Physical Location
Location Address
15356 Campground Road
Drakesville, IA 52552
Areas Served
Phone(s)
Park Alerts & Notices
For current closures or important information please visit, Park Alerts and Notices.
About the Park
Named after the famous Native American Chief Wapello, Lake Wapello State Park boasts a variety of outdoor opportunities. More than 1,000 acres of beautiful wooded hillsides offer scenic picnic areas, and the lake provides a relaxing atmosphere for activities such as canoeing, kayaking and fishing.
The Lake Wapello beach house was built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corp and its pueblo style architecture makes it one of the most unique buildings in the state park system.
Plan Your Visit
- Hike the seven-mile Lake Shore Trail, winding around the lake and through the park. A nature trail is located on the north side of the park and cross-country skiing and snowmobiling are popular activities in the winter on designated trails.
- Boat or Swim at Lake Wapello, featuring one of the best sand beaches in southern Iowa. A large beach house is located near the lake, and boats may be operated at speeds up to 5 mph.
- Fish for bluegill, red ear sunfish, channel catfish and more at Lake Wapello. Largemouth bass are catch-and-release only. Fishing jetties, universally accessible piers and the shoreline provide great fishing opportunities for anglers of all ages. The lake’s underwater reefs, sunken cedar trees and spawning beds create healthy fish habitats.
- Stay overnight in one of 13 family cabins or at the park’s campground. One cabin is ADA accessible. All cabins can sleep up to four people and contain a restroom, shower, stove and oven, microwave and a refrigerator. Two cabins are open year-round and the other cabins are available from April through October. Lake Wapello’s campground contains full hook-up, electric and non-electric sites near the lake with modern showers and restrooms nearby. One-fourth of the campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis and advance campsite reservations can be made through the online reservation system for Lake Wapello State Park.
- Reserve an open shelter for an outdoor gathering during your visit. The shelters offers beautiful views of Lake Wapello and can be reserved through the online reservation system for Lake Wapello State Park.
Concessions
The Lake Wapello Beach & Boat House's concession services are available from noon to 7 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend. For more information call 614-722-3475.
Services and items available include:
- Boat rental (paddleboats, SUPs, canoes, kayaks, row boats)
- Firewood
- Snack-type food (ice cream, pop, candy, etc.)
- Bait and tackle sales
- Convenience store items (paper products, charcoal, ice, etc.)
- Beach-type toys
Amenities at a Glance
- Hiking trails
- Playground
- Swimming beach
- Boat ramp
- Universally accessible fishing pier
- Fishing jetty
- Fish cleaning station
- Shelters ; ADA accessible
- Modern restroom
- Showers
- Modern family cabins
- Electric campsites
- Full hook-up campsites
- Tent only campsites
- Youth group only campsites
- Dump station