4 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Several cabin camping options exist near Exira, Iowa, with sites located primarily in state and county parks. Prairie Rose State Park Campground features cabins with electric hookups for heating and cooling options. The cabins provide access to shared toilet and shower facilities, with most sites featuring fire pits and picnic tables for outdoor meals. "The park is somewhat small but laid out nicely. I paid extra for an electric site to be close to the lake," noted one camper. Springbrook State Park and Middle River Point also offer cabin accommodations with varying levels of amenities, all situated near lakes or rivers for recreational activities.
Rustic cabins predominate throughout the region, with more deluxe options available at locations like Des Moines West KOA Holiday. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak summer months from May through September. Most cabins permit pets, though specific policies vary by location. According to a visitor, "This is a beautiful spot. Was an absolute blast staying at this place." Many campgrounds close during winter, though some like Springbrook State Park maintain year-round operations with limited services.
Most cabins require guests to bring bedding, towels, and cooking supplies. Basic kitchenette facilities exist in some locations, particularly at KOA Holiday cabins, while others provide only outdoor cooking options at fire rings. Firewood is available for purchase at most locations including Prairie Rose and Arrowhead Park. Water access points are distributed throughout campgrounds, but may not be directly connected to cabins. Cell reception varies significantly, with some locations like Springbrook State Park offering no service, which one camper noted "forces us to unplug" during their stay.
"First time here,this place is very nice &peaceful, beautiful lake,spacious sites power & water at sites,15,30&50 amp."
"Lots of space around your site. Fills up fast on weekends. Would recommend this park."
"Reserved electric unit 090 for the weekend, which had a scenic corn field for a backdrop - this is Iowa!"
"This park surrounds the whole lake and you can explore everything thing by trail or water. Lots of fishing and swimming, we went looking for wildflowers along the lake trails."
Available this weekend
from $12 - $50 / night
"Pros: Not a far drive from Des Moines, but still quite remote
-Lots of nice hiking trails
-Easy access to large, mostly clean modern bathrooms
-The lake is a peaceful spot to spend the early mornings"
"You’ll love this little park if you want to really disconnect and get away from things as there was absolutely 0 cell reception where we were at."
Available this weekend
from $10 - $200 / night
"Only downside was there were no bathrooms."
from $15 - $32 / night
"Our family and another family shared a primitive tent site near the back of the park. We were first and foremost impressed with the freedom we had in choosing our site."
"Sites were gravel, with a picnic table, fire ring, and electrical hookup. Our site was well shaded with trees."
"Very nice campground with running water,electricity and wifi. It's opened year round."
"Not much privacy between sites nor shade. Bathhouses were clean and private. Laundry available. Off leash dog area available."
"Easy to get into, plenty of space, fire pit, picnic table, friendly & helpful park officers, lots of activities (hiking, boating, boat rentals, beach, bait shop, close to a race track in Corning, etc"
"I will first off stay I have not been to a lot of Iowa parks. But I will say the ones I have been to, that this is the nicest or one of them."
"I was only tent camper in the electric only sites. If there was a tent only location, I didn't see it. Those in campers that need water and electricity are regulated to gravel 'parking lot' sites."
"We stayed one night, beautiful park! Great trail all the way around the lake, we took a bike ride around it was about 3 ish miles. Camp host was a gem. Bathrooms were very clean!"
"We didn't have a reservation but was able to get one of the last tent sites available. Nice spot, fire pits have nice swinging grates on them. There was a picnic table at our spot as well."
"Very nice place, close to the lake. Beach at walking distance through the trail. Fishing area, two kid playgrounds and at around 15 minutes to any grocery stores and gas stations."
Available this weekend
from $12 - $80 / night
"Great campground with restaurant, beach and boat rentals."
"Has a water park you can rent golf carts and cabins lots todo very family friendly"
Available this weekend
from $12 - $40 / night
ScoutWe camp here lots during the summer. No issues to speak of. Although it would be nice if they didn’t dig their fire pits deep. Mine. Is below ground level by 6 inches or so. Can barely see the fire. Today it rained and now it’s 6pm and my pit is full of water. It’s done raining. Kind of hard to have a fire now.!!!!
ScoutGreat stop, perfect for kids - trampoline, jumping pillow, and a playground. Spots are close together (as with most KOAs) but easy off I-80 and a great pit stop for a night or two with family.
ScoutWe stay here as much as we can. There is lots of trees with a bit of shade at most all sites. You can camp at the waters’ edge. We love to fish and can fish off the back of our RV. Most sites are spacious, some a bit smaller. It only has electric hook ups, but you can fill up with a hose at water sites. Has a dump spot by bathrooms. Bath and toilets are clean. Over Al this camp is our favorite!
TravelerQuiet and clean campground. Bike/walk trail surrounding the lake. Lots of amenities for fishing and sightseeing on the lake
ScoutLove this place. They have have the racks on their firepits for cooking!
ScoutVery nice campground with running water,electricity and wifi. It's opened year round.
