New trail paves the way for more visitors at Wappapello Lake

WAPPAPELLO — Several popular trails traverse the landscape at Wappapello Lake, giving visitors multiple opportunities to enjoy the area.

“The diversity of trails here fits anybody’s needs. From horseback riding to the Ozark Trail, to Memory Lane at Greenville to the nature trails, it’s like a smorgasbord of trails for the public. The best thing about it is they are free,” said Park Ranger Andrew Jefferson.

Just recently, work began on a new section of trail, which will connect the Redman Creek East Campground, south of the dam, to the People’s Creek campground on the north side of the dam.

Wappapello Lake Operations Manager Bart Dearborn (right) talks with a contractor about the progress of a new section of trail being constructed across the face of the dam, which will connect existing trails on each end.DAR/Paul Davis

Ground was broken a couple weeks ago on the new section, Operations Manager Bart Dearborn said, and it is hoped the project will be completed by early summer. Weather will be the primary factor.

“With this project and the time of the year we’re dealing with, we’re getting the substructure in place and then it will depend on paving plants winding down their season … We’re saying early summer. It’s hard to say with the weather,” Dearborn noted.

Wappapello already has “a section of trail that goes from Redman East down here to the fish cleaning station and greenhouse. Then, it connects down toward the spillway, through the tubes under the highway and up to the visitor center,” Dearborn said.

A pair of visitors hikes and photographs fall colors along the paved trail between the Redman Creek East campground and the Redman Creek Recreation Area at Wappapello Lake. A new section of trail currently being constructed will tie recreation areas on the south end of the Wappapello dam to those on the north end.DAR/Paul Davis

Likewise, across the dam, there already is a section of trail connecting the People’s Creek Recreation Area to the Sundowner boat ramp area.

“Part of the goal here,” said Dearborn, “is to connect the trails and to create additional multi-purpose trails.”

The new section of trail, from the gatehouse area at Redman Creek to Eagle Point and on to Sundowner, will traverse the lake side of the dam and will add about one and a half miles to the one and a half already in place, Dearborn said.

Wappapello Lake Operations Manager Bart Dearborn looks at fall colors on a section of the paved trail near the Redman Creek east campground.DAR/Paul Davis

“From Eagle Point, it will run across the saddle dikes and over to Sundowner,” Dearborn said.

Just like the two sections already in place, the entire length of the new trail section will be paved.

Contracted crews currently are laying down a base layer of larger rock across the face of the dam, which will be covered with a 6-inch layer of chat before being paved with asphalt.

The trail, at 8-1/2 feet wide, will be “good for bicycling, walking or running,” said Park Ranger Rosie Lemons.

The total trail features varied terrain, from flatter sections on the People’s Creek end to large hills on the Redman Creek portion.

The existing sections of trail, Dearborn said, have seen good use by the public, and the new section tying them together “speaks to the public’s desire for additional trails.”

He expects the entire trail, once completed, to be popular with visitors.

“With the amount of use we’ve seen already, I think this addition is going to be great to provide even more access and more trails to the public,” Dearborn said.

In addition, the section crossing the dam, Dearborn added, will be perfect for viewing the annual Fourth of July fireworks display while keeping visitors safe from traffic along Highway T.

Lemons thinks the trail, once completed, will attract even more people to the lake.

“I think it will change the dynamics of this area. I really do,” she said. “I think you’ll see use shift to more bicyclists and see more people coming here for the day to ride and walk.”

“We’re definitely excited about what’s coming,” said Dearborn.

Until the new section of trail is finished, Jefferson said, other trails remain open to visitors, including the double-loop, one-half and three-quarter mile Pine Ridge Nature Trail below the dam, the one-mile Lost Creek Nature Trail with an additional half mile watchable wildlife loop, the five-mile Johnson Tract Natural Area Trail, the one-mile Memory Lane Historic Walk at Greenville, the 4.8-mile Greenville Pedestrian/Bicycle Trail and 33 miles of the Ozark Trail.