Rathbun Lake Recreation

With 11,000 acres of gorgeous water and 150 miles of shoreline, it’s Iowa’s second largest lake. Bring your own watercraft and use our marina with a boat launch, fishing pier and 40 boat slips.

Included in every overnight stay at Honey Creek is the use of:

• Water trampoline
• Stand up paddle boards (SUP)
• Kayaks
• Fishing equipment (license not included; can be purchased separately at the hotel gift shop)
• Beach volleyball 
• Buccaneer Bay Indoor Water Park
• Bicycles, including helmets
• Access to daily resort activities
• Naturalist programs, including field pack rentals for geocaching, bird watching, and more
• Among other fun activities! 

Or, choose from a variety of seasonal watercraft rental including:

• Jet skis
• Ski boats
• Pontoons

All activities are first come, first serve, while supplies last.

Watercraft Rentals

Whether you want to cruise, paddle, ski, or fish, you can find the perfect watercraft for enjoying Rathbun Lake. Many Honey Creek Resort guests opt for the pontoon boat that fits a dozen passengers comfortably - you get to be the skipper! Set out on the water, relax, and take in the scenic surroundings. 

Daily watercraft rentals will be available for the summer at Honey Creek Resort from May 25, 2018 – September 9, 2018, and rentals will then be available weekends only until October 1, 2018. They must be made online. Rentals will be weather-dependent.

Please note: Rentals are available ½-hour before each session, and guests need to be on site and ready to depart. We do not hold boats, no shows will be charged for the full rental price, and cancellations are accepted without penalty 24 hours prior to rental. All watercraft are to be returned at 1 p.m. or 7 p.m., depending on the length of the watercraft rental period. After that time, all rentals will be charged $150/hour.

Daily Hours of Operation (Starting May 25, 2018): 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Book Watercraft Rental

Watercraft rentals include:

• Jet skis (fits 3 people)
• Ski boats (fits 8 people)
• Pontoons (fits 10, 12, or 14 people)

About Rathbun Lake

Rathbun Lake is a flood protection lake managed by the Army Corps of Engineers. The Corps has a Visitors Center that provides information about Rathbun Lake's natural resources. For more information, visit their website or call 641-647-2464.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources manages both Honey Creek Resort and the original 850-acre Honey Creek State Park. Honey Creek State Park offers camping, cabins, heated shower facilities, trails, and boat ramp. For more information, visit their website.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources also operates the Rathbun Fish Hatchery, which raises channel catfish, walleye, saugeye, and largemouth bass to stock them in other Iowa lakes. Visitors are welcome year-round. For more information, visit their website or call 641-647-2406.

To get the most updated Rathbun Lake conditions and fishing reports, visit the Iowa Department of Natural Resources website