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
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.
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.
Dan S
VerifiedJuly 25, 2021 • Stayed at: B06, Loop: PPL.
Prairie Ridge Park was nice and the staff was helpful but the 3 mi 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.
Dan S
VerifiedJuly 25, 2021 • Stayed at: B06, Loop: PPL.
Prairie Ridge Park was nice and the staff was helpful but the 3 mi 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.
Dan S
VerifiedJuly 25, 2021 • Stayed at: B06, Loop: PPL.
Prairie Ridge Park was nice and the staff was helpful but the 3 mi 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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