Cabin accommodations near Wappapello Lake range from primitive to full-service units, with most properties situated along the Meramec River. The region sits at elevations between 600-1,000 feet above sea level with humid continental climate patterns that produce hot summers and mild winters. Frost typically occurs from late October through early April, making cabins particularly popular during shoulder seasons when tent camping becomes less comfortable.
What to do
Cave exploration: 45-minute tours at Meramec State Park Campground include access to Fisher Cave. "Pay the extra for the caves tour! Down the road there's an old iron foundry and a historic cemetery to explore," notes a visitor who rated the experience 5 stars.
Ropes course activities: 2-3 hours at Ozark Outdoors-Riverfront Resort provide aerial challenges. "My family also enjoy the Floating Trees ropes course. It was supposed to be about 2 hours but the instructors let them go an extra 45 minutes without anyone feeling rushed," reports a camper.
Floating trips: Various lengths from 5-mile routes to full-day excursions. A regular visitor to Blue Spring Ranch states, "We average 3-4 trips a year here! We love it and the 5 mile float is the perfect amount of time on the river!"
What campers like
Concrete pad sites: Level parking at Meramec State Park Campground provides stable foundations for cabin campers. "Great concrete slab sights with River and hiking trails close by!" notes a reviewer who appreciates the practical layout.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Natural habitats attract diverse species around cabin sites. "The State Park has a great canopy of trees located next to a stream as a setting for the campground that bounds with wildlife. We saw deer and raccoons here that entered our campsite," reports one visitor.
Peaceful off-season stays: Significantly reduced crowds during spring and fall. A camper at Washington State Park Campground shared, "Washington State Park is a hidden gem in Missouri! We camped in mid-March 2021 for 7 days and thoroughly enjoyed the area."
What you should know
Limited connectivity: Cell service and internet unreliable at many cabin sites. A camper at Meramec State Park noted, "The cell phone service is virtually non-existent. We had planned to work from here and had to cut our visit short."
Seasonal closures: Flooding impacts river-adjacent cabins. "The only reason I didn't rate it 5 stars is because sometimes the park closes or they have to evacuate due to the quick rise of the river. Easy fix though, just call ahead to see if they're open," advises a regular visitor.
Variable shower conditions: Facility maintenance differs between properties. At Bass' River Resort, a camper reported, "The showers and bathroom house was walking distance from our camp but unfortunately a few of the showers on the female side didn't work and all were extremely dirty."
Tips for camping with families
Book buddy sites: Request adjacent cabins with shared central space. "We enjoyed the buddy sites so that our front doors faced our friends and the hookups were on the outside of each campsite. They also had group buddy sites that allowed four rigs to all front doors to face each other," explains a visitor at Ozark Outdoors-Riverfront Resort.
Check playground access: Not all properties have play equipment. A camper with children noted at Hummingbird Hollow Outdoors Farm Sanctuary, "Lots of animals on this farm sanctuary to keep you entertained. 4 beautiful, big rustic sites!"
Consider proximity to bathroom facilities: Long walks challenging with young children. "Bathhouse is close by maybe a 100 yard walk. Pretty clean and maintained. $0.50 cents for 5 min on showers," reports a Bass' River Resort visitor describing cabins near facilities.
Tips from RVers
Request end or corner sites: More privacy available at certain locations. "We chose an electric site towards the back to avoid most people. I was pregnant and they had already winterized the back bathroom/shower house but opened up a room for me to use so I didn't have to shlep my belly all the way across the grounds," shares a visitor at Ozark Outdoors-Riverfront Resort.
Check hookup proximity: Utility layouts vary significantly. A camper at Pin Oak RV Park reported, "The sites are level, and there is plenty of shade. (One advantage of being an older park.) But everything is just a little run down. The sites are gravel and close together do not much privacy."
Verify leveling requirements: Some sites require significant adjustment. "Our site was on a slope, some are close to a road, choose carefully," advises a visitor about uneven terrain at some cabin sites.
