1 campground with availability next weekend
Cabins near Carlisle provide rustic to modern accommodations with varying amenities. Thomas Mitchell County Park offers wooden cabin-style buildings with front porches, bunk beds, and futon sleeping arrangements that accommodate up to five people. Waterfront Cabin at Carpenter Trail Ranch provides an off-grid experience overlooking a pond. "This was one of the nicest county campgrounds I've ever seen. The cabins were simple, but suited our needs. 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, so you really had room to sleep 5 people," noted one visitor. Most cabins include basic amenities such as mini-refrigerators, coffee makers, microwaves, and air conditioning.
Rustic and deluxe cabins are both available, depending on the location. Des Moines West KOA Holiday offers cabin rentals with standard KOA amenities, while Jester County Park provides fully stocked cabins with linens included. Adventureland Campground and River Oaks RV Park also feature cabin options. Reservations are recommended, especially during summer months when occupancy rates increase. Pet policies vary by location, with many campgrounds allowing pets in cabin areas. According to feedback on The Dyrt, "Cabins are simple, but suited our needs. They had two wooden cabin-style buildings with little front porches."
Most cabins require visitors to bring their own bedding, towels, and toiletries unless otherwise specified. Kitchen facilities range from basic microwaves and mini-fridges to more complete setups. Timberline Campground and Winterset City Park provide cabin options with varying levels of kitchen amenities. Fire rings and picnic tables typically accompany cabin sites for outdoor cooking and dining. Nearby grocery options include Walmart and Hy-Vee stores for provisions. Firewood is available for purchase at most locations, with some campgrounds offering delivery to cabin sites. Ledges State Park Campground, about 45 minutes from Carlisle, provides cabin accommodations in a scenic setting with hiking trails and natural features.
"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."
"After some confusion with booking (office hours are until 7pm, confirmation email said 9pm) we were able to get ahold of the operations manager at the park who helped us."
"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."
"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."
from $20 - $25 / night
"Nice size campground, sites have good spacing and full hookups that were installed with some thought."
"We stayed here to go to the Iowa State Fair. It was easy to park here and catch a shuttle to the fair."
from $45 - $60 / 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."
from $35 - $80 / night
"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!"
from $200 - $300 / night
"Very nice campground with running water,electricity and wifi. It's opened year round."
"Not much privacy between sites nor shade. Bathhouses were clean and private. Laundry available. Off leash dog area available."
"They have indoor/outdoor pools mini golf, camp store, paddle boats, and other camp ground activities. I love cuttys and been thinking about buying a membership myself."
"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."
Available next weekend
from $12 - $25 / night
"The Shower/restrooms were clean and stocked. Firewood is available for 8$ a bundle. Sites are gravel base and fairly level. The city park has a edge maze that is unique. "
"We will definitely return, we loved this park. The bridges of Madisin County, Clarke Tower, cute local ice cream shop, John Wayne Museum! So much fun in a cute Iowa community!"
from $15 - $22 / night
Legend9-14-26 Timberline East RV Campground, I do not think this is a KOA anymore. Tent site T1 & 2 was level and on grass with table and fire ring. checked in at 7pm, overcast, Molly was great at the check in, offered a 10% Veteran discount. $34 for the night. We only stayed one night. Showers and bathrooms were decent. T-Mobile was 5G 4 bars. Rained all night, you can hear the noise from the highway but you drown it out.
ScoutGreat stop, perfect for kids - trampoline, jumping pillow, and a playground. Spots are close together (as with most KOAs) but easy off I-80 and a great pit stop for a night or two with family.
ScoutGreat little spot with lots of hiking trails. Bathrooms are clean and guests are quiet. Don’t miss grave from 1869 at top of hill on trail. Beautiful place. Wish I lived closer.
RangerThis is a sweet well-maintained campground just south of Mitchellville, Iowa off of 80. Not many sites and only a handful were occupied mid week in July. There is a little stream running along the edge of the campground. There is one bathroom building with 6 separate rooms - each with a toilet, sink and shower with warm water. Plenty of drinking water at centralized locations. There is shade at most sites when you first enter the campground and in the loop. Along the edges (inc the stream) shade is more variable. The only issue we had was a bright light that was on all night near the end of the loop. We were in site 5 and had to move our truck so it didn’t shine in all night.
GuideLevel sites and very quiet. Great hiking location and photo opportunities.
RangerThere’s not a lot going on in the vicinity of this state park, which is on the smaller side, and you will hear some cows, but all in all the campground exceeded my expectations for the two nights I stayed. This was partially because my site, 65, offered ample room away from the neighboring sites and backed up to a small green area with the road further back (minimal noise, aside from the random loud dirt bike). It also had a good mix of shade and sun if you’re hoping for a bit of solar charging, though no shore power or water. The site was long and mostly level with just the smallest tilt, but not enough to be a bother even without leveling blocks. The dumpster is nearby, but it’s a tiny one and was well maintained (aka not smelly). The brand new shower house was within easy walking distance as well. I had enough service (Verizon) to send texts and watch a bit of YouTube (buffering times were a smidge slow), but you likely wouldn’t have a strong enough signal for much more.
