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Best Glamping near Carter Lake, IA

165 Reviews

Two Rivers State Recreation Area and Lake Cunningham Campground provide the premier glamping options near Carter Lake, Iowa with climate-controlled accommodations that blend comfort with natural surroundings. Visitors can enjoy the luxury of staying in yurts at Two Rivers SRA, which include electricity, comfortable beds, and private outdoor spaces for relaxation. The glamping sites at Lake Cunningham offer similar upscale amenities while maintaining a connection to nature. One guest shared, "Nice site for glampers or a family staycation. The entire park is well maintained, has a large lake stocked with fish, and new roads leading into the park." These accommodations typically include amenities rarely found in traditional camping, such as real beds with linens, climate control systems, and access to modern bathrooms with hot showers.

Hiking trails winding through the Loess Hills provide a scenic backdrop for glamping adventures at Hitchcock Nature Center, where luxury outdoor stays are complemented by educational opportunities at the interactive nature center. The area's glamping tents and yurt rentals serve as ideal baselines for exploring the Missouri River valley, with several sites offering panoramic views of the Omaha skyline. Seasonal activities enhance the experience, with fishing, kayaking, and paddleboarding available at Lake Cunningham. According to a camper, "The lake and grounds are beautiful. Love the new East lots with full access and concrete pads. Tons of room between spots." Most glamping facilities remain open from April through October, though West Omaha KOA Holiday offers year-round luxury accommodations for those seeking winter glamping experiences.

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Best Glamping Sites Near Carter Lake, Iowa (17)

    1. Hitchcock County Nature Center

    30 Reviews
    Honey Creek, IA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 328-5833

    $10 - $50 / night

    "Bathroom was clean, lit, and stocked - even had hand sanitizer! RV loops had flush toilets and showers, but we didn’t stay long enough to make the trek worth it."

    "Best campground shower I've ever had in my life, both in water pressure, heat and cleanliness of facilities. Be aware that it's first come first served."

    2. Lake Cunningham Campground

    10 Reviews
    Omaha, NE
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (531) 201-5754

    $15 - $40 / night

    "The entire park is well maintained, has a large lake stocked with fish, tent sites are close together, but tolerable.  Occupancy depends on the time of year. "

    "On a beautiful lake with many recreational possibilities - kayaking, sailing non power boating - some for rent. 10 miles of paved bike trails and ALL paved campsites level and clean!"

    3. Haworth City Park

    8 Reviews
    Bellevue, NE
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (402) 293-3122

    "Well,, it was alright, loud because of the toll bridge next to park, sites were close together, level, fire pits, picnic tables, electric, water and a dump station, stayed 3 days to visit family,, $20"

    "Currently flooded, but should be ready for 2019"

    4. West Omaha / NE Lincoln KOA Holiday

    29 Reviews
    Gretna, NE
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (402) 332-3010

    "Very friendly and helpful staff. The bathrooms & laundry room are clean,a little outdated. The pull through sites seem to be all gravel/stone."

    "Not only was it paved, but also had a huge patio with a table and Adirondack chairs, and a fire pit with additional seating."

    5. Platte River State Park Campground

    31 Reviews
    South Bend, NE
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (402) 234-2217

    $25 - $330 / night

    "Tents, cabins and RV camping. Toilets, showers, fire rings. There is a small lake with paddle boats and kayaks for rent. They have a pool and dining hall for rent."

    "New appliances, new furniture, fixtures, new bunk beds, etc. The cabin was very clean and organized upon arrival. They supply most everything thing you need i.e. dishes, cookware, etc."

    6. Pony Creek Co Park

    4 Reviews
    Glenwood, IA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 527-9685

    7. Missouri Valley City Park

    4 Reviews
    Missouri Valley, IA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 642-2857

    "It is right next to a busy railroad, but we cranked up our fans and barely noticed the trains and their horns."

    "Besides the traffic noise because it's close to the hwy, the train passed at night like 4 or 5 times, so have that in mind if you light sleep."

