Available sites
42 total sites
RV Sites
About Buck Creek (Rathbun Lake)
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Showers
Playground
RV Utilities and Hookups
- Dump station on site
Water and Hygiene
- Potable Water
- Showers
On Site Services
- Playground
Water Access
- Lake Access
- Marina
Rates, Sites & Availability
42 Sites Available
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Site Details
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42 Sites Available
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
Reviews (79)
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.
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
Lowell S
VerifiedOctober 14, 2025 • Stayed at: F07, Loop: LOOP F
Clean park lots of room
Ward S
VerifiedOctober 5, 2025 • Stayed at: B08, Loop: LOOP B
Good time camping when the weather cools off and I can open the windows and not run my ac. September is a good month to camp with fishing and small game hunting seasons open. Also nobody rented my spot the night before our arrival date. Was nice to arrive any time of the day we wanted to without worrying if someone was still in our spot we paid for and they didn’t.
Patricia A
VerifiedSeptember 25, 2025 • Stayed at: A13, Loop: LOOP A
We camped at site A13. We were very disappointed in the condition of the site and area surrounding it. The picnic able had been placed over a huge washout. There were huge tire ruts all around the site and mole holes everywhere. I would have complained and moved, but there were no other sites for our time frame. We have camped at this site for years and this was just unacceptable. We could not enjoy the fire pit as the picnic table was in the way. I cannot fathom how you knew this site was reserved and never made any attempts to repair it. Shame on you.
Patricia Anderson
Steve S
VerifiedSeptember 4, 2025 • Stayed at: A16, Loop: LOOP A
Loved waking up to….quiet!
Frank R
VerifiedSeptember 3, 2025 • Stayed at: F05, Loop: LOOP F
Becky the camo host is wonderful. At least I think thats her name. Always welcomes us when we come from Texas to camp.
John W
VerifiedAugust 17, 2025 • Stayed at: B03, Loop: LOOP B
No water at sites.site #B 03 was not level at all,it was a pull thur.
Teresa M
VerifiedJuly 29, 2025 • Stayed at: A22, Loop: LOOP A
No
TIM B
VerifiedJuly 20, 2025 • Stayed at: B03, Loop: LOOP B
The camp spot (B3) was almost impossible to level our 5th wheel. Because the spot was washed out and not maintained And the tree branches need trimmed back so they don’t rub the roof of camper. I talked to a person at the corps office she didn’t have a good answer other then trees do have branches
Randy G
VerifiedJuly 20, 2025 • Stayed at: F05, Loop: LOOP F
We camp about 7 time each summer. This year two weekends we did not get our camp site mowed at all. The grass was very long with long weeds. We enjoy camping at buck creek other than those two visits.
Thanks for your efforts to improve our camping experience.
Deb B
VerifiedJuly 7, 2025 • Stayed at: A18, Loop: LOOP A
Beautiful setting! Bugs were under control better than at our home. Rathbun lake is MUCH cleaner than Red Rock.
Location & Directions for Buck Creek (Rathbun Lake)
20112 Hwy J5 T, Centerville, IA 52544-8308 United States
Elevation: 288 ft
Getting There
From Centerville, IA, travel 5 mi north on HWY 5 to HWY J-29, then 4 mi northwest to HWY J5T. Travel 2 mi north and follow signs to campground.
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.
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: October 21, 2026
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Explore Centerville, IA
Population: 5,372
Nearby city: Des Moines, IA
Approx. 64 mi away (straight-line distance)
Elevation: 1,007 ft
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