Best Cabin Camping near Harlan, IA

Cabin accommodations near Harlan provide overnight shelter options at several state and county parks. Prairie Rose State Park Campground offers cabin rentals with electric hookups, picnic tables, and fire rings. Hitchcock County Nature Center features cabins in a natural setting with hiking trails and outdoor recreation opportunities. Yellow Smoke Park and Arrowhead Park also maintain cabin facilities with varying amenities. Most cabins include basic furnishings and access to shared bathroom facilities or showers depending on the location. "We hope to return in winter to check out the camping cabins," noted one visitor to Arrowhead Park.

Rustic and deluxe cabins are both available, depending on the location. Loess Hills Hideaway offers cabin rentals with fire rings and picnic tables in a secluded setting. Nelson Park in Crawford County provides cabin options with electric hookups, showers, and toilets. Most cabins require advance reservations, particularly during summer months from May through September when parks experience peak visitation. Pet policies vary by location, with most allowing pets with restrictions. A camper at Hitchcock Nature Center noted, "The park has cabins, RV sites, tent camping and backcountry hike in camping. The nature center is a nice place to cool down in the summer."

Most cabins include beds but require visitors to bring their own linens, towels, and toiletries. Basic cooking facilities typically include fire rings with grates for outdoor cooking, though indoor amenities vary by location. Viking Lake State Park Campground cabins operate from April through December, while others like Springbrook State Park remain open year-round. Firewood is available for purchase at most locations including Prairie Rose and Hitchcock Nature Center. General stores or markets can be found at several parks including Arrowhead Park and Swan Lake State Park Campground, offering essential supplies for cabin guests.

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Best Cabin Sites Near Harlan, Iowa (14)

    1. Prairie Rose State Park Campground

    17 Reviews
    Harlan, IA
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 773-2701

    $15 - $50 / night

    "Reserved electric unit 090 for the weekend, which had a scenic corn field for a backdrop - this is Iowa!"

    "I really like Prairie Rose State Park. It is about ten miles north of Interstate 80 near Harlan, Iowa. The lake is gorgeous and has many different view points."

    2. Arrowhead Park Campground

    20 Reviews
    Honey Creek, IA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 485-2295

    "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."

    3. Hitchcock County Nature Center

    30 Reviews
    Honey Creek, IA
    32 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 328-5833

    $10 - $50 / night

    "The tent campsites are close together in the campground all of them have fire rings with grates. There is a vault toliet just up from the site."

    "Hitchcock Nature Center is north of Crescent, IA and just let outside Omaha, NE. A short drive from the city and you are in the Loess Hills that were explored by Lewis and Clark on their trek west."

    4. Nelson Park Crawford County Park

    2 Reviews
    Dunlap, IA
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 643-5426

    "I grew up swimming and camping at Nelson Park but moved away roughly 30 years ago. I wanted a weekend away from the craziness so chose to go "home" for my first solo trip in quite awhile."

    "Has a descent size lake good for kayaking and fishing."

    5. Yellow Smoke Park

    1 Review
    Denison, IA
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 263-2748

    "We rented out their 3 cabins and had a whole area to ourselves. The kids could walk down to the sand and a bridge."

    6. Loess Hills Hideaway

    1 Review
    Moorhead, IA
    31 miles
    Website
    +1 (402) 551-0690

    "They have cabins and R.V. spots for sure. Owner is very nice and the bathrooms if you need them are clean and well maintained."

    7. Viking Lake State Park Campground

    10 Reviews
    Stanton, IA
    50 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 829-2235

    $15 - $46 / 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"

    8. Springbrook State Park Campground

    9 Reviews
    Guthrie Center, IA
    45 miles
    Website
    +1 (641) 747-3591

    $12 - $200 / 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."

    9. Swan Lake State Park Campground

    3 Reviews
    Carroll, IA
    36 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 792-4614

    "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!"

    10. Crawford Creek County Rec Area

    3 Reviews
    Ida Grove, IA
    45 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 364-3300

    "Nice cabins for rent."

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Cabin Reviews near Harlan, IA

103 Reviews of 14 Harlan Campgrounds


  • Sarah H.
    Aug. 7, 2016

    Arrowhead Park Campground

    Easy Family Camping Near Omaha

    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. Tent camping here is non-reservable, but once you enter the park, you may choose from any spots containing a fire pit outside of RV loops. Tent sites range from lake-front, to playground side, to more private sites on the outer rim of the park. We chose a large, private site at the back of the park. This site was well maintained and had enough space to easily accommodate two families of four. We even had a picnic shelter all to ourselves. Our site was lined by woods and farmland and had a good view of a small pond. The night was full of exciting animal noises from both the nearby farm and pond. Vault toilets were a short walk away with clean shower facilities just a few loops away. The kids enjoyed riding bikes up and down gravel roads, looking for frogs, and playing on the playground. Canoe and paddle boat rental is extremely reasonable. Hiking trails near the park entrance are rugged. The staff was incredibly kind and easy-going, yet attentive. Just a short drive from neighboring towns, this is a good starter campground for families with younger kids. We hope to return in winter to check out the camping cabins.

