Best Cabin Camping near Iowa City, IA

Several cabin rentals around Iowa City provide rustic lodging options for visitors seeking shelter while enjoying Iowa's natural areas. Palisades-Kepler State Park Campground in Mount Vernon offers cabins with electric hookups and reservable sites, though reviews indicate the area can be "campsites kinda small and hilly" with "great hiking trails and views of the bluffs over the river." Lake Iowa County Park maintains year-round cabin accommodations with basic amenities including picnic tables, electric hookups, and showers. Calyx Creek Treehouse features more upscale cabins with modern conveniences, as one visitor noted the property "offers heated floors, internet, loft sleeping, heat/AC, kitchen, views."

Rustic and deluxe cabins are both available, depending on the location. Windmill Ridge Campground provides cabin rentals with sewer hookups and electricity in a setting described by visitors as a "hidden little gem" that's "clean, quiet and well set" for various camping styles. Beyonder Getaway at Sleepy Hollow offers cabin accommodations near a fishing pond with full utilities. Hannen County Park features cabin options that stay open year-round with amenities including drinking water, electric hookups, and shower facilities. Pets are permitted at most cabin locations, though policies vary by campground, with some properties like Calyx Creek not allowing pets.

Most cabins include beds but require visitors to bring their own linens, towels, and toiletries. Basic cabin rentals typically provide electricity and shelter, while more deluxe options include kitchenettes, private bathrooms, and climate control systems. Little Bear Campground offers simple cabin accommodations for $49 per night with access to facilities like showers and a seasonal pool. Beyonder Getaway features "cozy cabins which are located up front and close to the fishing pond, where these structures come with running hot and cold water along with electricity," according to one review. Many cabins are located near camp stores or gas stations where basic supplies can be purchased, though bringing essentials is recommended.

Best Cabin Sites Near Iowa City, Iowa (23)

    1. Beyonder Getaway at Sleepy Hollow

    13 Reviews
    Oxford, IA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 628-6900

    $45 - $65 / night

    "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."

    2. Little Bear Campground

    8 Reviews
    West Branch, IA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 627-2676

    $22 - $49 / night

    "Little Bear Campground is located right off I-80 at the West Liberty exit. It is right next to a trailer park. There are a few tent sites ($22/ night)and Rv sites($33/night)."

    "Very cute campground right off highway. I called while traveling and Mike was very accommodating. Full hookups and showers. Even got a pool. Gas station nearby full of character."

    3. Palisades-Kepler State Park Campground

    9 Reviews
    Ely, IA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 895-6039

    $15 - $80 / night

    "Park offers lots of amenities and recreation opportunities. Situated along the Cedar river, fishing and paddling can be done."

    "Super chill and plenty of space, especially for tents on site 39. Bathrooms are very nice and modern and clean, maintenance was very nice to let me shower before he could clean it."

    4. Calyx Creek, Creekside Treehouse

    1 Review
    Oxford, IA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 900-5992

    $275 - $295 / night

    "Treehouse is located near lavender farm store and offers: heated floors, internet, loft sleeping, heat/AC, kitchen, views."

    5. Windmill Ridge Campground

    1 Review
    Kalona, IA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 656-4488

    "Family and pet friendly, clean, well kept property, amenities on site,completive priced sites for camping and to gather together and enjoy life for a moment or two."

    6. Lake Iowa County Park

    7 Reviews
    Williamsburg, IA
    33 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!"

    7. 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."

    8. Lake Darling State Park Campground

    7 Reviews
    Brighton, IA
    37 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 694-2323

    $15 - $110 / night

    "I absolutely loved this state park. There is so many options for fishing and camping. They even have cabin rentals for the more glamping lifestyle."

    "Our family has been camping at Lake Darling for the past couple of years. We very much like the campground and the lake area."

    9. Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area Campground

    6 Reviews
    Shellsburg, IA
    36 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 436-7716

    $17 - $60 / night

    "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"

    "Cabins were nice - not luxury or glamping but clean and in good condition.  The gentleman that takes care of the campground takes great pride in his work and it shows - kudos to him! "

    10. Pinicon Ridge Park

    9 Reviews
    Central City, IA
    39 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 438-6616

    "Dump available on entrance/exit.  The site was a level rock pad witch was very spacious with a fire ring and picnic table.  Nearest grocery store was within 5 miles. "

    "Water and electric hookups, dump station near by. Clean shower house with storm shelter. Mixed sun and shade with generous grassy sites, fire pit and picnic table."

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Cabin Reviews near Iowa City, IA

113 Reviews of 23 Iowa City Campgrounds


  • Desiree R.
    Apr. 15, 2019

    Lake Darling State Park Campground

    Amazing lake

    I absolutely loved this state park. There is so many options for fishing and camping. They even have cabin rentals for the more glamping lifestyle. They do book up quick in advance, but there is usually walk up spots available the week of too. Definitely reccomend.

  • James M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 15, 2024

    Summit Cabin 1

    Very nice, clean County cabin overlooking lake

    This modern cabin offers to better bedrooms, full service, kitchen, living room, with sofa, sleeper, and fireplace, ADA bathroom, covered porch with chairs and view of the lake, fire pit, and picnic table outside. Park offers, kayak and paddleboard, rentals, concessions, and a swimming beach in season.

  • James M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 15, 2024

    Summit Cabin 2, West Lake Park

    Very, very clean, County, modern cabin, surrounded by Prairie overlooking lake

    This cabin has all modern conveniences with two sleeping rooms, full service, kitchen, living room, with sofa, sleeper, and fireplace, ADA bathroom and a covered porch overlooking the lake. There’s a gas grill, fire pit, picnic table for outdoor recreation. The park offers kayak rentals, paddle boat rentals, swimming beach in season, and concessions.

  • James M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 2, 2023

    Wapsi River Environmental Ed. Ctr.

    Nice Family cabin in quite park

    Park is a nature preserve with only 1 cabin for rent (Kestrel Cabin) sleeping six. Cabin offers modern amenities: stove, oven,micro, dishwasher, refrigerator, coffee pot, toaster, ADA access, shower. AC/heat, covered porch, firewood, picnic table, Charcoal grill, trails. Park is also site of nature center with live animals, an observatory, access to Wapsipinicon River.

  • James M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 30, 2025

    Wapsi River Environmental Ed. Ctr.

    Very nice, quite, cabin surrounded by forest

    Cabin has all amenities for six. Charcoal grill, fire ring with wood supplied, picnic table, covered porch, trail head right next to cabin. After hours offers quite park, dark skies, and trails with wildlife. Wapsipinicon River access just down River Trail.

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 26, 2024

    Beyonder Getaway at Sleepy Hollow

    Short Jog to This Campground Outpost From I80

    If you’re looking for a family-friendly place to pull over for a decent escape to nature, then you may very well want to consider Sleepy Hollow, which is just a few minutes north of I80. Given its proximity to the busy interstate highway, this campground scores high on the convenience factor being EZ on- and off-, but it is just far enough away where you will feel as though you have escaped both the non-stop whir of incessant highway traffic and the unsightly view of a heavily trafficked main roadway. Add on top of this that you’ll find this location is perfectly suitable to the RV crowd as much as it is the tent-pitching bredren that belong to my tribe of outdoor enthusiasts.

    Here at this campground you’ll find RV and 5th Wheel sites offering both pull-thru and back-in sites complete with full hook-ups (water, 30 / 50 amp electric and sewage). 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. Whether you have a tent, an RV or not, this campground has a small handful of cozy cabins available to rent that come with running hot & cold water as well as electricity and are located close to the fishing pond. What I enjoyed most with the primitive camping area was the serenity offered by the abundance of new growth Oaks that shaded the place, along with unfettered views of the lake itself. Priceless.

    Sleepy Hollow offers a number of amenities including: ‘catch& release’ pond (both swimming and fishing potential), ball pit, kid’s playground, puppy park, designated dumpsters, fairly decent WiFi, community firepits, general market store, laundr-O-mat, shower facility, pavilion, horseshoes, game room, volleyball and basketball courts, artificial beachhead with swim area and windmills. There’s a lagoon with hundreds of ducks, but depending upon how you look at this, it may or may not be considered an amenity, but if you have kids like I do, it’s a great distraction that offers up a lot of duck-feeding fun.

    Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) If you’re looking for a decent bit of hiking, there’s a nice slice of nature near here at Sleepy Hollow a bit NE called Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area where there’s plenty of trails, shooting ranges and some fairly decent bird watching; (2) When you get tired trying to conjure up that next meal from your cooler or on-board fridge, then head over to nearby Renee’s Roadhouse where this roadside stand serves up standard Americana fare like burgers, sandwiches and wraps. For anything more substantial, you’ll have to take a longer drive east to Iowa City of which I recommend Steak & Shake, Back Berner Bar & Grill or Barrel House; (3) If you’d like to embrace the Amish vibe that exists here in rural Iowa, then head due north to Amana Colonies where you’ll come across hand-made blankets and artisan-crafted cabinetry all while offering you some very warm Midwestern hospitality.

    Happy Camping!

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

    Beyonder Getaway at Sleepy Hollow

    Sleepy Campground Oasis Stone’s Throw from Highway Thoroughfare

    Should you be traveling east-west on one of the country’s busiest thoroughfares – Route 80 – and find yourself in central Iowa and looking either for a place to pull over for a day or for much longer than that, then you may very well want to consider Beyonder Getaway at Sleep Hollow. Given its proximity to a busy interstate highway, this campground scores high on the convenience factor, but it is just far enough away where you will feel as though you have escaped the busy hustle and drive-by buzz of non-stop traffic. 

    This campground oasis planted square in the middle of the 'prairieland' of the Hawkeye State, you’ll appreciate that there is a decent-sized lake here that is perfect for a quick dip should you want to get some swimming in and cool down from the blistering Midwestern summer heat or perhaps you’d like to put a kayak or canoe in to get some decent oar exercising in or cast a line to try your luck and some mild ‘catch& release’ fun – whatever the reason … up to and including no reason at all … the mini lake that is front and center here at Beyonder is both a good distraction as well as makes for a great landscape. 

    As for the campground itself, there’s RV sites offering up pull-thru and back-in sites complete with full hook-up water, 30+ 50 amp electric and sewage lines. 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. And if you don’t have either a tent or an RV, no worries, Sleepy Hollow will easily rent you one of their 3 cozy cabins which are located up front and close to the fishing pond, where these structures come with running hot and cold water along with electricity. 

    With amenities in mind, Beyonder packs a punch with offering the following: horseshoes, kid’s playground, dog run/ puppy park, designated dumpsters, fairly decent WiFi, community firepits, general market store, laundr-O-mat, shower facility, pavilion, game room, ball pit, volleyball and basketball courts, man-made beachhead with swim area and windmills. Oh, and there’s a lagoon with hundreds of ducks, but depending upon how you look at this, it may or many not be considered an amenity. My kids loved it and we had a lot of fun feeding our feathered friends. 

    Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) When you get tired of digging through your Cordova roto-molded cooler or onboard mini-fridge, then head on over to nearby Renee’s Roadhouse where this roadside stand serves up standard-fare Americana fare like burgers, sandwiches and wraps; (2) For anything more substantial, you’ll have to take a longer drive east to Iowa City of which I recommend Foundry Food+ Tap, Back Berner Bar& Grill or Casa Tequila Tiffin; (3) Should you be looking to explore a nice slice of nature while here at Beyonder’s then head due northeast to Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area where there’s plenty of trails, shooting ranges and some fairly decent bird watching; (4) If you’d like to embrace the Amish vibe that exists here in rural Iowa, then head due north to Amana Colonies where you’ll come across what looks like German colonies that have been expelled from the Schwarzwald (Black Forest) where this displaced utopian outcrop will sell you anything from blankets and cabinetry all while offering you some nice wienerschnitzel and apfelpflanzen. Auf wiedersehen! 

    Happy Camping!

  • James M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 12, 2023

    Summit Cabin 2, West Lake Park

    Modern cabin along prairie and lake complex

    Cabin sits atop hill overlooking Railroad Lake surrounded by prairie. Lake complex offers fishing, paddling, swim beach, concessions, etc. Trails in park, disc golf, Wildlife etc. Cabin sleeps 8, full service kitchen with serving and cooking ware. Outside gas grill, fire pit with grill, picnic table, firewood available . Overflow parking nearby.

