Cabin camping near Centerville, Iowa offers options within a 40-mile radius across southern Iowa and northern Missouri. The region features rolling hills with elevations ranging from 850 to 1,100 feet and experiences four distinct seasons. Summer cabin rentals typically require booking 2-3 months in advance, especially for weekend stays.
What to do
Hiking trails: Nine Eagles State Park offers extensive trail systems through wooded areas. One visitor noted, "Several hiking paths-Lakeshore Trail goes around the whole lake, so be sure to reserve 2-3 hours to conquer this path-more if you like to take in the scenery."
Fishing opportunities: Little River Recreation Area provides excellent fishing access from cabin sites. A camper mentioned, "The lake has a lot of fish in it I hear... Family friendly." The recreation area also offers canoe rentals for water access.
Swimming beach: Lake Wapello State Park maintains a clean beach area for summer visitors. One reviewer shared, "Also has a nice beach!" This park is known for recently updated facilities and is approximately 35 miles from Centerville.
Wildlife viewing: Nature observation opportunities abound near cabin sites. A visitor to Lake Wapello noted, "Quite a bit of wildlife seen during kayaking and hiking-muskrat, beaver, swans, geese could be found on the water. Also seen: deer, bald eagles, frogs, toads, turtles."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Thousand Hills State Park receives consistent praise for maintenance. A camper mentioned, "Shower house is nice. Campsites are good, just not close to the lake. You can take a trail from campground 2 down to indian petroglyphs and the swim beach."
Park amenities: Visitors appreciate the range of activities available at larger parks with cabins. One Thousand Hills visitor noted, "Huge swim beach, lots of trails, pavilions, playground equipment and beautiful views. Park has a full service marina where you can rent kayaks or fill your boat with gas."
Quiet surroundings: Waubonsie Trail Park offers peaceful cabin settings away from crowds. As one visitor shared, "I camped in the equestrian campground and loved it with my popup. Outhouse type toilets are available there. I only drove past the RV campground and the campsites were close together. The equestrian area is the way to go in my opinion but i love the quiet."
Fishing access: Several parks offer fishing directly from or near cabin sites. A visitor to The Catfish Place Campground mentioned, "Spot on beautiful pond. It was great to be able to fish from our site. Close to geode hunting locations!!"
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most cabin accommodations require advance booking. At Lacey Keosauqua State Park, rates vary based on amenities: "23$ site without water 28 w/ water 35 full hookups. The host sells firewood and 2 sizes of ice. Cheap too."
Seasonal considerations: Off-peak seasons offer quieter experiences with fewer visitors. A November visitor to Lacey Keosauqua noted, "There were only 4 other sites occupied with a few ins and out during the week. I could see the spring and summer months getting busy with lake use."
Limited services: Some cabin areas have restricted amenities. At Little River Recreation Area, a visitor noted, "Rates are very reasonable -$15 for electric, and $12 for tent sites. Some sites are better than others, however. Sites 2 and 3 (both electric) are sloped down and the driveway is a bit overgrown."
Cabin furnishing variations: Amenities differ significantly between locations. A visitor to The Catfish Place mentioned, "Friendly staff, nice clean bathroom and showers. Spot on beautiful pond," but noted the need to plan for specific needs.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several cabin areas feature dedicated play areas. At Eveland Access, families benefit from "New showers and toilets. Easy access. Not far from oskaloosa."
Swimming options: Lake facilities provide recreation for children. A visitor to Lake Wapello commented, "Great place to camp, kayak, fish, and hike! Spacious campground with clean facilities. Some campsites are close to the lake."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Nature observation can engage children. One camper at Nine Eagles State Park noted, "Nice park, a little run down, but there's a new park ranger in town who is trying to fix it up. New rental cabin almost finished, clean beach, boat ramp and fishing."
Safety considerations: Cabins provide more security than tents for families with small children. At Honey Creek State Park, a visitor cautioned, "Be careful driving around the park as I don't think there was a day we didn't see at least 8 deer wandering around the campsite or near roads."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Choose cabin locations carefully based on needs. At Thousand Hills State Park, an RVer advised, "I've camped here in a tent as well as a travel trailer and it's great either way! Nice camping spots, generally a very quiet campground. The campsites are a bit of a hike from the lake but there is lots to do when you get there."
Spacing considerations: Some cabin areas offer more privacy than others. A visitor to Waubonsie Trail Park observed, "Cute little RV/tent campground. Very nice hosts. Only stayed 1 night. Definitely on the 'let's go back' list."
Utility connections: Verify hookup availability before booking. At Nine Eagles State Park, a visitor noted, "The electric campground is completely exposed to the sun. Nice right now but has to be brutal in the summer and the sites are right on top of one another as well."
