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.

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

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.

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

Important Notices

• Don't Move Firewood: Protect your forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. Visit Dontmovefirewood.org for further information.
• Existing day use shelter reservations may be cancelled by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers if the facility is closed due to flooding, elevated security threats, maintenance problems, etc. Reservations may also be cancelled when the reservation conflicts with large public special events that would negatively impact a private event at the shelter. For these reasons, customers should consider an alternate date or location in the event a closure is necessary. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

• Peoples Creek Day Use Area and Peoples Lower Campgrounds are located adjacent to Wappapello Lake, because of this some campsites or amenities may be unavailable during high water events. For more information about lake levels you may contact the Lake Management Office at (573) 222-8562 or the Lake Information Hotline at (573) 222-8139.  

• Attention All Recreation Users: If you would like to hold an event or wedding at any of the project’s day use shelters, boat ramps, or any recreation area please call or visit the USACE Wappapello Lake project office to obtain the special use or event permit REQUIRED.

  These permits are required if you are hosting: a large gathering greater than 50 people, fishing tournaments, 5k’s, weddings, use of a bounce house/water slide of any kind, ETC.

   Please note that if events are held that require, but do not possess a special use or special event permit may be subject to a WRITTEN CITATION. Per Title 36 CFR 327.21(a) 

  If you are planning on hosting an event and it does not fall under these specific criteria, please contacting with the USACE Wappapello Lake Project Office at 1(573) 222-8562 or messaging us on our Facebook page. 

Available Activities

• Swimming Site - Swimming Site
• Camping - Camping
• Boating - Boating
• Biking - Biking
• Day Use Area - Day Use Area
• Fishing - Fishing
• Picnicking - Picnicking
• Swimming - Swimming
• Water Access - Water Access
• Kayaking - Kayaking
• Water Activities - Water Activities

Directions

From St. Louis: take I-55 South to Highway 67. Head south to D Highway. Take D Highway South for about 15 miles and look for signs. <br /><br /> From Poplar Bluff: Take Hwy 60 East to Highway T. Then take Highway T North and look for signs.

Contact Information

Phone: 573-222-8234

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip