2 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Several cabin rental options exist within 30 miles of Grinnell, Iowa, with most providing basic comforts and varying levels of amenities. Newton KOA offers cabin accommodations with electricity and indoor plumbing, while Lake Iowa County Park provides rustic cabins with more limited facilities. Most cabin sites include picnic tables and fire rings for outdoor cooking and gathering. Union Grove State Park Campground features cabins with water hookups, though bathroom facilities are shared in central locations. One camper shared that "the two cabins are fairly new and have all of the amenities" when describing Tower Rock's options.
Rustic and deluxe cabins are both available, depending on the location. Outback Campground & Resort offers the Wallaby cabin with a bathroom, shower, and kitchenette, though reviews note size limitations with the shower described as "so small it is difficult not to rinse one's hair while applying shampoo." Beyonder Getaway at Sleepy Hollow provides cozy cabins with running hot and cold water plus electricity near their fishing pond. Pine Lake State Park Campground features cabins that accommodate up to 4 people comfortably. Most facilities are pet-friendly with specific policies varying by location. Reservations are typically required well in advance, especially during summer months from May through September.
Most cabins include basic furniture but require visitors to bring their own linens, pillows, and toiletries. Kitchen facilities vary significantly between locations, with some providing only outdoor fire pits while others offer small refrigerators, microwaves, or full kitchenettes. Beyonder Getaway has a general market store on premises for basic supplies, and Newton KOA provides a mini-market with essential groceries. Adventureland Campground and Thomas Mitchell County Park cabins require guests to bring cooking equipment. For more substantial grocery needs, campers typically visit nearby towns, as noted by several reviewers who mentioned shopping at Walmart, Hy-Vee Grocery, or Fareway Grocery within short driving distances.
"HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Fairly EZ access from I-80; (2) Incredibly well-manicured campground that is both very clean and well-organized; (3) Despite being next to the highway where we were concerned with errant"
"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."
"Jump into the nearby water and let the kids have a blast! Enjoy a nice fun night away from home!"
"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!"
"Thomas Mitchell park is located outside of Altoona Iowa on 197 acres. There are electric and non electric sites available."
"Came in late, even though there were several empty spaces turns out they were reserved. Very nice camp host told us we could have a non-electric site, none of them were reserved."
"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."
Available this weekend
from $18 - $90 / night
"Nice park with plenty of sites and nice beach."
"Be prepared for a couple of hills in the park."
"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."
"The staff was very helpful, plenty of laundry/restrooms throughout the campground and pretty clean overall. Concrete pads with full hook ups (30/50 amp, water and sewage) make setting up quick."
"There’s 7 tent sites that are very well shaded, have a decent patch of land and include picnic tables, fire pits and scattered stand-up BBQ grills."
"If you’re a primitive camper like me, there’s a handful of sites (7 by my count) that include picnic tables, fire pits and scattered stand-up BBQ grills."
from $45 - $65 / night
"New showers and toilets. Easy access. Not far from oskaloosa."
from $20 / 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."
"Very nice state park campground. There are cabins as well as campsites. The park is adjacent to Pine Lake and water based recreation is available including swimming beach and boating."
Available this weekend
from $12 - $90 / night
LegendVery nice state park campground. There are cabins as well as campsites. The park is adjacent to Pine Lake and water based recreation is available including swimming beach and boating. The campground is off a paved road and is near to town. There is a walking path to the boat launch from the campground. Biking/hiking trails are on property.
TravelerNice quiet campground. The front looks like more long timers and it was a little noisier up there but I drove to the back loop and it's nice and quiet back here. PLENTY of 50/30/20 amp hookups and the shower house in the back was nice. Water was just lukewarm but it was hot out so no problem. Might be less pleasant in colder weather though. Pull through spots available. I would stay here again for sure.
Legend9-14-26 Timberline East RV Campground, I do not think this is a KOA anymore. Tent site T1 & 2 was level and on grass with table and fire ring. checked in at 7pm, overcast, Molly was great at the check in, offered a 10% Veteran discount. $34 for the night. We only stayed one night. Showers and bathrooms were decent. T-Mobile was 5G 4 bars. Rained all night, you can hear the noise from the highway but you drown it out.
ScoutGreat little spot with lots of hiking trails. Bathrooms are clean and guests are quiet. Don’t miss grave from 1869 at top of hill on trail. Beautiful place. Wish I lived closer.
GuideGrass sites, plenty of space. Some sites have great views of the lake. Nice walking trails. Wild life to watch. If you are camped under a hickory tree you will need to brush off the Hickory nuts off your slide outs. Plenty of parking for guset to visit. Peaceful. We love camping in Hickory hils.
