Sundown Lake Area Information
Lake Sundown is located in Appanoose County and with a population of just under 14,000 people; Appanoose County is the embodiment of a rural Midwest community. Appanoose County was formed on February 17, 1843, from open territory. It was named for the Meskwaki Chief Appanoose, who did not engage in war against Black Hawk, advocating peace. The present county seat was formerly called Chaldea, and was later renamed to Senterville in honor of Governor Senter of Tennessee. Now spelled "Centerville", the county seat is home to a great Community College and excellent healthcare facilities.
Without a doubt, Appanoose County's most popular attraction is Rathbun Lake. Often referred to as "Iowa's Ocean," Rathbun Lake is one of Iowa's largest and finest lakes with over 11,000 acres of water, 155 miles of shoreline, inviting coves and great water quality. Construction of the dam for an embankment for Rathbun Lake began in September 1964. Rathbun Lake was dedicated July 31, 1971 with President Richard Nixon being the keynote speaker. For the last 40 years Rathbun lake has been enjoyed by thousands of families taking advantage of the unmatched fishing and the excellent boating opportunities!
Lake Rathbun is also home to Iowa's newest attraction, Honey Creek Resort State Park, and has just announced a $90,000,000 entertainment, retail, and lodging/residential development that will compliment the resort perfectly! Honey Creek Resort has been an outstanding addition to the many tourist attractions throughout the Rathbun Lake area, offering a beautiful "Lodge Like" hotel with a wonderful water park, and fantastic dining facilities. Along with that, there are many cabins for rent and a championship Links style golf course!
Honey Creek Resort, along with the many other new tourist facilities being constructed are a welcome new attraction for Appanoose County. However there is one thing that Appanoose County has always been famous for, the tremendous hunting opportunities! South central Iowa boasts some of the best hunting land in North America for white tail deer and wild turkey. It has become even more famous with the harvesting of the world record "Albia Buck" a few years ago. The incredible white tail genetics in the area has been drawing hunters from all over North America for years. Add to that an abundant wild turkey population, and a nice coyote, fox and raccoon population, and you have a true hunters paradise.
One thing that makes the Lake Sundown area even more appealing for hunters is the wide variety of public land provided by the Stevens State Forest. The Unionville Unit of the Stephens State Forest is located just a few minutes from Lake Sundown and encompasses nearly 2,500 acres of rolling oak forest, pasture lined creeks, and groves of cedars, absolutely perfect white tail habitat!
The more you begin to explore Appanoose County, the more you realize there is something for everyone down at Lake Sundown!
