Rathbun Lake Recreation

Activity Equipment and Watercraft Rental

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:

• Stand up paddle boards and Kayak rentals
• 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
• Among other fun activities!

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

• Pontoons

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

Watercraft Rentals

​Pontoon rentals are available 11 AM - 6 PM daily. Rentals are available seasonally, and will be weather-dependent.

Watercraft rentals include:

• Pontoons (fits 10, 12, or 14 people)

To reserve, please call 641-724-1450. Please Note: advance reservations are strongly recommended, as same day rentals are rarely available.

Other Outdoor Recreation

Explore miles of walking trails and paved bike paths, watch for wildlife, picnic by the lake, admire fall foliage, go sledding and ice skating (weather depending) in the wintertime, and let the kids run around at a playground. Bring your own bike or choose from a variety of bike options.

Biking

Biking is a great way to see the spectacular surrounding wilderness up close. The entire resort is bike-friendly, and the mild climate makes the experience even more enjoyable. Stop by the Front Desk, and a guest service representative will help you select a bike perfect for the type of riding you'd like to do. Bike options include:

• Adult, family, and children's bikes
• Mountain bikes
• Tandem bikes
• Kiddie carts
• Child seats
• Bike helmets of all sizes

Disc Golf

Honey Creek Resort guests can enjoy the outdoors by playing three holes of disc golf. The golf baskets run from the Lodge on Rathbun Lake's Upper Terrace to the end of the point along Lake Rathbun. Golf discs can be picked up at the Front Desk from a guest service representative.

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 primarily channel catfish and walleye 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.