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
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 miles 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
Shelly S
VerifiedAugust 16, 2021 • Stayed at: B27, Loop: PUMP
Great view nice place. Must travel the gravel to get to campground. Showers have a push button you have to keep pushing during shower. Overall it was nice and some lots are big we had 2 trucks 30ft camper a 28ft boat and a small suv parked on our gravel lot.
Scott J
VerifiedAugust 16, 2021 • Stayed at: A10, Loop: PRIP
Secluded, close to the lake and very nice park attendants.
Richard T
VerifiedAugust 7, 2021 • Stayed at: B18, Loop: PPL.
It was a very nice campground. We will use it again when we go camping.
Jason B
VerifiedJuly 26, 2021 • Stayed at: A10, Loop: PRIP
Our stay at Prairie Ridge was fine once we arrived. The gravel road to access the campground is in terrible condition and the potholes and wash boards in the road are terrible to navigate to not beat a trailer to death. The paved road inside Prairie Ridge to access A loop camping is in bad shape as well with several bad potholes in the road.
Dan S
VerifiedJuly 25, 2021 • Stayed at: B06, Loop: PPL.
Prairie Ridge Park was nice and the staff was helpful but the 3 miles of gravel to the park were terrible, washboard and large potholes. This can be very hard on a camper especially if not expecting them. Also, the maps for the park was difficult to read as we were looking for places to fish since didn't have a boat. But the site was clean and quiet. In summary, maintain the roads whomever that rests with otherwise the weekend was good.
LaNette R
VerifiedJuly 2, 2021 • Stayed at: A12, Loop: PRIP
Loved staying at the park. My only wish is better bathrooms. The host came right away and checked us in so all went smoothly.
Dawn A
VerifiedJune 8, 2021 • Stayed at: B16, Loop: PPL.
This place needs some work !! if you stay in section A the showers are a long ways away there is plenty of room to correct this situation. The roads are in need of repair, gravel at the sites is needed. The gravel road leading into the camp area is horrendous. Have the grader slow down. Its digging into the old black top that used to be there.
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. |
