Buck Creek (Rathbun Lake) Campground
Rathbun Lake, Iowa
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As of October 2026, Buck Creek (Rathbun Lake) Campground is a campground in Iowa with 42 campsites. Buck Creek (Rathbun Lake) Campground is booked through Recreation.gov.
- PermitSnag checks Buck Creek (Rathbun Lake) Campground for availability and tells alert holders when a site opens up.
- Buck Creek (Rathbun Lake) Campground is located at 40.8628° N, 92.8678° W.
- people allowed on each site
- 8
Buck Creek (Rathbun Lake) Campground reservations and next available dates
October 2026
Stay and booking rules
- Mid-stay changes allowed
- Maximum reservations at once: 20 reservations
- Maximum stay: 14 nights
- Maximum per transaction: 4 reservations per transaction
- Military discount available
Published by Recreation.gov for Buck Creek (Rathbun Lake) Campground, read on September 30, 2026.
Campsites at Buck Creek (Rathbun Lake) Campground
- Standard 42
- Hookups 42
What an RV fits
- 40–44 ft2 sites
- 45–49 ft7 sites
- 50–54 ft13 sites
- 55–59 ft2 sites
- 60–64 ft7 sites
- 65–69 ft4 sites
- 70–74 ft1 site
- 75–79 ft3 sites
- 100–104 ft1 site
- 120–124 ft1 site
- 125–129 ft1 site
Amenities
- restrooms
- showers
- potable water
- dump station
At a glance: Setting: Valley.
Things to do: fishing, boating, swimming, wildlife, offroad.
All sites at Buck Creek (Rathbun Lake) Campground, as listed by Recreation.gov
| Site | Loop | Type | Sleeps | Max RV | Hookups |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A01 | LOOP A | Standard | 8 | 43 ft | Electric |
| A02 | LOOP A | Standard | 8 | 43 ft | Electric |
| A03 | LOOP A | Standard | 8 | 60 ft | Electric |
| A04 | LOOP A | Standard | 8 | 69 ft | Electric |
| A05 | LOOP A | Standard | 8 | 60 ft | Electric |
| A06 | LOOP A | Standard | 8 | 51 ft | Electric |
| A07 | LOOP A | Standard | 8 | 49 ft | Electric |
| A08 | LOOP A | Standard | 8 | 50 ft | Electric |
| A09 | LOOP A | Standard | 8 | 50 ft | Electric |
| A10 | LOOP A | Standard | 8 | 50 ft | Electric |
| A11 | LOOP A | Standard | 8 | 62 ft | Electric |
| A12 | LOOP A | Standard | 8 | 63 ft | Electric |
| A13 | LOOP A | Standard | 8 | 62 ft | Electric |
| A14 | LOOP A | Standard | 8 | 49 ft | Electric |
| A15 | LOOP A | Standard | 8 | 53 ft | Electric |
| A16 | LOOP A | Standard | 8 | 47 ft | Electric |
| A17 | LOOP A | Standard | 8 | 50 ft | Electric |
| A18 | LOOP A | Standard | 8 | 54 ft | Electric |
| A19 | LOOP A | Standard | 8 | 51 ft | Electric |
| A20 | LOOP A | Standard | 8 | 46 ft | Electric |
| A21 | LOOP A | Standard | 8 | 51 ft | Electric |
| Site | Loop | Type | Sleeps | Max RV | Hookups |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A22 | LOOP A | Standard | 8 | 51 ft | Electric |
| A23 | LOOP A | Standard | 8 | 49 ft | Electric |
| A24 | LOOP A | Standard | 8 | 49 ft | Electric |
| B01 | LOOP B | Standard | 8 | 66 ft | Electric |
| B02 | LOOP B | Standard | 8 | 53 ft | Electric |
| B03 | LOOP B | Standard | 8 | 128 ft | Electric |
| B04 | LOOP B | Standard | 8 | 102 ft | Electric |
| B05 | LOOP B | Standard | 8 | 77 ft | Electric |
| B06 | LOOP B | Standard | 8 | 56 ft | Electric |
| B07 | LOOP B | Standard | 8 | 56 ft | Electric |
| B08 | LOOP B | Standard | 8 | 66 ft | Electric |
| F01 | LOOP F | Standard | 8 | 53 ft | Electric |
| F02 | LOOP F | Standard | 8 | 60 ft | Electric |
| F03 | LOOP F | Standard | 8 | 71 ft | Electric |
| F04 | LOOP F | Standard | 8 | 123 ft | Electric |
| F05 | LOOP F | Standard | 8 | 49 ft | Electric |
| F06 | LOOP F | Standard | 8 | 78 ft | Electric |
| F07 | LOOP F | Standard | 8 | 50 ft | Electric |
| F08 | LOOP F | Standard | 8 | 76 ft | Electric |
| F09 | LOOP F | Standard | 8 | 66 ft | Electric |
| F10 | LOOP F | Standard | 8 | 64 ft | Electric |
About Buck Creek (Rathbun Lake) Campground
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.
Rules and notices at Buck Creek (Rathbun Lake) Campground
Recreation.gov does not date these notices. We last read them on September 30, 2026. Check Buck Creek (Rathbun Lake) Campground on Recreation.gov
Notices from Recreation.gov
14 Day Policy on Rathbun Lake: Campers are only allowed to camp at the same camping loop a maximum of 14 nights within a 30 night period. After the 14th night, they will be required to move (physically move the camping unit) to a different camping loop, which can be in the same campground.
ALL campsites are 100% Reservable. Campsite ust be paid for prior to setting up a camping unit.
Swimming beach is located within the park, but not in the campground loops
For more information, visit the Rathbun Lake website http://www.nwk.usace.army.mil/Locations/District-Lakes/Rathbun-Lake/
Purchase firewood from a local source.
If you must bring your own firewood, don't leave any firewood behind at your campsite.
Don't Move Firewood: Protect your forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. Visit Dontmovefirewood.org for further information.
Buck Creek (Rathbun Lake) Campground FAQ
How hard is it to get a campsite at Buck Creek (Rathbun Lake) Campground?
Buck Creek (Rathbun Lake) Campground is rated "Hard to Book" based on historical demand. This campground is popular and often books out weeks in advance. Your best strategy is to monitor cancellations.
How do I find last-minute availability at Buck Creek (Rathbun Lake) Campground?
Cancellations happen frequently at Buck Creek (Rathbun Lake) Campground, especially 1-2 weeks before check-in dates. PermitSnag monitors availability 24/7 and sends instant alerts when sites open up due to cancellations. This is often the best way to snag popular campsites.
How many campsites does Buck Creek (Rathbun Lake) Campground have?
Buck Creek (Rathbun Lake) Campground has 42 campsites.
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