About Prairie Ridge (rathbun Lake)
Number of accommodations: 54
Campground Amenities
-
Potable Water -
Lake Access -
Dump Station
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Sites & Availability
54 Sites Available
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Site Details
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54 Sites Available
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Reviews (63)
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
jacob t
VerifiedJune 2, 2025 • Stayed at: B20, Loop: PPL.
Great campsite with clean showers but lots of ticks this last time
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.
Scott J
VerifiedAugust 5, 2024 • Stayed at: A05, Loop: PRIP
Nice secluded camping area, however, the road to get there is bad.
Scott J
VerifiedAugust 5, 2024 • Stayed at: B06, Loop: PPL.
This loop is better than A in the aspect of not having to drive down the road that’s falling apart. It’s closer to shower houses and boat ramp.
Stacy B
VerifiedAugust 1, 2024 • Stayed at: A14, Loop: PRIP
It’s always a good time here!! The only thing they need to do is trim up the beach area!! Also they need to get the lady back to dump ur campers if u r they for weeks at a time!!
Alicia M
VerifiedJuly 26, 2024 • Stayed at: A05, Loop: PRIP
They need to mow back the poison ivy it’s right up against the fire pits and into the campsite. Hard to keep young children out of it when it’s so close.
carl c
VerifiedJuly 14, 2024 • Stayed at: B11, Loop: PPL.
The campground was clean and taken care of. Was not impressed with the shower house at all. Was very unhappy with some of the other campers. Had to finally flag one down and chew him out for driving way to fast in the campground with kids around (of course he was drunk). We also said we wanted to try it so we did but probably won’t go back. Didn’t like the gravel. Got everything all dusty going in then it rained so got all muddy leaving. Also didn’t like not being able to see the lake from there. Like I said. Well kept but won’t return to there.
Carol Y
VerifiedJuly 11, 2024 • Stayed at: B24, Loop: PUMP
The current camp hosts are the best. I look forward to seeing them each visit. O
We did complain about the low branches at the dump station. Someone is sure to damage their A/C unit while going through there.
Lynne H
VerifiedJuly 8, 2024 • Stayed at: A07, Loop: PRIP
This section (A) of Praire Ridge could use a little cleaning and update. I was suppose to stay 3 nights but got up and left next morning. My family and I camp at Bridgeview every year and have camped at Praire Ridge many times but never in "A" section. Won't camp in that section again. Also had to drive a ways just to shower.
Mary S
VerifiedJune 25, 2024 • Stayed at: A01, Loop: PRIP
Once you’re there it’s ok. The gravel to get there was horrible. It’s pretty remote, nothing close enough to bike to or trails. Great views. The lake is down a pretty steep cliff from this site.
Location Prairie Ridge (rathbun Lake)
Address:
20112 Hwy J5 T
Centerville, IA, 52544-8308
United States
From Moravia, IA, travel 4 miles west on Highway J18, then south 2.5 miles on 200th Avenue (gravel). Follow signs into campground.
Latitude & Longitude: 40.8769 / -92.8872
Elevation: 286 feet
Policies & Rules
| Category | About |
|---|---|
| General |
14 Day Policy on Rathbun Lake: Campers are only allowed to camp at the same camping loop a maximum of 14 nights within a 30 night period. After the 14th night, they will be required to move (physically move the camping unit) to a different camping loop, which can be in the same campground. |
| General |
If late, you must contact this park within 24 hours after your original check-in time or you will be considered a 'no show' resulting in the cancelation of your reservation. |
| General |
Please register for campsites during booth hours, 8 a.m.-10 a.m. and 3 p.m.-8 p.m. |
| General |
For more information, visit the Rathbun Lake website http://www.nwk.usace.army.mil/Locations/District-Lakes/Rathbun-Lake/ |
| General |
Purchase firewood from a local source. |
| General |
If you must bring your own firewood, don't leave any firewood behind at your campsite. |
| General |
Don't Move Firewood: Protect your forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. Visit Dontmovefirewood.org for further information. |
