Army Corps of Engineers · Iowa
Buck Creek (Rathbun Lake)
Army Corps of Engineers · Iowa, United States
- Sites
- 42
- Hookups
- 42 electric
- Season
- May 7 to September 29
- Max RV length
- 128 ft
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Showers
- Yes
- Dump station
- Yes
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 925 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 2
- Cell coverage
- T-Mobile weak · Verizon weak · AT&T none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Lake
- Rathbun Lake
- Nearest town
- CENTERVILLE
- Address
- 20112 HWY J5T, CENTERVILLE, IA, 52544-8308
- Phone
- FOR CAMPGROUND INQUIRIES DURING MAY- SEPTEMBER PLEASE CALL 641-724-3206. DURING CLOSED SEASON OCTOBER -APRIL PLEASE CALL 641-647-2464
- Activities
- Biking, Camping, Canoeing, Day Use Area, Fish Hatchery, Fishing, Hiking, Kayaking, Picnicking, Sailing, Swimming, Water Access
42 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
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.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 31° | 13° | -21° | 56° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 37° | 20° | -16° | 66° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 51° | 33° | 9° | 77° | 10 of 11 |
| April | 63° | 42° | 24° | 83° | 5 of 11 |
| May | 74° | 57° | 40° | 88° | 0 of 11 |
| June | 86° | 65° | 50° | 97° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 87° | 69° | 59° | 98° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 83° | 67° | 59° | 94° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 81° | 62° | 50° | 96° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 65° | 46° | 27° | 84° | 2 of 10 |
| November | 52° | 34° | 7° | 73° | 6 of 10 |
| December | 39° | 26° | -7° | 71° | 10 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Nearby campgrounds
- Prairie Ridge (Rathbun Lake) · Army Corps of Engineers · 1 mi · 56 sites
- Island View (Rathbun Lake) · Army Corps of Engineers · 3 mi · 192 sites
- Honey Creek State Park · Iowa State Parks · 4 mi · 112 sites
- Bridgeview (Rathbun Lake) · Army Corps of Engineers · 8 mi · 104 sites
- Lake Wapello State Park · Iowa State Parks · 15 mi · 73 sites
All public campgrounds in Iowa · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-02-25. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.