Bedford, Iowa sits at approximately 1,250 feet above sea level in the rolling hills of southwest Iowa, where prairie transitions to woodland across the landscape. Cabin accommodations near Bedford typically experience hot, humid summers with temperatures often exceeding 85°F and cold winters dropping below 20°F. Several parks maintain cabins available year-round, though seasonal accessibility varies.
What to do
Fishing at Green Valley State Park: The 390-acre lake offers multiple fishing jetties and boat access points for anglers. "Fish, boat, hike or bike. Sit by a campfire or visit with your neighbor. This is the place to be!" notes Nancy H. about Green Valley State Park Campground.
Hiking trail exploration: Lake of Three Fires features approximately 10 miles of interconnected trails that circle the entire lake. "Gorgeous terrain, lake is perfect for canoeing and fishing, overall nice place," writes Julie C. about Lake of Three Fires State Park Campground.
Disc golf courses: Some parks offer complete disc golf courses as recreational options. At Mozingo Lake, "there is a brand new 18 hole course right next to the camp!" according to Sayler O., making it an excellent alternative activity beyond water sports.
Winter recreation: Several cabins remain open during winter months. One visitor to Green Valley notes, "We stayed here for a week while working in the area. Very nice place. Clean and well maintained," suggesting year-round usability of cabin facilities.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate when cabins offer adequate separation. "Camp sites are spread apart giving u room to do things on ur camp site," reports Alex M. about their stay at Viking Lake State Park Campground.
Well-maintained facilities: Clean bathrooms and updated shower facilities receive consistent praise. "The bathhouses are centrally located in the campground and offer clean bathroom and shower facilities for campers," notes one reviewer about their Lake of Three Fires experience.
Seasonal flexibility: Some cabins offer both summer and winter accessibility. "Timing is everything! Pretty grounds with woodland coverage on all sides in addition to the lake," mentions Laura W., suggesting optimal visitation periods at Green Valley State Park.
Food service options: Some locations provide convenient dining alternatives. Viking Lake State Park includes "a restaurant if you left your cooler at home," according to Matt S., offering cabin guests meal options beyond self-catering.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most cabins require advance booking, especially during summer. "Very nice place. Full hook up spots were very nice. Easy to get into, plenty of space, fire pit, picnic table, friendly & helpful park officers, lots of activities," notes Mike S. about Lake Icaria Co Park.
Limited cell service: Many cabins have restricted connectivity. One reviewer notes "Verizon is 2 bars of 4g. And Starlink is only possible in select places, as there is a lot of trees" at Viking Lake State Park.
Weather warning systems: Some parks have limited severe weather notification methods. "Our only complaint is the lack of weather warning system in the area. The park rangers came around to warn campers of possible severe storms coming through the area," reports one Lake of Three Fires visitor.
Site variations: Cabin quality and positioning can vary significantly within the same park. "The spots are inconsistently sized. We found some tent sites that were less than half the size of our site, and they were packed like sardines," notes Megan M.
Tips for camping with families
Beach access for children: Several parks offer swimming areas near cabin facilities. "Swimming, fishing and boating even put-put golf, campsites are pretty close but if you camp with a bunch of friends you don't notice it so bad!" reports Deb W. about Lake View Campground.
Playground availability: Check if your cabin location includes playground access. "Always seems to be a lot of kids running around and riding bikes. Individual shower rooms. Clean bathrooms. Friendly staff," notes Ashley B. about Lake View Campground.
Biking opportunities: Several parks feature bike-friendly paths for family activities. "The bike/walking trail is amazing, will take you all around the lake and into town. Right past the hospital and into McKinley Park," writes Ro T. about biking options at Green Valley.
Educational experiences: Some cabins near Bedford provide learning opportunities. "Learn about some of the Native American history of the area," suggests Lynn G., highlighting cultural aspects beyond recreation at Lake of Three Fires.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: When booking cabins near Bedford, consider positioning. "The cabins are positioned to take advantage of lake views and natural surroundings," notes one visitor to Mozingo Lake County RV Park.
Supply planning: Many cabin rentals require bringing specific items. "Grocery stores like Hy-Vee and Dollar General for supplies," are available in Bedford, approximately 3 miles from Lake of Three Fires.
Seasonal road conditions: Access roads to some cabins may present challenges. "Van and bikes covered in fine white dust from road," reports Glenda about Wilson Lake County Park, suggesting preparation for dusty conditions during dry periods.
Utility considerations: Cabin utilities vary significantly between locations. "Nicely maintained. Nice clean no-wake lake. Gets very quiet at 10:30 curfew. Clean showers/bathroom once the night bugs were cleared out," reports CM about their Mozingo Lake experience.
