The Army Corps of Engineers manages Island View Campground along the shores of Rathbun Lake, where spacious sites spread across open terrain dotted with mature trees. Campers find well-maintained facilities including restrooms, showers, and dump stations distributed throughout the grounds. Three boat ramps provide direct lake access for anglers and boaters.
Sites offer generous spacing with ample room around each camping pad. Many spots provide views of the water, with the M-loop sites positioned closest to the shoreline. Mitch C. notes that "a lot of spots have a nice view of the water" and describes the facility as consistently clean. The campground includes a playground and nearby baseball fields for family activities.
Fishing produces reliable results, particularly for crappie, while the lake accommodates swimming and kayaking. Cell service reaches four bars, and over-the-air television picks up around 30 channels. The facility stays busy through late September, with over half the sites occupied even a week past Labor Day. For additional options in the area, campers can explore campgrounds around Rathbun Recreation Area.
Reservations are recommended during peak season, especially for waterfront sites that fill first.
Description
Overview
Island View Park is located on beautiful Rathbun Lake, just nine miles northwest of Centerville, Iowa and 8 miles southwest of Moravia.
Recreation
The 11,000-acre lake provides a variety of fishing opportunities for any angler: Crappie, channel catfish, walleye and largemouth bass are most common. The prevailing winds on Rathbun Lake, also known as Iowa's Ocean, make it one of the best sailing lakes in Iowa.
Facilities
This large campground offers 187 family sites and one group site, all with electric hookups. Three group picnic sites are also available. Amenities include flush and pit toilets, showers, drinking water and a dump station. A boat ramp, dock, marina, playgrounds, and horseshoe pit are all on-site.
Natural Features
Rathbun Lake is situated in the gently rolling hills of the Chariton River Valley in southeast Iowa. The campground consists of open grassy areas dotted with trees. Bald eagles, white-tailed deer, Canada geese, wild turkey and other wildlife can be found at Rathbun Lake.
Nearby Attractions
The Rathbun Fish Hatchery is nearby, offering self-guided tours Monday through Friday year-round. Hundreds of thousands of catfish and walleye are produced here each year. Southern Iowa's only Off Highway Vehicle Park is just 20 minutes from the campground. It is located on the south bank of the South Fork Chariton River and encompasses nearly 125 acres in an abandoned rock quarry.
Contact Info
This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (641) 647-2464.
RV Road Trip Guides
Location
Public CampgroundIsland View Campground — Lake Rathbun is located in Iowa
Directions
From Centerville, IA, travel 2.5 miles north on HWY 5, then go 4 miles northwest on J-29, then 0.1 mile north on J5T to the park entrance.
Address
19409 ISLAND VIEW PLACE
Mystic iowa, IA 52544-8303
Coordinates
40.8325 N
92.9179722 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile5GGood CoverageVerified by 3 usersLast on 3/15/26
VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 3/15/26- AT&TLTESome Coverage
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GGood CoverageVerified by 3 usersLast on 3/15/26
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 3/15/26
- AT&TLTESome Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Hike-InBackcountry sites.
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Dispersed
- Group
- Cabins
- Tent Cabin
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Pull-Through Sites
- 50 Amp Hookups
- Big Rig Friendly
Drive Time
- 1 hr 29 min from Des Moines, IA
- 1 hr 51 min from Ames, IA
- 2 hrs 3 min from Iowa City, IA
- 2 hrs 18 min from Cedar Rapids, IA
