Kansas City District > Locations > District Lakes > Rathbun Lake

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US Army Corps of Engineers

Kansas City District Website

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Latest Kansas City District Info

Camping

Six campgrounds are conveniently located around Rathbun Lake. The Corps manages four of these campgrounds; Buck Creek, Prairie Ridge, Bridge View, and Island View Parks. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources manages Honey Creek campground and a private concessionaire manages the Buck Creek Marina campgrounds.

User fees are charged for camping in parks that the Corps of Engineers operates. The amount of the fee is based on the type of facilities provided.

Campgrounds contain level campsites, many with electrical hookups, lantern hanging posts, picnic tables, and fire rings. Shower buildings, sanitary dump stations, playgrounds, and fish cleaning stations are located in most parks. Please click on campground specific information for a complete list of amenities and fees for each campground.

Entrance stations are located at most campgrounds and all campgrounds are patrolled routinely by Park Rangers and Appanoose County Sheriff's Deputies. To reserve a Corps of Engineers campsite visit www.recreation.gov or call 1-877-444-6777.

EMERALD ASH BORER/FIREWOOD WARNING

Campgrounds

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Bridgeview Campground

Fees include 30 amp electric sites for $18.00 and 50 amp electric sites for $20.00 and non electric sites for $14.00 from May 1 through September 30. This park is located on the northwest end of the lake and facilities include: 51 reservable campsites (47 electric sites) and 49 non reservable campsites (45 electric sites), boat ramp, dump station, reservable shelter, shower houses, fish cleaning station, and playground.

Campsite Map

Make a Reservation

Buck Creek Campground

Fees include 30 amp electric sites for $18.00 and 50 amp electric sites for $20.00 from May 8 through September 30. This park is located on the east end of the lake and facilities include: 28 electric reservable campsites and 14 electric non-reservable campsites, dump station, shower house, fish cleaning station, and playground.

Campsite Map

Make a Reservation

Island View Campground

Fees include 30 amp electric sites for $18.00 and 50 amp electric sites for $20.00 from May 1 through September 30. This is the largest campground at Rathbun and is located on the southeast end of the lake. Facilities include: 97 reservable electric campsites and 96 non-reservable electric campsites, boat ramp, dump station, showerhouses, reservable shelter, playground, swimming beach and fish cleaning station.

Group Camp

Fees include $125.00 per night Sunday through Thursday and $200.00 per night Friday and Saturday. The area is located within the Island View Campground and includes 12 electric sites, picnic shelter, shower house, and dump station.

Campground Map

Make a Reservation

Prairie Ridge Campground

Fees include 50 amp electric sites for $18.00 from May 15 though September 15. This campground is located on the north side of the lake and facilities include: 28 reservable electric sites and 26 non-reservable electric sites, boat ramp, dump station, showerhouses, playground, fish cleaning station, and reservable shelter.

Group Camp

Fees include $50.00 per night Sunday through Thursday and $100.00 per night Friday and Saturday. The area is located within Prairie Ridge campground and includes 9 non-electric campsites and a picnic shelter nearby.

Campground Map

Make a Reservation

Buck Creek Marina Campground

The Buck Creek Marina Campground is a concession area managed by Rathbun Marinas. Fees are $20 for 50 amp electric campsites from May 1 through September 30. Buck Creek Marina is located on the east end of the lake and facilities include: 22 reservable electric campsites, boat ramp, boat slips, shower house, dump station, and fish cleaning station. To obtain additional information or to make a reservation, contact 641-724-3212.

Campground Map

Honey Creek State Park

Fees include $11.00 for non-electric campsites, $16.00 for electric campsites and $19.00 for 50 amp electric sites with sewer and water hookup. This campground is located on the north side of the lake and facilities include: 27 full hookup campsites (15 reservable), 75 electric campsites (39 reservable), 45 non-electric campsites (25 reservable), 4 cabins, dump station, and showerhouse. Additional information can be obtained through the Honey Creek State Park website or by calling the office phone number at 641-724-3739.

Campground Map