Cabin camping is an amazing way to experience Eldora, while still enjoying a little rustic luxury. Find the best cabin camping near Eldora. When you're looking for a quiet location in nature, The Dyrt makes it easy to find the perfect cabin rental.
Pine Lake State Park is a hidden gem with wooded trails, deep ravines, and scenic lake views in the midst of Iowa’s rolling farmland. Historic structures built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and Works Progress Administration (WPA) can be found throughout the park, including the Pine Lodge, beach house and stone cabins, which have been carefully restored. Pine Lake is filled with beautiful picnic areas to enjoy a quiet setting by the river or an overlook of the park’s lake. The park originally was home to Iowa’s southernmost stand of native pine trees which were wiped out by a severe hailstorm in August 2009; today hundreds of caged tree seedlings are scattered throughout the park as part of a reforestation effort.
Stay overnight in one of four cozy cabins at Pine Lake, with stone fireplaces and outdoor fire rings. One cabin is ADA accessible, and all cabins include a full kitchen and bath, along with heating and air conditioning for year-round stays. The park’s campground offers electric sites with modern showers and restrooms and a trailer dump station. Some campsites are available on a first-come, first-serve basis, and advanced campsite and cabin reservations can be made through the online reservation system for Pine Lake State Park.
$18 / night
Millions of years before the plains of Iowa were inhabited by the Sauk, Fox and Sioux peoples, much of the American Midwest was covered by a shallow inland sea. It was at this time that the area’s sandstone deposits began forming. Fast-forward to just 13,000 years ago, with the inland sea now long gone, Ice Age glacial meltwater raced across the dry plains, carving and scouring channels and canyons into the sandstone terrain. One of these canyons can be found in Iowa’s Ledges State Park. This 1,000-acre nature preserve and recreation area is located on a wide bend on the Des Moines River, and is just 40 miles north of the city of Des Moines. The park is subject to frequent flooding when the river breaches its banks, but is otherwise a popular year-round outdoor recreation destination. Visitors to Ledges can enjoy a variety of hiking, fishing and paddling opportunities, as well as explore a prehistoric river canyon that showcases nature’s ability to sculpt the landscape.
The campground at Ledges State Park features 94 tent and RV sites situated among deciduous woods not far from the Des Moines River. Campers can choose from full-hookup, partial-hookup, or primitive tent sites. Most sites are back-in; only a few are pull-through for larger vehicles. Tent sites are located in both in the main camp area, and in a secluded walk-in area. There is also a youth group site. All sites are equipped with picnic tables, fire pits and cooking grills, and all have access to water faucets, flush restrooms, showers, and trash receptacles; a dump station is located near the campground entrance. The campground also features a kids’ playground, outdoor amphitheater, and is within walking distance of trails and picnic areas. Some roads and/or facilities may not be open or available in the winter. Reservations are accepted, however the park saves about half of the sites for first-come, first-served campers; sites are $11–$19/night.
$12 - $18 / night
$14 - $22 / night
ScoutThis review is for the Wallaby cabin. This cabin supposedly has a bathroom with a shower, 3 beds and a kitchenette. The bathroom has a shower so small it is difficult not to rinse one's hair while applying shampoo. There is no sink in this room for brushing teeth, washing hands or face, etc. There is no mirror either, or hooks for towels or washcloths or clothes. There is also no heater. The cabin has no closet or any place to hang any clothes. There were several bugs crawling on the ceiling. The wall A/C could not help but spew dust, as it was coated with that on the filter and cover. The trash can had a clean bag, which occupants are required to leave in dumpster at checkout. When removing the bag, the stuck-on mess under it was appalling. The bed in each loft area had obviously been used and not changed, as the covers were in disarray and the bottom sheets not clean. The main bed has a zipped on plastic cover which the loose fitting fitted sheet will not stay on, causing occupants to end up sleeping on plastic. We purchased a blanket to go over it for the next night. We would not have stayed more than one night but, as we had reserved 3, it is not refundable. The tv is to the side of the immovable chairs, so that one must have head turned completely to one side to watch. The cabin has such a slant that a ball will roll by itself to the entrance side. All this for more than$350 for 3 night stay.
Legend
Loved this campground! We just stayed for one night, but wish it had been two. Small and quiet. A few trails to hike and a horse camp that I didn’t have time to explore. Nice lending library as well. Bathroom/shower combos are nice (1 is ADA). Not far off the interstate. Some sites are off with level & weird (ie stairs/door open on an incline and away from the table), and our picnic table was sloped. So pick your site carefully. 19E was ok - table not level and high stairs required from TT but good for Starlink connection and close water spigot (elec only at these sites)
Legend
Literally a single stone’s throw from I80, one of the busiest thoroughfares you’ll find yourself on here in the great ‘Hawkeye State,’ this is one campground that very much deserves your attention, despite being a KOA. In fact, this campground outpost is so close to the highway that you’ll be hard pressed not to see or hear it during your entire stay. While this KOA does sit down a bit from the hustle & bustle that comes with a major interstate highway, a good number of the available RV sites sit on a sloping hill that is the same elevation as the highway itself, so if you do have the choice, opt for the lower sites (more on that later).