TravelerI’ve been here multiple times tent camping. Tent sites are right on the shore. Many spillways for fishing. ~10 mile loop you can hike or MTB. Restrooms, including the vaulted toilets, are kept clean. This is where we go for a low key weekend for fun.
LegendLots of spots with water and electric and right on the lake. Very friendly staff. 20 bucks a night. They were winterizing it during my stay and came by to tell me the services still open.
LegendThis is a very nice recreation area with about fifty spots. They all seem to have electric and water. And it's twenty five dollars a night. The spots are first come. First serve, there's a very nice bathroom with showers. The lake is small and meant for non. Motorized boats. There's a ton of trails around the outside of the park. If you follow the far outside one, it's almost three and a half miles.
Cabin accommodations near Exira, Iowa range from rustic to modern, with most concentrated in county-managed parks within a 40-mile radius. The region's rolling hills and prairie landscapes create natural settings for outdoor recreation, with most sites situated near lakes or small rivers. Winter temperatures typically drop below freezing from December through February, limiting access to certain facilities.
Fishing opportunities: The 115-acre lake at Prairie Rose State Park Campground attracts anglers throughout the camping season. "Nit into fishing but lots of people out in boats, kayaks, and on the shore," notes Roger, who stayed at one of the lakeside sites. Fishing is among the most popular activities at cabins near Exira.
Hiking trails: Several walking paths connect cabin areas to natural features. "The hiking trails were well cut out and offered views of the lake, woods, and natural prairie," reports Sarah H. who visited Prairie Rose with her family. Most trails are under 5 miles in length and offer moderate terrain suitable for casual hikers.
Local attractions: Cabins at Winterset City Park provide access to cultural sites. "The bridges of Madison County, Clarke Tower, cute local ice cream shop, John Wayne Museum! So much fun in a cute Iowa community!" writes Adam. The downtown area is approximately a 20-minute walk from the campground.
Quiet setting: Many cabin users appreciate the relative solitude. At Springbrook State Park Campground, Jesse P. mentions, "You'll love this little park if you want to really disconnect and get away from things as there was absolutely 0 cell reception where we were at." This technological isolation creates a different experience compared to more connected sites.
Lake views: Waterfront cabin positions rank highly in reviews. "We had a great spot to place our kayak in right by our campsite. The lake is large with plenty of areas with downed trees for prime fishing," explains Caralee D. about Viking Lake State Park Campground. Many cabins are positioned with views of sunsets over water.
Clean facilities: Maintenance standards receive positive comments from visitors. "The bathrooms were very clean!" reports Shane T. from Swan Lake Campground. Most cabins rely on centralized shower and bathroom buildings rather than private facilities, so cleanliness becomes particularly important.
Reservation timing: Booking early is essential, particularly for weekend cabin stays from May through September. Sites at Lake Icaria Co Park fill quickly. "In the fall we went and had no neighbors. It's busy in summer, but well kept," reports Nicole B., highlighting seasonal differences.
Supplies needed: Most cabins require guests to bring their own bedding, cooking equipment, and food supplies. Basic furnishings typically include beds, tables, and some seating. "Bring some hiking equipment as well as they have multiple nice trails to go hiking on," recommends Jesse P., indicating that specialized gear is not provided.
Weather considerations: The region experiences significant seasonal changes. "Had a great time but it was hot and windy. Wind was shaking the camper and the neighbor decided to leave because of the heat and wind," notes Roger about summer conditions at Prairie Rose State Park.
Playground access: Multiple parks offer play areas near cabin sections. At Arrowhead Park Campground, "Playground was directly behind us which is a plus for us," shares John K. The proximity allows parents to monitor children while preparing meals or relaxing.
Swimming options: Sandy beach swimming areas provide summer recreation. "The kids enjoyed biking and swimming. The whole family enjoyed prairie wildlife such as a blue heron, geese, bald eagles, frogs etc.," reports Sarah H. about Prairie Rose State Park. Most swimming areas are unsupervised, requiring parental oversight.
Educational opportunities: Some parks offer nature programming. Therese T. shares about Springbrook: "They had a little nature center which was closed but the nice lady opened it for my kids to go in and let them hold snakes and turtles! They were so excited!" These spontaneous encounters can create memorable experiences.
Site selection: For those with larger RVs towing to cabin areas, accessibility varies. Caralee D. notes at Viking Lake, "Our campsite had great shade from the trees and was right next to an inlet from the lake." Many cabin areas share access roads with RV sections, allowing similar amenities.
Full hookup availability: When transitioning between cabin and RV stays, service levels differ. "Nice level sites with options for tenting or rv. Sites are primitive, electric only or full hookup," explains Ryan P. about Viking Lake State Park, indicating the range of options available at a single location.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular cabin campsite near Exira, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Exira, IA is Littlefield Rec Area with a 4.5-star rating from 8 reviews.
What is the best site to find cabin camping near Exira, IA?
TheDyrt.com has all 24 cabin camping locations near Exira, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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