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Camping near Rathbun Lake

162 Reviews

Rathbun Lake in southern Iowa features multiple developed campgrounds operated by the Army Corps of Engineers and Iowa State Parks. Island View Campground provides spacious sites with lake views, boat ramps, and accommodations for tents, RVs, and some glamping options. Honey Creek State Park and Honey Creek Resort offer additional camping experiences, with the state park providing electric hookups and modern facilities, while the resort area includes cabins and RV sites with full hookups. Bridgeview, Prairie Ridge, and Buck Creek campgrounds expand the range of mixed-use options around the lake, with varying levels of amenities for different camping preferences.

The camping season for most Rathbun Lake campgrounds runs from May through September, with a few locations like Honey Creek State Park remaining open year-round. "The campground is clean with modern amenities. A lot of spots have a nice view of the water," noted one visitor about Island View. Reservations are recommended, particularly for summer weekends and holiday periods when waterfront sites fill quickly. Many campgrounds offer electric hookups suitable for RVs, though amenities vary significantly between locations. Some areas provide showers and modern restrooms, while others offer more basic facilities with vault toilets. Most campgrounds feature picnic tables, fire rings, and drinking water access.

Waterfront camping receives consistently high ratings from visitors, with many campgrounds strategically positioned to maximize lake views. Several campers mentioned the quality fishing opportunities, particularly for crappie, bass, and catfish. The large boat ramps at locations like Honey Creek State Park support water recreation with multiple lanes and docking facilities. Campsite spacing varies between locations, with Island View earning praise for its "ample shade" and "large, clean campsites" with good separation between sites. Visitors noted that weekday camping provides a quieter experience, while summer weekends see higher occupancy rates. Several camping areas feature hiking trails and swimming access, making them suitable for families seeking diverse outdoor activities beyond fishing and boating.

Map showing campgrounds near Rathbun Lake, IowaExplore the Map

Best Camping Sites Near Rathbun Lake (86)

    1. Island View Campground — Lake Rathbun

    7 Reviews
    Moravia, IA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (641) 647-2079

    $22 - $230 / night

    "Campsites were spaced well apart with plenty of room on pad around campsites, cell service was four bars and air tv 30 channels"

    "Very nice campground with lake to fish and boat on. Has beach access also."

    2. Honey Creek Resort

    6 Reviews
    Moravia, IA
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (877) 677-3344

    $40 - $49 / night

    "Honey Creek resort run by the state of Iowa (not to be confused with Honey Creek State Park nearby) is not your typical camping spot."

    "Outside the hotel they have activities so that you can do such as corn hole, playing tic tac toe or jenga. There is a pretty nice boat dock which you can rent a boat or kayak/canoe."

    3. Honey Creek State Park Campground

    4 Reviews
    Moravia, IA
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (641) 724-3739

    $10 - $50 / night

    "Honey Creek State Park is located on the north side of Rathbun Lake in southern Iowa. Boat ramp at the park is large (6 lanes) with several docks to assist loading and unloading."

    "Campground Review: Honey Creek State Park is on Rathbun Lake, a very popular place to boat, fish and camp in Southern Iowa. We camped in the Group Campground with out Boy Scout Troop."

    4. Bridgeview Campground

    2 Reviews
    Moravia, IA
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (641) 724-3062

    $15 - $44 / night

    5. Prairie Ridge

    1 Review
    Moravia, IA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (641) 724-3103

    $25 - $120 / night

    6. COE Rathbun Lake Buck Creek

    1 Review
    Moravia, IA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (641) 724-3206

    $22 - $25 / night

    7. Lake Wapello State Park Campground

    6 Reviews
    Drakesville, IA
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (641) 722-3371

    $12 - $100 / night

    "Some campsites are close to the lake.  Several hiking paths-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. "

    "I have camped at lake wapello for 32 years in a row over my birthday in September it is the cleanest friendliest best wildlife great fishing wonderful campsites a place that I will always return to."

    8. Red Haw State Park Campground

    2 Reviews
    Chariton, IA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (641) 774-5632

    $10 - $18 / night

    "Nearly empty. We’re self contained so it was $10/night with no hook ups. They have RV sites with water and electric. Nice free showers. Quiet and clean."

    9. Rolling Cove

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    Moravia, IA
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (641) 647-2464

    10. Doggs RV Park

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    Moravia, IA
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (641) 724-3762
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Recent Camping Photos near Rathbun Lake

48 Photos of 86 Rathbun Lake Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Rathbun Lake

162 Reviews of 86 Rathbun Lake Campgrounds

  • Kent W.
    Oct. 2, 2025

    Howell Station

    One of our favorites

    This is a really nice campground. It’s run by friendly, helpful people. It’s well maintained, the bathrooms are clean, you’re not packed together like sardines, there’s a nice bike/walking trail around the park and (at least when we’ve visited) bald eagles, blue herons and pelicans line the river. It’s just a little over an hour from us so it’s easy to get to.

