• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Explore Des Moines
    • Winter in Des Moines
    • Our 10+ Favorite Des Moines Parks
    • Nature Areas and Parks in Des Moines
    • Des Moines Bike Trails Guide
    • Principal Riverwalk
    • Best Hiking Trails in Des Moines
  • Camping & Cabins
    • Best Fall Camping Near Des Moines
    • Camping Checklist [+ PDF]
    • Camping With Kids
    • Ultimate List of RV Essentials
    • Easy Camping Food Ideas
    • Iowa State Parks With Cabins
    • Des Moines Campground Guide
    • A Guide to Des Moines RV Parks
    • Cabin Rentals Near Des Moines
  • About
  • Contact Us
Des Moines Outdoors

Des Moines Outdoors

Honey Creek State Park: Don’t Miss This Scenic Peninsula at Rathbun Lake in Iowa

DSMOutdoors

Family Camping Cabin at Honey Creek State Park
Camping cabin at Honey Creek State Park

Honey Creek State Park is a scenic 828-acre park on a peninsula at Rathbun Lake in southern Iowa. You’ll love its rolling hills overlooking the picturesque 11,000-acre lake, also called “Iowa’s ocean.”

From swimming and hiking to boating and fishing, there are so many fun things to do at the lake—you’ll want to stay! Honey Creek State Park is a popular spot for camping and cabin rentals.

Table of Contents

    • A Brief History of Honey Creek State Park
  • Things To Do at Honey Creek State Park
    • Hike the trails
    • Go boating
      • Boat ramps
      • Water trails
    • Go fishing
    • Picnic
    • Go camping or rent a cabin
    • Bike the park
    • Winter activities
    • Map
  • Campground & Cabins
  • Things to do nearby
  • Visit Honey Creek State Park Today! 

A Brief History of Honey Creek State Park

Native American burial mounds reveal that the Woodland culture once lived there. These indigenous people lived in villages by the rivers of the Eastern Plains. They raised corn and squash while also hunting and gathering. (Visit the Woodland Interpretive Trail for more history!)

When Congress passed the Flood Control Act of 1954, it authorized the construction of Rathbun Dam and Reservoir on the Chariton River. The earth-fill dam was complete in 1969 and operational in 1970. Besides flood control and conservation, another goal was to provide outdoor recreation. 

And since the creation of the 11,000-acre lake, Honey Creek State Park continues to draw boaters and nature lovers each year.

Interpretive Trail at Honey Creek State Park
Woodland Interpretive Trail

Things To Do at Honey Creek State Park

Hike the trails

Five miles of multi-use trails provide an ideal way to explore the park! 

Several short paths on the park’s east end lead to the lakeshores. And there are a couple of trails near the campgrounds. See the trail map here.

Don’t miss the Woodland Interpretive Trail near the burial mounds. You can learn more about the Native American culture that once called the area home. An open-air shelter is near the trailhead.

And don’t forget your binoculars! Hikers often see a variety of wildlife, like turkey, quail, deer, and other woodland animals.

Go boating

Boating is one of the most popular activities at Honey Creek State Park. That’s understandable since it’s right on the shores of “Iowa’s Ocean!” Another perk is the lake’s coves, channels, and beaches to stop and relax.

Rathbun Lake accommodates ski boats, fishing boats, and sailboats. Plus, kayaks and canoes are fun to paddle along the shoreline. Plus, you can rent pontoon boats nearby at Honey Creek Resort and Rathbun Marina.

Boat ramps

The Honey Creek State Park south boat ramp is one of the largest boat ramps on Rathbun Lake, with plenty of parking. There’s also a smaller north ramp with 24-hour fishing access.

Several other boat ramps are around the lake too. Ramps operated by the Corps of Engineers require day-use fees.

Rathbun Lake Boat Ramp at Honey Creek State park
South boat ramp (six lanes with a large parking lot)
North boat ramp
North boat ramp

Water trails

If you want to kayak or canoe, there are two designated water trails on the lake.

  • The North Shore Water Trail extends 5.3 miles from Honey Creek State Park to the Rathbun Marina. Want to make it an overnight? A primitive paddle-in tent area is at Paddler’s Pines Camp.
  • The South Shore Water Trail is on the other side of the lake. The 14.5-mile trail has several access points, plus a wilderness trail. This one’s rated for beginners since it’s less affected by wind and waves.

Go fishing

Rathbun Lake is an excellent lake for fishing by boat or shore. There’s plenty of shoreline at the park and two boat ramps. Plus, a fish cleaning station is near the south boat ramp.

Anglers often catch Crappie and Walleye at Rathbun. Other popular species include Channel Catfish, Largemouth Bass, White Bass, and Wiper. See the Iowa DNR Rathbun Reservoir page for fishing reports and regulations.

You might also consider visiting the Rathbun Fish Hatchery for a self-guided tour! It’s open Monday through Friday during limited hours. See the Iowa DNR Fish Hatchery page for details.

Picnic

Honey Creek has no shortage of quaint and scenic picnic spots! So if you’re there for a day – or a week – make a picnic part of your plan.

Two open-air picnic shelters at the park are reservable and otherwise first-come, first-serve.

Shelter at Honey Creek State Park
Shelter #2 at Honey Creek State Park

Go camping or rent a cabin

There’s something for everyone at this park when it comes to camping! From full hookup RV sites to primitive tent camping and even log camping cabins, you’re sure to find what suits your needs!

See the campground and cabins section below for details.

Bike the park

Over two miles of the main park roads have a bike lane, so you can bike throughout the park!

