Island View (Rathbun Lake)

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.

Camp site features

Across 188 camp sites:

  • Electric hookups: all 188 sites
  • Fire pit: all 188 sites
  • Picnic table: all 188 sites
  • Pets allowed: all 188 sites
  • ADA accessible: 1 of 188 sites
  • Group sites: 1 of 188 sites
  • Longest RV: 145 ft
  • Largest party: 100 people
  • Power up to 50 amps
  • Equipment: RV, Tent, Trailer

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.

Stay Limit

Check in from 4 PM, check out by 4 PM.

Reviews

377 reviews
5 stars
194
4 stars
116
3 stars
42
2 stars
17
1 stars
8
Mark S
Loop:Icir
Site:
Reviewed a month ago
Camp hosts were very friendly and helpful
Karen H
Loop:Nwpi
Site:
Reviewed a month ago
It works very well for a family campout with several camping units. The shelter house has several outlets that can be used for crockpots etc. Large grassy area for games and other activities. Nice private bathroom for the group camp area only.
Connie M
Loop:Icir
Site:
Reviewed a month ago
Host were prompt and friendly. The pit toilet in our area went 2 days without toilet paper. The main shower house needs cleaned. Two weeks I used the same stall, same glob of hair on the drain, same mold on the wall. ( Shower curtains replacing doors does not give privacy) The private shower house could be nice if the drains were lower so water could actually drain not have 2 inches of water to walk in. Also, the amount of insects and spiders was overwhelming
John R
Loop:Icir
Site:
Reviewed a month ago
Beautiful park. We got our favorite site. Only issue was the 30amp breaker was broke. Notified a host and was told maintenance was alerted previously but did nothing because it was the end of the season. Disappointing
Harry D
Loop:Vpl
Site:
Reviewed a month ago
Place was very nice
Judy H
Loop:Vpl
Site:
Reviewed 2 months ago
I didn’t read enough to know I was signing up in a 30 amp area. My husband is on an oxygen concentrator and it couldn’t keep up with just 30 amps. By the time we figured out what was happening, we thought it was best to return home.
Availability

See the Camp Sites section below to find detailed booking availability.

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Season dates

Peak season

May 1, 2027 – Sep 29, 2027

Reservable online

Peak season

May 1, 2028 – Sep 29, 2028

Reservable online

Camp Sites

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