Jefferson County Conservation in Iowa officially opened Prairie Ridge Campground on July 1, expanding its offerings to meet increased demand for RV-friendly campsites.
The new 10-acre facility sits just east of Jefferson County Park, with access from Key Boulevard, and features 14 sites equipped with electric, water, and sewer hookups.
The campground is designed specifically for self-contained recreational vehicles and does not include restroom facilities.
According to an article published by Southeast Iowa Union, Jefferson County Conservation Director Shawn Morrissey said the oversized stalls accommodate today’s larger RV models. “We’re trying to get into the modern age,” Morrissey said.
Prairie Ridge includes seven paved stalls and seven gravel ones. Unlike the county’s other campgrounds that operate on a first-come, first-served basis and rely on envelope drop payment, visitors to Prairie Ridge can reserve sites in advance and pay digitally by scanning a QR code posted onsite.
With minimal tree cover on the property, the campground currently has an open appearance. Morrissey said the conservation department has planted 40 trees and expects the landscape to evolve over time.
“It will be really nice in 20 years, but for now it’s got that brand new wide open look,” he said.
The campground offers a westward view overlooking a nearby pond. Though it lacks amenities such as a playground, Morrissey said the site appeals to campers looking for a spacious layout and full-service RV hookups, features not available at Jefferson County Park, which uses a centralized dump station.
Construction of Prairie Ridge Campground was supported by a $450,000 grant from Destination Iowa, covering roughly 39% of the $1.17 million total project cost.
The campground’s nightly rate is set at $30, compared to $20 at the county’s other sites. Morrissey said he hopes the new facility will boost departmental revenue by 10%.
“This campground was built with the help of some grants, and it pretty well wiped us out being able to do anything in the near future,” he said.
Although Prairie Ridge is adjacent to Jefferson County Park, there is currently no direct road connection between the two. Morrissey noted that extending the road and adding features such as a playground or nature playscape are planned future phases of development, pending available funding.
Additional long-term plans for the site include the construction of two four-season cabins and a multiuse shelter, aimed at expanding year-round accommodations.