    We’re trying parks all over Iowa and Howell has been one of our favorites.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 15, 2025

    lakeside casino resort and rv park

    Good for an overnight stop

    This is a casino campground. There are full hookups but no facilities. No trees, sites very close together. It’s essentially a parking lot with hookups.

    It’s adjacent to a truck stop and right off the interstate.

    If you are traveling I35 and it’s convenient for an overnight rest, it’s well worth the cost. Otherwise, unless the casino is your destination, find a more traditional campground

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 24, 2025

    River Oaks RV Park

    Nice campground. Clean. Well kept.

    We stayed here to go to the Iowa State Fair. It was easy to park here and catch a shuttle to the fair.

  • J
    Jul. 8, 2025

    River Oaks RV Park

    Clean & quiet

    Made a quick trip here to de how the new puppy likes camping. Nice size campground, sites have good spacing and full hookups that were installed with some thought. Only used one stinky slinky, could have hooked up water with a 6’ hose, and the electrical was near the back of the site. Sites are gravel and it looked like most campers had to use blocks.

    Free WiFi was good; we streamed tv. It did freeze a few times but hard to tell if it was the WiFi or the provider.

    A new bath house, community room, and “shop” is being built. Bath house & laundry are complete. Very nice and spotless.

    The camp is quiet and well maintained.

  • Tiffany K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 6, 2025

    Howell Station

    Laid-back Campground

    This campground has great facilities with spacious sites. We have plenty of space for our dogs on two stakes. Each site has a fire ring and picnic table. There are large trees that provide a lot of shade for the campground. There are play grounds for the kids. It is along a river for fishing and bird watching.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 4, 2025

    Mine Pond Campground — Stephens State Forest

    Way too many insects, and $10 a night. No amenities.

    This place charges 10 bucks a night. You don't get a water station. You don't get a gray water dump. You do get trash cans on site. The sheer volume of insects makes it impossible to walk anywhere. Unfortunately, I have a dog and I have to go walk three times a fucking day. And this is the closest place to where my folks and I agreed to meet in about a week.

    At $10 a night, you'd think they'd at least have water, a gray dump, and some kind of insect control. But no, they don't. They do have maintenance coming around regularly, but nothing seems to get rid of the insects. It used to be $6 a night at one point. So I guess it went up. I don't see why. It's just like any other insect infested place to park.

    If it wasn't for the cost, I guess I'd give it three stars, but that'd be generous. I didn't give it one star because I can at least drive around on it with my bus.

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 20, 2025

    Island View Campground — Lake Rathbun

    Island View Campground

    Pretty nice campground with showers/restrooms/dump stations spread throughout the campground. Tons a room between spots and lots of sites with a good view of the lake. Our site has a nice view but isn’t too close. I would aim for one of the M spots if you want closer. There is a ramp for boats and a beach. Overall really great place to stay especially if you like the water

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 4, 2025

    Wallashuck

    Large well layed out campgrounds

    Campsites are well spaced, some have good views of the lake. Men’s bathroom is clean, showers have good hot water but could use a deep cleaning. Bike trail. Very quite when we stayed there.

  • Rebecca W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 27, 2024

    Eldon Wildlife Management Area

    Quiet and Secluded

    We drive to the end of Umber Ave and found two spots perfect for camping. We chose the one nestled next to the corn field. Perfect dispersed camp site with no road noise or visitors.

Guide to Rathbun Lake

Camping near Rathbun Lake, Iowa, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are plenty of options to enjoy nature and make lasting memories.

What to do:

  • Fishing: Rathbun Lake is known for its fishing spots. Campers at Island View Campground—Lake Rathbun rave about it: "Very nice campground with lake to fish and boat on. Has beach access also." If you're into fishing, this is a great place to cast your line.
  • Hiking: Explore the trails around Lake Wapello State Park Campground. One visitor shared, "Several hiking paths—Lakeshore Trail goes around the whole lake, so be sure to reserve 2-3 hours to conquer this path." It's a perfect way to enjoy the outdoors.
  • Kayaking: The calm waters of Rathbun Lake are ideal for kayaking. A reviewer from Whitebreast Campground mentioned, "The lake was great for kayaking," making it a fun activity for water lovers.

