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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Cabin Reviews near Ames, IA

215 Reviews of 27 Ames Campgrounds


  • Amy G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 2, 2018

    Sportsman Park

    Beautiful solitude with well manicured campsites

    This was one of the nicest county campgrounds I've ever seen. We've been to a lot of them, but this one stands out. Not to mention that the price was unbeatable! So much more reasonable than at home. Set off the road a bit in a tiny little town in Iowa, it's along a river and very close to the Raccoon River Valley Trail, an 89 mile loop trail (paved) that goes through several towns and counties. It costs $2/person/day if you are 18 or older, or a year pass is $10. There is also a lodge that you can rent.

    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. Normally, we stay in tents, so we were very pleased to find the options that this campground had to offer at such reasonable cost! If you wanted a tent site without electric, it was only $8. Electric sites were only $12. And the sites were incredibly well groomed. They were clean (I didn't see any trash). And they were tucked into the woods. A caretaker lives on site, and although we rarely saw him, it was obvious that he cared about his job. The bathrooms were clean and cared for too!

    We were in a cabin and they were simple, but suited our needs. They had two wooden cabin-style buildings with little front porches (not screened in, but room under the overhang for chairs). Inside, you had two bunk beds, and the bottom bunk of one was a pull out futon, so you really had room to sleep 5 people. (Must mention: The futon in our cabin was horribly uncomfortable. I would have given 4 stars to the review because of it, but the futon alone shouldn't take away from the rest of the campground, which was immaculate). There was also a bathroom with an ADA shower, toilet, mirror and sink. In the room, there was a mini fridge, coffee maker, microwave, little sink and it even had air conditioning! Tucked in the corner was a folding table and chairs. A few hooks scattered around the walls completed the room. The A/C in ours wasn't at full working capacity, but it did chill the room down enough to be very comfortable. And it was very hot outside! We also had a little fire ring and picnic table, just outside the door.

    The campground could accommodate plenty of tents and campers alike. Some electric, some not. All with very nice grassy pads for tents, all with picnic tables and fire rings. Grass was well clipped and there were plenty of parking spaces. It was very quiet when we were there, but I assume it gets busy on the weekends. The shower/bath house had separate bathrooms (both unisex) and both with toilet, mirror, sink and shower). Both were very clean for a camp bathroom. A little campground for those wishing to camp together was at the back of the park. It, too, had bathrooms. But they were locked, so I couldn't peek inside.

    Bottom line, it was well worth our $50 for the cabin (you can't even get a hotel room for that price any more). I'd love to go back and tent in the quiet of a weekday eve when the crickets are chirping and I can feel the breeze through the tent!

    Please note - there are no trash cans at the campground if you are in tents or RV's (the cabins have them inside). It is a carry in/carry out campground

    There are LOTS of water pumps all over the campground. Yay for water!!

  • Jake C.The Dyrt ADMIN User
    Jan. 25, 2023

    Waterfront Cabin

    Off-Grid Cabin by the pond

    Jake from the Dyrt here!  I had a chance to learn a little about this awesome cabin, they offer the opportunity to get off-grid and hangout on the porch overlooking a pond.  Check them out and leave a review on The Dyrt!

  • A
    Sep. 28, 2020

    Jester County Park

    Solid campground

    Stayed at this campground for 3 nights while visiting Des Moines.  We stayed in Loop 1- site 138 because we wanted electrical.  The electrical box has 2 standard household plugs which is nice.  This loop was mostly RVs due to the electrical hook ups.  There aren't really trees between the sites, but it is in a wooded area which is nice and there is some space between the sites so you don't feel like you are right on top of the other people.  Generally, people were pretty quiet, especially once it got dark.  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.  There is a grassy area all around the gravel with plenty of room for multiple tents.  2 bath/shower houses within a short walk from the site- they were both clean and solid to use.  There are some short trails within the park which are generally well marked, but just 1 trail is longer than about 1/2 a mile.  Didn't check it out, but there is also a large lake.  Lots of picnic areas throughout the park.  There's also a volleyball court and free lending library near one of the bathhouses.  Overall, I'd recommend this campground as long as you don't mind seeing your neighbors.  Quick drive into Des Moines too.

