Best Cabin Camping near Garwin, IA

Several state parks and private campgrounds near Garwin, Iowa provide furnished cabin rentals with varying amenities. Pine Lake State Park Campground in Eldora offers cabins situated along the riverbank with stone fireplaces, living rooms, small kitchens, and private bathrooms. According to one visitor, "The cabin comfortably fit 4 of us. It had a nice stone fireplace, a decent living room, small kitchen, and bathroom." Tower Rock in Eldora features two modern cabins with full amenities in a scenic setting. Union Grove State Park Campground in Gladbrook maintains two cabins with access to showers, toilets, and a dump station. The Outback Campground & Resort in Tama provides cabin options including the Wallaby cabin with a small bathroom, shower, three beds, and kitchenette, though reviews note limitations in bathroom facilities and storage space.

Rustic and deluxe cabins are both available throughout the region, with pet policies varying by location. Waterloo - Lost Island Waterpark KOA welcomes pets with a fenced dog park that one reviewer described as "fantastic for those of us with dogs." Most state park cabins require advance reservations, particularly during the May through September peak season. Newton KOA offers three cabin rentals alongside extensive amenities including a pool, fishing pond, and recreational facilities. Tower Rock's cabins are described by visitors as "perfect, with lots of places to hike all around the area" and "comfortable and cozy." Hickory Hills Park provides secluded cabin camping in a quiet setting with basic amenities at affordable rates.

Most cabin rentals include beds and basic furniture but require guests to bring their own linens, towels, and toiletries. Kitchen facilities vary significantly between locations, from basic kitchenettes to more complete setups with refrigerators and microwaves. Fire pits are common at most cabin sites for outdoor cooking. Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area offers cabins that are "clean and in good condition" though "not luxury or glamping." Grocery stores and supplies can be found in nearby towns like Eldora, which is accessible from Pine Lake State Park. KOA locations typically provide on-site convenience stores with basic provisions, while state parks generally require more advance planning for supplies. Cabin campers should check specific amenity lists when booking as furnishing levels differ substantially between locations.

Best Cabin Sites Near Garwin, Iowa (15)

    1. Union Grove State Park Campground

    3 Reviews
    Garwin, IA
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (641) 473-2556

    $30 - $90 / night

    "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."

    "Union Grove is known for having good lake fishing. The lake is also a great place for kayaking or canoeing."

    2. Outback Campground & Resort

    3 Reviews
    Garwin, IA
    9 miles
    +1 (641) 484-3611

    "Jump into the nearby water and let the kids have a blast! Enjoy a nice fun night away from home!"

    3. Pine Lake State Park Campground

    11 Reviews
    Steamboat Rock, IA
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (641) 858-5832

    $15 - $90 / night

    "This campground is near home so I know it well.

    The campground itself is nice, with some decent sized campsites, many having a great view of upper Pine Lake. There are flush toilets and showers."

    "My family and I rented on eof the cabins here. They were nice cabins just off the bank of the river! The cabin comfortably fit 4 of us."

    4. Hickory Hills Park

    3 Reviews
    Evansdale, IA
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 342-3350

    "This campground has no shippers but is secluded and quiet and only 5 dollars. There’s a barn with electricity running water and real toilets."

    "This is a great quiet park with animals for visiting and a very clean shower house."

    5. Waterloo - Lost Island Waterpark KOA

    10 Reviews
    Evansdale, IA
    31 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 233-3485

    "Great 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."

    "Little shade with small trees next to about each site. Gas, propane, laundry room, beach area, small boat rentals, good sized convenience store with ice, beer, snacks, milkshake machine, etc."

    6. Newton KOA

    11 Reviews
    Kellogg, IA
    33 miles
    Website
    +1 (641) 792-2428

    "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."

    "Newton KOA

    This is the primary location for camping in Newton. It’s right off interstate I-80 and is very close to the Iowa Speedway."

    7. Tower Rock

    4 Reviews
    Steamboat Rock, IA
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (641) 648-4361

    "The two cabins are fairly new and have all of the amenities. My mother-in-law stayed here while visiting recently and we enjoyed spending time at her cabin."

    "The cabins were perfect, with lots of places to hike all around the area."

    8. Hannen County Park

    4 Reviews
    Marengo, IA
    33 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 454-6382

    "Nice park with plenty of sites and nice beach."

    "Be prepared for a couple of hills in the park."

    10. Lake Iowa County Park

    7 Reviews
    Williamsburg, IA
    41 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 655-8465

    "One of the cleanest showers and bathrooms I have seen. $10 for tent, $16 for electric - how can you go wrong?

    Only issue is that the spots are pretty close together."

    "Looked like a decent amount of folks here but we didn’t drive very far into the park. If you take a look at the PDF maps on their website you can see how vast the places is with 122 spots!"

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Showing results 1-10 of 15 campgrounds

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Recent Cabin Photos near Garwin, IA

3 Photos of 15 Garwin Campgrounds


Cabin Reviews near Garwin, IA

78 Reviews of 15 Garwin Campgrounds


  • Leslie K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 7, 2024

    Outback Campground & Resort

    Wallaby Cabin Review

    This 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.

  • L
    Aug. 22, 2020

    Waterloo - Lost Island Waterpark KOA

    Something for everyone

    Great 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!

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 1, 2024

    Newton KOA

    This KOA Deserves Your Attention

    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!

  • Kerry M.
    Aug. 25, 2021

    Tower Rock

    Modern cabins and a beautiful park

    The two cabins are fairly new and have all of the amenities. My mother-in-law stayed here while visiting recently and we enjoyed spending time at her cabin.

