Cabins near Clive, Iowa provide convenient access to area lakes, hiking trails, and rural landscapes. Located in central Iowa with elevations ranging from 850-950 feet, the area experiences humid summers with average July temperatures of 86°F and cold winters with January averages around 29°F. Most cabin accommodations remain open from April through November, with limited winter availability.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Several cabins offer direct water access for fishing. At Jester County Park, visitors can fish at the nearby pond. "Good fishing nice open areas and trails to explore. Lots of cool kid activities. Buffalo ranch near by which is cool as well as Pingora outdoor supply store near by where you can purchase firewood and other camp supplies," notes Luke C.
Hiking trails: Many cabin rental locations provide access to walking paths. Ledges State Park Campground features sandstone formations with elevation changes uncommon in Iowa. "I did not camp here how ever I drove and took a day hike. The hiking trails are cool. I would say it was a challenging hike. A lot of up and down terrain, stone steps, etc. The ledges along the river were beautiful and depending on the river height you can walk right along them!" says Jennifer M.
Wildlife viewing: Several cabin rental locations offer opportunities to observe local wildlife. Jester Park features bison viewing areas. "They advertise Elk and Bison which are smart enough to stay far away from humans, as it should be," explains Jim S. in his review of the park.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention the cleanliness of facilities at cabin rentals. Winterset City Park maintains high standards according to reviews. "The Shower/restrooms were clean and stocked. Firewood is available for 8$ a bundle. Sites are gravel base and fairly level," notes Rick D.
Cabin amenities: Rental cabins offer varying levels of comfort. Timberline Campground provides well-appointed cabins. "Great, safe, and quiet campground. Beautiful site on a pond, clean bath houses, cool weekend amenities, and since we came in October, pretty empty after Labor Day during the week," shares Paul C.
Year-round availability: Some cabin accommodations operate throughout winter months. "Don't pay attention to the highway signs that says they're only open until October, they're working on updating them," explains Iris A. about Des Moines West KOA, noting that winter cabins include space heaters to ensure comfort.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most cabin rentals require advance booking, especially during peak season. At Thomas Mitchell County Park, cabins can be reserved online. "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 ($29 for an electric site after fees). There are QR codes at each site that you can scan to quickly and easily do this on the spot," explains Reese W.
Limited privacy: Some cabin areas offer minimal separation between units. "The sites are pretty well spaced with lots of grass and some trees in between," notes Deb M. about Winterset City Park, though this varies significantly between locations.
Noise considerations: Proximity to highways or shooting ranges can affect some cabin rental locations. At Timberline Campground, "we didn't realize there must be a shooting range close by as all afternoon all we heard were gun shots. Not relaxing for us or our fur babies," reports Roxanna L.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several cabin rental options include playground facilities. "So quiet and peaceful down by the water. Beautiful scenery, great playground, friendly atmosphere," shares Brenda M. about Jester County Park.
Swimming options: Some cabin rental locations provide swimming facilities for children. Adventureland Campground offers a pool for family enjoyment. "They have a swimming pool and a fishing pond. The office also has a little store to buy goods," according to Willy W.
Entertainment amenities: Certain cabin rentals include additional entertainment options. "Timberline Campground has a swimming pool and playground. Basketball court and a community hall. It's a great place. Doesn't have the overcrowded, large campground feel to it," notes Karey A.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: RV campers mention the importance of site leveling at cabin-equipped campgrounds. "Sites were pretty level, sizable that our 43' motorhome and tow fit without unhooking. We just stayed over night since we're heading home. They take you to your site," explains Roxanna L. about Timberline Campground.
Hookup availability: Most cabin-equipped campgrounds also provide RV hookups. "Overall a nice place to say. It has some full hook up sites as well as water and electric sites," reports Dave M. about Winterset City Park.
Off-season considerations: RV campers note different experiences during off-peak times. "We have camped here a couple times, and stored our rig here for a while. Didn't find there was that much going on here to keep us busy. Not a lot of nature, no trails or biking accessible from campground," shares Mia L. about Timberline Campground.