24 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Backbone State Park Cabins provide furnished lodging with electric hookups in Dundee, Iowa, including options with 30 and 50 amp service for climate control. The cabins offer water hookups and complete bathroom facilities with toilets and showers. "We stayed in a family cabin that sleeps up to 4 people. The cabin had a common area with a kitchenette, bathroom with toilet and shower, and a bedroom with a sink," according to one visitor. Outdoor amenities include fire pits and picnic tables, with many cabins positioned to provide scenic views of Backbone Lake. These accommodations are fully reservable and pet-friendly.
Rustic and deluxe cabins are both available, depending on the location. Family cabins at Backbone sleep up to four people and feature climate control with heating and air conditioning. The kitchenettes come equipped with stoves, refrigerators, microwaves, and even coffee makers. As one camper noted, "These cabins also offer heat and A/C. Our cabin had a common area with a kitchenette and the couch in the common area pulled out into a futon, providing extra sleeping space." Most cabins require a two-night minimum stay, and reservations are essential, particularly during summer and fall when the park experiences peak visitation.
Most cabins include beds but require visitors to bring their own linens, towels, and toiletries. The cabins at Backbone State Park provide basic cooking equipment including pots and pans, though campers should verify what's included when booking. Firewood can be purchased at the park entrance, with visitors noting the "cheap, huge bundles of firewood" availability. Skip-A-Way Resort and Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park in Monticello also offer cabin accommodations within driving distance of Dundee, both featuring on-site markets for basic provisions. Cabins at Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area and Pinicon Ridge Park provide additional options in the region.
"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."
"This place has tent, rv and cabin camping, you can choose modern or non modern camping."
from $16 - $25 / night
Check Availability"Great shady spots - register on line - clean bathrooms and showers - no full hook ups - must fill water tanks before parking and 30/50 power available"
"All reservable spots...clean bathrooms, showers and spots. Beautiful park!"
from $16 - $36 / night
Check Availability"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. "
"Water and electric hookups, dump station near by. Clean shower house with storm shelter. Mixed sun and shade with generous grassy sites, fire pit and picnic table."
"Very nice trails! Some trails are long with a lot of up and down through valley and ravines, so be prepared for the hike."
"Some sites have the fire ring very close to the parking area and some spots have limited shade (compared to the majority of the campground that is in the trees)."
from $20 - $38 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $100 - $200 / night
Check Availability"My family and I had the opportunity to go to Yogi bears jealous Jellystone national Park and we had so much fun. We went during their Christmas in July program."
from $35 - $105 / night
Check Availability"They have permanent sites and rentals. There is tent sites and rental campers also. Sewer, water and electric."
"This was a nice campground next to a small town- nice quiet sites. Sites were kind of close together. Mostly seasonal spots here."
"We had a great two day weekend at this park. Small and quiet. Mix of RVs and tents. We stayed on one of the 4 primitive sites but there are several with electric hookups."
"The RV sites aren’t really out of the ordinary but the park sits upon a slight rise above the Missouri River and the road around the campground leads down to the river."
from $12 - $40 / night
Check Availability"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."
"The tent sites are very nice and private. There are waist high prairie flowers between the sites to provide privacy and beauty. New picnic tables. Lots of shade. visited in July"
"Cabins were nice - not luxury or glamping but clean and in good condition. The gentleman that takes care of the campground takes great pride in his work and it shows - kudos to him! "
from $18 - $60 / night
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LegendCabin 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.
RangerThis 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.
ScoutCame 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.
ScoutGreat RV park. Lots of room and cabin rentals for folks that don’t have an RV. The fenced dog park was fantastic for those of us with dogs. A lake with beach area and an area for fishing founded it out! Would recommend!
ScoutNice 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.
TravelerThis 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.
GuideWe 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.
LegendTrout 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.
LegendThis 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.
Backbone State Park offers several cabin accommodations within Iowa's oldest state park. Located in the Maquoketa River Valley, these cabins near Dundee, Iowa sit at approximately 1,200 feet elevation in a region characterized by limestone bluffs and dense hardwood forests. Winter temperatures typically range from 10-30°F, while summer averages 65-85°F with moderate humidity.
