Sundown Lake

Sundown Lake is a man-made reservoir located on South Soap Creek in Appanoose County, near Moravia, Iowa. This private lake offers three boat ramps for convenient water access, making it a good option for kayakers, canoeists, and motorboat users. The lake was created in 1976 with a substantial dam on South Soap Creek and provides a calm-water paddling environment suitable for various skill levels.

The access site at Sundown Lake offers multiple launch points to accommodate different boater preferences and parking needs. The area is situated approximately 8 miles east of the larger Rathbun Lake recreation area, making it an alternative or complementary destination for paddlers in southern Iowa. For current conditions, amenity details, or specific questions about facility availability, contact information for the Rathbun Lake area management can be found through local county or regional recreation resources.

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...

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

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