Winter activities

Visit Honey Creek State Park for cross country skiing or snowshoeing in winter. 

And if you like to snowmobile, you’re in luck. There are a couple of short snowmobile trails in the park (Bay View Trail & Deer Run Trail). But that’s not all! The 47-mile(!) Paris Snowmobile Trail circles the lake. See the trail brochure for details.

Map

Honey Creek State Park Map
Map source: Iowa DNR Park brochure

Campground & Cabins

Honey Creek State Park has two campgrounds, 149 campsites, and four camping cabins.

Below are the campground and cabin features. Also, see the campground maps and Reserve America for more details.

North Campground

  • 91 campsites; 28 full hookups (pull-through), 21 electric only, and 42 non-electric sites
  • Gravel pads
  • Modern restrooms & showers
  • Dump station
  • It’s on the north side of the park road.
  • Many campsites are reservable; reserve a site at Reserve America.

South Campground

  • 58 campsites; 54 electric, 4 non-electric (including one youth group site)
  • Gravel pads
  • Some campsites have lake views
  • Modern restrooms & showers
  • No dump station – use North Campground
  • It’s on the south side of the park road.
  • Many sites are reservable; reserve your spot at Reserve America.

Camping Cabins

Four log cabins for up to four to six guests are in a secluded area at the North Campground. 

Each cabin has a covered porch, electricity, a microwave, a small fridge, heat, and a/c, but no running water. Vault toilets are nearby. And guests are welcome to use the modern restrooms and showers at the campground. And you must provide your own pillows, linens, cooking equipment, dishes, soap, and toiletries. Reserve a cabin at Reserve America.

South Campground
Electric site at South Campground
Tent area at the Honey Creek State Park South Campground
Tent area at the south campground

Things to do nearby

Honey Creek Resort is northeast of the park, just across a lake inlet. By car, it’s an eight-mile drive. The 850-acre resort has an indoor water park, beach, golf course, and accommodations! Day passes are available for the indoor water park and outdoor aquapark.

Rathbun Lake Marina is 9 miles from the park on the lake’s east side. It’s a full-service marina with fuel, slips, pontoon boat rentals, a ship store, a cafe, etc.

The US Army Corps of Engineers has two public swimming beaches on the shores of the lake. Find them at Buck Creek Park and Island View Park. Day-use fees apply.

Rathbun OHV Park is 11 miles from the resort on the lake’s southeast side. It’s a 125-acre park with dirt and gravel trails for UTVs and ATVs. Cruise through the woods, catch a lake view, and climb challenging hills at a former rock quarry! See the Iowa DNR website for more.

Centerville is a 30-minute drive and a place to get camping, fishing, and boating supplies. While you’re there, ride a trolley, tour a coal mining museum, and grab a bite to eat at a local restaurant.

Lelah Bradley Park & Reserve is southeast of the park in Centerville. The 165-acre park has 10 miles of trails, plus scenic fishing and picnic spots!

Sharon Bluffs State Park is five miles east of Centerville. Stop at the nature center (with wildlife enclosures!), hike the trails, and go camping along the Chariton River.

Red Haw State Park is 27 miles northwest of the park near Chariton. This 650-acre park is popular in the spring for viewing Redbud trees blooming around the lake. Red Haw is also a wonderful place to hike, fish, boat, or camp!

Visit Honey Creek State Park Today!

Find Honey Creek State Park at 12194 Honey Creek Pl, Moravia, IA 52571.

facebookShare on Facebook
TwitterTweet
PinterestSave

Filed Under: Parks

Primary Sidebar

About Des Moines Outdoors

Des Moines Outdoors is a site dedicated to helping you find the best of everything outdoors in the state of Iowa. We’re native Iowans that, for over 25 years, camped, hiked, biked, and explored our home state. We encourage you to do the same.

There’s so much more to see and do in Iowa than many people imagine! Our goal is to help visitors and residents alike experience the best of our beautiful state.

Search

More Outdoor Fun in Iowa

Sign up for our seasonal newsletter on the best things to do and places to see!

    We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.

    No spam, just four newsletters each year.

    Built with ConvertKit
    Winter scavenger hunt printables
    outdoor gift guides
    Rv Essentials

    Recent Articles

    • Car Camping Essentials: How to get ready to car camp & gear you need
    • Winter Sowing Seeds: List of best seeds to winter sow and how to do it
    • Top Lakes in Iowa: 12 Best Lakes for Recreation and Relaxation
    • Tennis & Pickleball Courts in Des Moines: Find an Outdoor Public Court Near You
    • Winter Hiking Gear: Best winter hiking boots, pants & other gear you need

    Categories

    Footer

    Categories

    Archives

    DISCLAIMER/DISCLOSURE

    We make no express or implied claims or warranties regarding this website or results from using the information, content, materials, products, or services on DesMoinesOutdoors.com.

    Everything you read on this site is for entertainment purposes only. We do our best to keep up with the latest info on parks, trails, and other outdoor activities. But things change, and we don’t always know. 

    Outdoor activities can be dangerous and unpredictable. Use of the information on DesMoinesOutdoors.com is at the users’ risk. Users recognize this risk and agree to hold us harmless for any liability from the use of information on DesMoinesOutdoors.com, including, but not limited to, bodily injury, death, property damage, sickness, or disease. We assume no liability for the use of this website, any information on the site, or any inconvenience or injury resulting from information on the activities or places on this site.

    This site may contain affiliate links. See the full disclosure here.

    Copyright © 2023 · Des Moines Outdoors