    8. Cottonwood — Two Rivers SRA

    4 Reviews
    Waterloo, NE
    23 miles
    +1 (402) 359-5165

    $30 / night

    "There are several camping areas, divided into “sub sections”, my favorite place is the cottonwood division (not water hookups but electricity ones work just fine!"

    "There's also a cute concession store with a great breakfast. Last time I was here, there was a drunk buffoon loudly carrying on late into the night."

    9. Pottawattamie County Fairgrounds

    7 Reviews
    Harlan, IA
    33 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 981-7072

    "Just a few mins off I-80 but no noise or signs of heavytraffic. Cute, quaint little town. All pull through spots and all sites are level."

    "Electric, water and sewer available. Bathroom and shower were clean. But old style, so small and well worn."

    10. Lake Wanahoo State Recreation Area

    11 Reviews
    Wahoo, NE
    37 miles
    Website
    +1 (402) 443-4675

    $8 - $40 / night

    "While most people seem to prefer the gravel pads closer to the lake, we actually prefer grass pads because they are 2-3 larger, so you have more room to setup."

    "My wife and I prefer to stay outside and camp most often. This campground not only has a fun name to repeat to family and friends (or try to remember when writing a review!"

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Recent Glamping Photos near Carter Lake, IA

1 Photos of 17 Carter Lake Campgrounds

Glamping Reviews near Carter Lake, IA

165 Reviews of 17 Carter Lake Campgrounds

  • Tarrah C.
    Apr. 5, 2023

    Platte River State Park Campground

    Great for a family get away

    Tents, cabins and RV camping. Toilets, showers, fire rings. There is a small lake with paddle boats and kayaks for rent. They have a pool and dining hall for rent. Tons od trails and many of them a taylored to mountain biking. There are 2 types of cabins, basic that has a bed amd refrigerator. Then there are luxury glamping cabins.

  • Steve B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 12, 2022

    West Omaha / NE Lincoln KOA Holiday

    Great pizza.

    Very friendly and helpful staff. The bathrooms & laundry room are clean,a little outdated. The pull through sites seem to be all gravel/stone. Our back in site had a patio, fire pit and nice patio furniture. Looked like a lot to do for the kids. The camp store is well stocked with RV supplies and parts. After driving all day, then doing laundry it was nice to get a pizza and relax.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 5, 2022

    West Omaha / NE Lincoln KOA Holiday

    The Premium Sites are FANTASTIC

    We stayed here overnight on our way out west, so we didn't have big expectations. We are fairly new to pulling a 5th wheel, so we wanted an easy pull-through site plus we wanted it to be paved. Well there are 2 premium sites - we stayed in site# 89. It was HEAVEN! Not only was it paved, but also had a huge patio with a table and Adirondack chairs, and a fire pit with additional seating. The site was situated such that our "good side" was facing the trees, away from the rest of the campground. We have a 43' 5th Wheel plus our truck, and there was plenty of space. That is the best setup we've had so far. We didn't have time to use any of the amenities, and are not traveling with kids, so I can't speak for how good it was in that regard.

  • Kristi D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 5, 2023

    Waubonsie State Park Campground

    Had the campground too ourselves!

    It appears not many people camp in Iowa in February. We had the campground to ourselves. We missed the crazy cold and snow by a day but it was 20 degree with the wind when I hiked the prairie. Lovely little state park, clean and the trail system was pretty neat. Wasn't perfectly flat and had some overlooks. Very much enjoyed!

  • Pat V.
    Feb. 3, 2019

    Platte River State Park Campground

    Winter Getaway

    We stayed in the recently renovated Owen #4. The renovations really updated it and they need to update the pictures they have on the web, with what it looks like now. New appliances, new furniture, fixtures, new bunk beds, etc. The cabin was very clean and organized upon arrival. They supply most everything thing you need i.e. dishes, cookware, etc. The one thing it does need is a corkscrew! We forgot ours and went without the wine we brought for dinner. With that bombshell though, it was beyond worth the getaway. The winter hiking was fantastic and it was quiet except for the wildlife, but that is why we went out there!

