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
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Site Details
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54 Sites Available
No available sites
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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
Stephen C
VerifiedJune 7, 2021 • Stayed at: B21, Loop: PUMP
Family of four. Two kids 6 and 10. We stayed in the B loop on a long Memorial Day weekend. Had an absolute blast. Played down in the water quite a bit after a short walk. Also rode our bikes on the snowmobile/hiking trails. We didn’t have a water hydrant very close by. There’s only a single dump-station for both loops which is minor inconvenience the day you’re leaving if your timing is off. Gravel roads leading to the campground were a surprise. Overall an absolutely great experience. Nice secluded area. Close boat launch area. Clean facilities. Never did see a host. Rangers passed through a couple times.
Stephen C
VerifiedJune 7, 2021 • Stayed at: B21, Loop: PUMP
Family of four. Two kids 6 and 10. We stayed in the B loop on a long Memorial Day weekend. Had an absolute blast. Played down in the water quite a bit after a short walk. Also rode our bikes on the snowmobile/hiking trails. We didn’t have a water hydrant very close by. There’s only a single dump-station for both loops which is minor inconvenience the day you’re leaving if your timing is off. Gravel roads leading to the campground were a surprise. Overall an absolutely great experience. Nice secluded area. Close boat launch area. Clean facilities. Never did see a host. Rangers passed through a couple times.
Stephen C
VerifiedJune 7, 2021 • Stayed at: B21, Loop: PUMP
Family of four. Two kids 6 and 10. We stayed in the B loop on a long Memorial Day weekend. Had an absolute blast. Played down in the water quite a bit after a short walk. Also rode our bikes on the snowmobile/hiking trails. We didn’t have a water hydrant very close by. There’s only a single dump-station for both loops which is minor inconvenience the day you’re leaving if your timing is off. Gravel roads leading to the campground were a surprise. Overall an absolutely great experience. Nice secluded area. Close boat launch area. Clean facilities. Never did see a host. Rangers passed through a couple times.
James H
VerifiedSeptember 10, 2020 • Stayed at: A15, Loop: PRIP
Beautiful campground and great staff. Only complaint is the road leading to the campground is very rough. Very poorly maintained road leading into the campground that shakes the entire camper/boat and vehicle no matter what speed is traveled.
James H
VerifiedSeptember 10, 2020 • Stayed at: A15, Loop: PRIP
Beautiful campground and great staff. Only complaint is the road leading to the campground is very rough. Very poorly maintained road leading into the campground that shakes the entire camper/boat and vehicle no matter what speed is traveled.
James H
VerifiedSeptember 10, 2020 • Stayed at: A15, Loop: PRIP
Beautiful campground and great staff. Only complaint is the road leading to the campground is very rough. Very poorly maintained road leading into the campground that shakes the entire camper/boat and vehicle no matter what speed is traveled.
Dawn A
VerifiedAugust 21, 2020 • Stayed at: A14, Loop: PRIP
The road gravel road coming into the camp ground is horrific. Plan on going 3 mph for the last .25 mi.
Dawn A
VerifiedAugust 21, 2020 • Stayed at: A14, Loop: PRIP
The road gravel road coming into the camp ground is horrific. Plan on going 3 mph for the last .25 mi.
Dawn A
VerifiedAugust 21, 2020 • Stayed at: A14, Loop: PRIP
The road gravel road coming into the camp ground is horrific. Plan on going 3 mph for the last .25 mi.
Nicole B
VerifiedAugust 17, 2020 • Stayed at: A06, Loop: PRIP
The veiw was nice .. but the shower house was a ways from the actual camp spot and the shower house was nasty didnt looked clean I had to remove over an inch of hair from the drain that way covering the drain completely... I would not return to this location
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