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

Willis H

Verified

October 10, 2023 Stayed at: F04, Loop: LOOP F

1

Katherine Z

Verified

June 28, 2023 Stayed at: A09, Loop: LOOP A

4

Loved the place. Very quiet and serene while we were there. Our site was such that you could not see other campers, but close enough if you wanted to be social. The Ranger was so nice and helpful. The shower facility was good. The only drawback was all the black wasps at the bathroom. Asked Administration to have the wasps eradicated, but maybe they could not because they are wildlife? We will camp there again.

Barb K

Verified

June 25, 2023 Stayed at: B06, Loop: LOOP B

5

Nice Campground

joshua e

Verified

June 19, 2023 Stayed at: F02, Loop: LOOP F

5

Great place to camp

Cris K

Verified

June 6, 2023 Stayed at: B03, Loop: LOOP B

5

Relaxing and great fishing!

Douglas J Gonner G

Verified

June 5, 2023 Stayed at: F07, Loop: LOOP F

5

19th year we have stayed at Buck Creek to do some crappie fishing at Rathbun Lake.

Robert C

Verified

June 2, 2023 Stayed at: A13, Loop: LOOP A

2

3 of the 4 shower stalls was to dirty to shower in and had stuff stolen from our camper. Been camping there 4 years and never had anything touched till this weekend.

Janet S

Verified

May 31, 2023 Stayed at: F06, Loop: LOOP F

5

This site has everything you need your close to the water. It’s the best site in the whole campground

Jeremy V

Verified

May 28, 2023 Stayed at: F01, Loop: LOOP F

5

This is a nice campground. Sites are decently spaced apart, other campers were friendly, and restrooms were clean. Wish they had the option to buy firewood there so we wouldn’t have to haul our own into camp.

jeff c

Verified

May 27, 2023 Stayed at: B03, Loop: LOOP B

5

well kept quiet campground

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 7, 2026

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