  • Kandace F.
    Aug. 30, 2021

    Springbrook State Park Campground

    Small town camping

    Electric sites, no reservations required I don't think. Nice bathrooms, 3 showers for the women's room with a family size shower. Nice playground, volleyball net, basketball court. Picnic tables and fire rings. No cell service down at the campground. You could call that a pro or a con! Really nice campground employees.

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 1, 2025

    Newton KOA

    Highway Roadside Campground Oasis

    Following up on my review from over a year ago, I’m adding a bunch of additional photos as well as an abbreviated post pointing out the HIGHS and LOWS of this roadside pit stop of a campground in very rural Iowa.

    HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Fairly EZ access from I-80; (2) Incredibly well-manicured campground that is both very clean and well-organized; (3) Despite being next to the highway where we were concerned with errant late-night visitors who had no business being at this CG, there’s excellent security and a feeling of being safe; (4) Superb Midwestern hospitality from the KOA staff and camping community; (5) RV slots offer very nice FHUs and fairly spacious areas; (6) Picnic tables & fire rings are in pretty good condition; (6) If you need anything, there’s a handful of just OK restaurants like Cratty Shack Diner and grocery stores like Hy-Vee and Walmart Supercenter in nearby Newton; (7) Spectacularly clean bathrooms and shower facilities; and (8) Well-stocked catch & release fishing pond

    LOWLIGHTS: (1) You are literally right next to I-80, but the CG sits down below the swooshing traffic, so if you’re not looking, you almost forget that you’re camping next to the busiest highway in Iowa; (2) Lack of privacy between sites as there’s not a ton of trees, bushes or brush on the interior of the CG; (3) Most of the RV slots have no shade, so bring your own awning or shelter; (4) Some sites have very close proximity to their neighbors; (5) Some amenities feel dated and could be replaced and / or refurbished; (6) There’s a fairly nasty industrial park, complete with a junk yard and car mechanic garage with accompanying abandoned cars scattered around the entrance that you’ll have to navigate through before reaching this KOA; (7) This really isn’t a good place for tent camping, unless you can convince the staff to let you set up in the shaded area at the north end of the CG; (8) The pool was shut down for maintenance when we visited

    Happy Camping!

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 1, 2024

    Newton KOA

    This KOA Deserves Your Attention

    Literally a single stone’s throw from I80, one of the busiest thoroughfares you’ll find yourself on here in the great ‘Hawkeye State,’ this is one campground that very much deserves your attention, despite being a KOA. In fact, this campground outpost is so close to the highway that you’ll be hard pressed not to see or hear it during your entire stay. While this KOA does sit down a bit from the hustle & bustle that comes with a major interstate highway, a good number of the available RV sites sit on a sloping hill that is the same elevation as the highway itself, so if you do have the choice, opt for the lower sites (more on that later). 

    Sitting just 30 minutes east of Des Moines, Newton KOA offers up about 100 sites for RVs and 5th wheelers offering up all the standard hook-ups (water, sewage and 30 / 50 amp- but be careful because some sites only offer 30 or 50, while some do offer both, so be sure to ask when making your reservation). For mi tent pitching bredren, there’s about a dozen or so sites to choose from and all are fairly intermingled with the RV sites, although each site does sit on a plush patch of grass, so this KOA does a nice job on that front of integration. Oh, and if you don’t have an RV, 5th wheeler or a tent, on worries, this KOA will rent you one of its three cabins. 

    As this is a KOA you can expect a ton of amenities and this place does not disappoint with: catch & release fishing pond w/ fish cleaning station (that is oddly placed about as far away from the fishing pond as you can get), disc golf course, K9 camp for the puppies, cable TV, WiFi, in-ground pool (available 5/25 until 9/3) with ADA pool lift, horseshoes, meeting rooms, firewood for sale, LP gas refueling station, pool table, shuffleboard, social lounge, two kids playground, laundr-O-mat, basketball court, restroom & shower facilities, mini-market with basic groceries, ping pong, jump pad, game room, gaga pit, designated dumpster and dump station and of course the scattered fire pits and picnic tables. Just to go above and beyond, this KOA serves up free breakfast of flapjacks on Saturdays. Yahoo! 

    Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) Whether you are pitching a tent or pulling up in your RV, the best sites IMHO are those in the lower valley, but located right in front of the main office, where there are 6 RV slots numbered #45 – 50 and 6 tent sites numbered T1 – T6; (2) Should you get hungry and might want to try some local fare, check out Taco John’s and La Cabaña Mexican Restaurant, which I guess stand for ‘local’ around here, although there is Newton Family Restaurant. If you are looking for something really different and amazing, I would suggest heading on over to Dan’s Sandwich Shop, which feels like real Americana from a bygone era, complete with a diner-esque vibe and matching elbow counter to warm up to over a nice piece of apple pie, scoop of ice cream washed down with a hot mug of coffee; (3) While this KOA has a mini-market, you will find a bigger selection with better prices just down the road at the local Walmart, where just due west of this, you’ll find a Hy-Vee Grocery store with a wine & spirits shop positioned there as well. Further down the road, you have excellent fresh cut meat from Fareway Grocery, but check out the local hotspot, Newton Market as well; and (4) While what you will discover from an outdoor standpoint at Newton KOA is interesting, if you want something more substantial, head to Newton Arboretum & Botanical Gardens for 6 acres of family-friendly landscape to explore with more displays and demonstrations that you can shake a stick at! Seriously, there’s a butterfly garden, peony border and nearly 200 individual species of trees here to check out. 

    Happy Camping!

  • Kerry M.
    Aug. 25, 2021

    Tower Rock

    Modern cabins and a beautiful park

    The two cabins are fairly new and have all of the amenities. My mother-in-law stayed here while visiting recently and we enjoyed spending time at her cabin.

    While camping is no longer allowed in Tower Rock park, you can still enjoy a walk down to the river or bicycling on the paved bicycle trail. Tube rentals are available nearby for the Iowa River, and a local outfitter will rent a boat for the day to fish Pine Lake or the small lake northwest of Steamboat Rock.

    Pine lake is not that far away either and offers many fun activities.

  • James M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 1, 2021

    Briggs Woods Park

    Nice CG with lake, river, golf

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

  • L
    Nov. 5, 2021

    Dolliver Memorial State Park Campground

    Beautiful and tranquil

    Dolliver State Park was our maiden voyage in our travel trailer and it was obvious we were pitiful newbies! The park's beauty and tranquility did get disturbed a couple times when our dogs got loose (newbs!). The park staff were friendly and very helpful as were our fellow campers. The sites are mostly level with picnic tables and fire rings. Sites range from shady to sunny and the reservation website depicts the sites with a small photo and details about the amount of slope and shade. Cell service was good but no WiFi without a hotspot for us. We had fun, learned a lot and plan to camp here again!


Guide to Ames

Cabin accommodations near Ames provide essential shelter for visitors exploring central Iowa's varied terrain. Located within a region known for its rolling hills and river valleys at elevations ranging from 900-1,100 feet, these cabins offer protection during Iowa's seasonal temperature swings. Winter temperatures can drop below 0°F while summer days often climb above 85°F with high humidity, making indoor accommodations particularly valuable during extreme weather periods.

What to do

Trail hiking: Ledges State Park offers varied terrain with sandstone formations and challenging inclines. "The hiking trails are cool. I would say it was a challenging hike. A lot of up and down terrain, stone steps, etc. The ledges along the river were beautiful and depending on the river height you can walk right along them," notes Jennifer M. These trails range from short loops to more extended routes connecting to neighboring parks.

Paddling opportunities: Water access points at Spring Lake County Park let visitors launch kayaks and canoes directly near cabin sites. "There is fishing and hiking. Can rent kayaks paddle boats you name it," explains Taylor A. The park rents equipment seasonally at reasonable rates, typically $10-15 per hour.

