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
Molly L
VerifiedSeptember 4, 2024 • Stayed at: A03, Loop: PRIP
Pros: not many other campers, decent sized sites, fairly easy to maneuver parking, nice lake view from certain campsites.
Molly L
VerifiedSeptember 4, 2024 • Stayed at: A03, Loop: PRIP
Pros: not many other campers, decent sized sites, fairly easy to maneuver parking, nice lake view from certain campsites.
Molly L
VerifiedSeptember 4, 2024 • Stayed at: A03, Loop: PRIP
Pros: not many other campers, decent sized sites, fairly easy to maneuver parking, nice lake view from certain campsites.
jacob t
VerifiedJune 2, 2025 • Stayed at: B20, Loop: PPL.
Great campsite with clean showers but lots of ticks this last time
jacob t
VerifiedJune 2, 2025 • Stayed at: B20, Loop: PPL.
Great campsite with clean showers but lots of ticks this last time
jacob t
VerifiedJune 2, 2025 • Stayed at: B20, Loop: PPL.
Great campsite with clean showers but lots of ticks this last time
Steve B
VerifiedJune 24, 2025 • Stayed at: A13, Loop: PRIP
We love Prairie Ridge…it’s a nice, peaceful, relaxing little campground! The major drawback is that there is no way in or out without traveling on a few miles of gravel roads that are not smooth, whatsoever! Wish the county/Corp could come up with a plan to improve this!
Steve B
VerifiedJune 24, 2025 • Stayed at: A13, Loop: PRIP
We love Prairie Ridge…it’s a nice, peaceful, relaxing little campground! The major drawback is that there is no way in or out without traveling on a few miles of gravel roads that are not smooth, whatsoever! Wish the county/Corp could come up with a plan to improve this!
Steve B
VerifiedJune 24, 2025 • Stayed at: A13, Loop: PRIP
We love Prairie Ridge…it’s a nice, peaceful, relaxing little campground! The major drawback is that there is no way in or out without traveling on a few miles of gravel roads that are not smooth, whatsoever! Wish the county/Corp could come up with a plan to improve this!
Chantry D
VerifiedJuly 6, 2025 • Stayed at: B23, Loop: PUMP
Wonderful place to camp and the host was amazing we are going back we loved it there!!!!
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