Prairie Ridge Campground to open July 1

FAIRFIELD – Jefferson County Conservation will open its newest campground on July 1 at the newly built Prairie Ridge Campground.

The campground is just east of Jefferson County Park and accessible from Key Boulevard. It includes 14 stalls for campers, with an electric, water and sewer hookup. Jefferson County Conservation Director Shawn Morrissey said this campground will not have a bathroom, since it’s designed for self-contained campers that have a bathroom onboard.

Seven of the 14 stalls are paved and the others are gravel. These stalls are bigger than those in Jefferson County Park, and Morrissey added that another difference is how campers will pay for them. Campers at Prairie Ridge Campground will pay using a QR code they can scan on a sign at the campsite.

“We’re trying to get into the modern age,” Morrissey said. “All existing campgrounds are first-come, first-served, but this one they can reserve ahead.”

Since the area is just now being developed, there are few trees on the property. Morrissey said the conservation office planted 40 trees at the campground, but it still looks like a “wide open field.”

“It will be really nice in 20 years, but for now it’s got that brand new wide open look,” he said.

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Call Andy Hallman at 641-575-0135 or email him at andy.hallman@southeastiowaunion.com