Buck Creek
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.
More like this: electric hookups in Iowa · reservable in Iowa · pets allowed in Iowa
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard with electric | 42 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 102 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
42 sites in 3 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Power | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A01 | LOOP A | Back-in | 43 | Gravel | Partial | 30 amp | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| A02 | LOOP A | Back-in | 43 | Gravel | Partial | 30 amp | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| A03 | LOOP A | Pull-through | 60 | Gravel | Partial | 30 amp | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| A04 | LOOP A | Pull-through | 69 | Gravel | Partial | 30 amp | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| A05 | LOOP A | Pull-through | 60 | Gravel | Partial | 50 amp | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| A06 | LOOP A | Back-in | 51 | Gravel | Partial | 30 amp | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| A07 | LOOP A | Back-in | 49 | Gravel | Partial | 30 amp | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| A08 | LOOP A | Pull-through | 50 | Gravel | Partial | 30 amp | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| A09 | LOOP A | Back-in | 50 | Gravel | Partial | 30 amp | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| A10 | LOOP A | Back-in | 50 | Gravel | Partial | 30 amp | 8 / 1 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 4:00 PM, checkout 4:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | Electric |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
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.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
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.
| Nearest town | Centerville, Iowa |
| Coordinates | 40.8628° N, 92.8678° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 35.1 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Buck Creek State Park Ohio | Campground Review | Christy's Cooking
Worth a stop
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.
- 1.2 miRathbun Marina ↗Boat launch
- 8 miSouth Fork Marina ↗Boat launch
Other campgrounds nearby
Historic landmarks 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.
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.
Guidebooks for Iowa
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Buck Creek?
Sites at Buck Creek are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Buck Creek?
Check-in 4:00 PM, checkout 4:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Buck Creek have?
42 sites, including 42 standard sites with power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I bring an RV to Buck Creek?
Buck Creek is listed for tents only.
Source: Recreation.gov
Does Buck Creek have hookups?
Yes, electric hookups at some sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there showers or a dump station at Buck Creek?
Amenities include flush and pit toilets, showers, drinking water, a dump station, boat ramp and playground.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Buck Creek?
Yes, pets are allowed at Buck Creek. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Buck Creek?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is there cell service at Buck Creek?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 4G LTE at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Buck Creek?
The 11,000-acre lake provides a variety of fishing opportunities for any angler. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Buck Creek?
Centerville, Iowa. The Rathbun Fish Hatchery is located near the main dam, and offers self-guided tours Monday through Friday year-round.
Source: Getting there
What if Buck Creek is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Prairie Ridge (1.4 mi), Island View (3.4 mi), and Bridgeview (8.4 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby