Southern Iowa Hunting & Fishing Retreat with Guest Cottage

Escape to one of Southern Iowa’s most exceptional private recreational retreats, with house and guest cottage, ideally located on Lake Rathbun to the south and a waterfowl refuge to its east. This rare 12-acre estate offers unmatched privacy, stunning scenery, and direct access to more than 23,000 acres of surrounding public and hunting land plus 11,000 acres of premier fishing waters—making it a dream property for hunters, anglers, horse enthusiasts, and outdoor lovers alike. Designed for the avid outdoorsman, the property features an established food plot that attracts trophy whitetail deer and turkey, along with a 30-foot-deep stocked pond filled with walleye, perch, and redear sunfish. Enjoy incredible hunting and fishing opportunities right outside your door. The fully fenced, rolling pasture also includes a gravity-fed well and water hydrant. The pear tree, three apple trees, grapevine, and abundant raspberry bushes not only add both beauty and practicality to the land, but they also attract wildlife right outside your windows. Your private oasis awaits! The 16x34 above-ground pool is cleaned and ready for immediate enjoyment. The beautifully updated main residence offers 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms with new windows, new flooring, new siding, and a fully renovated interior. Inside, a spacious open-concept floor plan seamlessly connects the kitchen and dining areas, creating the perfect gathering space for entertaining. The private owner’s suite features a spa-inspired bath designed for relaxation after a day outdoors. A cozy wood-burning fireplace adds warmth and character, while the expansive 12x55 front deck with spacious covering showcases breathtaking views of Lake Rathbun—ideal for sunrise coffee or sunset evenings. A separate 2-bedroom, 1-bath guest cottage, previously operated as a successful Airbnb and VRBO rental, includes its own welcoming front deck and offers excellent potential for guest accommodations, multi-generational living, or continued short-term rental income. Outbuildings are ready for work and play, including a spacious 30x40 pole barn with an attached 8x24 enclosed shed for storing boats, lake toys, hunting gear, side-by-sides, and equipment. A newly constructed 24x48 pole barn with three 12x12 horse stalls provides outstanding options for equine use, hobbies, workshop space, or additional storage. Whether you are searching for a full-time home, luxury weekend getaway, hunting lodge, equestrian property, or income-producing vacation retreat, this one-of-a-kind Southern Iowa property offers a lifestyle opportunity rarely available on Lake Rathbun.