Rathbun Lake has Southern Iowa’s only Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) Park. Access to the area is approximately 3 miles south of Bridge View Park on Highway S70. Located on the south bank of the South Fork Chariton River, the area encompasses nearly 125 acres in an abandoned rock quarry on government land.
The Rathbun OHV Park is maintained by the volunteers of the South Central Dirt Riders ATV club. The Iowa DNR provides financial support through the disbursement of ATV Registration fees to the club.
The area is open to the public year round. Vehicles are limited to motorcycles, ATVs and UTVs. Full size vehicles are prohibited on the trails.
Regulations require helmets, mufflers, and current Iowa ORV registration. ORV registration can be obtained at county recorder’s offices.
Iowa law states a person under eighteen years of age shall not operate an all-terrain vehicle on public land or land purchased with all-terrain vehicle registration funds in this state without obtaining a valid safety certificate issued by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and having the certificate in the person’s possession.
To check on park open/closed status, go to the Iowa OHV Website at: www.iowaohv.com . For additional information, please go to the IOWA DNR ATV Website