Located outside of Harlan, Iowa

45 minutes from Council Bluffs, Iowa

To make reservations and to get additional information about the campground/park please click here:

No Park Permit Required

Camping Fee: $16.00

Reservation Fee:  $4.00 per stay

Last Stayed:  6/2018

Camping Spot:  23

LAKE VIEW

There is nothing better than a lake view when camping!  Prairie Rose has a beautiful lake for fishing, small boating and kayaking.  One of the two campgrounds is located right across from the lake.  The bottom tier of camping spots looks right out to the lake, and just a short walk, you can be casting your fishing pole in the lake, or taking your kayak out.

The lake is a no-wake lake, but is perfect for taking out your fishing boat or small pontoon boat and enjoying the wonderful views, and even trying to catch that big fish.

Just a short walk from your campsite – you can try your luck at fishing!

When we were then in June of 2018, several people were catching catfish and even some crappie.  One gentleman even caught a 11.5 pound catfish, and had the photo to prove it!  My daughter and nephew’s luck where not quite the same!

The waters are calm and are perfect for early morning fishing or even taking a swim at the nearby beach.

BEACH

If you would like to enjoy the beach from your camping spot, it is just a quick drive to the separate entrance for the beach.  There are nice shady areas as well as a vaulted bathroom and small playground. Unfortunately this park does not have shower facilities at the beach.  But there are shower facilities available for campers at the main campground.

TWO CAMPGROUNDS

The main campground (East Campground) has 61 spots with electricity.  38 spots on their bottom tier, closer to the lake, and another 23 spots – 7 of which are full hookups (reserve early to get these spots) on their 2^nd tier that still overlooks the lake, but not as close to the water.  Most spots are very shaded and have long back in spots.  Each spot comes with a picnic table and fire pit.  Fire Wood is for sale available from the camping hosts.  Everyone still has a nice area and are not super close to their neighbors.

The second campground (West Campground) is smaller and located at the top of a hill.  This campground has 16 spots with electricity and another area with 18 tent spots with no electricity.  When our daughter was smaller, we enjoyed this campground, as it was nice and level, and riding bikes or scooters in a circle around the campground was a huge plus!  Because this campground is located at the top of the hill, there are some amazing views of the lake and the surrounding farm land.

There are also walking trails that lead off from this campground that you can follow around the entire lake.

SPOTS WE LIKE

While it would be great to get the spots that have full hook up, they are harder to reserve, as they are usually taken first.  In the Main Campground (East Campground) we like to choose spots in the first loop near the water, because of the water views.  These are spots 001-038.  Spots 001-to about 006 are on the curve and don’t have the best lake views.  The last few times we have been here we have camped in 023, 015 and 037.  Each of these spots, along with most others are able to accommodate our 37+ foot 5^th Wheel.

If there are not lake view spots available – we do like to go to the top of the hill and use the second campground (West Campground).  Spots we like are 091, 093 and 095.  These spots are in the back corner of the campground – are what we think are a little more private and have nice large spots and yards.

Below is spot 93

*Spot 21 was hard to get into – we saw a man try and back his 30 ft travel trailer and actually hit the post on the side as he was backing in.

SHOWER HOUSE

The main campground (East Campground) has a shower facility as well as vaulted bathrooms.  There is not a shower house near the West Campground, only vaulted bathrooms.

Vaulted Restroom near the West campground

CABINS

If you don’t have a Travel Trailer, and don’t want to tent, Prairie Rose also offers two cabins to rent.  These cabins also have amazing views of the lake as well.  For more information on the cabins, please check their website.

PLAYGROUND

There is a playground located in the main campground (East Campground) near the Shower House.  The playground has some nice slides and swings.  There are also some picnic tables located around the playground as well, to sit in the shade.  A second smaller playground is located near the beach.

WALKING/BIKING

Walking through the campgrounds is a perfect way to get some exercise.  We stayed on the bottom tier in spot 23 and walked the entire length of the bottom tier and then up the hill to the second tier.   The terrain is hilly, but biking and hiking/walking is still very easily done.  Because it is a little hilly, it does get your heart rate up a little!  Since we have a 7 year old, we let her ride her bike around the main campground and to the playground, but it is even hillier if you decide to venture out to the second campground up the hill.  Because she is not great with her brakes, we decided a walk up the hill was better than a little out of control biking back down the hill when we wanted to come back.  Don’t get me wrong, it is hilly, but a more experienced bike rider would have no problems biking up the hill from the main campground (East) to the 2^nd campground (West).

DUMP STATION

The park has one dump station that was flat and easy accessible near the entrance to the campground.

SUMMARY

Prairie Rose is one of our favorite campgrounds in western Iowa, and just a quick 45 minute drive from Council Bluffs, the views and amenities are amazing.  From camping with a lake view, to fishing and even dipping your toes in the sand at the beach, this campground is a must see.