Bridgeview (rathbun Lake)
- Apr–Oct
- best months
Overview Bridgeview Park is located on beautiful Rathbun Lake, just 13 miles northwest of Centerville, Iowa. Camping, boating, swimming, fishing and picnicking are popular activities at this waterfront recreation area.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. Whether power boating or sailing, Rathbun Lake, also known as Iowa's Ocean, has something to offer everyone. In particular, the water's prevailing winds make it one of the best sailing lakes in Iowa.Facilities This large campground offers 106 family sites, 95 of which have electric hookups. A day-use group picnic shelter for up to 24 people is also available. Amenities include flush and pit toilets, showers, drinking water, a dump station, boat ramp, playground and horseshoe pits.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. Contact Info This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (641) 647-2464. Nearby Attractions Southern Iowa's only Off Highway Vehicle Park is just three miles from the campground. It is located on the south bank of the South Fork Chariton River and encompasses nearly 125 acres of an abandoned rock quarry. The Rathbun Fish Hatchery is located near the main dam, and offers self-guided tours Monday through Friday year-round. Hundreds of thousands of catfish and walleye are produced here each year.
- Savanna Ridge TrailHiking5.4 mi
- Island View (rathbun Lake)Saltwater fishing6.5 mi
Prairie Ridge (rathbun Lake)Lake fishing7.3 mi- Buck Creek (rathbun Lake)Saltwater fishing8.4 mi
Source: Roamze catalog (indexable pages within 10 miles, PostGIS distance)
- Prairie Ridge (rathbun Lake)Lake fishing · ~13 min drive
- Island View (rathbun Lake)Saltwater fishing · ~11 min drive
- Honey Creek State ParkRiver fishing · ~9 min drive
- Des Moines RiverRiver fishing · ~58 min drive
- Lake Red RockLake fishing · ~1h 2m drive
- Rathbun MarinaLake fishing · ~14 min drive
- Buck Creek (rathbun Lake)Saltwater fishing · ~14 min drive
- Honey Creek Resort ParkRiver fishing · ~9 min drive
- Lake ThunderheadLake fishing · ~40 min drive
- Ursel Gingerich LakeLake fishing · ~58 min drive
Best time to visit Bridgeview (rathbun Lake)
Best months: April–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.
Jan
31° / 13°
Feb
37° / 16°
Mar
50° / 28°
Apr
62° / 39°
May
71° / 51°
Jun
81° / 61°
Jul
85° / 66°
Aug
83° / 63°
Sep
77° / 54°
Oct
65° / 42°
Nov
50° / 29°
Dec
37° / 19°
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Rathbun Dam, IA, 7.9 mi away at 965 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.