Sitting just 30 minutes east of Des Moines, Newton KOA offers up about 100 sites for RVs and 5th wheelers offering up all the standard hook-ups (water, sewage and 30 / 50 amp- but be careful because some sites only offer 30 or 50, while some do offer both, so be sure to ask when making your reservation). For mi tent pitching bredren, there’s about a dozen or so sites to choose from and all are fairly intermingled with the RV sites, although each site does sit on a plush patch of grass, so this KOA does a nice job on that front of integration. Oh, and if you don’t have an RV, 5th wheeler or a tent, on worries, this KOA will rent you one of its three cabins.
As this is a KOA you can expect a ton of amenities and this place does not disappoint with: catch & release fishing pond w/ fish cleaning station (that is oddly placed about as far away from the fishing pond as you can get), disc golf course, K9 camp for the puppies, cable TV, WiFi, in-ground pool (available 5/25 until 9/3) with ADA pool lift, horseshoes, meeting rooms, firewood for sale, LP gas refueling station, pool table, shuffleboard, social lounge, two kids playground, laundr-O-mat, basketball court, restroom & shower facilities, mini-market with basic groceries, ping pong, jump pad, game room, gaga pit, designated dumpster and dump station and of course the scattered fire pits and picnic tables. Just to go above and beyond, this KOA serves up free breakfast of flapjacks on Saturdays. Yahoo!
Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) Whether you are pitching a tent or pulling up in your RV, the best sites IMHO are those in the lower valley, but located right in front of the main office, where there are 6 RV slots numbered #45 – 50 and 6 tent sites numbered T1 – T6; (2) Should you get hungry and might want to try some local fare, check out Taco John’s and La Cabaña Mexican Restaurant, which I guess stand for ‘local’ around here, although there is Newton Family Restaurant. If you are looking for something really different and amazing, I would suggest heading on over to Dan’s Sandwich Shop, which feels like real Americana from a bygone era, complete with a diner-esque vibe and matching elbow counter to warm up to over a nice piece of apple pie, scoop of ice cream washed down with a hot mug of coffee; (3) While this KOA has a mini-market, you will find a bigger selection with better prices just down the road at the local Walmart, where just due west of this, you’ll find a Hy-Vee Grocery store with a wine & spirits shop positioned there as well. Further down the road, you have excellent fresh cut meat from Fareway Grocery, but check out the local hotspot, Newton Market as well; and (4) While what you will discover from an outdoor standpoint at Newton KOA is interesting, if you want something more substantial, head to Newton Arboretum & Botanical Gardens for 6 acres of family-friendly landscape to explore with more displays and demonstrations that you can shake a stick at! Seriously, there’s a butterfly garden, peony border and nearly 200 individual species of trees here to check out.
Happy Camping!
Traveler
This is a quiet and nice park. Lots of pull through lots. I am missing a swimming pool but they do have a beach by a pond if that interests you. Bathrooms are cleaned daily but at times are quite nasty. Not their fault people are just nasty.
ScoutOur stay here was fine. Check-in was easy and courteous. We were escorted to our site. All of the staff that we interacted with was great. It seems like this park has an original section and then expansion sections tired up a hillside. The original section is the only section with any mature shade trees. Our site, and it looked like the others in the tiered hillside section, were in full sun all day. We selected an upgraded patio site. It was spacious and the patio area was made from pavers. It was equiped the same as the other sites though, just a fire pit and a picnic table (that was in rough shape). Our experience at other KOAs is that the patio sites have some better patio furniture. The fire pit wasn't functional for cooking. The cooking grate was rusted and set about 1" off the bottom of the fire pit leaving no room for charcoal. Pool looked nice but we didn't use it. The bathrooms and showers were clean but the showers could use a place to set your dry clothes.
GuideWe stayed at started at the Lost Island water park KOA for just one night while passing through the area. We were in our class C while slowly making our way across the country. We had no problems getting a spot here. Sites are gravel for the RV, reasonably level, and very well maintained. Most sites are pull through. Hookups are in very good condition. Each site had a grassy area with a picnic table. Staff was very friendly and helpful. There was a playground, beach and fenced dog area. Cost was very good for the amenities provided.
The campground had a store, gas station and propane available.
We had 4 bar LTE with Verizon. Our hotspot was usable and performed very well. We enjoyed our brief stay at this campground. We will stay again when traveling this way.
Guide
Nice camp, decent sites, GREAT buddy sites! Cell service is null, and no wifi. We do love the hiking over here!
Guide
One of my favorite hiking spots! Camping here is comfortable enough. Sites can be a little squat in the middle loops, and no fhu. Antenna coverage is fine for catching your evening weather report, but cell service cuts out as you drive down into the park, and does not resume until you come back up and out. There's no wifi, and I'm not sure how satellite service would fare down here. Our Dish barely kept up with the antenna, so I'm guessing satellite's a meh. If you have anything you'd like to listen to or watch, download it before going in. But, honestly, the hiking is so good, it'd be silly to worry about much of anything down here. I rarely do.
