Campground Closed: The campground is closed each year from November 1 - March 31.
Campground Operations: This campground is 100 percent reservable and accepts reservations April 1 - October 31 until 10:00 pm CST the day of arrival.
Book a Campsite at Lake Wapello State Park, IA
Overview
Description
Lake Wapello was named in honor of the famous Native American Chief Wapello and boasts outdoor opportunities for just about any outdoor enthusiast. The parks 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.
Several watershed erosion control structures were installed throughout the park. These improvements have made water quality fishing superb. Canoeing, kayaking, fishing and pleasure cruising are very enjoyable on this lake.
Recreation:
Trails
The lake has a seven mile Lake Shore Trail, which will 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 multi-use trails for hiking and snowmobiling. A nature trail is located on the north side of the park.
Lake Activities
Lake Wapello has one of the finest sand beaches in southern Iowa and the largest beach house facility in Iowa's state park system. The beach offers opportunities for swimming and sunbathing. There are no lifeguards at the beach.
Lake Wapello is a pristine, 289 acre lake. Motorboats must not exceed 5 mph on Lake Wapello. Here you will find some of the finest fishing for bluegill, redear sunfish, bass (catch and release only), crappie, and channel catfish in the state. Extensive renovations were made to the lake during the early 1990s and in 2009. Fishing jetties, universally accessible fishing piers, and shoreline access were installed and enhanced to allow better shoreline fishing experiences. Underwater reefs, sunken cedar trees and spawning beds were added to provide better fish habitat.
Facilities:
Picnicking/Shelters
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 area available and two may be reserved online.
Camping
The campground offers full hook-up, electric and non-electric sites, modern shower and restroom facilities, as well as a trailer dump station. The campground is located adjacent to the lake.
Family Cabins
Lake Wapello State Park has eleven cedar-sided family cabins to rent April through October and two family cabins that are available year round. These cabins are very popular for family vacations and reunions. They accommodate four people comfortably and feature a restroom, shower, stove/oven, microwave and refrigerator. The cabins may be reserved online.
Nearby Attractions:
Camp Wapello
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 ten separate tent-oriented camping areas. For further details, contact the Camp Wapello Preservation Group at 1-800-684-4184.
Local Events/Attractions
Lake Wapello is in the heart of Amish country. Many craft and furniture shops are just a few miles from the park.
Nearby Towns
Bloomfield, the county seat of Davis County, is located thirteen miles southeast of the park. Unionville is six miles west, and Drakesville is six miles east. The city of Ottumwa is located thirty miles north and east of Lake Wapello State Park.
Booking Window
Day-use Lodge
Sun Jun 21 2026 - Thu Jun 17 2027Reservations must be made 4 Day(s) ahead of arrival and can be made up to 12 Month(s) in advance.
Family Cabins Modern
Sun Jun 21 2026 - Thu Jun 17 2027Reservations must be made 4 Day(s) ahead of arrival and can be made up to 12 Month(s) in advance.
Shelters
Sun Jun 21 2026 - Thu Jun 17 2027Reservations must be made 4 Day(s) ahead of arrival and can be made up to 12 Month(s) in advance.
Standard Electric
Wed Jun 17 2026 - Thu Sep 17 2026Reservations can be made for today and can be made up to 3 Month(s) in advance.
Standard Full Hook-Up
Wed Jun 17 2026 - Thu Sep 17 2026Reservations can be made for today and can be made up to 3 Month(s) in advance.
Tent Only
Wed Jun 17 2026 - Thu Sep 17 2026Reservations can be made for today and can be made up to 3 Month(s) in advance.
Youth Group Only
Wed Jun 17 2026 - Thu Sep 17 2026Reservations can be made for today and can be made up to 3 Month(s) in advance.
Season Dates
Lake Wapello Shelters:
Reservable: May 1 - September 30
Lake Wapello Lodge:
Reservable: May 1 - October 15
Lake Wapello Cabins (001, 002, 003, 004, 005, 006, 007, 008, 009, 010, 012):
Reservable: April 1 - October 31
Lake Wapello Cabins (011, 013):
Reservable: January 1 - December 31
Lake Wapello Campground:
Closed: January 1 - March 31
Off Peak: April 1 - April 30
Peak: May 1 - October 15
Off Peak: October 16 - October 31
Closed: November 1 - December 31
Season Schedule
Park Season
Start
End
Peak
Fri May 01 2026
Thu Oct 15 2026
Off Peak
Fri Oct 16 2026
Sat Oct 31 2026
Off Peak
Thu Apr 01 2027
Fri Apr 30 2027
Peak
Sat May 01 2027
Fri Oct 15 2027
Services and Amenities
Within Park
- Bicycling
- Bird Watching
- Boat Launch Ramp
- Canoeing
- Dock, Boat
- Docks, Fishing
- Dump Station
- Fish Cleaning Station
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Jogging/Running
- Kayaking
- Modern Restroom
- Park Lake
- Park Office
- Parking
- Picnic Area
- Playground
- Registration Building
- Restrooms
- Sail Boating
- Showers
- Swimming - Beach
- Telephone
- Toilet, Pit/Vault
- Trash Dumpster
- Water Hydrants
- Wildlife Viewing
Less Than 1 Mile
- Retail, Firewood
Within 10 Miles
- ATM/Cash Machine
- Antiquing
- Fuel, Vehicles
- Town
Greater Than 10 Miles
- Grocery Store
- Hospital
- Medical Clinic
Fees and Cancellation Policies
Click here to view the cancellation policy.
Facility Rates*
Park Season
Site Type
Nightly/Daily Rates
Peak Season
May 01 2026 -
Oct 15 2026
May 01 2026 -
Oct 15 2026
Youth Group Only
$15.00
Tent Only
$16.00
Standard Full Hook-Up
$36.00
Standard Electric
$24.00
Shelters
$30.00
Family Cabins Modern
$75.00-$100.00
($450.00-$600.00 Weekly**)
($450.00-$600.00 Weekly**)
Day-use Lodge
$50.00-$100.00
Off Peak Season
Oct 16 2026 -
Oct 31 2026
Oct 16 2026 -
Oct 31 2026
Youth Group Only
$15.00
Tent Only
$12.00
Standard Full Hook-Up
$20.00
Standard Electric
$20.00
Shelters
$30.00
Family Cabins Modern
$75.00-$100.00
($450.00-$600.00 Weekly**)
($450.00-$600.00 Weekly**)
Day-use Lodge
$50.00-$100.00
Off Peak Season
Apr 01 2027 -
Apr 30 2027
Apr 01 2027 -
Apr 30 2027
Youth Group Only
$15.00
Tent Only
$12.00
Standard Full Hook-Up
$20.00
Standard Electric
$20.00
Shelters
$30.00
Family Cabins Modern
$75.00-$100.00
($450.00-$600.00 Weekly**)
($450.00-$600.00 Weekly**)
Day-use Lodge
$50.00-$100.00
Peak Season
May 01 2027 -
Oct 15 2027
May 01 2027 -
Oct 15 2027
Youth Group Only
$15.00
Tent Only
$16.00
Standard Full Hook-Up
$36.00
Standard Electric
$24.00
Shelters
$30.00
Family Cabins Modern
$75.00-$100.00
($450.00-$600.00 Weekly**)
($450.00-$600.00 Weekly**)
Day-use Lodge
$50.00-$100.00
*Displayed rates do not reflect discounts, attribute fees (electrical hookups / water hookups), taxes or incremental charges
**Weekly rates may not be available for all sites
Getting There
GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude):
40.81583, -92.58833
40°48'57"N, 92°35'18"W
Four miles north of Bloomfield or fifteen miles south of Ottumwa on Highway 63, take 180th street west, go six miles to the town of Drakesville, continue west on 180th five miles, 180th turns into Eagle Blvd. Go one mile on Eagle Blvd and the entrance to the park is on the left.
40.81583, -92.58833
40°48'57"N, 92°35'18"W
Four miles north of Bloomfield or fifteen miles south of Ottumwa on Highway 63, take 180th street west, go six miles to the town of Drakesville, continue west on 180th five miles, 180th turns into Eagle Blvd. Go one mile on Eagle Blvd and the entrance to the park is on the left.
Nearby Parks
[18.47 miles*]
[32.62 miles*]
[32.89 miles*]
Visit
