Peoples Creek

People's Creek Recreation Area, in the southeastern Ozark foothills of Missouri, is a great launchpad for boating, fishing, swimming, hiking or simply exploring the Wappapello Lake area. A peaceful cove offers 57 campsites, a picnic shelter, beach, accessible fishing pier and the Lake View Trail. 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. People's Creek is ideally suited for swimming and boating. The lake is home to some of Missouri's most sought-after game fish, including largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, white bass and channel catfish, and hunting, fishing and kayaking are popular year-round. Hiking and biking on one of the lake's nine trail systems provides opportunities for all ages and abilities, and the new accessible Shell Lake Archery Trail is a unique destination for archery enthusiasts. The day-use portion includes a two-lane boat ramp with courtesy dock, an accessible fishing pier, a swimming beach and a large picnic shelter. The campground has an upper and a lower section. The lower area offers 38 sites with 50-amp electric and water hookups and is the only campground at Wappapello Lake with waterfront campsites; a large sandy mooring area is available for campers. The upper area has 19 full-service sites with 50-amp electric, water and sewer hookups. Wappapello Lake stretches 8,400 acres on 45,000 acres of public land, its lightly wooded shorelines adding shade to the scenic landscape. Nearby are the Pine Ridge Nature Trail, the Shell Lake Archery Trail, the Wappapello Wildflower Trail and greenhouse areas, and the St. Francis River. Mingo Wildlife Refuge is about 11.5 miles away, Lake Wappapello State Park about 18.2 miles, and Sam A. Baker State Park 33.4 miles.