Year-round recreation: When staying in cabins during colder months, Briggs Woods Park offers winter activities alongside their cabin accommodations. "This is one of the many county parks spread across Iowa. There are several campsites, cabins, golf course, access to canoeing or kayaking on the Boone River, along with hiking trails, swimming and fishing," shares Judy B. The park maintains plowed trails for winter hiking when conditions permit.

What campers like

Convenient reservations: Many cabin-seekers appreciate the straightforward reservation systems at parks like Little Wall Lake County Park. "Some sites are reserveable online and some are first come first serve. We had water and electric on site," explains Mary. The park offers year-round cabin availability with online booking typically opening 6 months in advance.

Family-friendly amenities: Visitors with children enjoy the additional activities available at Jester County Park. "Good fishing nice open areas and trails to explore. Lots of cool kid activities. Buffalo ranch near by which is cool," reports Luke C. The park features playgrounds, open fields, and wildlife viewing opportunities within walking distance of cabin accommodations.

Peaceful settings: Many cabin guests value the tranquility available at certain properties. "We stayed Sun-Wed in May. Closest other campers were about a football field away. Very quiet park," writes Cari W. about Briggs Woods Park. Off-season cabin rentals (September-May) typically offer more seclusion and reduced rates compared to peak summer months.

What you should know

Seasonal availability: While some cabins operate year-round, facilities vary significantly by season. "Showers were not open yet in April. The frogs in the nearby swamp were fun to hear. Lots of birds too," notes Mary about Little Wall Lake County Park. Most parks maintain reduced winter services with some bathhouses closed between November and April.

Reservation requirements: Most cabin rentals require advance planning, particularly during peak periods. "This is a very busy campground in the summer. There are reservable sites on mycountyparks.com," explains Dave M. about Spring Lake County Park. Holiday weekends typically book 3-6 months in advance, with mid-week rentals more readily available.

Additional fees: Cabins generally require separate cleaning deposits and may have pet restrictions. "The main hiking trails are wide with smaller ones shooting off the sides. There is also a group site that you can hike to on the Devote trail. The camp hosts are helpful and offer firewood, which they bring to your site, on Wednesday-Sunday," shares Shannon G. about Thomas Mitchell County Park. Firewood delivery services typically cost $5-7 per bundle.

Tips for camping with families

Water activities: Young visitors particularly enjoy water features at several cabin locations. "Camping spaces, some right next to the lake. Swimming area, concession stand, boat rentals, and even a skating rink on the weekends," writes Korey A. about Spring Lake County Park. The swimming beach typically opens Memorial Day through Labor Day with lifeguards on weekends.

Animal viewing opportunities: Family-friendly wildlife observation areas provide educational experiences. "They advertise Elk and Bison which are smart enough to stay far away from humans, as it should be," notes Jim S. about Jester County Park. Morning and evening hours (6-8am and 6-8pm) typically offer the best wildlife viewing opportunities.

Playground access: Cabin locations with dedicated play areas help entertain children. "Bike/hiking trail, disc golf, kayak/paddle boat rentals, swimming beach, historic roller skating rink, playgrounds and more-something for everyone to enjoy!" shares Kimberly M. Most parks maintain playground equipment within walking distance of cabin areas for convenient access.

Tips from RVers

Cabin amenities comparison: Many RV travelers occasionally use cabins as alternatives to their vehicles. "We stayed one night in a basic cabin. AC was on upon arrival- check in/out was quick and easy! Bathrooms were immaculate!" explains Lisa D. about Des Moines West KOA Holiday. Basic cabins typically include air conditioning, electricity, and beds but require visitors to provide their own linens and toiletries.

Parking considerations: When using cabins, RV storage may require additional planning. "Difficult to find entrance and difficult to locate camp site. Pleasant staff. Full hookups," notes Carolyn C. about Adventureland Campground. Most cabin locations offer separate parking areas approximately 20-50 feet from cabin entrances, with some providing pull-through options for larger vehicles.

Utility connections: Some cabins near Ames offer partial RV-style connections. "This was a great spot because we wanted to be here at this park every weekend," shares Camden O. about Ledges State Park. Electric-only cabins typically provide 20-30 amp service with standard household outlets, while deluxe cabins may include 50-amp connections suitable for larger appliances.

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.