. Shallow and deep all throughout. Great for wading, swimming, floating, kayaking. Great small mouth fishing! We are approximately one mile by water from the St. Francois River. We have kayaked down the creek to the river for many years. The farm is very rural. We are 16 miles to the closest gas station, and 25 miles to town. There is no internet. Cell phone service is spotty at best. Currently a working farm, we have 2 high tunnels on the property behind the house, and our original market garden. Across the creek we are finishing up our 5 acre agroforestry planting. 3 acres of elderberries and 2 acres of blackberries. 28 acres, 3 on one side, and 25 on the other. The farm is located approximately 2 hours south of St. Louis. Fredericktown is 30 mins away. Food, Drinks, Golf, and Lalo's Mexican Restaurant! There are a ton of local antique shops, and outdoor activities. Local places of interest: Amidon Arcadia Valley Black River Bonne Terre Mine Elephant Rocks Johnson Shut Ins Mill Stream Gardens One Nation Paintball Park Sam A. Baker State Park Saco Valley Farmstand Sherpher Mountain Bike Park Silvermines Taum Sauk Mountain
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
from 
$25
 / night

Quiet Ozark RV/Tent Camping

100%
(12)
38mi from Lake Wappapello State Park · 5 sites · Tents, RVs · Van Buren, MO
Looking for a quiet, peaceful private RV site? This site is on a 1 lane county road, 1 mile from Current River and 3 miles from Big Springs (see pics). The country setting is ideal for anyone interested in fishing, floating, hiking or other outdoor activities. No worries about flooding at this location! The small rural town of Van Buren, Missouri is 1 mile away for supplies. A must see is Big Springs in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways Park 3 miles away. Full hook up (water/elec/sewer/trash) located at 136 Harner Holler in Van Buren, Missouri. Only a three other RV sites on the property. Sites listed are 136A and 136 B is on the shared acre. The other two sites are approximately 50 yards away, 209 being one of these sites. The total property area is 30 acres with rarely any traffic on the country road. Note: A large Class A RV would not be able to make the curve in the county road. 2 night minimum preferred, but not required. Weekly/monthly rates available. Contact owner. Weekly and monthly rates will have additional electric charge based on usage.
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
from 
$40
 / night

Robert's Redneck Retreat, LLC

100%
(13)
44mi from Lake Wappapello State Park · 3 sites · Lodging · Doniphan, MO
Robert's Redneck Retreat is located on about 16 acres of pasture and 58 acres of forested land with a creek and trails running through it. Our property also adjoins 1200 acres of the Mark Twain National Forest, dotted with springs, trails, rivers, lakes, ponds and breathtaking views. We have three small cabins on the property that are spaced out for privacy. There are also potential for tent camp sites.My husband and I love nature, farming, gardening, and sharing time with like-minded individuals. Our dream is small scale hobby farming adjoined with cabin rentals, allowing trees to regrow in places that were once pasture in order to do our part to help maintain habitat for wild animals and plants. It is a balance that we love and it is our pleasure to share this property with you. We are new here, but we are not new to the camping world; we have been helping campers have positive experiences since 2013 and already have over 170 positive reviews on Airbnb. We would love for Hip Campers to come experience our brand of cabin camping, with farm and forest experiences.A little history of the surrounding area: The Mark Twain National Forest was stripped by loggers in the 1800's and was purchased by the government as a preserve. Since then, it has regrown into hardwood forest, dotted with remnants of pine. It feels wild and untouched, despite knowing it's history. And within it, it harbors all manner of waterways, wildlife, plants, and fungi beyond your imagination. We love southern Missouri and hope you come catch a taste of the wildness that is the Forest. Disconnect, unplug, lose your cell signal, and come find yourself in the woods :)
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$45
 / night

Other options near Lake Wappapello State Park

The best camping in Lake Wappapello State Park, MO guide

Overview

About

Southeast Missouri’s largest lake is a summertime hotspot, with an endless menu of activities. From the time the sunrises over the Ozarks hills to the time it sets, revealing the stars above, Lake Wappapello State Park provides a basecamp for adventure. Of course, the lake is a focal point for boating, paddling, swimming, and fishing. Or, take to the hills or creek valley for hiking, mountain biking, backpacking, and horseback riding under a forest canopy. Lakeviews are a bonus. No tent or RV? No problem. This state park also has full-service cabins and camper cabins.

Notable campgrounds

Tips for snagging a campsite

  • Asher Creek Campground is closed November 1 to March 31, but Ridge Campground is open year round.
  • Reservations for both campgrounds are available April 1 through October 31, and open 12 months in advance.
  • Ridge Campground does not have water and showers available in the off season.
  • Book your site on the Missouri State Parks website or by phone.
  • Advanced reservations are encouraged during summer weekends and holidays.

When to go

As you might guess, summer is the busy season, as the cool lake waters and daytime temperatures warm. Be prepared for temperatures topping the 80s and 90s. While water recreation tapers off in the fall, the forests are at their prime, with colorful hues filling the hillsides. Spring also is too cool to take a swim, but hikers appreciate the pleasant weather for tackling the trails. The campgrounds empty in the winter months, providing solitude for those who can brave the freezing temperatures and occasional snows.

Know before you go

  • Lake Wappapello State Park has basic and electric sites, with both 30-amp and 50-amp power.
  • Cell signal strength varies greatly within the park. 
  • Three free boat launches are found in the park along the lake shores.
  • The Allison Cove Day-Use Area is home to the swim beach, available seasonably.
100%
3 ratings · 0 reviews