The best camping near Rathbun Lake

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Rathbun Lake adventure.

100% (1 reviews)

Discover Rathbun Lake: A Haven for Outdoor Enthusiasts and Nature Lovers.

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Stay at a public campground in Rathbun Lake

Top-rated campgrounds near Rathbun Lake

97%

(271)

Nature Heaven

8 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents40 acres · Knoxville, IA

This seclude, beautiful pet friendly 40 acres of fenced camping site is on top of hilly land and is rare in Iowa. It has close view of 3.5 private fishing ponds and far view of the Red Rock Lake. There are 10 acres nature timber area that keep you away from the other campers and rest of the world. Each site has a firepit, picnic table and a solar light . The drinking water is at the entrance, but no electricity on site. The RVs need to be self contained. There are tons of nature features, you may see deer, rabbits and other game birds by your campsite. Each camping sites have good distances to keep privacy from each other. A recently built a 20ft diameter geodesic dome tent is for those who want more climate controlled stay while still enjoying the magnificent nature's gifts. For surrounding areas, the close by White Breast Beach is open from May 23-September 3, 2024, boating, hunting and hiking activities in the lake red rock year around. For our campers safety, any hunting activities are not allowed within our camping ground. However, in case you come for hunting with Iowa hunting tags, a couple of public deer hunting grounds are near our camping ground. The recently built glamping geodesic Dome tent is located on a top of hill. You will have a fantastic sunset view of ponds and lake view while enjoy the great nature, and have a comfortable stay . The cell phone signals are good, you may use your cell phone hotspot work remotely at this astonishing Lake Red Rock Oasis ^_^. Hope you will find joy, peace and happiness in this wonderful piece of natural land and the Red Rock lake areas. A little history of this land: This 40 acres of land was a surface mining site. The reclamation works done during the 1970s. But over the years, the soil was seriously eroded. Anna and Peilin, who have Master's and PhD in soil and environment health background, bought this land several years ago and started to restore the vegetation. Now the site looks beautiful and ready for nature lovers and campers to enjoy the fantastic view of the lake, ponds and tall grass... The site is totally different from what the Google map shows now.

95%

(39)

Comfortable Camping near Des Moines

2 sites · RVs3 acres · Carlisle, IA

Once a piece of farmland, now this is home to a historic church rectory and a whole lot of chickens (real and fake ones to be clear.) Learn more about this land: BEFORE BOOKING - if you are traveling with a dog be sure to message us BEFORE booking to make sure that we can accommodate you. IMMEDIATELY AFTER BOOKING please send a message introducing yourself and confirming how many are in your group and how large your camping set up is. We live on just over 3 acres of land. Some of it is a flat grass area, some is hilly, and some has taller brush. From any of these camping areas you can see our home but not much else besides fields, brush, and grass - and the sky! A train goes by a few times a day/night. We are located on a paved rural road, so while you will hear cars go by, there is no flow of constant traffic. We are located an easy two miles from a gas station and an easy 17-30 minute drive to Des Moines if you're looking to go into the city. The land is former farm land but the house is a historical church rectory that was moved to this location several years ago.

100%

(6)

Trail-Side Rural Retreat

6 sites · RVs, Tents3 acres · Oskaloosa, IA

Our 3-acre pasture borders a 13-mile recreational trail that encompasses our entire town. Super easy access to the trail via bike, golf cart, or on foot to the middle school, high school, community auditorium, William Penn University or Lacey Recreational Complex. We live approximately 150 yards from the city limits, but are on a gravel road. It is an easy 7-minute drive to the grocery store, 2 minutes to the local hospital, and the trail is accessible to walkers, golf carts and bicyclists. Our property does not have any hookups, but if needed, there is are a couple of spots where a 110 connection could be accommodated (for an additional $5/night) close to our home that we could have discussions about using. Please note on the three acres, we do have 15 laying hens who free-range during the day, but are confined at night. They typically do not have any desire to interact with humans unless you are feeding them and should not present any problems. IF you bring a pet, please insure it is kept controlled and not allowed to interact with our hens or the folks using the recreational trail. As a bonus, for $5 per person we would be happy to whip up a farm-fresh egg breakfast each morning you stay with us. During summer months, guests are welcome to use our above-ground fully-enclosed pool complete with outdoor shower (heated by the power of the sun shining on a garden hose which means hot water is VERY limited!). There is a tiki bar, small deck and lawn furniture inside the pool enclosure. Please stop by the main house to check in when you arrive. We look forward to hosting you!

The best camping near Rathbun Lake guide

Overview

About

A lengthy 142.4 river miles away from its confluence with the Missouri River, you’ll find Rathbun Lake and it’s handy dandy dam. The lake has ten recreation spots designed for camping, boating, swimming, fishing, and other shenanigans. Worried about getting your boat in the water? There’s a marina for that, too (well, there are actually two marinas). There’s even an OHV park, with 125 acres of riding fun, and something for every level of experience. Staffers have even been hard at work planting trees, giving some of the less-shady campsites the opportunity to bask in the shadows when the temperatures rise. That’s pretty impressive, considering the lake has hundreds of campsites to maintain!

Notable campgrounds

Honey Creek State Park: Offers a serene camping experience with modern amenities and access to water activities.
Buck Creek Marina: Ideal for those looking to combine camping with boating, complete with rental options.
Prairie Ridge Campground: A family-friendly spot with playgrounds and easy access to fishing areas.

Tips for snagging a campsite

Book early, especially for peak season, to secure your ideal campsite.
Consider mid-week stays for better availability and a quieter experience.
Keep an eye on cancellations for last-minute opportunities.
Explore nearby camping options to increase your chances of finding a spot.

When to go

The best time to visit Rathbun Lake is during the spring and fall when the weather is mild and the natural beauty is at its peak. Summer offers warm temperatures perfect for water activities, though it's also the busiest season. Winters can be harsh, with some facilities closed, making it less ideal for a visit.

Know before you go

Check the weather forecast and pack accordingly for a comfortable visit.
Review the Title 36 CFR 327 for rules and regulations before your trip.
Remember to practice Leave No Trace principles to preserve the park's natural beauty.
Accessibility varies across different areas, so plan ahead if you require specific accommodations.
For safety, familiarize yourself with water safety guidelines, especially when participating in water-based activities.