ScoutGreat spot in the woods. Lots of trails. They have a bison and elk sanctuary. Also a nature center. A playground. They have several RV spots. Most are pre book but they have a section for first come first serve. Also lots of tent camping. A few group camping areas. Showers are ok. I believe the non shower house bathrooms are all vault toilets. Overall a great place to stay!
ScoutVery nice campground with running water,electricity and wifi. It's opened year round.
GuideAfter some confusion with booking (office hours are until 7pm, confirmation email said 9pm) we were able to get ahold of the operations manager at the park who helped us. Pull through paved 50 amp sites, with water and sewage. Picnic table for use. Within view of Adventureland so it was cool to see the rides lit up at night as we parked. Clean park. Will definitely stop by again when we aren’t just passing through!
Cabin camping near Carlisle, Iowa offers options within 25-45 minutes of town across several county and private parks. The area sits in central Iowa's rolling prairie landscape with elevations ranging from 850-950 feet. Late spring through early fall provides optimal camping weather with summer highs typically reaching the mid-80s.
Creek exploration: Thomas Mitchell County Park features a small creek popular with families. "There's a little creek to splash around in with the dogs. Loads of rock stairways to enter and edit the creek throughout the park," notes Kimberly W. The outer camping loop has creek access directly behind sites.
Historic covered bridges: Winterset City Park serves as a base for exploring Madison County's famous covered bridges. "One of the Bridges of Madison County is located within walking distance of the campground," shares Heather G. The park itself features a hedge maze and connects to downtown Winterset via a 20-minute walk.
Hiking opportunities: Several parks offer trail systems for day hikes. At Thomas Mitchell County Park, "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," according to Shannon G. Most trails are moderate difficulty and suitable for various skill levels.
Park amenities: Jester County Park receives praise for its facilities and natural features. "By far, this county park has a lot of fun activities and access points to the Saylorville waterway circuit. In addition to the water access ways, there is a sweet pond to fish in, several hiking trails," says Larissa C.
Convenient location: Timberline Campground offers accessibility while maintaining a natural setting. "We stayed here to go to the Iowa State Fair. It was easy to park here and catch a shuttle to the fair," mentions Brenda B. This makes the campground popular during special events.
Family-friendly activities: Multiple campgrounds provide recreation options beyond just camping. "Des Moines West KOA Holiday has a ton of fun amenities for kids such as a pool, dunk tank, gem mining, ladder golf, horseshoes, jumping pillow, water balloon wars, basketball and more," according to Iris A.
Site selection: Ledges State Park Campground requires planning for tent campers. "If you want to tent camp, bring a cart or something to haul everything with. The parking lot is a LONG WAY from any private tent site," warns Lena H.
Seasonal variations: Most cabin facilities operate from April through October or November. Thomas Mitchell Park specifically runs from April 1 to November 1, though some cabins at other locations may be available year-round.
Off-grid options: Waterfront Cabin at Carpenter Trail Ranch provides a more remote experience. "They offer the opportunity to get off-grid and hangout on the porch overlooking a pond," notes Jake C. This option suits those seeking solitude rather than amenities.
Water activities: Creeks and ponds provide cooling options during summer. "Great place to go tent camping, very clean and quiet. Easy trails for the kids to go hiking and playing in the creek to cool off in the heat. There is even a pond for fishing that you can take a trail from the campsite to," shares Willy W. about Thomas Mitchell County Park.
Playground access: Many parks feature play areas for children. "The park has a large playground area, hiking trails, fishing pond," mentions Michelle H. regarding Thomas Mitchell County Park facilities.
Organized activities: Adventureland Campground and nearby attractions offer additional entertainment. "The biggest draw for us was Adventureland Park which was a five minute walk from the campground. Adventureland Park is a small amusement park and water park which is great for all ages," says Happy Camper about the convenience of this location.
Site leveling: Check campground reviews for information about pad conditions. "Sites are gravel base and fairly level," reports Rick D. about Winterset City Park, while at Timberline Campground, "Sites were pretty level, sizable that our 43' motorhome and tow fit without unhooking."
Hookup placement: Pay attention to utility locations when reserving. At River Oaks RV Park, "Sites have good spacing and full hookups that were installed with some thought. Only used one stinky slinky, could have hooked up water with a 6' hose, and the electrical was near the back of the site," according to Jim C.
Online reservations: Most campgrounds offer advance booking. "There was no camp office that we could find, but we were pleasantly surprised when we found an open spot that we could make a same day reservation and payment online. There are QR codes at each site that you can scan to quickly and easily do this on the spot," explains Reese W. about their experience at Thomas Mitchell County Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular cabin campsite near Carlisle, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Carlisle, IA is Thomas Mitchell County Park with a 4.4-star rating from 13 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 20 cabin camping locations near Carlisle, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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