Cabin camping near Calmar, Iowa offers accommodations at various state forests, parks, and private campgrounds within a 30-mile radius. The Upper Iowa River watershed forms a unique landscape in this northeastern Iowa region, with elevations ranging from 650 to 1,310 feet. Winter temperatures can drop below zero, while summer highs typically reach the mid-80s with moderate humidity levels.
What to do
River activities: Float back to camp. At Upper Iowa Resort and Rental, campers can enjoy direct access to the Upper Iowa River. "This campground is perfectly situated on the Upper Iowa River. The best part of this camp is they offer tube canoe and kayak rentals with a shuttle to the put in then you float back to the campground," notes Erin A.
Cave exploration: Underground adventures. The region offers several cave systems to explore within driving distance. "The cave tours are well done and the sites are scenic and tucked into the woods. There is also a winery (Four Daughter) not far away that's more than worth stopping at," reports Elisabeth M. about Forestville Mystery Cave State Park Campground.
Hiking: Extensive trail systems. The limestone bluffs and forested hills provide numerous hiking opportunities. "Very well maintained trails all through park. Historic Forestville is a fun stop (additional $). We had some wet weather come through, but because of the sandy soils, things dried out and drained very quickly," mentions ERolf P.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Campers appreciate the spacing between cabins and campsites at some locations. At Skip-A-Way Resort, "Sites were kind of close together. Mostly seasonal spots here. The office had strange hours limiting the use of some of the amenities (tubing, kayak and paddle boat rentals). Nice showers in the back section of camp - restrooms were clean but limited on tp," according to Tracy B.
Sand-bottom swimming pools: Several campgrounds feature unique swimming options. "Loved the sand bottom pool, owners were so nice and kids loved getting hard ice cream everyday from the shop! Clean, quiet, friendly place!" remarks Sheena B. about her stay at Skip-A-Way Resort.
Well-maintained facilities: Cleanliness is consistently mentioned in positive reviews. At Pikes Peak State Park Campground, "Campgrounds are clean and easy to navigate with our 31' TT. Camp host was very helpful. Shower/bathroom was super clean and smelled clean. Firewood available in 5 gallon buckets," reports Scott D.
What you should know
Firewood regulations: Iowa regulations restrict bringing firewood across county lines due to invasive species concerns. At Big Paint Campground — Yellow River State Forest, "Each site has a picnic table and fire ring. Other than that, you can dispose of your trash and use a vault toilet. There's water at the information center (and a camp host site) outside the campground about 100 yards to the left," according to Mary S.
Reservation timing: Most cabin facilities require advance booking, especially during peak seasons. "Going in knowing that there were pit toilets and no potable water, I did not have high expectations for this campsite. I was pleasantly surprised to find it very well maintained with spacious sites," notes Tamsyn K.
Cell service limitations: Several camping areas have limited or no cell coverage. "We prefer to stay down by the river sans electricity. We have done this for years in a tent and now in our hybrid camper. There are cabins, electric sites, showers and a dump station," explains Kelly D. about Chimney Rock Canoe and Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Water activities for children: Multiple sites offer kid-friendly water options. "This campground has a lot of fun activities from April 15 thru Oct 15. Some weekly activities include canoeing, tubing down the Turkey River, swimming, fishing and paddle boats in the Lake, a splash pad for kids and occasionally a dumping tank for free, also miniture golf," mentions Lourene M.
Educational opportunities: Several parks include historical or natural learning components. "On top of that it has this awesome living history 1800's village managed by the Minnesota Historical Society. There's also a very interesting cave with a museum and all the talactites, stalagmites, and underground pools you can imagine," shares Jason S.
Playground facilities: Look for campgrounds with dedicated play areas. "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. They have mini golf but you have to pay 8 dollars for that. They have river rafting, a playground for little kids, and a mini horse for petting. Lots of things for kids to do!" explains jeremiah B.
Tips from RVers
Site levelness: RV campers note variation in site levelness across campgrounds. "Good level campsite and in walking around all the ones in the electric loop looked pretty level. The shower house is the newer style - individual shower rooms and then a separate mens/women/handicapped bathroom. Showers were clean," reports jim C. about Forestville Mystery Cave State Park Campground.
Dump station locations: Not all campgrounds offer full hookups or dump stations. "Was very thankful to find a place to overnight in mid-November. Not a lot of free parking options in this part of Iowa. No water, electric, or dump station, so very much like a parking lot overnight from that perspective," notes Stuart O.
Pad surfaces: Site surfaces vary between grass and gravel. "We liked site 35, the first site on the left as you enter. This site is like being in a garden with trees and flowers surrounding the site. It had rained and more rain was coming, so the gravel parking pad on #35 was appealing. Most of the sites are completely on the grass," observes Mary S.
