Buck Creek (Rathbun Lake)
Buck Creek (Rathbun Lake) is an Army Corps of Engineers campground in Iowa. Hookups: electric.
- Type
- Army Corps of Engineers campground
- Location
- Iowa
- Coordinates
- 40.86278, -92.86778
- Hookups
- Electric
- Activities
- Biking, Camping, Canoeing, Day Use Area, Fish Hatchery, Fishing, Hiking, Kayaking, Picnicking, Sailing, Swimming, Water Access
- Map
- Open in OpenStreetMap
- Phone
- FOR CAMPGROUND INQUIRIES DURING MAY- SEPTEMBER PLEASE CALL 641-724-3206. DURING CLOSED SEASON OCTOBER -APRIL PLEASE CALL 641-647-2464
Amenities
- Reservable sites
Only amenities a source confirms are listed; an amenity missing here is unknown, not absent.
About Buck Creek (Rathbun Lake)
Overview Buck Creek Campground is located on beautiful Rathbun Lake, just 9 miles northwest of Centerville, Iowa. Camping, boating, swimming, fishing, and picnicking are popular activities at this lakefront campground. Recreation The 11,000-acre lake provides a variety of fishing opportunities for any angler. Crappie, channel catfish, walleye, and largemouth bass are most common. Although power boating is also popular, the prevailing winds on Rathbun Lake, also known as Iowa's Ocean, make it one of the best sailing lakes in Iowa. Facilities This campground offers 42 sites with electric hookups. Amenities include flush and pit toilets, showers, drinking water, a dump station, boat ramp and playground. A marina and bait shop are located nearby. Natural Features Rathbun Lake is situated in the gently rolling hills of the Chariton River Valley in southeast Iowa. The campground consists of open grassy areas dotted with trees. Bald eagles, white-tailed deer, Canada geese, wild turkey, and other wildlife can be found at Rathbun Lake. Contact Info This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (641) 647-2464. Nearby Attractions The Rathbun Fish Hatchery is located near the main dam, and offers self-guided tours Monday through Friday year-round. Hundreds of thousands of catfish and walleye are produced here each year. Southern Iowa's only Off Highway Vehicle Park is nearby. It is located on the south bank of the South Fork Ch
Cell coverage
No coverage data for this location yet.
Nearby RV services
- Dump station
- None mapped within 50 mi
- Water fill
- None mapped within 50 mi
- Propane
- None mapped within 50 mi
- Low clearances
- None mapped within 10 mi
Other places to stay nearby
| Name | Type | Distance | Fee | Hookups |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prairie Ridge (Rathbun Lake) | Army Corps of Engineers campground | 1.4 mi | — | Electric |
| Island View (Rathbun Lake) | Army Corps of Engineers campground | 3.4 mi | — | Electric |
| Honey Creek State Park Campground | Private campground | 3.5 mi | — | — |
| Bridgeview (Rathbun Lake) | Army Corps of Engineers campground | 8.4 mi | — | Electric |
| Lake Wapello State Park Campground | Private campground | 15 mi | — | — |
| Red Haw State Park Campground | Private campground | 24 mi | — | — |
Open Buck Creek (Rathbun Lake) in DryRig
Save it offline, check your rig's clearance on the drive in, and see what's nearby on the map.
Sources. Recreation.gov (RIDB). Updated June 2026. Facility facts only; DryRig does not publish ratings or reviews on this page.