Army Corps of Engineers · Iowa
Prairie Ridge (Rathbun Lake)
Army Corps of Engineers · Iowa, United States
- Sites
- 56
- Hookups
- 54 electric, 1 no hookups
- Season
- May 14 to September 14
- Max RV length
- 90 ft
- Group sites
- Yes
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Showers
- Yes
- Dump station
- Yes
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 922 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- T-Mobile weak · Verizon weak · AT&T none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Lake
- Rathbun Lake
- Nearest town
- CENTERVILLE
- Address
- 20112 HWY J5T, CENTERVILLE, IA, 52544-8308
- Phone
- FOR CAMPGROUND INQUIRIES DURING MAY-SEPTEMBER PLEASE CALL 641-724-3103. DURING CLOSED SEASON OCTOBER-APRIL PLEASE CALL 641-647-2464
- Activities
- Biking, Boating, Camping, Canoeing, Day Use Area, Fishing, Hiking, Kayaking, Picnicking, Sailing, Swimming, Water Access
56 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
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.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 31° | 13° | -21° | 56° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 37° | 20° | -16° | 66° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 51° | 33° | 9° | 77° | 10 of 11 |
| April | 63° | 42° | 24° | 83° | 5 of 11 |
| May | 74° | 57° | 40° | 88° | 0 of 11 |
| June | 86° | 65° | 50° | 97° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 87° | 69° | 59° | 98° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 83° | 67° | 59° | 94° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 81° | 62° | 50° | 96° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 65° | 46° | 27° | 84° | 2 of 10 |
| November | 52° | 34° | 7° | 73° | 6 of 10 |
| December | 39° | 26° | -7° | 71° | 10 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Nearby campgrounds
- Buck Creek (Rathbun Lake) · Army Corps of Engineers · 1 mi · 42 sites
- Honey Creek State Park · Iowa State Parks · 3 mi · 112 sites
- Island View (Rathbun Lake) · Army Corps of Engineers · 3 mi · 192 sites
- Bridgeview (Rathbun Lake) · Army Corps of Engineers · 7 mi · 104 sites
- Lake Wapello State Park · Iowa State Parks · 16 mi · 73 sites
All public campgrounds in Iowa · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-02-25. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.