Des Moines, Iowa cabins offer a mix of rustic and modern lodging options within a landscape dominated by rolling hills and river valleys. Located at elevations ranging from 750 to 950 feet, cabin rentals in the region typically see four distinct seasons with humid summers and cold winters. Most cabin camping areas remain open from April through October, though several properties like Timberline Campground provide year-round cabin options.
What to do
Hiking trails near cabins: Ledges State Park features sandstone formations with challenging terrain just 30 miles north of Des Moines. "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," notes a visitor to Ledges State Park Campground.
Fishing ponds: Many cabin properties include fishing access within walking distance. At Thomas Mitchell County Park, cabins sit near both a creek and fishing pond. "There are electric and non-electric sites available. The outer loop has a creek that flows behind the sites with large stairs to get down to it. Kids were having a blast in the water. There is a fishing lake, playground, sand volleyball, and hiking," one camper explains.
Wildlife viewing: Several parks offer opportunities to observe local wildlife from cabin accommodations. "Only spent two days there but could make it a two week vacation and never get tired of it. They advertise Elk and Bison which are smart enough to stay far away from humans, as it should be," mentions a visitor about the bison viewing opportunities at Jester County Park.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Cabin guests frequently mention the well-maintained restrooms and shower facilities throughout the region. At Winterset City Park, "The Shower/restrooms were clean and stocked. Firewood is available for $8 a bundle. Sites are gravel base and fairly level." Another reviewer adds, "It has shade trees, grass, free showers and lots of room."
Proximity to attractions: Des Moines area cabins provide convenient access to local points of interest. "The John Wayne museum and downtown are a 20 minute walk away," notes a Winterset City Park visitor. Similarly, Adventureland Campground provides cabins with "theme park on one side and a casino on the other, both in walking distance."
Peaceful settings: Despite proximity to urban areas, many cabins offer quiet surroundings. "We got in pretty late, staff was awesome even showed us to our spot. The park looked nice, only thing some spots looked really close together. Our spot was big right by the park area," comments a visitor about Timberline Campground, which offers year-round cabin options.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most cabins near Des Moines require advance booking, especially during summer months. "Spots are reservable and some walk up," notes a Thomas Mitchell Park visitor. Sites often fill quickly during peak season from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Amenity variations: Cabin amenities differ significantly across properties. "Concrete pads with full hook ups (30/50 amp, water and sewage) make setting up quick. Tent camping is an option in the back of the campground. Nature is not really the draw of this campground, convenience is more the approach," explains a camper at Adventureland Campground.
Seasonal considerations: While some cabins operate year-round, others close during winter months. The Des Moines West KOA Holiday now operates throughout the year. "Don't pay attention to the highway signs that says they're only open until October, they're working on updating them," mentions a winter visitor who found "space heaters running to ensure they're warm during the December cold."
Tips for camping with families
Check for kid-friendly activities: Many cabin properties offer dedicated children's areas. "They have a ton of fun amenities for kids such as a pool, dunk tank, gem mining, ladder golf, horseshoes, jumping pillow, water balloon wars, basketball and more," a Des Moines West KOA Holiday camper shares.
Consider walking distances: Some parks have long distances between parking and tent sites, which can impact family logistics. At Ledges State Park, "If you want to tent camp, bring a cart or something to haul everything with. The parking lot is a LONG WAY from any private tent site."
Look for water features: Water activities provide entertainment for children during warm months. "We had a great stay here, check in was easy, getting firewood was easy, the bathhouses were so clean and nice, hiking and views were amazing!" reports a visitor to Jester County Park, which offers water access points and a fishing pond.
Tips from RVers
Site spacing considerations: RVers should research site spacing when booking cabins for larger groups. "Spots kind of level, lots of choices of pull thru or buddy sites. Decent playground, water pillow for bouncing, fishing pond, dog park, swimming pool. Well maintained, lots of planned activities," notes a Des Moines West KOA visitor.
Leveling requirements: Many cabins and RV sites in the region require leveling blocks. "Sites are gravel and it looked like most campers had to use blocks. Free WiFi was good; we streamed TV. The camp is quiet and well maintained," explains a visitor to River Oaks RV Park.
Hookup locations: Travelers should check the specific layout of sites before arrival. "Nice site. After some confusion with booking (office hours are until 7pm, confirmation email said 9pm) we were able to get ahold of the operations manager at the park who helped us. Pull through paved 50 amp sites, with water and sewage," shares an Adventureland Campground visitor.