What campers like:

  • Spacious sites: Campers appreciate the roomy sites at Howell Station. One camper noted, "Well maintained campground with mature shade trees. Gravel sites, a little bit of leveling required." This makes for a comfortable stay.
  • Clean facilities: Cleanliness is a big plus for many. A visitor at Honey Creek State Park Campground said, "Shower house/bathroom was very clean." Clean restrooms and showers can make a camping trip much more enjoyable.
  • Wildlife: Campers love the wildlife sightings. At Lake Wapello State Park Campground, one reviewer mentioned, "Quite a bit of wildlife seen during kayaking and hiking—muskrat, beaver, swans, geese could be found on the water." Nature lovers will appreciate the variety of animals.

What you should know:

  • Limited amenities: Some campgrounds, like Honey Creek Resort, have limited amenities. A camper shared, "There is no arcade as advertised," so be prepared for a more rustic experience.
  • Busy weekends: Popular spots can get crowded, especially on weekends. A visitor at Island View Campground—Lake Rathbun noted, "It tends to be very busy." If you prefer peace and quiet, consider going during the week.
  • No full hookups: Many campgrounds, like Wallashuck, do not offer full hookups. A camper mentioned, "Little pricey for not having full hookups." Make sure to check what each site offers before booking.

Tips for camping with families:

  • Playgrounds: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds for kids. At Howell Station, one reviewer said, "The grounds have play sets and swings for kids." This can keep the little ones entertained.
  • Spacious areas: Choose campgrounds with ample space. A family at Wallashuck appreciated, "We were able to camp in a tent near RVs without feeling crowded." This is great for family bonding without feeling cramped.
  • Nature activities: Engage kids with nature activities. A camper at Lake Wapello State Park Campground mentioned, "We spent our time hiking and kayaking." These activities can be fun and educational for children.

Tips from RVers:

  • Level sites: Look for campgrounds with level sites. A reviewer at Honey Creek Resort noted, "The RV sites are all paved, level, full hookups." This makes setting up your RV much easier.
  • Cell service: Check for cell service availability. A camper at Island View Campground—Lake Rathbun mentioned, "Cell service was four bars." This can be important if you need to stay connected.
  • Quiet spots: Seek out quieter campgrounds. A visitor at Whitebreast Campground said, "Very quiet during the week." If you prefer a peaceful retreat, timing your visit can make a big difference.

Camping near Rathbun Lake, Iowa, has something for everyone. With beautiful campgrounds and plenty of activities, it’s a great spot for your next outdoor adventure!

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at Main Station Campground on Rathbun Lake?

While specific reviews for Main Station Campground are limited, similar Army Corps of Engineers campgrounds at Rathbun Lake offer standard amenities. Based on nearby Howell Station, which receives excellent reviews, you can expect water and electric hookups, clean facilities, and good fishing access. Many Rathbun Lake campgrounds feature picnic tables, fire rings, and access to boat ramps. For comparison, Bridgeview Campground offers modern amenities with sites for tents and RVs in a clean environment. To confirm current amenities at Main Station, it's recommended to contact the Rathbun Lake Corps of Engineers office directly before your visit.

What are the different campground options at Rathbun Lake, Iowa?

Rathbun Lake offers numerous camping options managed by the Army Corps of Engineers. Island View Campground — Lake Rathbun provides excellent lake views with clean, open sites. Prairie Ridge features good campsites with fire pits and food hanging areas. Other options include Bridgeview Campground (known for lakefront sites), Honey Creek State Park, Buck Creek, and Lakeside Co Park. The campgrounds vary in amenities, with most offering basic facilities like fire rings and picnic tables. Some provide modern restrooms, shower facilities, and boat ramps for lake access. Most sites accommodate both tents and RVs, making Rathbun Lake a versatile destination for various camping preferences.

Are camper rentals available at Rathbun Lake for visitors without their own equipment?

Yes, camper rentals are available near Rathbun Lake. Honey Creek State Park Campground is adjacent to the Honey Creek Resort, which offers cabin rentals for visitors without camping equipment. The resort provides comfortable accommodations right on the lake with access to amenities like an indoor waterpark and 18-hole golf course. For traditional RV rentals, you'll likely need to arrange with private rental companies in nearby towns like Centerville or Moravia, as the Corps of Engineers campgrounds don't typically offer on-site equipment rentals. Contact Lakeside Co Park for possible local rental information, as they offer water and electricity hookups that would accommodate rental RVs.

Are there permanent or seasonal campsites available at Lake Rathbun?

Lake Rathbun primarily offers short-term camping rather than permanent or seasonal sites at most of its public campgrounds. Honey Creek Resort provides the most extensive accommodations with its resort hotel, cabins, and RV park right on the lake—a good option for those seeking longer stays. Doggs RV Park near Moravia might offer more extended stay options for RV campers. For those interested in seasonal camping, it's best to contact the Rathbun Lake Corps of Engineers office directly at (641) 647-2464 to inquire about any seasonal reservation programs, as availability and policies may change seasonally.

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