  • James M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 28, 2022

    Summit Cabin 1

    Well maintained County cabins overlooking Railroad Lake

    Lake Restoration is currenlty underway! These modern cabins have everything a family needs. Site has parking including handicap and overflow, fire pit, tables, grill, covered porch overlooking lake and prairie, firewood, ice, concessions at cg office or beach/boathouse( when open), world-class disc golf, fishing, trails, playgrounds nearby. Cabins are within West Lake Park.


Guide to Iowa City

Cabin camping near Iowa City, Iowa, offers a delightful escape into nature, combining comfort with the great outdoors. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are several options to explore.

Cabin campers appreciate these amenities

  • Lake Darling State Park Campground features cabins with full hookups, allowing for a comfortable stay while enjoying the beautiful lake views and fishing opportunities.
  • Palisades-Kepler State Park offers well-maintained cabins that provide easy access to hiking trails and the Cedar River, perfect for outdoor enthusiasts.
  • Calyx Creek, Creekside Treehouse boasts a unique treehouse experience with modern amenities, including heated floors and a kitchen, ideal for a cozy retreat.

Explore local attractions

  • Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area is nearby, offering scenic trails for hiking and biking, along with opportunities for fishing and kayaking.
  • Deep Lakes Park Cabins provides access to a beautiful park with bike trails, fishing spots, and a serene environment for relaxation.
  • Hannen County Park features a picturesque setting with a beach area, making it a great spot for swimming and picnicking.

Activities for every adventurer

  • Beyonder Getaway at Sleepy Hollow offers a range of activities, including fishing and hiking, ensuring there's something for everyone in the family.
  • Langwood Education Center provides educational programs and outdoor activities, making it a fantastic choice for families looking to blend learning with adventure.
  • Matsell Bridge Natural Area is perfect for those seeking a peaceful retreat with opportunities for fishing, hiking, and enjoying the natural beauty of the Wapsipinicon River.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find cabin rentals near Iowa City?

Several great cabin options are available near Iowa City. Summit Cabin 1 and Summit Cabin 2, West Lake Park offer modern accommodations with two bedrooms, full kitchens, living rooms with sleeper sofas, and covered porches overlooking the lake. Both cabins include outdoor amenities like fire pits and picnic tables. For a unique nature experience, the Kestrel Cabin at Wapsi River Environmental Education Center sleeps six and provides modern amenities including a stove, oven, microwave, dishwasher, and refrigerator. The cabin is ADA accessible with nearby trail access. Other options include Lake Darling State Park Campground, which offers cabin rentals that tend to book quickly in advance, and Beyonder Getaway at Sleepy Hollow, conveniently located just minutes north of I-80.

How much do cabin rentals cost in the Iowa City area?

Cabin rental prices near Iowa City vary based on amenities, location, and season. Beyonder Getaway at Sleepy Hollow offers family-friendly cabin accommodations at competitive rates, making it a good value option especially given its convenient location near I-80. The Wapsi River Environmental Ed. Ctr. provides its Kestrel Cabin at mid-range prices, which includes modern amenities like a full kitchen, AC/heat, and even complimentary firewood. State park cabins like those at Lake Darling typically range from $50-100 per night for basic cabins and $100-200 for modern cabins with full amenities. County park cabins such as those at West Lake Park are often priced similarly but may offer special weekday or off-season rates. Most cabins require a two-night minimum stay during peak season.

What fishing opportunities are available at campgrounds with cabins near Iowa City?

Lake Darling State Park Campground offers excellent fishing opportunities alongside its cabin accommodations. The park provides multiple fishing spots around the lake, making it ideal for anglers of all skill levels. For river fishing enthusiasts, Matsell Bridge Natural Area is located next to the Wapsipinicon River, offering primitive camping and fishing opportunities. While not directly mentioned in the reviews, the Wapsi River Environmental Education Center also provides access to the Wapsipinicon River via the River Trail. West Lake Park features multiple lakes for fishing, with cabins overlooking Railroad Lake. Some parks in the area also offer additional water recreation options like kayak and paddleboard rentals that complement the fishing experience.