  • Glenda D.
    Apr. 14, 2021

    West Omaha / NE Lincoln KOA Holiday

    Nice stop on our way to Kansas

    We needed an overnight stop on our way to Kansas and this KOA was perfect. We pulled in just after dark and there was a note on the door stating staff was limited due to Covid. We pulled into a very large pull through on the west side of the campground (site 16). The KOA was pretty full but everyone was respectful and we didn’t hear much noise. We had full hookups & the site we were in was spacious with a picnic table and fire ring with grate. It had rained quite a bit before we arrived so we didn’t sit outside, due to mud close by our site, but we had a nice view. The next morning, we paid at the office before we left & the Manager only charged us half price (we intended to pay the full price) because he felt bad for not being able to be on site when we arrived (the schedule on the KOA app said staffed until 7pm & we were there just after 6pm).

  • Bill S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 20, 2018

    Haworth City Park

    It’s out of town, near toll bridge, kinda loud

    Well,, it was alright, loud because of the toll bridge next to park, sites were close together, level, fire pits, picnic tables, electric, water and a dump station, stayed 3 days to visit family,, $20 a night

  • Brandon S.
    Jul. 20, 2021

    West Omaha / NE Lincoln KOA Holiday

    Busy and crowded, but good amenities and proximity to Omaha

    We selected this campground as a base for a family get-together near Omaha, for 4 days/3 nights (Fri-Mon). For that mission, it worked well, but overall we were not super impressed for the price. This was our first KOA experience so maybe the thing we noticed were "normal" but there were some definite cons when compared to other campgrounds we've stayed at this year.

    1. Very busy & packed... we noticed a lot of traffic seemed to be just a quick stop over for the night, so lots of rigs coming in the afternoon/evening and leaving the next morning. There is just enough room to park our average-sized trailer and truck, and have a picnic table next to it, but neighbors are very close. This is not what I would consider a campground for settling in and relaxing as a destination unto itself.

    2. Some "deferred maintenance" was noticeable. The mini-golf course was in terrible shape. The playground equipment (swings, slides etc.) could use an update for sure. The road getting into the grounds has terrible potholes.

    3. They seem to be very particular about some odd things, like not allowing rugs on the grass (which is definitely not premium grass!). Have to pay extra for a site with a fire ring, or even enough space for one, and the base price is already on the high side.

    ...BUT... it's not all bad!

    1. Lots of good amenities, including picnic shelter(s?); community room with tables & games for larger gatherings; the pool seemed in good shape (though on the small side), big jumping pillow was a hit with the kids.

    2. On-site shop with a good selection of basic items for you and your rig. Free coffee in the morning, pizza available for delivery (we didn't try it but heard it was good). Friendly and helpful staff overall.

    3. The Kabins are really nice! A part of our group had rented one and it was a great base for gathering for meals, and had a decent firepit area. If we didn't own a camper, we'd consider this KOA just for the Kabins.

    4. Close to Omaha - great as a jump-off point for family activities, shopping, etc.

    In Summary: If you don't mind paying more for a campground which has plenty of amenities and is best suited for a quick stop, or, if you are looking to rent a cabin and would like to be located conveniently in the Omaha area, this is a good option, but is a bit overpriced when considering other campgrounds which have more generous spacing and a more laid-back and relaxing environment.

  • Rhonda P.
    Jun. 8, 2018

    Platte River State Park Campground

    TeePee Camping Fun

    We stayed in a teepee which was a first for us. The teepee area has about 8 teepees, each on a platform. Short walk in but a wagon is provided to help unload equipment. Picnic and fire pit near the teepee. We did have a raccoon one night, he thought about checking out the tepee while we sitting around the fire but my dog's bark scared him away. Lots of hiking in the area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Carter Lake, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Carter Lake, IA is Hitchcock County Nature Center with a 4.7-star rating from 30 reviews.

What is the best site to find glamping camping near Carter Lake, IA?

TheDyrt.com has all 17 glamping camping locations near Carter Lake, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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