JEFFERSON CITY, MO, JULY 6, 2022 —  ExplorUS, formally Ortega National Parks, a hospitality management company operating in parks across the country, will manage lodging and limited retail operations in Lake Wappapello State Park for Missouri State Parks beginning this year. 

Covering more than 1,800 acres in southeastern Missouri, Lake Wappapello State Park features cool, clear waters where anglers can cast their lines for white bass, crappie, and bluegill, as well as largemouth bass and catfish. The park welcomes more than 125,000 anglers, campers, swimmers, and hiking enthusiasts each year. The park also contains modern cabins with kitchens, rustic camper cabins, and more than 20 miles of hiking trails.

“We are so pleased to be adding Lake Wappapello to our list of Missouri properties,” said Frank Pikus, chief executive officer of ExplorUS. “This lovely park has great outdoor opportunities and the two- and three-bedroom cabins bring nature right to our guests’ door. We have hired a wonderful staff to oversee the cabin rentals and anticipate having a very successful season.” 

“We look forward to our partnership with ExplorUS at Lake Wappapello State Park,” said David Kelly, director of Missouri State Parks. “ExplorUS offers a variety of amenities and will help visitors have a state park experience filled with wonderful memories.”

ExplorUS is dedicated to preserving and protecting the unique environments and precious resources of the sites where it operates, allowing guests and future generations to experience the beauty, serenity, and splendor of local, state, and national parks. It provides concession services at 50 locations nationwide including three other Missouri State Parks;  Lake of the Ozarks, Montauk, and Sam A. Baker. You can find out more about ExplorUs at www.goexplorus.com 

Cabins are available for rent from April 1 through Oct. 31, 2022. More information can be found at https://lakewappapellomo.com/ or by calling 888-543-2490.

Lake Wappapello State Park is located at 8005 State Highway 172 in Williamsville, Missouri. For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

Contact:
Loretta Bittle, 573-526-0978
[email protected]

JEFFERSON CITY, MO, DEC. 29, 2021 – Ortega National Parks, a hospitality management company operating in parks across the country, will manage lodging, food service, retail and watercraft rental operations in Sam A. Baker State Park for Missouri State Parks beginning this spring.

Covering more than 5,000 acres in the southeastern Missouri Ozarks region, Sam A. Baker State Park features an unspoiled natural landscape and the cool waters of the St. Francis River and Big Creek, offering something for everyone to enjoy. Each year, the park welcomes more than 600,000 visitors, many of them anglers, kayakers and canoeists. The park also contains 34 miles of hiking, backpacking, bicycling and equestrian trails.

“Visiting Sam A. Baker State Park, and particularly renting cabins there, is a time-honored family tradition for many,” said Frank Pikus, chief executive officer of Ortega National Parks. “We plan to deliver a quality hospitality experience for those who have been frequenting the park for generations as well as guests visiting for the first time.”

“We are looking forward to expanding our partnership with Ortega National Parks at Sam A. Baker State Park,” said David Kelly, director of the Division of Missouri State Parks. “Their services will offer a variety of amenities at the park and provide visitors with a state park experience filled with great memories.”

Ortega National Parks will operate the rental of cabins, including the newly converted family cabin, the Mudlick Mountain Grill, the Mudlick Mountain Store and watercraft rentals in the park.

“We are thrilled to partner with State Parks at a third Missouri State Park. Sam A. Baker is a hidden gem, and our team is working hard to ensure that our operations there will enhance visitors’ experience,” said Pikus. A new online reservations system, updating the interior of the historic cabins, providing more boat rentals, and adding bike rentals and golf carts are among the many improvements Pikus says guests can expect in the coming season.

Pikus also thanked Mike and Jody Fleming, the current concessioners who are retiring, for their many years of service to the park. “They have been fantastic to work with to create a seamless transition for the 2022 season,” said Pikus.

Ortega National Parks is dedicated to preserving and protecting the unique environments and precious resources of the sites where it operates, allowing guests and future generations to experience the beauty, serenity, and splendor of local, state, and national parks. It provides concession services at 19 locations nationwide including two other Missouri State Parks, Lake of the Ozarks and Montauk. You can find out more about Ortega National Parks at ortegaparks.com.For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.