State: Iowa
Address 1: 15248 Campground Road
City: Drakesville
Zip: 52552
Phone: 641-722-3371
Open: Open all year
Open all Year: Yes
Number of Sites: 80
Electric: 42
Camp URL: http://www.iowadnr.gov/parks/state_park_list/lake_wapello.html
Full Hook: Yes
Lake Wapello’s 1,150 acres could easily be called the “country club” of Iowa’s state parks. The beautiful wooded hillsides, shaded picnic areas and lake provide a quiet elegance which makes Lake Wapello one of southern Iowa’s best-kept secrets.
The shaded and grassy picnic areas are attractive spots for leisurely outdoor meals as well as great views of Lake Wapello. Three open picnic shelters are available and two may be reserved online through the park reservation system.
The newly remodeled stone and timber 1930’s beach building offers many visitor services including a seasonal restaurant serving a variety of foods, a lake observation deck, and restrooms. The beautiful lodge has been converted back into a restaurant. Enjoy the view of the lake and the excellent food when you come visit Lake Wapello State Park.Beach users can purchase snacks and refreshments as well as bait and tackle at the concession area of the building.
Lake Wapello State Park 80 camping sites, 42 with electrical outlets. Modern shower and rest room facilities are available, as well as a trailer-dump station. The campground is located adjacent to the lake and offers a fine opportunity to “rough it” in the great outdoors. Advance campsite reservations can be made online through the park reservation system. Half of the campsites are still available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Lake Wapello’s 14 family cabins provide a wonderful opportunity for an Iowa vacation “get away.” The cabins, which accommodate 4 people comfortably, feature rest room, shower, and cooking facilities. Renters must provide their own bedding, towels, toiletry items, dishes and pots and pans. The cabins can be reserved online through the park reservation system.
Several miles of trails take you around the lake and through the park. Cross country skiing is a popular activity in the winter and there are several areas designated for cross country skiers. The park also offers multiple use trails for hiking and snowmobiling. A nature trail is located on the north side of the park.
Lake Wapello’s beach offers opportunities for swimming and sunbathing. Refreshments are available at the beautiful stone and timber bathhouse. Boats may be rented at the concession area. Any size of boat motors may be operated at “no wake” speeds on the lake.
Bass (catch and release only), crappies, catfish and bluegills abound in the beautiful 289-acre artificial lake. Anglers have an excellent chance to go home with a fine catch.
The facilities of Camp Wapello, the former Boy Scout Area, are now owned by the Camp Wapello Preservation Group. There is a dining hall with cooking facilities, shower building, and 10 separate tent-oriented camping areas. For further details, contact the Camp Wapello Preservation Group at 1-800/684-4184.