Hiking trails: Backbone State Park features extensive trail systems including the famous Backbone Trail. "We loved waking up in the morning and going for a walk along the many trails, seeing deer on the trail, and the lake," notes one visitor at Pikes Peak State Park.
River activities: Multiple water recreation options exist near Dundee. "We stayed here for the easy access to the water for the Scouts to get out in canoes and fishing. My son and I like to get the canoes and Kayaks out and paddle around the lake," shares a camper at Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area.
Fishing opportunities: Trout streams and lakes provide fishing throughout the region. "Just my husband and I this time. We hadn't been to Dundee in about 9 years so we decided to head up and check out the trout streams," reports a visitor to Backbone State Park.
Fall foliage viewing: October brings spectacular colors to the wooded areas. "We went camping at Backbone for a friend's wedding that was taking place at the park's lodge. While most of the wedding guests stayed in town, we opted to camp, during October. It was gorgeous!"
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention well-maintained bathrooms and shower facilities. "Great shady spots - register on line - clean bathrooms and showers - no full hook ups - must fill water tanks before parking and 30/50 power available," reports a visitor at South Lake Campground.
Swimming areas: The region offers various swimming options. "This was a great getaway after being locked down for COVID-19. We had some great spots and a lot of open area," notes a camper at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Monticello, which provides additional lodging options near Dundee.
Privacy between sites: Some campgrounds offer more secluded spaces. "The tent sites are very nice and private. There are waist high prairie flowers between the sites to provide privacy and beauty. New picnic tables. Lots of shade," observes a Pleasant Creek visitor.
Family-friendly environments: "Very family friendly and affordable," mentions a reviewer about Skip-A-Way Resort, which offers cabin rentals within driving distance of Dundee.
Reservation requirements: Most cabin accommodations require advance booking. "FYI When we made reservations this site required a two-night minimum stay. Don't know if that is for all seasons," notes a visitor at Pikes Peak State Park.
Variable water conditions: Water quality can fluctuate seasonally. "Lakewater often unsafe for swimming. To the extent the beach had weeds growing on it," reports one Backbone State Park visitor.
Limited cell service: Some areas have spotty coverage. "We had 4 bar LTE with Verizon. Our hotspot was usable and performed very well," shares a camper from a nearby KOA, indicating service varies by location and carrier.
Seasonal popularity: "October is one of their busiest times of the year due to the fall colors, which peak around Oct 9-15th," notes a Pikes Peak visitor, suggesting booking well ahead for this period.
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature play areas. "The playground is fantastic and keep the kids entertained all day. The water is great for fishing, swimming and boating," according to a visitor at Pinicon Ridge Park.
Educational opportunities: "I went with a group of entering sixth grade Girl Scouts on a weekend tent camping trip to this park. The campsites were simple to access and the grounds were easy to navigate. We hiked on the famous Backbone trail - a really fun hike that isn't too incredibly long," shares a Backbone State Park visitor.
Wildlife viewing: "Great scenery and views! Fun trails, great beach, lighthouse, boat docks, cabins, caves, and much more. Absolutely loved this place! Had a blast got lots of great pics and memories!"
Weather planning: "There is a hiking trail around the lake, about 8 miles complete loop. There is a bit of elevation change and not many opportunities to 'bail out' so take water and pace yourself," advises a Pleasant Creek visitor.
Site leveling: Pay attention to the terrain. "Level sites but not much shade. Surprised we did not get an escort to our site as is usual at KOA's," notes one traveler.
Hookup specifications: Check what's available at your location. "Sites are gravel for the RV, reasonably level, and very well maintained. Most sites are pull through. Hookups are in very good condition."
Dump station locations: "Campgrounds are clean and easy to navigate with our 31' TT. Camp host was very helpful. Shower/bathroom was super clean and smelled clean. Firewood available in 5 gallon buckets."
Space considerations: "Nice pull-through, large enough for our 36' 5th Wheel and pickup tow vehicle, needed more leveling than some. Some sites have power and water, ours only power. There's a water pipe and dump station on the way out."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular cabin campsite near Dundee, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Dundee, IA is Six Pines Campground — Backbone State Park with a 4.4-star rating from 29 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 24 cabin camping locations near Dundee, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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