Rathbun Lake spans over 11,000 acres in southern Iowa with multiple pet-friendly camping options. The area experiences hot summers with temperatures regularly reaching the 90s, and camping areas are typically open from May through September. The lake shoreline stretches 155 miles, providing numerous access points for recreation.
What to do
Hiking with dogs: Lake Wapello State Park Campground offers several trails where dogs can join you. "Quite a bit of wildlife seen during kayaking and hiking-muskrat, beaver, swans, geese could be found on the water. Also seen: deer, bald eagles, frogs, toads, turtles," reports Molly L.
Fishing from shore: Island View Campground provides access to productive fishing spots. "Did some fishing while there and caught enough crappie for a nice dinner with some left over for breakfast the next morning," writes Mitch C. The campground is particularly known for crappie fishing.
Boat launch access: Buck Creek offers easy boat access for campers with pets. "Buck Creek is operated by the Army Corps of Engineers and is one of several campgrounds on Lake Rathbun. There are a lot of campsites with plenty of views of the lake," notes Matt S.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Island View Campground sites provide ample room for pets. "Tons a room between spots and lots of sites with a good view of the lake," writes Andrea H. Sites are well-spaced to allow dogs to relax without crowding other campers.
Clean facilities: Red Haw State Park Campground maintains well-kept shower facilities. "This is a beautiful state park with a very nicely laid-out campground. We always enjoy our visits to Red Haw," shares Rodger. The park provides "Nice free showers. Quiet and clean," according to Mark P.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many pet-friendly campsites offer nature viewing. "There were many that enjoyed fishing on the lake, as well. We spent our time hiking and kayaking, but fishing seemed pretty good for those partaking," notes Molly L. about Lake Wapello.
What you should know
Weekday quiet: Midweek camping offers a calmer environment for pets. "Late summer weekday camping: large, clean campsites with ample shade. Spectacular lake views especially for sunset. Very quiet during the week," notes Heather M. at Island View.
Bugs and ticks: Prairie Ridge Campground and surrounding areas require tick prevention. "Use bug spray because the ticks are bad," warns Sarah K. about the north loop at nearby Honey Creek.
Booking window: Most dog-friendly campgrounds at Rathbun Lake allow reservations up to 3 months in advance, with sites filling quickly for summer weekends and holidays.
Tips for camping with families
Beach access: Bridgeview Campground provides areas where kids and dogs can cool off. "Had a nice Mother's Day weekend here. Host was extremely helpful and friendly," reports Matthew W.
Playground options: Island View Campground has play areas for children. "The park has a nice play set for kids and there are baseball fields nearby," explains Matt S., making it ideal for families with both children and dogs.
Trail difficulty: Consider trail length when hiking with children and pets. "Lakeshore Trail goes around the whole lake, so be sure to reserve 2-3 hours to conquer this path-more if you like to take in the scenery," advises Molly L. about Lake Wapello.
Tips from RVers
Hookup locations: Honey Creek State Park Campground offers full hookups, but site layout varies. "If we parked in the direction to utilize the full hookups we would have had our awning out over our neighbors campsite," cautions Sarah K. about certain spots in the north loop.
Cell service: Island View Campground provides reliable connectivity. "Cell service was four bars and air tv 30 channels," notes Steve W., which helps when planning activities with pets.
Site selection: Choose sites on the outer edges of loops for more space with dogs. "I would not recommend any spot in the center section of the loop. It was more like parking than camping," warns Sarah K. about certain areas at Honey Creek.
