Buck Creek

Rathbun Lake, IA · ≈26.2 mi to Ottumwa
Sites
42
Max rig
Pull-through
Yes
Hookups
50A
ADA
To town
26.2 mi
Signal

✓ Best for

  • Big rigs with pull-through sites
  • Fishing and water sports enthusiasts
  • Campers wanting electric hookups
  • Wildlife viewing and hiking

✕ Not ideal for

  • RVers needing water or sewer hookups
  • Visitors seeking close proximity to town

Connectivity

Best bet: T-MobileUsable 5G — good enough to stay connected · 3 of 3 carriers reach here
VerizonLTE
AT&TLTE
T-Mobile5G

What's here

42 Standards
Rig compatibility

Will your rig fit?

Checked against every site's real dimensions.
Your RV length
35ft
35 ft
Your fit summary
See availability →

Amenities & features

Amenities
Campfires allowedElectric hookupsFire pitsPets allowedPicnic tablesShade
Activities
BikingCampingCanoeingDay Use AreaFish HatcheryFishingHikingKayakingPicnickingSailingSwimmingWater AccessWildlife Viewing
CampIntel Score

How we score

We score what we can verify.
Tight for big rigsRig fit
Remote — plan aheadAccess
Basic amenitiesConvenience
Verdicts come from our Rig fit, Access & Convenience sub-scores — each built only from verifiable Recreation.gov data.

Where it is

Nearest town: Ottumwa, ~26.2 miGet directions ↗

Nearby campgrounds

Closest options, ranked by score.

Photos

Photos: Recreation.gov

Overview

Overview 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. 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. Facilities 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. 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. Contact Info This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (641) 647-2464. Nearby Attractions 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.

Managed by US Army Corps of Engineers · Developed campground