Lake Wapello State Park, IA

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White Oak Lake in Shimek State Forest, Farmington, Iowa
White Oak Lake in Shimek State Forest, Farmington, Iowa - Iowauniguy, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Today’s Forecast:

☀
72°F
High: 72° | Low: 58°
Current Temperature
Mostly Clear
Station: KTVK
Observed at: 2:15 pm CDT on 9/26/26
Wind: 10 mph | Humidity: 69%
This Afternoon:A slight chance of rain showers before 5pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 65. Southeast wind around 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Tonight:A slight chance of rain showers between 8pm and 10pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. East southeast wind 3 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Sunday:A chance of rain showers before noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 71. East southeast wind around 3 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
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Today’s Report:

🛶 Paddling

Use Caution
  45 /100

Use Caution for paddling. High near 70°F. Risk of rain later today (38%).

  • Temp: Favorable conditions
  • Rain: Marginal weather factor
  • Wind: Favorable conditions
  • Thunderstorm: Favorable conditions
Tomorrow's Outlook:
Excellent 100/100
Excellent for paddling. High near 70°F. Low rain risk (3%).

⛺ Camping

Use Caution
  47 /100

Use Caution for camping. High near 70°F. Risk of rain later today (38%).

  • Temp: Favorable conditions
  • Rain: Marginal weather factor
  • Wind: Favorable conditions
  • Thunderstorm: Favorable conditions
Tomorrow's Outlook:
Excellent 100/100
Excellent for camping. High near 70°F. Low rain risk (3%).

🥾 Hiking

Use Caution
  47 /100

Use Caution for hiking. High near 70°F. Risk of rain later today (38%).

  • Temp: Favorable conditions
  • Rain: Marginal weather factor
  • Wind: Favorable conditions
  • Thunderstorm: Favorable conditions
Tomorrow's Outlook:
Excellent 100/100
Excellent for hiking. High near 70°F. Low rain risk (3%).

About Lake Wapello State Park

Lake Wapello State Park is a wooded southeast Iowa lake destination with a beach, paddling, cabins, campground, shoreline walks, and family day-use areas.

Make the Most of a Lake Wapello State Park Day

Morning usually offers the calmest paddling and coolest trails. Check beach and water notices, and expect wooded campsites to stay damp and buggy after heavy summer rain.

Weather Tips for Lake Wapello State Park

  • For Lake Wapello State Park, check temperature, wind, rain timing, and thunderstorm potential before choosing the day’s route.
  • Wind, waves, current, water temperature, and lightning should guide water plans more than sunshine alone.
  • Check overnight lows, wet ground, drainage, and the nearest substantial shelter before settling into camp.
  • Open-country wind and summer humidity can make biking and hiking feel harder than the mileage suggests.

Nearby Towns and Areas

This page can also be useful when planning outdoor time near:

  • Drakesville
  • Bloomfield
  • Davis County
  • Soap Creek
  • Lake Fisher
  • Ottumwa
  • Eldon
  • Shimek State Forest region

Plan Around the Conditions

Use the forecast to choose the best version of a Lake Wapello State Park day. Match wind, storm timing, water levels, trail surfaces, road conditions, and temperature to the activity that gives your group the safest and most comfortable plan.

7-Day Forecast for Lake Wapello State Park

☀
72°F
High: 72° | Low: 58°
Current Temperature
Mostly Clear
Station: KTVK
Observed at: 2:15 pm CDT on 9/26/26
Wind: 10 mph | Humidity: 69%
Sat 🌧
65° 58°
21%
Sun 🌧
71° 59°
38%
Mon ⛅
73° 59°
3%
Tue ⛈
73° 65°
57%
Wed 🌧
72° 64°
81%
Thu ⛈
72° 57°
72%
Fri ⛈
69° 56°
43%

7-Day High Temperature Trend

65° Sat 71° Sun 73° Mon 73° Tue 72° Wed 72° Thu 69° Fri

7-Day Low Temperature Trend

58° Sat 59° Sun 59° Mon 65° Tue 64° Wed 57° Thu 56° Fri

📊 7-Day Outdoor Outlook

Good Fair Poor 100 Sat 95 Sun 100 Mon 65 Tue 93 Wed 21 Thu 22 Fri
Forecast data from the National Weather Service  |  Last Updated: September 26, 2026 10:34 pm CDT

Lake Wapello State Park Weather by Season

Winter

Winter at Lake Wapello State Park brings cold, wind chill, snow, and freeze-thaw ice. Lake or river ice should never be judged from air temperature alone; use local access guidance. Check road and facility status before a long drive.

Spring

Spring around Lake Wapello State Park is changeable, with rain, muddy surfaces, rising waterways, and severe thunderstorms. Verify current, levels, ramps, and launch conditions before putting on the water. Lightning, hail, and strong wind can arrive well ahead of a rain core.

Summer

Summer days at Lake Wapello State Park are often warm and humid, with strong sun, mosquitoes, and afternoon thunderstorm potential. Morning commonly offers calmer water and a larger margin before storms. Ventilate tents and keep a dry shelter plan for overnight storms.

Fall

Fall is often one of the most comfortable seasons at Lake Wapello State Park, with lower humidity, cooler nights, and changing color. Water cools faster than the air, so paddlers and boaters should dress for immersion risk. Watch for harvest traffic on rural roads and hunting activity near public lands.

Key Climate Data Points

  • Annual average temperature: around 49–53°F depending on latitude based on the surrounding Iowa region.
  • Annual snowfall: generally 20–40 inches, increasing toward northeast Iowa, with meaningful year-to-year variation.
  • Warmest months: June through August are typically warmest, with July often bringing the highest heat and humidity.
  • Coolest months: December through February are coldest, and January commonly has the strongest winter chill.
  • Wettest season: late spring and early summer usually brings the greatest rainfall and thunderstorm frequency.
  • Driest season: winter is normally driest, although snow, ice, and frozen ground still affect plans.
  • Best outdoor window: late May through September for water activities, with fall strong for trails.