Best Cabin Camping near Colesburg, IA

Backbone State Park offers furnished cabins with electricity, heat, air conditioning, and basic kitchen facilities including refrigerators, microwaves, and coffee makers. Family cabins sleep up to four people on beds and futon sofas, while providing private bathrooms with toilets and showers. Yellow River State Forest's Fire Tower Cabin provides a more rustic experience with a refrigerator/freezer, microwave, coffee pot, and a screened porch, though guests must use nearby pit toilets. A reviewer described their Backbone cabin experience as "extremely reasonable" in price, noting that "the back of our cabin area looked out onto Backbone Lake."

Reservations are essential for cabins in the Colesburg area, particularly at Backbone State Park which requires a two-night minimum stay. Most cabins remain open year-round with heating and air conditioning systems, though some seasonal restrictions apply. Pet policies vary by location, with many state park cabins allowing pets with appropriate restrictions. According to visitor feedback, "Backbone State Park is unlike any other place in Iowa" and offers "several nice cabins available for those who do not want to camp."

Guests typically need to bring their own linens, pillows, and personal items when staying in cabins near Colesburg. While kitchenettes include basic cooking equipment such as "pots and pans, and even a small coffee maker," visitors should plan to bring specialized cooking tools. Firewood can be purchased locally, with Iowa regulations requiring that it be obtained within the county due to Emerald Ash Borer concerns. A small camp store at Backbone provides basic provisions, while more extensive grocery shopping is available in nearby towns like Strawberry Point, approximately a short drive from the park.

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Best Cabin Sites Near Colesburg, Iowa (25)

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Cabin Reviews near Colesburg, IA

128 Reviews of 25 Colesburg Campgrounds


  • James M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 27, 2022

    Fire Tower Cabin — Yellow River State Forest

    Great State Forest cabin with trout fishing

    Cabin has basic kitchen: fridge/freezer, micro, coffee pot, table/chairs, sleeping room with queen bed, 2 futons, AC/heat, fireplace screened porch, grill/smoker& fire ring outside, table, potable/drink water outside. NO shower/bathroom, must use pit toilet just yards away at trailhead.

  • Jessica H.
    May. 9, 2018

    Six Pines Campground — Backbone State Park

    Backbone State Park

    This has been one of my favorite state parks in Iowa to camp thus far. I've tent camped in April and cabin camped in October. The cabin camping was the better of the two experiences, mainly due to the unusually chilly overnight temperatures in April. During the warmer months you can rent canoes from the concession stand. Climbing/rappelling is also allowed in the park via registration at the park office.

    We stayed in a family cabin that sleeps up to 4 people. You have to reserve cabins and there is a 2 night minimum stay, but the price is extremely reasonable. These cabins also offer heat and A/C. Our cabin had a common area with a kitchenette.The bathroom included a toilet and shower. The small, but cozy bedroom included a mattress - you're responsible for bringing your own linens - along with a sink. Additional amenities included stove, frig, microwave, pots and pans, and even a small coffee maker. And, the couch in the common area pulled out into a futon, providing extra sleeping space. Outdoor amenities included a fire pit and picnic bench. Bonus: The back of our cabin area looked out onto Backbone Lake.

    We purchased firewood in Strawberry Point, a small town just a short drive from the park. Iowa requires that firewood be obtained within the county you're staying in due to the Emerald Ash Borer epidemic.

    We fished for trout and hiked along several trails in the park. The Devil's Backbone was our favorite mainly because of the scenery along the bluff. It was the perfect way to view the changing leaves and watch the Maquoketa River flow by.

    While we did have neighbors on either side of us, the noise level was minimal, and everyone was respectful of parking spaces as there is a common parking area in front of the cabins.

    This is a beautiful spot to visit especially in autumn.

  • Tori L.
    May. 26, 2024

    Big Paint Campground — Yellow River State Forest

    Dream stay.

    Came to learn more about Tenkara fly fishing. Had a ball. Visited the 3 lookouts including Iowa only Fire tower. Bird life is colorful. Lots of places to hike. Scenery is lush. I had no phone service. Campsites are well mown, have a picnic table and fire ring. Pit toilets. Easy access to water. Drink water and firewood are at the host A frame. There is no dump site. Everyone was very friendly. Helpful. Nights were quiet. Very relaxing.

  • C
    Jun. 6, 2018

    Matsell Bridge Natural Area

    Nice little inexpensive primitive site... spaces almost always available

    Nice quiet little primitive campground next to the Wapsipinicon River. Unfortunately, when I was there the last weekend of May, the gnats were bad, and the mosquitoes were just starting to gear up. HOWEVER, take bug spray and enjoy the rustic peacefulness of this "best kept secret" for primitive and inexpensive camping sites. Beautiful location, ranger close by, wood for sale just across the bridge, fire pits and picnic tables at every site. Good for RV, trailer or tent camping… level ground and lots of shade. Primitive bathrooms, no showers or running water.

  • Ashley D.
    Aug. 23, 2018

    Six Pines Campground — Backbone State Park

    Fun for the whole family

    This campground has many things to do. This place has tent, rv and cabin camping, you can choose modern or non modern camping. Fun activities include fishing, swimming in a lake and also ground fed springs, boat rentals on the lake, hiking also horse trails, rock climbing, caves, playgrounds shelters for events and parties. I am sure there are even more things to do that I didnt have the time for.

