Buck Creek (Rathbun Lake)

BUCK CREEK (RATHBUN LAKE)
BUCK CREEK (RATHBUN LAKE)

Featured amenities

Showers Showers
Playground Playground

Sites & Rates

Average nightly rates

42 total sites

RV Sites

42 sites

About Buck Creek (Rathbun Lake)

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.

Number of accommodations: 42

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently open - May 8 to Sep 29

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Showers Showers
Playground Playground
RV Utilities and Hookups

RV Utilities and Hookups

  • Dump station on site
Water and Hygiene

Water and Hygiene

  • Potable Water
  • Showers
On Site Services

On Site Services

  • Playground
Water Access

Water Access

  • Lake Access
  • Marina
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.

42 Sites Available

Site
Price
🚐 A01, Loop: LOOP A RV
30 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 A02, Loop: LOOP A RV
30 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 A03, Loop: LOOP A RV
30 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 A04, Loop: LOOP A RV
30 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 A05, Loop: LOOP A RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 A06, Loop: LOOP A RV
30 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 A07, Loop: LOOP A RV
30 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 A08, Loop: LOOP A RV
30 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 A09, Loop: LOOP A RV
30 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 A10, Loop: LOOP A RV
30 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 A11, Loop: LOOP A RV
30 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 A12, Loop: LOOP A RV
30 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 A13, Loop: LOOP A RV
30 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 A14, Loop: LOOP A RV
30 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 A15, Loop: LOOP A RV
30 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 A16, Loop: LOOP A RV
30 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 A17, Loop: LOOP A RV
30 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 A18, Loop: LOOP A RV
30 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 A19, Loop: LOOP A RV
30 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 A20, Loop: LOOP A RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 A21, Loop: LOOP A RV
30 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 A22, Loop: LOOP A RV
30 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 A23, Loop: LOOP A RV
30 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 A24, Loop: LOOP A RV
30 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 B01, Loop: LOOP B RV
30 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 B02, Loop: LOOP B RV
30 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 B03, Loop: LOOP B RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 B04, Loop: LOOP B RV
30 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 B05, Loop: LOOP B RV
30 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 B06, Loop: LOOP B RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 B07, Loop: LOOP B RV
30 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 B08, Loop: LOOP B RV
30 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 F01, Loop: LOOP F RV
30 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 F02, Loop: LOOP F RV
30 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 F03, Loop: LOOP F RV
30 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 F04, Loop: LOOP F RV
30 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 F05, Loop: LOOP F RV
30 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 F06, Loop: LOOP F RV
30 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 F07, Loop: LOOP F RV
30 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 F08, Loop: LOOP F RV
30 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 F09, Loop: LOOP F RV
30 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 F10, Loop: LOOP F RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available

Reviews (71)

What Guests Are Saying

Buck Creek Campground offers a peaceful environment with spacious sites and beautiful lake views, making it ideal for relaxation and outdoor activities. While some facilities, like the showers, could use updates and certain sites may be uneven, the campground is well-maintained and generally clean. Visitors appreciate the quiet atmosphere, friendly hosts, and the opportunity for enjoyable fishing experiences.

Review Summary

4.2
71 reviews
5
66.2%
47
4
14.1%
10
3
4.2%
3
2
8.5%
6
1
7.0%
5

Kenneth T

Verified

August 14, 2026 Stayed at: A11, Loop: LOOP A

4

a nice quiet campground just sit & relax enjoy

Ward S

Verified

August 2, 2026 Stayed at: B08, Loop: LOOP B

5

We camp Monday thru Friday. All neighbors were quiet was a good stay.

Barb S

Verified

July 29, 2026 Stayed at: F07, Loop: LOOP F

5

Beautiful campground, Well maintained. Sites are spacious with fantastic lake views from some sites. Very quiet during weekdays.

Gary R

Verified

July 20, 2026 Stayed at: A11, Loop: LOOP A

4

Moravia, Ia Rathbun Buck Creek COE campground. We were at sits A11. Back in gravel not the most level. We did have a lake view and a short walk to the water to fish. Nice to ride e bikes around the campground. Showers are not the best , definitely needs an update. Electric on each campsite. You will need to fill up water as you enter if you need it. Dump site on the way out. Campground was almost full over the weekend, but was still very quiet. We will be back.

Deb B

Verified

July 3, 2026 Stayed at: A15, Loop: LOOP A

5

This was our 2nd trip to Buck Creek and it won't be our last. Beautiful and clean!

Ward S

Verified

June 28, 2026 Stayed at: B08, Loop: LOOP B

5

The lake was up five feet because of rains. Made a challenge to find crappie. Ended up fishing deeper and caught some fish. We don’t need to limit out when fishing. Caught enough for fish tacos. Learned to fish deeper on high water reservoirs. And fish are better to eat by themselves. And tacos are better with hamburger or flank steak.

Aimee G

Verified

June 21, 2026 Stayed at: A12, Loop: LOOP A

5

Great location!

LARRY R

Verified

June 16, 2026 Stayed at: A14, Loop: LOOP A

5

We stayed at A14 at Buck Creek, Great Site, Bathrooms were extremely clean. While all the sites in the park will state they are tent friendly many are uneven. A14 had a nice level spot for us to setup camp. Site was quiet at night although the park was not overly busy on this weekend due to severe thunderstorms.

Denise S

Verified

June 5, 2026 Stayed at: F02, Loop: LOOP F

5

Very nice park will camp there again.

Mike M

Verified

May 21, 2026 Stayed at: F04, Loop: LOOP F

4

This campground is a nice place to stay. Numerous trees and the sites are far enough apart. The shower facility is a hike for some spots but is kept clean. One thing that would be a nice addition is if they had a fish cleaning facility at the campground; there is not one currently.

Location Buck Creek (Rathbun Lake)

Address:
20112 Hwy J5 T
Centerville, IA, 52544-8308
United States

Highway access

Buck Creek is accessible via HWY 5 and HWY J-29, located approximately 5 miles south and 4 miles southeast respectively from the campground.

Elevation: 288 feet

Distance to downtown

12 mi drive to downtown Centerville (about 18 min)

Policies & Rules

General

  • 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.

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations


Last updated: September 3, 2026

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Managed by US Army Corps of Engineers