beaches
There are three designated swimming beaches located at Rathbun Lake . One is located in Buck Creek Park , one is located in Island View Park and one at Honey Creek Resort .
Designated beaches are designed and constructed to eliminate hazards and underwater obstructions . These beaches are buoyed each summer to delineate the usable portion and to exclude boats . These beaches also have parking , and vault toilets . The Island View beach has a volleyball net for beach users . Honey Creek Resort has installed “ The Rathbun Lake Aquapark ” at their beach location to provide additional beach swimming fun . At Rathbun Lake , day use fees are charged at designated swimming beaches maintained by the Corps of Engineers . The fee for swimming is $ 2 per person for those 13 and older , not to exceed $ 5 per vehicle . An annual non-transferable pass may be purchased at the Rathbun Lake Information Center . There is a $ 40.00 fee per pass and it is good at all Corps managed parks nationwide .
Several areas at Rathbun Lake are permanently closed to swimming because of their inherent risks . The area around the control tower , at the boat ramps , courtesy docks , and the marina boat mooring facilities make those areas too hazardous for safe swimming .
You are invited to enjoy a relaxing and refreshing afternoon swim at Rathbun Lake with your friends at a safe swimming area . But , please , think about water safety as you are having fun in the sun .
Being water safe is a high priority for the Corps of Engineers and Iowa Department of Natural Resources .
8 Rathbun Lake