Camping

Camping 

Camping enthusiasts will find that there is truly something for everyone at Wappapello Lake. Traditional and primitive camping are available.  Campsites are available on a first-come, first-serve basis unless reserved.   Facilities, at the campgrounds, differ and may include electrical hookups, showers, restrooms, grills, tables, drinking water and boat mooring facilities.  Camping is permitted up to fourteen days in a thirty consecutive day period at Redman Creek, Peoples Creek and Greenville Campgrounds and primitive camping areas.  Visitors possessing a valid Golden Age, Golden Access Card or America the Beautiful Card are entitled to a 50% discount on camping fees at federal campgrounds.  A responsible person must register and pay fees at either the fee booth or honor vault within a reasonable time after a camp is established, or when the fee booth opens.  Check out time is 4:00 p.m.

To make reservations go to Recreation.gov or call 1-877-444-6777.  Camping reservations can be made up to 6 months in advance or as little as 4 days in advance.  All campsites require a 2-night minimum stay on weekends.  You can make up to 4 separate reservations with one phone call.  Major credit cards are accepted.

Chaonia Campground (Snow Creek) has 9 non-electric sites, fire rings, a comfort station and is water accessible. The fee to camp at this facility is $9 per night. A responsible person must register and pay for the site at the honor vault. Campsites are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.  Chaonia Campground is open all year with a 14 day limit per stay.

Overflow Camping - Overflow camping at Greenville Special Event Area and below the Dam is only open when all public and private campgrounds in the surrounding area are full.  The camping fee when available is $3 per night for primitive sites. 

Island Camping - Two large islands in the southern portion of the lake have six campsites.  Each campsite has a fire ring, lantern post and picnic table. The fee to camp at these sites is $9 per night.  A responsible person must register and pay for the site using the honor vault at Rockwood Point Boat Ramp, the Redman Creek fee booth, or the Project Office.  Campsites are may be reserved but may be used on a first come first serve basis.  These sites are open all year with a 14 day limit per stay. 

Download a printable map of the island campsites.

• JPG version (set printer to landscape to print) (50 k)

• PDF version (set printer to portrait to print) (255 k)

Primitive Camping

A northern primitive camping zone has been designated on all Corps public lands south of Hwy 34 to PA 34 (access north Greenville) on the east side of the St. Francis River and on all Corps public land on the west side, north of where Hwy FF intersects with Hwy 67.  Camping is not allowed in the Missouri Department of Conservation Wildlife Area north of Hwy 34.  Camping in these areas is free and available year round.

The southern primitive camping zone includes:

• Areas within 100 feet of 19 designated parking areas south of U.S. Highway 67 with no facilities.

• Blue Springs and Lost Creek Landing parking areas with grills.

• Sulphur Springs and Possum Creek parking areas with grills and a vault restroom.

• Johnson Tract Natural Area with two backpacking sites with grills.

• Within 100 feet of the Ozark Trail in areas south of Hwy 67.

Primitive campers are required to register at either the Wappapello Lake Project Office, the Greenville or Redman Creek fee booths or honor vaults.