Best Cabin Camping near Ames, IA

Several campgrounds near Ames offer cabin accommodations for visitors seeking more shelter than tent camping provides. Ledges State Park Campground features cabins with electricity, beds, and basic amenities within a wooded setting approximately 20 minutes from Ames. Little Wall Lake County Park provides cabins with more extensive amenities including air conditioning, mini-refrigerators, and microwave ovens. "This was one of the nicest county campgrounds I've ever seen. We rented a cabin for $50, because it was only about $10 more expensive than what we were planning on spending for a campsite in Minnesota. They had two wooden cabin-style buildings with little front porches. Inside, you had two bunk beds, and the bottom bunk of one was a pull out futon," noted one visitor about their cabin experience at a nearby county park.

Rustic and deluxe cabins are both available, depending on the location. KOA properties near Ames, including Des Moines West KOA Holiday and Newton KOA, offer cabin rentals with varying levels of amenities. Basic cabins typically include beds, electricity, and sometimes air conditioning, while deluxe options may feature private bathrooms, kitchenettes, and furnished living spaces. Jester County Park and Briggs Woods Park maintain year-round cabin availability, though advance reservations are strongly recommended, especially during summer months. A review mentioned, "We stayed one night in a basic cabin. AC was on upon arrival - check in/out was quick and easy! Bathrooms were immaculate!" Most parks allow pets in select cabins for an additional fee.

Most cabins include beds but require visitors to bring their own linens, towels, and toiletries. Kitchen facilities vary significantly between properties - some cabins offer only outdoor fire rings with cooking grates, while others provide microwaves, mini-refrigerators, and coffee makers. Adventureland Campground and Timberline Campground cabins include more extensive indoor cooking options. Firewood is available for purchase at most locations, though policies regarding outside firewood vary due to invasive species concerns. Grocery stores in nearby communities stock camping supplies and food items, with Walmart and Hy-Vee locations in Ames providing comprehensive shopping options approximately 10-30 minutes from most cabin locations.

Best Cabin Sites Near Ames, Iowa (27)

    1. Ledges State Park Campground

    40 Reviews
    Boone, IA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 432-1852

    $17 - $35 / night

    "One of my favorite locations to camp in Iowa as a Boy Scout growing up was Ledges State Park. Since I hadn't been back in years, I decided to check it out and spend a night camping there."

    "One of the more beautiful places to camp in Iowa. Awesome hiking trails and really well-shaded campsites."

    2. Jester County Park

    30 Reviews
    Granger, IA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 323-5300

    $20 - $25 / night

    "Each site as a gravel drive and then open gravel area with a picnic table and fire pit with grill grate.  Plenty of room for camp chairs and other furniture you may want to set up. "

    "Fire rings, picnic tables, level gravel sites."

    3. Little Wall Lake County Park

    5 Reviews
    Story City, IA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 832-9570

    "Small lake.  Some sites are reserveable online and some are first come first serve.  We had water and electric on site.  Showers were not open yet in April. "

    "Close to the interstate and easy to get to."

    4. Don Williams Park

    6 Reviews
    Ogden, IA
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 353-4237

    $12 - $20 / night

    "Camped by tent, basic amenities on-site-fire ring, table, etc. Went kayaking on lake and then on Des Moines River (close by). Nice wildlife areas, hiking, fishing, etc. Pleasant staff."

    "Very quite and nice campground, we camped on top of the hill in tents it was awesome view and potable drinking water next to camp, bathrooms and shower facilities was clean and nice"

    5. Adventureland Campground

    9 Reviews
    Bondurant, IA
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 265-7384

    "The staff was very helpful, plenty of laundry/restrooms throughout the campground and pretty clean overall. Concrete pads with full hook ups (30/50 amp, water and sewage) make setting up quick."

    "There are lots of restaurants near by like Spectators and Jethro’s BBQ.

    As far as the RV park goes it’s pretty busy, mostly small families and older folks."

    6. Thomas Mitchell County Park

    11 Reviews
    Mitchellville, IA
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 967-4889

    "Thomas Mitchell park is located outside of Altoona Iowa on 197 acres. There are electric and non electric sites available."

    "Came in late, even though there were several empty spaces turns out they were reserved. Very nice camp host told us we could have a non-electric site, none of them were reserved."

    7. Briggs Woods Park

    8 Reviews
    Webster City, IA
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 832-9570

    "Nice park with standard tent and RV sites. Boone River , Briggs Woods Lake good for paddling with rentals available, fishing, beach, shower house, cabins."

    "Brigs Woods is close to Webster City, IA.  There are several campsites, cabins, golf course, access to canoeing or kayaking on the Boone River, along with hiking trails, swimming and fishing. "

    8. Timberline Campground

    13 Reviews
    West Des Moines, IA
    34 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 987-1714

    $35 - $80 / night

    "Playground was next to us but it was fun watching the kids play. Full sun in the morning but afternoon was shaded by trees. Restrooms and shower was clean and close walking distance."

    "We called ahead to see if they had sites available that night. Arrived just before the office closed at 7pm."

    9. Des Moines West KOA Holiday

    23 Reviews
    Earlham, IA
    41 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 834-2729

    "Not much privacy between sites nor shade. Bathhouses were clean and private. Laundry available. Off leash dog area available."

    "We stayed one night in a basic cabin. AC was on upon arrival- check in/out was quick and easy !Bathrooms were immaculate!"

    10. Spring Lake County Park

    9 Reviews
    Jefferson, IA
    34 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 738-5069

    $20 / night

    "We were lucky and got a spot right along the lake. This park is peaceful (only slight downfall is the trains you can hear a bit-not too loud though)."

    "Plenty of camping spaces, some right next to the lake. Swimming area, concession stand, boat rentals, and even a skating rink on the weekends. My favorite childhood camping spot."

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Showing results 1-10 of 27 campgrounds

Cabin Reviews near Ames, IA

212 Reviews of 27 Ames Campgrounds



Guide to Ames

Cabin camping near Ames, Iowa offers a perfect blend of nature and comfort, allowing you to enjoy the great outdoors without sacrificing the conveniences of home.

Cabin campers appreciate these amenities

  • At Ledges State Park Campground, visitors can enjoy clean restrooms, showers, and picnic tables, making it a comfortable choice for families.
  • Little Wall Lake County Park features spacious sites with electric hookups and firewood availability, enhancing the cabin camping experience.
  • Don Williams Park offers well-maintained facilities, including a sanitary dump and potable water, ensuring a hassle-free stay.

Some prices for cabin camping range from $50 to $29

  • A cabin at Sportsman Park can be rented for just $50, providing an affordable option for those looking to escape the city.
  • Daisy Long Memorial County Park offers tent and RV sites starting at $8, making it a budget-friendly choice for campers.
  • For a unique experience, Timberline Campground has cabins available at competitive rates, perfect for families or groups.

Cabins are available at Ledges State Park and more

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular cabin campsite near Ames, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Ames, IA is Ledges State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 40 reviews.

What is the best site to find cabin camping near Ames, IA?

TheDyrt.com has all 27 cabin camping locations near Ames, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.