Cabin accommodations near Arlington, Iowa provide access to the Turkey River and surrounding limestone bluffs in northeast Iowa's Driftless Area. Most rental cabins in this region sit at elevations between 900-1,200 feet above sea level, with spring and fall temperatures typically ranging from 35-75°F. Several state parks and private campgrounds offer cabin rentals within a 40-mile radius of Arlington.
What to do
Hiking the backbone trail: At Backbone State Park, trails wind through limestone formations along Devil's Backbone ridge. "We loved waking up in the morning and going for a walk along the many trails, seeing deer on the trail, and the lake," reported one visitor in October.
Cave exploration: Visit Spook Cave for guided boat tours through water-filled caverns with 40-degree temperatures year-round. A visitor noted the "Cave tour was great but at extra cost. Lake/swimming/fishing was great. Cabin was clean and nice."
Fishing in stocked trout streams: Yellow River State Forest maintains stocked trout waters throughout the season. "Stocked trout streams are an attraction for fishermen," according to reviews, with one camper mentioning "Yellow River State Forest offers the Fire Tower Cabin with great river access."
Climbing observation towers: Several parks feature observation towers with county views. One reviewer at Yellow River State Forest mentioned "Visited the 3 lookouts including Iowa's only Fire tower. Bird life is colorful. Lots of places to hike. Scenery is lush."
What campers like
Clean, well-maintained facilities: Pikes Peak State Park Campground receives consistent praise for cleanliness. "Shower/bathroom was super clean and smelled clean. Firewood available in 5 gallon buckets," noted one camper.
Proximity to water recreation: Many cabins sit near rivers or lakes. A visitor at Skip-A-Way Resort mentioned "They have a beach for swimming. Boats for renting but they were out of order for repairs when we were here. You can rent kayaks, bikes."
Fall foliage viewing: October brings peak color to the region. "October is one of their busiest times of the year due to the fall colors, which peak around Oct 9-15th," wrote a Pikes Peak visitor, making cabins a popular autumn accommodation.
Winter accessibility: Some cabins remain open year-round with heating systems. Backbone State Park's cabins provide winter shelter when tent camping isn't practical. "We opted to camp, during October. It was gorgeous!" remarked one visitor about the shoulder season experience.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most cabins require advance booking, especially during peak seasons. "Make sure you get your reservations in early if you plan on staying on the weekend," advised one Backbone visitor.
Cabin amenities vary significantly: Pinicon Ridge Park offers different cabin configurations. "Cabin was clean and nice," noted one visitor, while another mentioned "The cabin camping was the better of the two experiences, mainly due to the unusually chilly overnight temperatures."
Supply requirements: Bring your own bedding and cooking supplies. A Yellow River Forest camper advised, "Sites are primitive with tables, fire rings/grates, pit toilets, self registration, ice/wood available across road at visitors station."
Cell service limitations: Coverage varies throughout the region. "I had no phone service," reported a Yellow River camper, while others mentioned spotty coverage at most natural areas.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Waterloo Lost Island Waterpark KOA features extensive play areas. "The playground is fantastic and keep the kids entertained all day. The water is great for fishing, swimming and boating," noted a family visitor.
Educational opportunities: Several parks offer nature programs. "I went with a group of entering sixth grade Girl Scouts on a weekend tent camping trip to this park. The campsites were simple to access and the grounds were easy to navigate," reported a group leader.
Weather preparedness: Pack for temperature swings, especially in spring and fall. A Backbone visitor mentioned "We were thankful to find a place to overnight in mid-November. No water, electric, or dump station available during late season."
Cabin selection for families: Choose cabins with enough sleeping space. "Family cabins at state parks sleep up to four people on provided mattresses," with a visitor noting "Going in knowing that there were pit toilets and no potable water, I was pleasantly surprised to find it very well maintained with spacious sites."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Power and water connections vary by location. At Skip-A-Way, a visitor noted "Seasonal residents were very friendly. Nice pond/lake to swim in and large area to go for a walk."
Site leveling requirements: Most cabin parking areas are level gravel pads. "The site was a level rock pad which was very spacious with a fire ring and picnic table," reported a Pinicon Ridge visitor staying for a week.
Off-season considerations: Check which utilities remain operational in colder months. "Most sites have full hook-up, most if not all have electric. I paid $25 a night. Full week is $150!!" noted a camper at Pikes Peak State Park.
Proximity to town services: Many cabins provide easy access to supplies. A Pinicon Ridge visitor mentioned "Nearest grocery store was within 5 miles. The bathrooms and shower were very clean with lots of hot water."
