Buck Creek
Open for the 2026 season. The campground operates seasonally from May 8 through September 29. All 42 sites are reservable via Recreation.gov. The campground is staffed May through September.
Flash Flood Warning issued June 10 at 6:55PM CDT until June 11 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS Des Moines IA
FFWDMX The National Weather Service in Des Moines has issued a * Flash Flood Warning for... Appanoose County in south central Iowa... Davis County in southeastern Iowa... * Until 100 AM CDT Thursday. * At 655 PM CDT, Emergency management reported flooded roadways due to thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between 2 and 3 inches of rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly. HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms. SOURCE...Emergency management reported. IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor drainage and low-lying areas. * Some locations that will experience flash flooding include... Centerville, Bloomfield, Lake Sundown, Rathbun Lake, Moravia, Moulton, Mystic, Cincinnati, Pulaski, Drakesville, Exline, Floris, Unionville, Numa, Rathbun, Plano, Udell, Lake Wapello State Park, Sharon Bluffs State Park and Bloomfield Municipal Airport.
Tornado Watch issued June 10 at 3:57PM CDT until June 10 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Des Moines IA
TORNADO WATCH 303 REMAINS VALID UNTIL 9 PM CDT THIS EVENING FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS IN IOWA THIS WATCH INCLUDES 12 COUNTIES IN SOUTH CENTRAL IOWA APPANOOSE CLARKE DECATUR LUCAS MONROE RINGGOLD UNION WAYNE IN SOUTHEAST IOWA DAVIS WAPELLO IN SOUTHWEST IOWA ADAMS TAYLOR THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF ALBIA, ALLERTON, BEDFORD, BLOOMFIELD, CENTERVILLE, CHARITON, CORNING, CORYDON, CRESTON, HUMESTON, LAMONI, LENOX, LEON, MOUNT AYR, NEW MARKET, OSCEOLA, OTTUMWA, AND SEYMOUR. * PRIMARY THREATS INCLUDE... A FEW TORNADOES LIKELY WITH A COUPLE INTENSE TORNADOES POSSIBLE. SCATTERED DAMAGING WINDS AND ISOLATED SIGNIFICANT GUSTS TO 75 MPH LIKELY. SCATTERED LARGE HAIL AND ISOLATED VERY LARGE HAIL EVENTS TO 3 INCHES IN DIAMETER LIKELY.
Flood Watch issued June 10 at 11:02AM CDT until June 11 at 11:00AM CDT by NWS Des Moines IA
* WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible. * WHERE...Portions of southern into central and eastern Iowa. * WHEN...Through Thursday morning. * IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - Multiple rounds of potentially heavy rainfall expected through the afternoon and evening may lead to localized flash flooding.
About
Buck Creek Campground occupies a scenic position on Rathbun Lake, Iowa's second-largest body of water at 11,000 acres. The campground is set among open grassy areas dotted with mature trees in the gently rolling Chariton River Valley. All 42 sites are equipped with 30-amp electric hookups and gravel driveways, with some sites accommodating RVs up to 49 feet. Facilities include flush toilets, vault toilets, hot showers, potable drinking water, and a dump station. A boat ramp provides direct access to the lake, and a marina with bait shop is located nearby. The campground also features a playground for families. Rathbun Lake, nicknamed "Iowa's Ocean," offers exceptional fishing for crappie, channel catfish, walleye, and largemouth bass. Prevailing winds make it one of the best sailing lakes in the state. The nearby Rathbun Fish Hatchery offers free self-guided tours Monday through Friday year-round, and Southern Iowa's only Off Highway Vehicle Park is a short drive away.
Directions
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.
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | Yes |
| Wifi | — |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | Yes |
| Electric Hookups | Yes |
| Water Hookups | No |
| Sewer Hookups | No |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $25 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | 128ft |
| Max Trailer Length | 128ft |
| Big Rig Friendly | Yes |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (641) 724-3206 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | Yes |
Availability
Photos
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