Spillway Recreation Area

SPILLWAY RECREATION AREA in MO — photo 4

Spillway Recreation Area

About this campsite

Overview

The Spillway Recreation Area's iconic outllet structure has delighted visitors to Wappapello Lake since 1937. Feeding the St. Francis River, the spillway banks are a favorite location for fisherman. A one lane boat ramp provides river access, the lower boat ramp area is also an ideal location for kayakers with easy bank access for launching. 11 picnic areas and 2 accessible picnic shelters are available for use year round. Each shelter has a large capacity grill, electricity, water fountains and water hydrants available, Shelter 4 has a large wood burning fireplace in the covered area. A 6 stall, accessible restroom is centrally located within the recreation area.

A sand volleyball court, large playground, horseshoe pits, cornhole boards and a Lake View Trailhead offer recreational opportunities for all ages and interests.

Click here to take a virtual tour of the facilities at Wappapello Lake!

Recreation

Boating and fishing are the most popular activities with largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, white bass and channel catfish, among other species.

Pine Ridge Natural Trail, a 3/4-mile double loop, starts at the Spillway Recreation Area and provides an excellent way to explore the beautiful woodlands.

Facilities

This day use area includes two large picnic shelters, 8 picnic sites, a volleyball court, playground, horseshoe pits and bank fishing.

Natural Features

Wappapello Lake has a seemingly endless string of secluded coves hugged by a winding, wooded shoreline. The public recreation area spans 45,000 acres in the southeastern Ozark foothills.

Contact Info

This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (573) 222-7500.

Nearby Attractions

The extensive 33-mile Ozark Trail, starts just south of Sam A. Baker State Park and winds along the west side of the St. Francis River and Wappapello Lake.

Location

SPILLWAY RECREATION AREA•MO

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Weather Forecast

via Open-Meteo

TUE☁️

30° / 13°

—

WED☁️

33° / 16°

💧 3%

THU☁️

34° / 22°

💧 19%

FRI🌦️

23° / 20°

💧 51%

SAT🌦️

21° / 19°

💧 51%

Nearby Campsites

within 50km

200m away

REDMAN CREEK RECREATION AREA

Overview Redman Creek offers a variety of recreational opportunities for every visitor! This large park is an ideal place for just a day visit or an extended stay. Redman Creek Campground features 109 full service campsites in the Redman East and West Campground. Each campground loop has a playground and shower house. As of 2025, recent campground improvements at Redman East include newly paved campsites which include a picnic table, lantern post, and fire pit. Enjoy the scenic view along the Lake View Trail, this multi-use trail is a hiker, biker or walkers dream. Beginning at Redman East Campground, the trail connects the entire Wappapello Dam area featuring multiple trailheads with unique landscapes. A tennis court, basketball court, sand volleyball court and playground are available for use year-round. A family picnic or a day of grilling are easy at one of 17 picnic sites or 4 reservable group shelters. An accessible fishing pier, 4-lane boat ramp with courtesy dock and a seasonal swimming beach provide a multitude of water recreation opportunities. Click here to take a virtual tour of the facilities at Wappapello Lake! Recreation Wappapello Lake can be a boater's paradise with a string of secluded coves, islands and wooded shorelines. Hunting, fishing and kayaking are popular activities year-round. Hiking and biking on one of the Lake's 9 trail systems provides opportunities for all ages and abilities. Shell Lake Archery Trail is a unique destination for archery enthusiasts. Facilities The day-use portion of Redman Creek includes the visitor center, four picnic shelters, basketball, volleyball, and tennis courts, horseshoe pits and more. The campground portion provides 109 full service campsites with 50-AMP electric, water and sewer hookups in addition to six non-electric boat-in island camp sites. Natural Features Wappapello Lake is fed by the St. Francis River and boasts 8,400 acres on a whopping 45,000-acre expanse of public land in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains. Contact Info Between 04/02/2026 and 10/28/2026 this location is staffed. Please call (573) 222-8233 to speak with local staff. From 11/03/2025 to 04/01/2026 this location is unstaffed. Please call (573) 778-5404 for general information. Nearby Attractions Explore the nearby Pine Ridge Nature trail, Shell Lake Archery Trail and Wappapllo Wildflower Trail and Greenhouse areas or St. Francis River. The Mingo Wildlife Refuge is approximately 11.6 miles from Redman Creek Recreation Area. The Lake Wappapello State Park is approximately 17 miles away, and the Sam A. Baker State park is 34 miles away from Redman Creek Recreation Area.