RangerThis is a sweet well-maintained campground just south of Mitchellville, Iowa off of 80. Not many sites and only a handful were occupied mid week in July. There is a little stream running along the edge of the campground. There is one bathroom building with 6 separate rooms - each with a toilet, sink and shower with warm water. Plenty of drinking water at centralized locations. There is shade at most sites when you first enter the campground and in the loop. Along the edges (inc the stream) shade is more variable. The only issue we had was a bright light that was on all night near the end of the loop. We were in site 5 and had to move our truck so it didn’t shine in all night.
LegendI’m following up on my review from over a year ago with updated feedback, some additional pics and a quick summary of HIGHLIGHTS and LOWLIGHTS.
HIGHLIGHTS: (1) The campground offers full-hookup RV sites, including pull-throughs and back-ins, along with tent and cabin options that altogether works for a wide range of camping styles; (2) The atmosphere is very family-oriented, with play areas for kids, golf cart rentals, weekend activities and even a communal fire pit near the pond; (3) Amenities are plentiful, with laundry, a small on-site store, free WiFi, kid’s playground, horseshoe pits, a basketball court and plans for a pool; (4) The views are attractive, with sunsets over the pond that create an easygoing, picture-perfect backdrop for evening campfires and s’mores; and (5) The park is Good Sam verified, has a history of positive impressions, and promotes eco-friendly practices.
LOWLIGHTS: (1) There are definitely sites that are uneven or in a few cases, poorly maintained, requiring extra leveling work or creative parking to get set up properly; (2) A few of the facilities feel worn down, with issues like broken water hookups, muddy access points or bathrooms that could use more attention; (3) Inconsistency of maintenance and site quality – sometimes it just depends upon what day of the week you show up to find out whether or not things are organized and in good condition; (4) The beach area near the pond is not especially inviting, as it can be covered in goose and duck doo-doo, which detracts from the idea of relaxing at the shoreline; and (5) Reservations are handled by phone rather than online, which works for some people, but I find it inconvenient and very 1983.
Happy Camping!
GuideAfter 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. Picnic table for use. Within view of Adventureland so it was cool to see the rides lit up at night as we parked. Clean park. Will definitely stop by again when we aren’t just passing through!
LegendFollowing up on my review from over a year ago, I’m adding a bunch of additional photos as well as an abbreviated post pointing out the HIGHS and LOWS of this roadside pit stop of a campground in very rural Iowa.
HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Fairly EZ access from I-80; (2) Incredibly well-manicured campground that is both very clean and well-organized; (3) Despite being next to the highway where we were concerned with errant late-night visitors who had no business being at this CG, there’s excellent security and a feeling of being safe; (4) Superb Midwestern hospitality from the KOA staff and camping community; (5) RV slots offer very nice FHUs and fairly spacious areas; (6) Picnic tables & fire rings are in pretty good condition; (6) If you need anything, there’s a handful of just OK restaurants like Cratty Shack Diner and grocery stores like Hy-Vee and Walmart Supercenter in nearby Newton; (7) Spectacularly clean bathrooms and shower facilities; and (8) Well-stocked catch & release fishing pond
LOWLIGHTS: (1) You are literally right next to I-80, but the CG sits down below the swooshing traffic, so if you’re not looking, you almost forget that you’re camping next to the busiest highway in Iowa; (2) Lack of privacy between sites as there’s not a ton of trees, bushes or brush on the interior of the CG; (3) Most of the RV slots have no shade, so bring your own awning or shelter; (4) Some sites have very close proximity to their neighbors; (5) Some amenities feel dated and could be replaced and / or refurbished; (6) There’s a fairly nasty industrial park, complete with a junk yard and car mechanic garage with accompanying abandoned cars scattered around the entrance that you’ll have to navigate through before reaching this KOA; (7) This really isn’t a good place for tent camping, unless you can convince the staff to let you set up in the shaded area at the north end of the CG; (8) The pool was shut down for maintenance when we visited
Happy Camping!
Camping cabins near Grinnell, Iowa offer budget-friendly options within a 30-mile radius of this central Iowa town situated at approximately 1,030 feet above sea level. The region experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 70-85°F and winter temperatures often dropping below freezing. Most cabin rentals in the area remain open from April through October, with limited winterized options available during colder months.
Fishing at stocked ponds: At Beyonder Getaway at Sleepy Hollow, campers can enjoy the catch and release fishing pond near the cabins. One visitor noted, "There is a fish cleaning station near the creek. They do also have a pond with bass and bluegill" when describing the Newton KOA facilities.