    While camping is no longer allowed in Tower Rock park, you can still enjoy a walk down to the river or bicycling on the paved bicycle trail. Tube rentals are available nearby for the Iowa River, and a local outfitter will rent a boat for the day to fish Pine Lake or the small lake northwest of Steamboat Rock.

    Pine lake is not that far away either and offers many fun activities.

  • A
    Jul. 9, 2018

    Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area Campground

    Well maintained with trees!

    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

  • Willy W.
    May. 31, 2020

    Newton KOA

    KOA is OK

    Newton KOA

    This is the primary location for camping in Newton. It’s right off interstate I-80 and is very close to the Iowa Speedway.

    There are places to go tent camping but it’s primarily setup for rvs. The tent camping spots have a picnic table and fire pit.

    The RV sports are pretty nice, most have the usual hookups. This place can get pretty busy when there is a race going on.

    There is a creek in the back and some pretty easy hiking trails to explore. There is a fish cleaning station near the creek. They do also have a pond with bass and bluegill. They also have a pool by the office but it’s currently being painted.

    Overall this is a pretty nice KOA and it’s very clean and maintained. You can hear the interstate but you get used to it.

  • K
    Jun. 8, 2021

    Waterloo - Lost Island Waterpark KOA

    Great Campground for Kids, Lots of Amenities

    Decent sites with full hook ups. Little shade with small trees next to about each site. Gas, propane, laundry room, beach area, small boat rentals, good sized convenience store with ice, beer, snacks, milkshake machine, etc. Enough to do for a day or two without going to the water park. Overall felt pretty exposed but the amenities made up for it.

  • J
    Aug. 9, 2022

    Hickory Hills Park

    Great place to camp

    This campground has no shippers but is secluded and quiet and only 5 dollars. There’s a barn with electricity running water and real toilets.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 24, 2023

    Newton KOA

    A decent option along the freeway

    Our 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.


Guide to Garwin

Camping cabins near Garwin, Iowa range from rustic sites to modern facilities within Tama County and neighboring areas. Located in the rolling hills of central Iowa, this region sits at elevations between 850-950 feet with humid continental climate patterns that create distinct seasons. Summer cabin rentals typically experience high humidity with daytime temperatures averaging 80-85°F, while spring and fall offer milder conditions for outdoor activities.

What to do

Fishing opportunities: Lake Iowa County Park offers access to largemouth bass and panfish. One visitor noted, "There are wild raspberries and mulberries, lots of wildlife. We had a blue jay that visited us regularly at our campsite, along with deer walking through."

Wildlife viewing: Hickory Hills Park features a small zoo with various animals. According to a reviewer, "This is a 700+ acre park with hiking, fishing, and disc golf. It also has modern amenities and a small zoo of animals from birds to buffalo."

Water recreation: Visitors can enjoy swimming and paddling at Hannen County Park, where one camper described it as a "Beautiful relaxing spot. We were in a spot on a hill top."

What campers like

Cabin features: Tower Rock provides fully-equipped cabins that have garnered positive feedback. A visitor mentioned, "The two cabins are fairly new and have all of the amenities. My mother-in-law stayed here while visiting recently and we enjoyed spending time at her cabin."

Pet-friendly options: Dog owners appreciate the dedicated facilities at Waterloo - Lost Island Waterpark KOA. As one camper explained, "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!"

Clean facilities: Multiple cabins in the area maintain high cleanliness standards. At Lake Iowa County Park, a camper observed, "Very well kept campground! Bathrooms and entire area was really in perfect shape. One of the cleanest showers and bathrooms I have seen."

What you should know

Reservation timing: Cabin rentals fill quickly during peak season (May-September). Some parks like Hannen County Park operate on first-come, first-served basis.

Amenity variations: Cabin facilities differ significantly between locations. Some offer full kitchens while others provide minimal cooking equipment.

Spacing considerations: Some campgrounds have cabins positioned close together. At Lake Iowa County Park, a camper noted, "The spots are pretty close together. Around 2:30am there was so much smoke in our van from nearby campfires that I woke up sick."

Site selection: Research specific cabin locations before booking. As one Lake Iowa visitor advised, "Very few sites have a view of the lake. To walk to the lake or near by pond you must go down hill, which could be a problem for any one with mobility issues... I would say if you can try and get sites, 67-70. They have beautiful views."

Tips for camping with families

Water activities: Pine Lake State Park Campground offers multiple recreation options. A reviewer shared, "Great access to river a short drive away for fabulous river tubing and kayaking. The campground has nice bathroom facilities."

Kid-friendly amenities: Some locations provide playgrounds and recreation areas. At Outback Campground & Resort, a visitor commented, "This is a great place to camp and bring your kids! Jump into the nearby water and let the kids have a blast!"

Educational opportunities: Several parks offer nature programming. Union Grove State Park has a "nice lending library" according to one visitor, providing educational materials for young campers.

Accessibility concerns: Check terrain details before booking with small children. Some cabins require navigating hills or stairs, which can be challenging with young children and gear.

Tips from RVers

Campsite sizing: Newton KOA offers various site configurations. One RVer noted, "We were able to stay in a great spot. WiFi was great and the area was clean. Campers near us caught a couple of bass in the pond."

Setup considerations: Pay attention to site layout details. One camper at Union Grove State Park mentioned, "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."

Utilities access: Most cabin camping areas also accommodate RVs with hookups. At the Outback Campground & Resort, a visitor observed it was "Very RV friendly, I was the only tent camper I saw the weekend I went."

Seasonal timing: Fall and spring typically offer less crowded conditions. Summer weekends fill quickly at most locations, particularly at water-adjacent sites.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular cabin campsite near Garwin, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Garwin, IA is Union Grove State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 3 reviews.

What is the best site to find cabin camping near Garwin, IA?

TheDyrt.com has all 15 cabin camping locations near Garwin, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.