CampgroundDay Use

Island View (Rathbun Lake)

Rathbun Lake
Near Mystic, 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.

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.

Recreation Sites

  • Standard Electric
  • Group Picnic Area
  • Group Standard Electric
  • Overnight
  • Day

Activities

  • Swimming Site
  • Camping
  • Boating
  • Biking
  • Canoeing
  • Day Use Area
  • Fish Hatchery
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Information Site
  • Kayaking
  • Picnicking
  • Sailing
  • Swimming
  • Water Access
  • Wildlife Viewing

Amenities

  • Baseball Fields
  • Boat Dock
  • Boat Ramp
  • Campfire Rings
  • Drinking Water
  • Dump Station
  • Electric Hookups
  • Entrance Station
  • Fish Cleaning Stations
  • Flush Toilets
  • Grills
  • Horseshoe Pit
  • Lake Access
  • Lantern Posts
  • Paved Roads
  • Picnic Area
  • Picnic Tables
  • Pit Toilets
  • Playgroiund
  • Playground
  • Scenic Overlooks
  • Shade
  • Showers (Seasonal)
  • Trash Collection
  • Vault Toilets
  • Water (Seasonal)
  • BBQ
  • Fire Pit
  • Electricity Hookup
  • Picnic Table
  • Accessible Occupant Message
  • Accessibility

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.

Getting Here

Latitude
40° 49' 57.0000" N
Longitude
92° 55' 4.6999" W
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.

Need to Know

  • 14 Day Policy on Rathbun Lake: Campers are only allowed to camp at the same camping loop a maximum of 14 nights within a 30 night period. After the 14th night, they will be required to move (physically move the camping unit) to a different camping loop, which can be in the same campground.
  • Swimming beach is approximately 1 mile from the campground

  • Please register/ pay for campsite prior to set up. Park Attendant will check you in on your campsite during their morning or evening rounds.

  • If late, you must contact this park within 24 hours after your original check-in time or you will be considered a 'no show' resulting in the cancelation of your reservation.
  • For more information, visit the Rathbun Lake website http://www.nwk.usace.army.mil/Locations/District-Lakes/Rathbun-Lake/
  • Purchase firewood from a local source.
  • If you must bring your own firewood, don't leave any firewood behind at your campsite.
  • Don't Move Firewood: Protect your forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. Visit Dontmovefirewood.org for further information.

    • Contact Information

    19409 ISLAND VIEW PLACE
    Mystic Iowa, IA 52544-8303

    This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (641) 647-2464.

    Additional Information