Sites & Rates
Average nightly rates42 total sites
RV Sites
42 sites
About Buck Creek (Rathbun Lake)
Number of accommodations: 42
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
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Rates, Sites & Availability
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Site Details
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42 Sites Available
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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.
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
Patricia A
VerifiedOctober 7, 2022 • Stayed at: A13, Loop: LOOP A
We were in campsite A13. When we arrived, the site had cigarette butts, food debris, and dog feces everywhere. I spent at least an hour cleaning the site up. We were there for eleven days, there was never a day I did not pick up trash.
John E
VerifiedSeptember 18, 2022 • Stayed at: F03, Loop: LOOP F
The cell phone data coverage at my site was good. There were very limited TV channels available, though. It was September and the acorns were falling constantly! LOL At least there were lots of trees.
PHIL H
VerifiedAugust 7, 2022 • Stayed at: F03, Loop: LOOP F
It would be a great place if the camp rules where enforced.
jeff c
VerifiedAugust 4, 2022 • Stayed at: F04, Loop: LOOP F
We stayed here for fishing. The campground was clean and quiet
Craig S
VerifiedJuly 13, 2022 • Stayed at: F04, Loop: LOOP F
Site F04 on Loop F was a nice campsite for tent camping. We were about the only tent campers at Buck Creek - it's definitely an RV friendly campground. The drive through gravel road could accommodate a long RV - but we don't have one, so we parked a car and a boat being trailered by a SUV - with plenty of room to spare. We pitched our two tents (2 is the maximum per site) between two trees on fairly level ground on the road side of the pull-thru drive, as there's not any other flat ground other than the gravel driveway.
We pitched our pop up over the picnic table and it worked well to cook and feed our group of 7. We didn't use the 220v power supply, but the 2 120v outlets let us power all our devices. And the water supply being adjacent to the site was very convenient - and was great cold (and I mean cold) water for drinking and cooking. The toilets were only a few steps (3 sites) away. It was good we brought along toilet paper, as the supply ran out late in the night.
We drove across the dam to the Corps of Engineers Island View boat launch ramp (free for anyone camping.) The long ramp and 2 docks were perfect to get the crew onboard and launch/recover the boat. There is plenty of parking at the Island View ramp, and handy bathrooms.
Annie M
VerifiedJuly 12, 2022 • Stayed at: F02, Loop: LOOP F
Grounds were great. Neighbors were friendly. I just wish they were more strict with the rule of keeping dogs on leash. Caused many problems for us over the 4th of July weekend. Again, great overall!
jeff c
VerifiedJuly 7, 2022 • Stayed at: A08, Loop: LOOP A
Very well maintained campground
Curtis T
VerifiedJune 26, 2022 • Stayed at: A18, Loop: LOOP A
Site was clean, quiet, and everyone was friendly but kept to themselves. Very peaceful.
Patricia A
VerifiedJune 25, 2022 • Stayed at: A14, Loop: LOOP A
Lake Rathbun is so much more than a fishing destination. Beautiful scenery, lovely views of the Lake and wildlife. Lake Rathbun is my Happy Place. I have been going to Lake Rathbun for almost 50 years.
jeff c
VerifiedJune 23, 2022 • Stayed at: F04, Loop: LOOP F
clean, well kept campground, with good shade.
Location Buck Creek (Rathbun Lake)
Address:
20112 Hwy J5 T
Centerville, IA, 52544-8308
United States
From Centerville, IA, travel 5 miles north on HWY 5 to HWY J-29, then 4 miles northwest to HWY J5T. Travel 2 miles north and follow signs to campground.
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
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.
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Last updated: September 3, 2026
