Prairie Ridge (Rathbun Lake)
Campground · Iowa · 56 bookable sites ·
Managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers
Rathbun Recreation Area (Recreation Area) · Open Access
- 56
- Bookable sites
- 111 ft
- Max rig length
- up to 72
- People per site
- 936 ft
- Elevation
Overview
Prairie Ridge Park is located 6 miles, SW of the Jct of Iowa Highway 5 and J18 at Moravia. Awesome Sunsets- No Extra Charge! Rathbun's off-the-beaten path park offers unique opportunities for lover's of the outdoors. Nestled between Buck Creek and Honey Creek, the high ridge offers wonderful vistas of the lake while surrounded by Iowa's Natural and enhanced prairie life community, with woodland draws and timbered hillsides.Recreation
Prairie Ridge Boat Ramp is protected on three sides and has been long popular with both motorized craft and a launching area for wind surfers and catamarans. A courtesy dock with fish cleaning station aid families on and off the water.Facilities
Fifty-four family friendly, Large, campsites are available in two seperate camp areas. Two shower houses, drinking water and RV dump stations is available. A modern playground offers activities for our younger visitors.Natural Features
Rathbun's most extensive trail, eight miles in length, takes hikers and bikers into Iowa's wild, and links to Iowa's Premier destination park at Honey Creek Resort.Contact Info
This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (641) 647-2464.Nearby Attractions
The park is within a few minutes of lake conveniences, bait, dining, and fuel. Rathbun's fish hatchery is open to the public on weekdays. Groups are encouraged to make appointments. 14 minutes west, on Hwy S70, one of Southern Iowa's best off-roading opportunities is at the 125 Acre Rathbun OHV Park. There's even a tot lot beginner's area. Search Rathbun OHV Park on-line for actual dates of operation and applicable rules.The facts
- 56 bookable sites
- 1 site for day use only
- Vehicles up to 111 ft
- Up to 72 people per site
- Loops: PPL., PRID, PRIP, PRSH, PUMP
Site types
- 54 Standard Electric
- 1 Group Picnic Area
- 1 Group Standard Nonelectric
Amenities
- Electric hookups
- Campfires allowed
- Fire pits
- Picnic tables
- Shade
- Pets allowed
Not recorded upstream: water hookups, sewer hookups, grills.
56 campsites at Prairie Ridge (Rathbun Lake)
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B01 | PPL. | Standard Electric | Back In | Gravel | 43 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| B02 | PPL. | Standard Electric | Back In | Gravel | 37 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| B03 | PPL. | Standard Electric | Back In | Gravel | 43 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| B04 | PPL. | Standard Electric | Back In | Gravel | 47 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| B05 | PPL. | Standard Electric | Back In | Gravel | 87 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| B06 | PPL. | Standard Electric | Back In | Gravel | 45 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| B07 | PPL. | Standard Electric | Back In | Gravel | 43 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| B08 | PPL. | Standard Electric | Back In | Gravel | 90 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| B09 | PPL. | Standard Electric | Back In | Gravel | 69 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| B10 | PPL. | Standard Electric | Back In | Gravel | 50 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| B11 | PPL. | Standard Electric | Back In | Gravel | 45 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| B12 | PPL. | Standard Electric | Back In | Gravel | 42 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| B13 | PPL. | Standard Electric | Back In | Gravel | 75 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| B14 | PPL. | Standard Electric | Back In | Gravel | 63 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| B15 | PPL. | Standard Electric | Back In | Gravel | 75 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| B16 | PPL. | Standard Electric | Back In | Gravel | 88 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| B17 | PPL. | Standard Electric | Back In | Gravel | 56 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| B18 | PPL. | Standard Electric | Back In | Gravel | 57 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| B19 | PPL. | Standard Electric | Back In | Gravel | 65 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| B20 | PPL. | Standard Electric | Pull Through | Gravel | 110 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| PR Group Camp | PRID | Group Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 72 | 🐾 |
| A01 | PRIP | Standard Electric | Back In | Gravel | 51 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| A02 | PRIP | Standard Electric | Pull Through | Gravel | 55 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| A03 | PRIP | Standard Electric | Back In | Gravel | 52 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| A04 | PRIP | Standard Electric | Back In | Gravel | 74 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| A05 | PRIP | Standard Electric | Back In | Gravel | 70 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| A06 | PRIP | Standard Electric | Back In | Gravel | 64 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| A07 | PRIP | Standard Electric | Back In | Gravel | 64 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| A08 | PRIP | Standard Electric | Back In | Gravel | 52 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| A09 | PRIP | Standard Electric | Back In | Gravel | 53 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| A10 | PRIP | Standard Electric | Back In | Gravel | 71 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| A11 | PRIP | Standard Electric | Back In | Gravel | 42 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| A12 | PRIP | Standard Electric | Back In | Gravel | 44 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| A13 | PRIP | Standard Electric | Back In | Gravel | 51 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| A14 | PRIP | Standard Electric | Pull Through | Gravel | 111 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| A15 | PRIP | Standard Electric | Back In | Gravel | 49 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| A16 | PRIP | Standard Electric | Back In | Gravel | 59 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| A17 | PRIP | Standard Electric | Back In | Gravel | 64 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| A18 | PRIP | Standard Electric | Back In | Gravel | 59 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| A19 | PRIP | Standard Electric | Back In | Gravel | 80 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| A20 | PRIP | Standard Electric | Back In | Gravel | 62 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| A21 | PRIP | Standard Electric | Back In | Gravel | 68 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| A22 | PRIP | Standard Electric | Back In | Gravel | 54 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| A23 | PRIP | Standard Electric | Back In | Gravel | 67 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| A24 | PRIP | Standard Electric | Back In | Gravel | 73 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| A25 | PRIP | Standard Electric | Back In | Gravel | 46 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| A26 | PRIP | Standard Electric | Back In | Gravel | 68 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| PRS1 | PRSH | Group Picnic Area | — | — | — | 40 | 🐾 |
| B21 | PUMP | Standard Electric | Back In | — | 48 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| B22 | PUMP | Standard Electric | Back In | — | 48 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| B23 | PUMP | Standard Electric | Back In | — | 45 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| B24 | PUMP | Standard Electric | Back In | — | 65 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| B25 | PUMP | Standard Electric | Back In | — | 67 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| B26 | PUMP | Standard Electric | Back In | — | 61 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| B27 | PUMP | Standard Electric | Back In | — | 79 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| B28 | PUMP | Standard Electric | Back In | — | 82 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
Getting there
From Moravia, IA, travel 4 miles west on Highway J18, then south 2.5 miles on 200th Avenue (gravel). Follow signs into campground.
40.87694, -92.88722 · 40°52'37.0"N 92°53'14.0"W
Typical weather
Typically 85°F in Jul, down to 31°F in Jan.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 31 | 37 | 50 | 62 | 71 | 81 | 85 | 84 | 77 | 65 | 50 | 37 |
| Low °F | 13 | 16 | 28 | 39 | 51 | 61 | 66 | 64 | 54 | 42 | 29 | 19 |
| Precip in | 1.1 | 1.5 | 2.0 | 3.9 | 5.4 | 5.2 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 3.8 | 2.9 | 2.0 | 1.5 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 3.6 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
More photos
Member photos
Common questions about Prairie Ridge (Rathbun Lake)
- Can you reserve a site at Prairie Ridge (Rathbun Lake)?
- Yes, Prairie Ridge (Rathbun Lake) is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does Prairie Ridge (Rathbun Lake) have?
- 56 sites.
- What is the maximum RV length at Prairie Ridge (Rathbun Lake)?
- 111 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
- Are pets allowed at Prairie Ridge (Rathbun Lake)?
- Yes, pets are allowed at Prairie Ridge (Rathbun Lake).
- Does Prairie Ridge (Rathbun Lake) have hookups?
- Electric.
- Are campfires allowed at Prairie Ridge (Rathbun Lake)?
- Campfires are allowed at Prairie Ridge (Rathbun Lake). Check for a current fire restriction before you go.
Camping near Prairie Ridge (Rathbun Lake)
- Buck Creek (Rathbun Lake) 1.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Island View (Rathbun Lake) 3.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Bridgeview (Rathbun Lake) 7.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Howell Station 34 mi · Campground · we watch it
- North Overlook Picnic Shelter (Ia) 34 mi · Campground · we watch it
- South Tailwater Picnic Shelter 34.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
- South Overlook (Ia) 34.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Whitebreast Camp 34.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
- North Tailwater Picnic Shelter 34.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
- North Overlook Camp 35 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Miner's Retreat Enclosed Shelter (Ia) 35.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Whitebreast Point Shelter (Ia) 36.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
Contact
- Phone FOR CAMPGROUND INQUIRIES DURING MAY-SEPTEMBER PLEASE CALL 641-724-3103. DURING CLOSED SEASON OCTOBER-APRIL PLEASE CALL 641-647-2464
- Book Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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