Explore hiking trails: The cabin areas at Pine Lake State Park Campground connect to extensive trail networks. A camper shared, "Nice hiking trails right outside the cabin, along the river. Just down the road is a large lake with more hiking as well." The trails vary in difficulty with most being suitable for beginner to intermediate hikers.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many cabins are positioned to maximize nature sightings. At Lake Iowa County Park, visitors reported, "Saw lots of deer and rabbits right outside our door." The spring and fall months typically offer the best wildlife viewing opportunities when animals are most active.
Water recreation access: Several cabin locations provide water access for swimming or paddling. At Eveland Access, a camper reported it's a "Great area right on the river. excellent for fishing or boating." Most water activities are seasonal from late May through September depending on water levels and weather conditions.
Clean, updated facilities: Newton KOA earns consistent praise for maintenance. As one camper observed, "Spectacularly clean bathrooms and shower facilities" and "Incredibly well-manicured campground that is both very clean and well-organized." The shower facilities are typically available 24 hours with hot water.
Proximity to attractions: Adventureland Campground offers convenience to regional activities. A visitor mentioned, "Short walk to the amusement park. We were there for most of the early summer so we got a season pass to the park which included the water park." Most attractions are within 5-25 miles of cabin locations.
Quiet, natural settings: Many cabins are situated in peaceful environments. At Lake Iowa County Park, campers appreciate that it's "Not too far off the highway. Very clean and quiet. The campground is above the lake but a short trail will take you to the lake." Most cabins are spaced 30-50 feet apart, providing moderate privacy.
Cabin comfort levels: Pine Lake State Park cabins receive positive feedback for comfort. A visitor shared, "The cabin comfortably fit 4 of us. It had a nice stone fireplace a decent living room, small kitchen, and bathroom." Most park cabins include basic furnishings but require guests to bring bedding.
Reservation requirements: Many cabin sites require advance planning. Adventureland Campground requires attention to timing: "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."
Site characteristics: Terrain can be challenging at some locations. At Beyonder Getaway, a camper warned: "Bring a lot of leveling blocks. Most sites are slanted in both planes." This topography affects cabin placement and outdoor seating areas.
Water quality concerns: Some locations have infrastructure limitations. One guest at Beyonder Getaway noted: "The shower has 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."
Seasonal limitations: Weather impacts facility availability. A Newton KOA visitor shared: "The pool was shut down for maintenance when we visited." Most swimming amenities operate only from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Playground access: Thomas Mitchell County Park offers recreational facilities for children. A visitor noted, "There is a fishing lake, playground, sand volleyball, and hiking." Most playgrounds are centrally located and accessible from cabin areas.
Water play options: Creeks provide natural entertainment for children. A camper at Thomas Mitchell shared: "Easy trails for the kids to go hiking and playing in the creek to cool off in the heat." Creek access points typically have rock steps or gradual entries for safety.
Kid-friendly fishing spots: Several cabin locations have beginner-appropriate fishing. At Eveland Access, visitors report "Great camp grounds! New showers and toilets. Easy access. Not far from Oskaloosa." The fishing areas typically have accessible shorelines with minimal steep drops.
Indoor comfort considerations: Cabin amenities vary significantly. When staying in Outback Campground's Wallaby cabin, one guest experienced limitations: "The tv is to the side of the immovable chairs, so that one must have head turned completely to one side to watch." Most cabins have limited interior space requiring careful planning for family activities during inclement weather.
Hookup variations: Union Grove State Park Campground offers different utility configurations. A visitor noted: "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." Most electric sites offer 30/50 amp service.
Pad conditions: Surface types vary across locations. At Adventureland Campground, a camper observed: "Pull through paved 50 amp sites, with water and sewage. Picnic table for use." Most cabin sites have designated parking areas separate from the cabin structure.
Internet connectivity: Digital access varies by location. At Union Grove, a camper reported the site was "good for Starlink connection and close water spigot (elec only at these sites)." Cell service tends to be strongest at campgrounds closer to highways.
Shade availability: Tree cover impacts comfort significantly. At Newton KOA, a visitor cautioned: "Most of the RV slots have no shade, so bring your own awning or shelter." Cabin sites typically have better tree coverage than RV pads at most locations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular cabin campsite near Grinnell, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Grinnell, IA is Timberline East RV Campground with a 3.9-star rating from 12 reviews.
What is the best site to find cabin camping near Grinnell, IA?
TheDyrt.com has all 19 cabin camping locations near Grinnell, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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