Can you reserve a site at Buck Creek (Rathbun Lake)?

Yes, Buck Creek (Rathbun Lake) is reservable through Recreation.gov.

What is the maximum RV length at Buck Creek (Rathbun Lake)?

96 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.

Are pets allowed at Buck Creek (Rathbun Lake)?

Yes, pets are allowed at Buck Creek (Rathbun Lake).

Are campfires allowed at Buck Creek (Rathbun Lake)?

Campfires are allowed at Buck Creek (Rathbun Lake). Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Buck Creek (Rathbun Lake), Iowa — 42 sites, fees and cancellation alerts

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 Chariton River and encompasses nearly 125 acres of an abandoned rock quarry.

The facts

42 bookable sites
Vehicles up to 96 ft
Up to 8 people per site
Loops: LOOP A, LOOP B, LOOP F

Site types

42 Standard Electric

Amenities

Electric hookups
Campfires allowed
Fire pits
Picnic tables
Shade
Pets allowed

Not recorded upstream: water hookups, sewer hookups, grills.

Book on Recreation.gov

42 campsites at Buck Creek (Rathbun Lake)

Check-in 4:00 PM · Check-out 4:00 PM

Site	Loop	Type	Entry	Surface	Max rig	People
A01	LOOP A	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	40 ft	8	🐾
A02	LOOP A	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	45 ft	8	🐾
A03	LOOP A	Standard Electric	Pull Through	Gravel	57 ft	8	🐾
A04	LOOP A	Standard Electric	Pull Through	Gravel	60 ft	8	🐾
A05	LOOP A	Standard Electric	Pull Through	Gravel	52 ft	8	🐾
A06	LOOP A	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	45 ft	8	🐾
A07	LOOP A	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	55 ft	8	🐾
A08	LOOP A	Standard Electric	Pull Through	Gravel	58 ft	8	🐾
A09	LOOP A	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	60 ft	8	🐾
A10	LOOP A	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	51 ft	8	🐾
A11	LOOP A	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	64 ft	8	🐾
A12	LOOP A	Standard Electric	Pull Through	Gravel	69 ft	8	🐾
A13	LOOP A	Standard Electric	Pull Through	Gravel	71 ft	8	🐾
A14	LOOP A	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	50 ft	8	🐾
A15	LOOP A	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	51 ft	8	🐾
A16	LOOP A	Standard Electric	Back In	—	38 ft	8	🐾
A17	LOOP A	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	43 ft	8	🐾
A18	LOOP A	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	51 ft	8	🐾
A19	LOOP A	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	50 ft	8	🐾
A20	LOOP A	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	52 ft	8	🐾
A21	LOOP A	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	68 ft	8	🐾
A22	LOOP A	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	49 ft	8	🐾
A23	LOOP A	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	58 ft	8	🐾
A24	LOOP A	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	64 ft	8	🐾
B01	LOOP B	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	65 ft	8	🐾
B02	LOOP B	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	60 ft	8	🐾
B03	LOOP B	Standard Electric	Pull Through	Gravel	94 ft	8	🐾
B04	LOOP B	Standard Electric	Pull Through	Gravel	78 ft	8	🐾
B05	LOOP B	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	76 ft	8	🐾
B06	LOOP B	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	59 ft	8	🐾
B07	LOOP B	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	52 ft	8	🐾
B08	LOOP B	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	62 ft	8	🐾
F01	LOOP F	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	55 ft	8	🐾
F02	LOOP F	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	65 ft	8	🐾
F03	LOOP F	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	77 ft	8	🐾
F04	LOOP F	Standard Electric	Pull Through	Gravel	96 ft	8	🐾
F05	LOOP F	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	44 ft	8	🐾
F06	LOOP F	Standard Electric	Pull Through	Gravel	72 ft	8	🐾
F07	LOOP F	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	63 ft	8	🐾
F08	LOOP F	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	75 ft	8	🐾
F09	LOOP F	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	62 ft	8	🐾
F10	LOOP F	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	68 ft	8	🐾

Getting there

From Centerville, IA, travel 5 miles north on HWY 5 to HWY J-29, then 4 miles northwest to HWY J5T. Travel 2 miles north and follow signs to campground.

40.86278, -92.86778 · 40°51'46.0"N 92°52'4.0"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 85°F in Jul, down to 31°F in Jan.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	31	37	50	62	71	81	85	84	77	65	50	37
Low °F	13	16	28	39	51	61	66	64	54	42	29	19
Precip in	1.1	1.5	2.0	3.9	5.4	5.2	4.6	4.6	3.8	2.9	2.0	1.5

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 2.9 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Common questions about Buck Creek (Rathbun Lake)

Can you reserve a site at Buck Creek (Rathbun Lake)?: Yes, Buck Creek (Rathbun Lake) is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Buck Creek (Rathbun Lake) have?: 42 sites.
What is the maximum RV length at Buck Creek (Rathbun Lake)?: 96 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Are pets allowed at Buck Creek (Rathbun Lake)?: Yes, pets are allowed at Buck Creek (Rathbun Lake).
Does Buck Creek (Rathbun Lake) have hookups?: Electric.
Are campfires allowed at Buck Creek (Rathbun Lake)?: Campfires are allowed at Buck Creek (Rathbun Lake). Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Camping near Buck Creek (Rathbun Lake)

Prairie Ridge (Rathbun Lake) 1.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
Island View (Rathbun Lake) 3.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
Bridgeview (Rathbun Lake) 8.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
Howell Station 35.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
North Overlook Picnic Shelter (Ia) 35.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
South Tailwater Picnic Shelter 35.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
South Overlook (Ia) 35.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
Whitebreast Camp 35.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
North Tailwater Picnic Shelter 35.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
North Overlook Camp 36.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
Miner's Retreat Enclosed Shelter (Ia) 36.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
Wallashuck 37.7 mi · Campground · we watch it

Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.

Buck Creek (Rathbun Lake)