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
Travis S
VerifiedJune 8, 2021 • Stayed at: A02, Loop: PRIP
Clean and well taken care of
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.
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 mile.
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
Scott J
VerifiedAugust 17, 2020 • Stayed at: A23, Loop: PRIP
We always have a good time camping. Thank you Lake Rathbun!
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 miles of gravel, which we don’t mind, but the only negative is that the road is very rough. Be careful opening your cabinets.
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.
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.
Ron A
VerifiedJuly 15, 2020 • Stayed at: PR Group Camp, Loop: PRID
Great! Needs a toilet and trash container.
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. |
