Lake Icaria County Park and Viking Lake State Park serve as primary cabin camping destinations near Corning, Iowa. Located amid the rolling hills of southwest Iowa, Corning sits at approximately 1,224 feet above sea level and experiences four distinct seasons. Most cabin rentals in this region stay open from April through October, though some accommodations offer year-round availability with heating and cooling systems.
What to do
Fishing and boating: Lake Icaria offers excellent fishing opportunities with multiple species available. "This is a very clean, lovely camp ground... Beautiful lake, great boating, great swim spot, fun park for kids," notes a visitor at Lake Icaria Park Lakeview Campground.
Hiking trails: The region features several trail systems for hikers of all skill levels. "Love the trails," shares one camper at Lake Icaria. At Lake of Three Fires State Park Campground, trails accommodate multiple activities: "10 miles of trails that intertwine around the entire Lake. There are some specific trails for hiking but some others that offer horseback riders an amazing view of the lake."
Disc golf: Several parks in the area feature disc golf courses for enthusiasts. "It has a great frisbee golf course that my boys loved playing," mentions a reviewer about Lake of Three Fires State Park.
Horseback riding: Dedicated equestrian trails and facilities exist at select parks. "There are 23 equestrian sites (some electrical) and 1 equestrian buddy site along with plenty of holding stalls and tie outs for horses," notes a visitor describing Lake of Three Fires.
What campers like
Quiet atmosphere: Many campers appreciate the peaceful setting at these parks. "This is a very quiet, lovely camp ground. The spots are spacious, and there are tons of options. In the fall we went and had no neighbors," shares a camper at Lake View Campground.
Clean facilities: The well-maintained shower houses and restrooms receive consistent praise. "Clean showers/bathroom once the night bugs were cleared out," notes a visitor at Lake of Three Fires. Another camper at Lake View Campground commented, "Individual shower rooms. Clean bathrooms. Friendly staff."
Spacious sites: Campsites typically offer adequate room for setup and activities. At Viking Lake State Park Campground, a visitor notes: "Camp sites are spread apart giving u room to do things on ur camp site."
No-wake lakes: The lakes in this region are often designated as no-wake zones. "It is a no wake lake, so it is perfect for small boats and kayaks," explains a Lake of Three Fires visitor.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most cabin facilities require advance bookings. "This place fills up! Great campground with restaurant, beach and boat rentals," warns a camper about Viking Lake State Park.
Seasonal amenities: Services vary throughout the year. At Green Valley State Park Campground, "The bike/walking trail is amazing, will take you all around the lake and into town. Right past the hospital and into McKinley Park."
Firewood availability: Policies on firewood differ between campgrounds. "Firewood is not sold on the campground, so you can burn what's on the ground or head to Hyvee for some wood in town," advises a Lake of Three Fires visitor.
Cabin specifications: Cabin amenities range from basic to fully equipped. The cabins at Wilson Lake County Park "face small pond and looked very nice," according to one visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Beach access: Several parks offer swimming beaches ideal for children. "This campground has beautiful views of the lake... Everything was very clean when we were there," notes a recent Lake Icaria visitor.
Playground facilities: Many campgrounds include play areas for younger visitors. "Always seems to be a lot of kids running around and riding bikes," observes a camper at Lake View Campground.
Wildlife viewing: The area offers opportunities to observe local fauna. "There are plenty of deer in the area at all hours of the day, so keep an eye out for them when traveling to and from town," advises a Lake of Three Fires visitor.
Bathroom proximity: Consider site location relative to facilities with children. "We were in Campsite 092. Only drawback is that there must be a cow farm somewhere to the south as you will hear cows mooing all night at this campground," reports a Green Valley State Park camper.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Electric, water, and sewer connections vary between campgrounds. "Very nice place. Full hook up spots were very nice. Easy to get into, plenty of space," shares a visitor to Lake Icaria Park.
Site dimensions: Some campgrounds accommodate larger rigs better than others. "Mostly level sites with options for tenting or rv. Sites are primitive, electric only or full hookup," notes a Viking Lake State Park visitor.
Internet access: Connectivity varies throughout the region. At Viking Lake, a camper reports: "Verizon is 2 bars of 4g. And Starlink is only possible in select places, as there is a lot of trees."