  • Tarrah C.
    Apr. 5, 2023

    Hitchcock County Nature Center

    Beautiful Area

    The tent campsites are close together in the campground all of them have fire rings with grates. There is a vault toliet just up from the site. There are also a lot of hike in sites that are equiped with a fire ring, no bathrooms though. Tons of hiking trails ranging from hard to easy. Plenty of RV spots and they have cabins

  • Pat V.
    Sep. 14, 2019

    Hitchcock County Nature Center

    Great outdoors close to the city!

    Hitchcock Nature Center is north of Crescent, IA and just let outside Omaha, NE. A short drive from the city and you are in the Loess Hills that were explored by Lewis and Clark on their trek west. The is a $3 day use pass or a $20 yearly pass available.

    This place has a lot to offer anyone. They have Nature education events, archery range, a handicapped accessible boardwalk trail, hiking trails, camping, etc. There are miles of trail available with backcountry camping available for $10 per night. RV camping is also available for $15 per night with electric, showers/bathrooms, picnic tables, fire rings, etc. They also offer a couple cabins for rent.

    The hiking is fantastic and offers something for every skill level. There are absolutely gorgeous views of the Missouri River valley below. All trails are marked and the a multiple different trailheads, many which start around the visitors center/tower Overlook. During the winter they even over snowshoeing events. It is really a nice place to get outdoors anytime of the year.

  • Kandace F.
    Aug. 30, 2021

    Springbrook State Park Campground

    Small town camping

    Electric sites, no reservations required I don't think. Nice bathrooms, 3 showers for the women's room with a family size shower. Nice playground, volleyball net, basketball court. Picnic tables and fire rings. No cell service down at the campground. You could call that a pro or a con! Really nice campground employees.

  • E
    Aug. 22, 2020

    Arrowhead Park Campground

    Quiet Campground

    Overall nice, quiet campground.  We reserved a site via the website, and were given our pick of sites once we arrived.  Sites were gravel, with a picnic table, fire ring, and electrical hookup.  Our site was well shaded with trees.

  • N K.
    Oct. 11, 2020

    Prairie Rose State Park Campground

    Peace & quiet

    Reserved electric unit 090 for the weekend, which had a scenic corn field for a backdrop - this is Iowa! Paved roads, level gravel sites, wide & mowed trails, clean pit toilets and a layout that isn’t too cramped. The pond has multiple shoreline fishing spots with picnic tables and a cleaning station. Basic playground in front of the beach which is a short drive or a ~1 mile trail walk away.

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 5, 2021

    Hitchcock County Nature Center

    Nice and peaceful

    Great spot for an overnight! Restroom is clean w/ pit toilet and tp. Wifi is only accessible in the upper area of the grounds. Site number 13 is the most cozy as there’s no one next to your rig. Firewood is at the right of the entrance. Potable water available!

  • Robert B.
    Jun. 20, 2021

    Arrowhead Park Campground

    Great nature, fishing, and camping park.

    Arrowhead campground has 60 RV sites that support both 30 and 50 amp hookups. They have several well water stations to take on water and a sewer dump station. There also lots of tent camping sites. All sites come with picnic table and fire ring. There are numerous nature trails to hike ranging from easy to hard. There is also a nice sized lake for fishing, canoeing, and paddle boats. The lake has a boat ram for small fishing boats. Very well maintained, managed, and friendly atmosphere.

  • J
    Aug. 28, 2020

    Arrowhead Park Campground

    Peaceful Serenity

    I arrived just in time to see the beautiful sunset over the small lake near the primitive campground closest to the Park Office. It only cost $10 for tent camping and $3 for a vehicle pass. Campground and vault toilets were pretty clean. There is a fire ring and picnic table at each tent campsite and there are plenty to choose from near the water. You can bring your own kayak or canoe and even fish here. We had a nice encounter from the campground employee who explained how to put the stake out to claim our campsite. Right away, I saw abundant wildlife, including turkey, deer, black squirrels, woodpeckers, geese, ducks and bats. Come prepared for the mosquitoes but overall I would highly recommend this place!


Guide to Harlan

Cabin camping near Harlan, Iowa offers a serene escape into nature, with various campgrounds providing comfortable accommodations and a range of outdoor activities.

Explore the Beauty of Prairie Rose State Park

  • Enjoy the picturesque views and well-maintained facilities at Prairie Rose State Park Campground, where you can relax by the lake and take in the fall colors.
  • The campground features electric hookups and a beautiful lake, perfect for fishing and kayaking, making it a great spot for water enthusiasts.
  • With spacious primitive spots separated from electric sites, you can find a peaceful retreat away from the hustle and bustle.

Cabin Campers Appreciate These Amenities

  • At Arrowhead Park Campground, cabin campers can enjoy clean facilities, including showers and picnic tables, ensuring a comfortable stay.
  • The campground is pet-friendly, allowing you to bring your furry friends along for the adventure, and features trails for walking and exploring.
  • With firewood available and the option to have campfires, you can enjoy cozy evenings under the stars.

Activities for All Ages at Viking Lake State Park

  • Viking Lake State Park Campground offers a variety of activities, including fishing, kayaking, and swimming, making it ideal for families looking for fun.
  • The campground features well-maintained sites with electric hookups, ensuring a comfortable stay while you explore the surrounding nature.
  • With a water park nearby and plenty of trails for hiking, there's no shortage of outdoor adventures to embark on during your cabin camping trip.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Harlan, IA is Prairie Rose State Park Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 17 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 14 cabin camping locations near Harlan, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.