What ’ s new for 2023 at Rathbun Lake
By Ryan Vogt , Natural Resource Specialist U . S . Army Corps of Engineers
The U . S . Army Corps of Engineers at Rathbun Lake are excited to see everyone out at the lake this summer ! We manage four campgrounds around the lake that include Island View , Buck Creek , Prairie Ridge and Bridgeview , while the Iowa Department of Natural Resources manages Honey Creek State Park . A private concessionaire manages the Rathbun Lake Marina and the Marina Campground . Whether it be boating , swimming or camping , we have something for everyone ! This is what you need to know for the upcoming 2023 Recreation Season for the U . S . Army Corps of Engineers .
Over the last few years , three of the four Corps of Engineers campgrounds have moved all campsites into a 100 % reservable category . We are now adding the last park to this category , Buck Creek . Like the other three parks , Buck Creek will begin utilizing a volunteer park attendant this year to monitor the park , which makes the change necessary . As of this upcoming 2023 Recreation Season , all campsites at Buck Creek , Island View , Prairie Ridge and Bridgeview are now 100 % reservable , 180 days in advance . Reservations can be made by calling 1-877-444-6777 or online at recreation . gov . Camping reservations will only be accepted online or by phone via credit card or debit card for Buck Creek , Island View , Prairie Ridge and Bridgeview campgrounds . There will not be a cash or check payment option available at these parks . When you arrive to your reserved campsite , a campground volunteer park attendant will stop by when making their rounds throughout the day to verify your confirmation number and check you in for your stay . There will not be any booth hours for any of the four parks .
Want to camp but don ’ t have a reservation ? With the campgrounds being 100 % reservable , we will still have a way for first come-first served camping . First come-first served customers that arrive without a reservation can call 1-877-444- 6777 or go online to recreation . gov to verify that the site is not reserved . Be sure to check for the dates of desired stay and pay for the site before setting up your camping unit . Credit / debit card will be the only form of payment accepted by phone or online . Make sure to write down the confirmation number to provide the park attendant when they come by to check you in . For reservation or site information questions , please call 1-877-444-6777 . For all other general Rathbun Lake Project questions , call the Rathbun Lake Project Office at 641-647-2464 .
NEW INFORMATION FOR BOATERS AT CORPS BOAT RAMPS
To further our efforts in keeping our visitors and employees safe and healthy , we are installing five automated fee machines around the lake . What does this mean ? It means that the Island View Dedication Site , Island View West , Prairie Ridge and Bridgeview Boat Ramps , will now only accept credit / debit cards at the new machines . The new machines will look like the picture as shown .
Each machine will replace the old fee vaults and will be marked accordingly with the appropriate signage .
These machines will have two options available to choose from on the screen , one being the daily $ 5 boat ramp day use fee . This allows the visitor to use our boat ramp for the day of purchase . The second option will be to purchase a $ 40 annual Corps pass voucher . This voucher receipt can be redeemed for the plastic hangtag with a park attendant or at the Rathbun Lake Information Center during regular business hours .
This annual Corps pass will allow you to visit and use the Corps boat ramps nationwide without paying the daily $ 5 day use fee . But you must redeem the voucher receipt within two weeks of purchasing the pass .
This way the park attendant or the Corps employee at the Information Center can get you
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Rathbun Lake 2023