1.1 km away

EAGLE POINT RECREATION AREA

Overview Eagle Point day-use area provides a beautiful and grassy setting near the dam on Wappapello Lake. The park offers an accessible picnic shelter accommodating up to 80 guests, making it an ideal location for a large gathering of friends and family. Click here to take a virtual tour of the facilities at Wappapello Lake. Recreation Wappapello Lake can be a boater's paradise with a string of secluded coves, islands and wooded shorelines. Hunting, fishing and kayaking are popular activities year-round. Hiking and biking on one of the Lake's 9 trail systems provides opportunities for all ages and abilities. The Shell Lake Archery Trail is a unique destination for achery enthusiasts. Facilities The accessible picnic shelter fits 80 guests. The area includes a scenic overlook, volleyball court and flush toilets. From the bluff, an extended platform overlooks the lake -- a popular location for small wedding ceremonies (permit required). The Lake View trail can be accessed here with options to go across the dam or visit Peoples Creek. The restroom and picnic areas were replaced in 2021 Natural Features Wappapello Lake is fed by the St. Francis River and boasts 8,400 surface-acres on a whopping 45,000-acre expanse of public land, in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains. Contact Info For facility specific information, please call (573) 222-7500. Nearby Attractions Explore the nearby Pine Ridge Nature trail, Shell Lake Archery Trail and Wappapllo Wildflower Trail and Greenhouse areas or St. Francis River. The Mingo Wildlife Refuge is approximately 10.8 miles from Eagle Point Recreation Area. The Lake Wappapello State Park is approximately 17 miles away, and the Sam A. Baker State park is 34 miles away from Eagle Point Recreation Area. The Bill Emerson Memorial Visitor Center--located near the gatehouse, south of the dam-- offers more information on the area as well as recreation.

2.4 km away

PEOPLES CREEK

Overview People's Creek Recreation Area, located in the southeastern Ozark foothills of Missouri, is a great launchpad for boating, fishing, swimming, hiking or simply exploring the Wappapello Lake area. Completed in 1941, Wappapello Lake provides an estimated $3.9 million in annual flood protection to agricultural lands and developed areas along the St. Francis River. A peaceful cove offers endless recreation opportunities with 57 campsites, a picnic shelter, beach, accessible fishing pier, and Lake View Trail. Click here to take a virtual tour of the facilities at Wappapello Lake. Recreation People's Creek is ideally suited for swimming and boating activities. The lake is home to some of Missouri's most sought after game fish, including largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, white bass and channel catfish. Hunting, fishing and kayaking are popular activities year-round. Hiking and biking on one of the Lake's 9 trail systems provides opportunities for all ages and abilities. The new accessible Shell Lake Archery Trail is a unique destination for achery enthusiasts. Facilities The day-use portion of People's Creek includes a two-lane boat ramp with courtesy dock, an accessible fishing pier, swimming beach and large picnic shelter. The campground portion has an upper and lower campground. The lower area offers 38 sites with 50-amp electric and water hookups. Peoples Creek Lower section is the only campground at Wappapepello Lake with waterfront campsites. A large sandy mooring area is available for campers. The upper area has 19 full-service campsites with 50-amp electric, water and sewer hookups. Natural Features Wappapello Lake stretches 8,400 acres on 45,000 acres of public land. Lightly wooded shorelines add shade to the scenic landscape. Nearby Attractions Explore the nearby Pine Ridge Nature trail, Shell Lake Archery Trail and Wappapllo Wildflower Trail and Greenhouse areas or St. Francis River. The Mingo Wildlife Refuge is approximately 11.5 miles from Peoples Creek Recreation Area. The Lake Wappapello State Park is approximately 18.2 miles away, and the Sam A. Baker State park is 33.4 miles away from Peoples Creek Recreation Area. Contact Info Between 05/06/2026 and 09/28/2026 this location is staffed. Please call (573) 222-8234 to speak with local staff. From 09/02/2025 to 05/05/2026 this location is unstaffed. Please call (573) 778-5404 for general information.