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Island View (Rathbun Lake)
USACEU.S. Army Corps of Engineers — Mystic Iowa · Iowa · Rathbun Lake
| Agency | USACEU.S. Army Corps of Engineers |
|---|---|
| Area | Rathbun Lake |
| Location | Mystic Iowa · Iowa · Rathbun Lake · 40.83250, -92.91797 · Map |
| Sites | 192 public sites counted from the federal listing — 187 standard electric; 4 group picnic area; 1 group standard electric |
| Getting a site | Reservable — the federal listing marks this campground as taking reservations. Some sites or seasons may still be first-come; the listing’s own words are below. |
| Hookups | Electric at 190 of 192 sites (up to 50 amp where reported) Water hookups at 0 of 192 sites Sewer hookups at 0 of 192 sites Full hookups (all three at one site) at 0 of 192 sites Counted site by site from affirmative reports in the federal record. A site with no report is not counted either way. |
| Max RV length | Longest reported site fits 145 ft Sites that fit at least — 25 ft: 187 sites · 30 ft: 187 sites · 35 ft: 187 sites · 40 ft: 186 sites |
| Months open | Not in federal data — the federal listing does not publish a season for this campground. Check the official description below or Recreation.gov. |
| Fees | Not reported — the federal listing carries no fee description for this campground. |
| Check-in / out | In 4:00 PM · Out 4:00 PM (most common in the listing) |
| Pets | Allowed at 192 sites, as reported |
| Accessible sites | 1 marked accessible in the listing |
| Accessibility | N |
| Phone | FOR CAMPGROUND INQUIRIES DURING MAY-SEPTEMBER PLEASE CALL 641-647-2079. DURING CLOSED SEASON OCTOBER-APRIL PLEASE CALL 641-647-2464 |
Check availability & book on Recreation.gov →
This site takes no reservations and shows no live availability. Source: Recreation.gov (RIDB export pulled November 5, 2026); this listing was last updated in the federal record on 2026-02-25.
From the official listing
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.
Directions, from the listing
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.
Nearest federal campgrounds
3 mi straight-line · CENTERVILLE IowaUSACEU.S. Army Corps of EngineersPrairie Ridge (Rathbun Lake)
3 mi straight-line · CENTERVILLE IowaUSACEU.S. Army Corps of EngineersBridgeview (Rathbun Lake)
7 mi straight-line · CENTERVILLE IowaUSACEU.S. Army Corps of EngineersNorth Overlook Picnic Shelter (Ia)
37 mi straight-line · Knoxville IowaUSACEU.S. Army Corps of EngineersHowell Station
37 mi straight-line · Pella Iowa
Trip Card — Island View (Rathbun Lake)
Mystic Iowa · Iowa · Rathbun Lake
| Agency | USACE · U.S. Army Corps of Engineers |
|---|---|
| Location | Mystic Iowa · Iowa · Rathbun Lake |
| Fees | Not reported in the federal data |
| Getting a site | Reservable |
| Hookups | Electric at 190 |
| Max RV | Up to 145 ft |
| Months open | Not in federal data |
| Sites | 192 sites |
Book: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/233522 · Source: Recreation.gov, pulled November 5, 2026. Facility details come from federal recreation data and may be out of date — this site takes no reservations and shows no live availability; confirm details and book through Recreation.gov or the managing agency.