  • Clint  G.
    Jul. 19, 2021

    Pinicon Ridge Park

    Perfect County Campground

    We stayed at this campground for 7 nights with W/E hook ups.  Dump available on entrance/exit.  The site was a level rock pad witch was very spacious with a fire ring and picnic table.  Nearest grocery store was within 5 miles.  The bathrooms and shower were very clean with lots of hot water.  There is hiking in the park and very little road noise.

  • Melissa K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 3, 2017

    Boulder Creek Campground

    Pretty Disappointed

    This park fell short in so many ways. Having stayed in other Yogi Bear's we were expecting similar accommodations. I will say they had a lot of rain and it did affect most of the campground. We booked over the phone for two nights. It was nearly $90 for those two nights. This is pretty spendy for us but we were meeting friends there. We arrived at the campground and were given site 14. It as across from our friends cabin so it should have been good. However, we got to our site on a very poorly maintained road only to find the site did not have a fire pit or a picnic table. It was extremely tiny, barely big enough for our truck and definitely not enough room for our two tents. The site was covered in sticks and debris and there was trash bags in front of the cabin across the washed out road. We went down to voice our concern that this was just not going to work and they said to try site 13. Even worse then 14. It was a grass spot, mowed out, no place to park a vehicle, which I'm glad I left at the bottom of the hill, extremely narrow, washed out road going to site 13. There still was no picnic table but there was a fire pit. Stated this is just not going to work. We paid way too much for so little accommodations. They said they couldn't refund or move us to an electric site (we didn't need electric but the two previously mentioned sites were not going to work) without talking to their boss. After already spending 28 days in a tent, across the country, I was pretty upset that this yogi bear was so bad. They did end up moving me to site 17, which was one of the few that did not have a completely flooded fire ring. Which leads to the next things, almost all of the grounds were completely flooded. Fire rings couldn't even be seen they were so far under water. To walk to any part of the park involved getting your feet wet. The playground swings were above water making it difficult for the kids to reach them without getting really wet. There had been no attempts to move any water from the storms making it difficult to enjoy parts of the park. The pool was pretty cold but I suppose it is Wisconsin. The staff did have many events going on but if you were early, you wouldn't even know the events were going on. They showed up right on time and then had to set up. But they did do a variety of races and had a pirates and princess dance. They brought in actual hair dressers to do the little girls hair for them. That was something the girls in the group enjoyed. They also had cartoons playing in the evenings. The kids also enjoyed that. Overall, I would never return, there are so many really nice parks in Wisconsin for way less money. This was not worth it at all.

  • James M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Feb. 23, 2021

    Fire Tower Cabin — Yellow River State Forest

    Best Wildplace Camping in Iowa

    Trout streams well fed, campsites spread out well, amenities good for primitive use area. Horses welcome, firewood and ice available. Historical Fire Tower hike/visit is a must. Primitive pack-in sites, 1 cabin available. Modern Cabin is well maintained, electricity, microwave, a full sized refrigerator, and two porches, where one of them is screened in. Sleeps 6.

  • M
    Aug. 12, 2019

    Blanding Landing

    Nice campground, near river, also near noisy train

    Overall nice campground. Hosts are friendly and I saw rangers driving through multiple times. Each site includes picnic table and fire pit. Most have electric. 

    The toilets in the back part by the electric campsites are pit toilets. Flush toilets, sink, and showers up by the check in area. There’s a playground for kids. 

    Sites by the river don’t have much shade. Sites by the tracks are the most “wooded” but also right near the trains. Trains are noisy—we slept through them but are also used to living by a train station. Your mileage may vary on that one. 

    We (tent campers) had site 24. It’s the last site in that part of the driveway and I recommend it because you have a lot of open space to one side plus not far from water or bathrooms. The most wooded sites are at the end farthest away from the entrance but tent campers should know there are a lot of RVs down there usually. 

    We used this as a stop over on a longer road trip. If you like boating or fishing this is probably a good fit. Galena and Dubuque are not far. Overall not a lot of hiking or activities in the immediate area though. Good option for an overnight.

    As a note, we have ATT and had decent cell service here.


Guide to Colesburg

Cabin camping near Colesburg, Iowa, offers a fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in nature while enjoying the comforts of home. With a variety of campgrounds featuring cabins, you can find the perfect spot for your next getaway.

Cabin campers appreciate these amenities

Some prices for cabin camping range from $90 to $150

  • Prices at Boulder Creek Campground start around $90 for a cabin, providing a family-friendly environment with plenty of activities.
  • At Skip-A-Way Resort, cabin rentals are available for approximately $100, featuring access to a beach and various recreational options.
  • The Sandy Bottoms-Up Campground offers cabins at competitive rates, ensuring a comfortable stay with essential amenities.

Enjoy a variety of activities nearby

  • Backbone State Park is known for its stunning hiking trails and fishing opportunities, making it a popular spot for outdoor activities.
  • At Pinicon Ridge Park, visitors can enjoy fishing, swimming, and hiking, all while staying in cozy cabins.
  • Matsell Bridge Natural Area provides a peaceful setting for canoeing and hiking, perfect for those looking to explore the natural beauty of Iowa.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular cabin campsite near Colesburg, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Colesburg, IA is Six Pines Campground — Backbone State Park with a 4.4-star rating from 29 reviews.

What is the best site to find cabin camping near Colesburg, IA?

TheDyrt.com has all 25 cabin camping locations near Colesburg, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.