Guide
Great vibes. Camp's pretty far from the bones of the park, but the hike's relatively plesant. Cell coverage is terrible out here, and there is no WIFI to help keep people connected.
GuideCanyon road and limestone cliffs are awesome. Secluded spots in the trees. If you have Verizon and rely on data this may not be the campground for you.
Traveler
Wilder Park is a beautiful city park. Very much a gem, quiet and peaceful . 50 + sites with about half of them full hook up. Costs for a full hook up in 2022 was under $25 a night. The park has two fishing areas, a dog park,pickle ball, volleyball mini golf, basketball and two playgrounds. A beautiful walking and bike path connects the parks to the neighboring cities. A free dump is also available. We highly recommend this park. 1
Guide
Spacious sites along a gorgeous lake..quiet..wish every campground was this nice!
Traveler
Great place to spend a weekend. Very comfortable and cozy
GuideThis campground has no shippers but is secluded and quiet and only 5 dollars. There’s a barn with electricity running water and real toilets.
Guide
Site 70 is not level, the driveway was just long enough for us and the view was great! The sites are spacious enough; cell signal was the same. The dumpsters we full when we got there on Sunday the same on Tuesday. Recycling was not offered! The bathrooms are very nice-a room with 3 stalls and 4 individual showers. The trail is superb, we rode our bikes both days we were there. It’s an easy (ebike) ride to Eldora.
GuideQuiet well kept campground. Showers were nice, sites were decent in size, with some shade. Kids had fun at the swimming pond.
ScoutThis is a county park that is was well wooded and quite busy on a June Friday night. Lots of local folks. Stayed at the front-end of the part where apparently the sites are a little closer together than the rear sites. Was passing through on a cross country trip so only stayed on one night. Site with full hook-ups was only $30. Partial or no hook-up even less. You can reserve a spot by going online, though they do keep some as FCFS.
A few negatives about the park is that, with the local flavor, there were a lot of extended families there, and they all seemed to bring there dogs. Lots of barking going on. Our space was out of level but manageable, and the bath house and outhouse were on the rustic side. Decent enough place when passing through, and a great price!
TravelerStaff is *Outstanding!! Sites Level (#62); Great Kamp K9!! Laundry, "Immaculate"!; Clean, clean, oh and CLEAN! Gotta get @ least, one nite here!🤓
GuideLovely views, great walking paths, quiet and picturesque lake. Bathrooms and shower rooms are new and super clean. Campground is well kept. We will definitely be back.
GuideWe stayed Sun-Wed in May. Closest other campers were about a football field away. Very quiet park, we stayed in the back. We had water/power but no sewer hookup. Only downside to this park is there are no garbage cans. Weird?
GuideBeautiful spot, very quiet!! Next camper 100 yards away.
GuideThis little gem is a great place to stay. Small lake. Some sites are reserveable online and some are first come first serve. We had water and electric on site. Showers were not open yet in April. The frogs in the nearby swamp were fun to hear. Lots of birds too. This looks like it is a popular park for local people in the summer. There are 3 cabins also.
GuideI stayed at Ledges in June and hiked the trails again in February. The campground is well kept but busy in the summer months with it being a popular hiking destination for Des Moines locals. With most of the surrounding areas having little to no elevation changes there are a few nice hikes along some rocky hills beside the river both in summer and winter.
GuideGood little campground with tent,cabins and rv sites and reasonable
ScoutDolliver State Park was our maiden voyage in our travel trailer and it was obvious we were pitiful newbies! The park's beauty and tranquility did get disturbed a couple times when our dogs got loose (newbs!). The park staff were friendly and very helpful as were our fellow campers. The sites are mostly level with picnic tables and fire rings. Sites range from shady to sunny and the reservation website depicts the sites with a small photo and details about the amount of slope and shade. Cell service was good but no WiFi without a hotspot for us. We had fun, learned a lot and plan to camp here again!
LegendLarge campground, accommodates RVs & tents. Wooded & open sites. Appear level. Clean restrooms & shower stalls. Water. Playground. Friendly & helpful campground host. 3 bars T-Mobile. Great hiking trails in park.
ScoutNew Escapod owners! We’ve done the state parks and are winging back to PA. Saw Newton KOA made the call and it was perfect. Don’t let the “ industrial park”reference put you off. You drive past it down into an oasis of green, clean and friendly hosts! It’s October so busy but not summer, office staff was waiting for us at 6:40 PM ALL SMILES!! They parked us on a level site with water and electric about a 5 minute walk to sparkling clean bathrooms and showers. Grounds were well kept , people were friendly and it’s a must stay again on our way out west next season
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular cabin campsite near Eldora, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Eldora, IA is Pine Lake State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 10 reviews.
What is the best site to find cabin camping near Eldora, IA?
TheDyrt.com has all 15 cabin camping locations near Eldora, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
