Can you reserve a site at Spillway Recreation Area?

Yes, Spillway Recreation Area is reservable through Recreation.gov.

Are pets allowed at Spillway Recreation Area?

Yes, pets are allowed at Spillway Recreation Area.

Spillway Recreation Area, Missouri — 2 sites, fees and cancellation alerts

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.

The facts

2 bookable sites
2 sites for day use only
1 accessible site
Up to 80 people per site
Loops: SPILLWAY REC

Site types

2 Group Shelter Electric

Amenities

Electric hookups
Water hookups
Picnic tables
Grills
Shade
Pets allowed

Not recorded upstream: sewer hookups, campfires allowed, fire pits.

Book on Recreation.gov

2 campsites at Spillway Recreation Area

Check-in 8:00 AM · Check-out 10:00 PM

Accessible only

Site	Loop	Type	Entry	Surface	Max rig	People
S04	SPILLWAY REC	Group Shelter Electric	—	Paved	—	80	♿ 🐾
S06	SPILLWAY REC	Group Shelter Electric	—	—	—	60	🐾

Getting there

From St. Louis, Missouri: Take I-55 South to US Highway 67 South to State Highway D (located just South of Greenville, Missouri). Take State Highway D south for 20 miles to State Highway T. Cross Wappapello Dam and take the first left onto a paved road and watch for signs.

From Poplar Bluff, Missouri: Take US Highway 60 East to State Highway T North. Go North on State Highway T for 22 miles and watch for signs.

36.92609, -90.28306 · 36°55'33.9"N 90°16'59.0"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 88°F in Jul, down to 42°F in Jan.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	42	47	56	68	76	85	88	87	81	69	56	45
Low °F	24	28	37	46	57	65	69	67	60	47	36	28
Precip in	3.8	3.5	5.0	5.4	5.6	4.0	4.4	3.5	3.6	3.8	4.7	4.2

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 0.2 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Fees and stay limits

Group Shelter Electric ($50.00)

From Recreation.gov, which is not always current. The operator's own page is the authority on what you will be charged.

Common questions about Spillway Recreation Area

Can you reserve a site at Spillway Recreation Area?: Yes, Spillway Recreation Area is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Spillway Recreation Area have?: 2 sites.
Are pets allowed at Spillway Recreation Area?: Yes, pets are allowed at Spillway Recreation Area.
Does Spillway Recreation Area have hookups?: Electric, Water.

Camping near Spillway Recreation Area

Redman Creek Recreation Area 0.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
Eagle Point Recreation Area 0.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
Peoples Creek 1.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
Snow Creek Campground 5.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
Greenville Recreation Area 15.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
Markham Springs 17.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
Fuchs House 18 mi · Campground · we watch it
Pinewoods Lake Rec Area 27.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
Mingo Wilderness 7.9 mi · Facility
Hendrickson Boat Launch 10.7 mi · Facility
Markham Springs Recreation Area 18.2 mi · Campground
Pinewoods Lake Recreation Area 27.1 mi · Campground

Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.

Spillway Recreation Area