Available sites
54 total sitesAbout Prairie Ridge (Rathbun Lake)
Activities & Attractions
Nearby
Birding
Fishing
Hiking
Year-round
Birding
Fishing
Hiking
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
RV Utilities and Hookups
- Dump station on site
Water and Hygiene
- Potable Water
Water Access
- Lake Access
Rates, Sites & Availability
54 Sites Available
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Site Details
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54 Sites Available
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
Reviews (203)
What Guests Are Saying
Prairie Ridge at Rathbun Lake is praised for its great fishing, peaceful atmosphere, and family-friendly environment, making it ideal for reunions. Campers appreciate the friendly staff, clean facilities, and beautiful lake views, although some express concerns about the rough access roads and inadequate shower facilities. Overall, visitors enjoy the campground's tranquility and plan to return despite some minor drawbacks.
What Guests Are Saying
Prairie Ridge at Rathbun Lake is praised for its great fishing, peaceful atmosphere, and family-friendly environment, making it ideal for reunions. Campers appreciate the friendly staff, clean facilities, and beautiful lake views, although some express concerns about the rough access roads and inadequate shower facilities. Overall, visitors enjoy the campground's tranquility and plan to return despite some minor drawbacks.
Review Summary
Robert C
VerifiedSeptember 10, 2021 • Stayed at: A03, Loop: PRIP
Great place to camp but the gravel road going there is horrible.
Kristi and Adam S
VerifiedSeptember 10, 2021 • Stayed at: B28, Loop: PUMP
We love coming to Prairie Ridge/Lake Rathbun. The staff is always friendly. Bathrooms are clean. We only had one complaint and that was there wasn’t any toilet paper restocking and all the bathrooms we frequented didn’t have TP the last day we were there. That was unacceptable to us.
Robert C
VerifiedSeptember 10, 2021 • Stayed at: A03, Loop: PRIP
Great place to camp but the gravel road going there is horrible.
Kristi and Adam S
VerifiedSeptember 10, 2021 • Stayed at: B28, Loop: PUMP
We love coming to Prairie Ridge/Lake Rathbun. The staff is always friendly. Bathrooms are clean. We only had one complaint and that was there wasn’t any toilet paper restocking and all the bathrooms we frequented didn’t have TP the last day we were there. That was unacceptable to us.
Sheela C
VerifiedSeptember 5, 2021 • Stayed at: A09, Loop: PRIP
We camp in A camping and really wish their was a modern updated shower house. It seems like they always cater to Island View and the rest of the lake, the roads really need work done to.
Sheela C
VerifiedSeptember 5, 2021 • Stayed at: A09, Loop: PRIP
We camp in A camping and really wish their was a modern updated shower house. It seems like they always cater to Island View and the rest of the lake, the roads really need work done to.
Sheela C
VerifiedSeptember 5, 2021 • Stayed at: A09, Loop: PRIP
We camp in A camping and really wish their was a modern updated shower house. It seems like they always cater to Island View and the rest of the lake, the roads really need work done to.
Christy H
VerifiedAugust 29, 2021 • Stayed at: A11, Loop: PRIP
Beautiful spot right next to water. My very favorite place to camp at Rathbun Lake! Very clean, sites are spaced apart nicely. Love the trails and enjoy walking there. Already planning for next year.
Terry N
VerifiedAugust 29, 2021 • Stayed at: B18, Loop: PPL.
We live 170 mi away and have come to the lake since 1976 for vacations. I wish we could make reservations for Buck Creek.
John B
VerifiedAugust 29, 2021 • Stayed at: B20, Loop: PPL.
Great campground
Location & Directions for Prairie Ridge (Rathbun Lake)
20112 Hwy J5 T, Centerville, IA 52544-8308 United States
Elevation: 286 ft
Getting There
From Moravia, IA, travel 4 mi west on Highway J18, then south 2.5 mi on 200th Avenue (gravel). Follow signs into campground.
Policies & Rules
Arrival & departure
- Contact the park within 24 hours if you are going to be late to avoid cancellation.
- Register for campsites during booth hours.
Site capacity
- Campers can stay a maximum of 14 nights in the same loop within 30 nights, after which they must move to a different loop.
General
- For more information, visit the Rathbun Lake website http://www.nwk.usace.army.mil/Locations/District-Lakes/Rathbun-Lake/
Fires & fuel
- Buy firewood from local suppliers.
- If you bring your own firewood, do not leave any behind.
- Do not move firewood to protect against pests; buy locally and burn on-site.
Nearby Campgrounds
Nearby destinations
Last updated: October 7, 2026