Available sites
54 total sites
RV Sites
About 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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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
Steve R
VerifiedAugust 3, 2020 • Stayed at: B15, Loop: PPL.
Love the camp ground and the facilities. 2nd year there. However probably will not come back as the gravel road to get to the camp sites might just be the worst in the state. Total mess with washboard like bumps.
Steve R
VerifiedAugust 3, 2020 • Stayed at: B15, Loop: PPL.
Love the camp ground and the facilities. 2nd year there. However probably will not come back as the gravel road to get to the camp sites might just be the worst in the state. Total mess with washboard like bumps.
Brittany C
VerifiedAugust 10, 2020 • Stayed at: A21, Loop: PRIP
Great sites with a nice beach. Beach access is rocky and shower house/real bathrooms are a significant distance from the sites in section A.
Brittany C
VerifiedAugust 10, 2020 • Stayed at: A21, Loop: PRIP
Great sites with a nice beach. Beach access is rocky and shower house/real bathrooms are a significant distance from the sites in section A.
Brittany C
VerifiedAugust 10, 2020 • Stayed at: A21, Loop: PRIP
Great sites with a nice beach. Beach access is rocky and shower house/real bathrooms are a significant distance from the sites in section A.
Kevin C
VerifiedAugust 16, 2020 • Stayed at: B03, Loop: PPL.
Nice secluded campground. Plenty of room between campsites so you don’t feel crowded at all. Some shaded campsites and others not so much. Campground has its own boat ramp so that is very convenient. We’ve used this campground several times and have always enjoyed it.
You have to travel on 3 mi of gravel, which we don’t mind, but the only negative is that the road is very rough. Be careful opening your cabinets.
Kevin C
VerifiedAugust 16, 2020 • Stayed at: B03, Loop: PPL.
Nice secluded campground. Plenty of room between campsites so you don’t feel crowded at all. Some shaded campsites and others not so much. Campground has its own boat ramp so that is very convenient. We’ve used this campground several times and have always enjoyed it.
You have to travel on 3 mi of gravel, which we don’t mind, but the only negative is that the road is very rough. Be careful opening your cabinets.
Kevin C
VerifiedAugust 16, 2020 • Stayed at: B03, Loop: PPL.
Nice secluded campground. Plenty of room between campsites so you don’t feel crowded at all. Some shaded campsites and others not so much. Campground has its own boat ramp so that is very convenient. We’ve used this campground several times and have always enjoyed it.
You have to travel on 3 mi of gravel, which we don’t mind, but the only negative is that the road is very rough. Be careful opening your cabinets.
Scott J
VerifiedAugust 17, 2020 • Stayed at: A23, Loop: PRIP
We always have a good time camping. Thank you Lake Rathbun!
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
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