Southeastern Missouri offers a mix of wooded sites and lakeside camping opportunities for visitors to Williamsville. Most campsites in the region sit at elevations between 400-600 feet, with the St. Francois Mountains providing natural boundaries. Summer temperatures frequently exceed 90°F from June through August, with nighttime lows typically staying above 65°F.
What to do
Boating and fishing access: Lake Wappapello provides multiple entry points for water activities through campground boat ramps. At Asher Creek Campground, "The lake is great to swim in - very clean bottom and not slimy at all. We did take our kayaks and paddled around a little but mostly stayed on beaches and swam." Another visitor noted the "boat launch and floating dock are just a short walk from any camp site" at Pinewoods Lake.
Historical exploration: Greenville Recreation Area contains remnants of a town relocated after dam construction. "The campsite is actually located in the area of Old Greenville. The city was moved when the Corps of Engineers built Wappapello Dam and this area was flooded. There are still old foundations of the court house and various homes. There are also markers telling the history of the area."
Hiking trails: The area features moderate hiking with routes connecting to larger trail systems. Sam A. Baker State Park "has some backcountry trails with backcountry campsites and is near the Ozark Trail." Visitors appreciate the "1.3 mile paved trail along the lake" at Pinewoods Lake Rec Area for easier walking options.
What campers like
Lakefront sites: Campers value the proximity to water at many Williamsville area campgrounds. At Asher Creek Campground, "My group and I camped in two of the basic sites in Asher Creek campground and we couldn't get enough of the front-row lake view!" Sites along water provide both recreational access and scenic views.
Privacy between campsites: Despite being established campgrounds, many locations offer good separation between sites. Pinewoods Lake Recreation Area features "nice little campground with sites well spaced out and most are level." Another camper mentioned "nice and peaceful, great company with total strangers on the next site over. Campsites are spaced out nicely."
Clean facilities: Several campgrounds maintain well-kept restrooms and shower facilities. At Holliday Landing Campground, visitors find the campground "super clean and well taken care of. The spaces are not on top of eachother and offer very easy back in parking with proper choices on hookups." One camper at Asher Creek noted "everyone in the campground is only a short walk from the cleanest park restrooms I've ever seen."
What you should know
Seasonal operation: Many campgrounds in the area have limited operational seasons. Peoples Creek at Lake Wappapello operates year-round, while Greenville Recreation Area runs from "Apr 1 - Nov 18" annually. Several other facilities close during winter months.
Cell service limitations: While some campgrounds maintain reliable connectivity, many have restricted service. At Holliday Landing, there is "no wi-fi" available to campers. Another review for Greenville Recreation Area noted, "Cell service was adequate but not great."
Firewood availability: Access to firewood varies between campgrounds. Pinewoods Lake Recreation Area has "plenty of wood laying all over the place, when the management team cut trees down they leave them there for campers to use." Other campgrounds like Sam A. Baker State Park sell "reasonably priced firewood" through camp stores.
Insect awareness: Tick populations can be significant during warm months. One camper at Pinewoods Lake reported "a lot of ticks! They are easy to spot on my white dog but I have to do a tick check every time he goes outside, and I always find some. Avoid the vegetation and you'll see less."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Some campgrounds offer dedicated play areas for children. Redman Creek Recreation Area has "a playground in the middle by the shower house" with facilities that allow parents to "keep an eye on your kid" while at their sites. The campground also holds special events for families.
Swimming beaches: Designated swimming areas provide safer water access for children. Peoples Creek at Lake Wappapello offers "a public swimming beach and boat ramps located at the entrance. In addition, there is a private beach area (not for swimming) where you can pull your boat up if you are a patron of the campground."
Off-season visitation: For families seeking quieter experiences, consider camping outside peak summer months. At Sam A. Baker State Park, "Even during the last weekend of September, it was hot out, so we were glad there were plenty of trees around." Fall camping often means "very pretty in the fall with the colors along the lake" at Pinewoods Lake.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling needs: RV campers should prepare for variable site conditions. At Peoples Creek, "Our original site was extremely unlevel but thankfully we were able to get into a level one last minute." Another camper advised to "bring plenty of blocks" for leveling at some locations.
Hookup variations: Electric, water and sewer connections differ across campgrounds. Camelot RV Campground provides "full hookups at $35" with "gravel, fairly level" sites and "hook ups were conveniently located and in great condition." Other campgrounds may only offer electric or partial hookups.
Campground navigation: Some campgrounds present challenges for larger vehicles. At Peoples Creek, "if towing anything over 35' be careful when navigation. The twisty turns will grab your stabilizers and bumper if you're not very careful." Roads within campgrounds vary from paved to gravel.
