🌤 Weather at Lake Wapello State Park by season
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30–72 °F | 62–86 °F | 31–77 °F | 15–37 °F |
Each range runs from the coldest monthly average low to the warmest monthly average high in that season (1991-2020 climate normals), measured at Bloomfield, 10 mi away, elevation 858 ft. Conditions at the park can differ from the station, especially where elevation differs — check a forecast before you go.
Lake Wapello State Park is a public state park in Iowa near Drakesville in Davis County. Spanning more than 1,000 wooded acres, it centers on a 289-acre no-wake lake with a CCC beach house and 13 cabins on the shore.
Quick Facts
| State | Iowa |
| Nearest City | Drakesville |
| County | Davis County |
| Park Size | more than 1,000 acres |
| Google Rating | ⭐ 4.5/5 (400 reviews) |
Location & Getting There
Lake Wapello State Park is located near Drakesville, Iowa. The park’s coordinates are 40.8152, -92.5825.
Things to Do
Lake Wapello is a 289-acre lake, 35 feet at its deepest, held to no-wake speed for every boat — which keeps the water calm for the concession’s pedal boats, canoes, kayaks, paddleboards and rowboats (weekends noon to 7, Memorial Day through Labor Day). The DNR calls the sand beach “one of the best sand beaches in southern Iowa,” and it is anchored by the park’s showpiece: a Pueblo-style beach house complex built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s — lodge, open shelter, changing rooms, boat rental and a breezeway deck over the water — that the DNR describes as the largest such complex in Iowa’s state parks. The CCC camp worked here from 1933 to 1938.
Anglers fish for bluegill, redear sunfish and channel catfish (nearly 3,000 catfish stocked in fall 2024 alone), with black crappie and hybrid stripers in the mix; largemouth bass are catch-and-release only. Jetties, an accessible pier, an accessible shoreline and a fish-cleaning station near the main ramp make it a low-hassle place to fish from land. The 7-mile Lake Shore Trail circles the lake through the park’s thousand-plus wooded acres, with a separate nature trail on the north side; in winter the trails go to cross-country skiers and snowmobilers on the designated routes.
Best Time to Visit
The campground closes November 1 through March 31, and the concession runs only summer weekends, so Memorial Day to Labor Day is the full-service season. April and late October bring off-peak camping rates and empty trails; two of the thirteen cabins stay open year-round, which makes a winter weekend on the lake possible even with the campground shut.
Visitor Tips
The campground has 23 tent-only sites ($16 in peak season, $12 off-peak), 34 electric sites ($24) and 15 full-hookup sites ($36; $20 off-peak), with modern showers and a dump station — reservations required at iowastateparks.reserveamerica.com. The 13 modern family cabins sleep four with bath, shower and a kitchen (stove, microwave, fridge) for $75–$100 a night or $450–$600 a week, bookable 12 months ahead; one is ADA-accessible, and two operate year-round while the rest run April through October — as of September 2026. The day-use lodge and two open shelters with lake views rent for events.
The park is at 15356 Campground Road, Drakesville, in Davis County in south-central Iowa. For a second CCC-era lake park within an easy drive, Lacey-Keosauqua State Park lies to the east on the Des Moines River.
Fees, seasons and facility details verified against iowadnr.gov on September 2, 2026. Fees change — confirm before you travel.
Explore More Iowa State Parks
Lake Wapello State Park is one of many outstanding state parks in Iowa. Discover more parks in our Best State Parks in Iowa guide, or use our Park Finder to search by activity, location, or features.
Wildlife & Nature
Lake Wapello SP — more than 1,000 acres on Lake Wapello (289 acres). The park’s lake, mixed hardwood forest, and prairie support bald eagles, wild turkeys, and white-tailed deer. Muskie, walleye, and largemouth bass provide excellent fishing. Muskie are the most prized freshwater game fish in North America.
Nearby Attractions
Drakesville — adjacent. Ottumwa — 20 miles north.
Make it a road trip: Pair a visit with Sharon Bluffs State Park (a short drive away) or Honey Creek State Park (within about an hour’s drive).
⛺ Camping at Lake Wapello State Park: Campgrounds & Cabins
| Campsites | 73 sites — Tent Only 23 sites, Standard Electric 34 sites, Standard Full Hook-Up 15 sites (20/30/50 amp), and Youth Group Only 1 site. Full hook-up back-in sites to 50 ft. Modern shower facilities; both modern restrooms and pit/vault toilets. |
|---|---|
| Cabins & Lodging | 13 family cabins (modern); 2 cabins are open year-round, the rest available April through October. |
| Pets | Pets allowed at all campsite types. |
| Reservations | 100% reservable at iowastateparks.reserveamerica.com or (877) 427-2757. |
| Special sites | Trailer dump station on site; drive-in, walk-in and boat-in camping options; ADA-accessible fishing piers; Lakeshore Trail circles the entire lake. |
| Season notes | Campground closed November 1 - March 31. |
Camping questions about Lake Wapello State Park
Can you camp at Lake Wapello State Park?
Yes. Lake Wapello State Park has 73 campsites. Tent Only 23 sites, Standard Electric 34 sites, Standard Full Hook-Up 15 sites (20/30/50 amp), and Youth Group Only 1 site. Full hook-up back-in sites to 50 ft. Modern shower facilities; both modern restrooms and pit/vault toilets.
How do you reserve a campsite at Lake Wapello State Park?
100% reservable at iowastateparks.reserveamerica.com or (877) 427-2757.
Are there cabins at Lake Wapello State Park?
13 family cabins (modern); 2 cabins are open year-round, the rest available April through October.
Are pets allowed at the Lake Wapello State Park campground?
Pets allowed at all campsite types.
Source: iowadnr.gov (verified July 2026). Details change seasonally — confirm when booking.
🐾 Dogs & Pets at Lake Wapello State Park
- Pets allowed? statewide rule
- Pets are allowed in Iowa state parks and recreation areas, including trails and campgrounds, but must be kept on a leash of six feet or less or confined.
- Leash rule statewide rule
- Leash or chain not to exceed 6 feet, led or carried by the owner, or confined
- Beaches & swim areas statewide rule
- Animals are prohibited within designated beach areas statewide
- Cabins & lodging statewide rule
- Only dogs or assistive animals are allowed in designated dog-friendly cabins/yurts (limit two dogs); all other cabins are pet-free; dogs must be kenneled if left unattended inside
- Statewide exceptions statewide rule
- Hunting dogs in designated hunting areas during season are exempt from the leash rule; pets may not be left unattended in campgrounds
Are dogs allowed at Lake Wapello State Park?
Pets are allowed in Iowa state parks and recreation areas, including trails and campgrounds, but must be kept on a leash of six feet or less or confined. Individual parks can post stricter rules — check signage on arrival.
Rules verified July 2026 via iowadnr.gov. More: Iowa state parks guide · Dog rules in all 50 states compared
Park Location
Plan your gear for Lake Wapello State Park
From our editorial guides, matched to this park’s activities:
