Redman Creek

Redman Creek Recreation Area offers excellent water access to 45,000-acre Wappapello Lake, a large reservoir nestled in the Ozark foothills on the St. Francis River in southeast Missouri. The facility features a **4-lane boat ramp with courtesy dock**, making it well-suited for launching kayaks, canoes, and larger boats. Additional amenities include an accessible fishing pier, seasonal swimming beach, and 17 picnic areas, providing plenty of support for a full day of paddling or boating.

The recreation area is part of a larger campground with 109 full-service campsites available for reservation through Recreation.gov (full hookup sites at $28/night as of 2025). Day-use facilities are also available. For planning purposes, note that the site is located near Wappapello in Wayne County, MO. Contact the facility at 573-222-8233 for current conditions, seasonal hours, and any access updates. The nearby Mingo National Wildlife Refuge offers additional exploration opportunities for paddlers interested in scenic, wildlife-rich paddling.

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...

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. 

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