Cabin accommodations near Duncombe, Iowa typically sit at an elevation of about 1,100 feet in the Des Moines Lobe landform region. The area experiences four distinct seasons with hot, humid summers reaching 85°F and cold winters with temperatures frequently dropping below freezing. Cabin camping season varies across parks, with most operating from April through October, though some facilities like Little Wall Lake County Park offer year-round cabin availability.
What to do
Hiking trails and sandstone formations: Ledges State Park Campground features distinctive sandstone formations with challenging terrain. "The hiking trails are cool. I would say it was a challenging hike. A lot of up and down terrain, stone steps, etc. The ledges along the river were beautiful and depending on the river height you can walk right along them," notes one visitor.
Water recreation on multiple lakes: Little Wall Lake County Park provides access to a small lake ideal for fishing and casual boating. A visitor mentioned, "This lake is great, lots of fishing spots and camping spots." The park maintains a boat ramp and shoreline fishing areas.
Roller skating at Spring Lake: Spring Lake County Park offers a unique activity with its historic open-air roller skating rink operating from Memorial Day through Labor Day. "Roller skating on the weekends. Great long-term hosts really make this park feel like going home," shares one regular visitor.
What campers like
Privacy and natural settings: Dolliver Memorial State Park Campground provides secluded sites adjacent to wooded areas. "I stayed at this campground a week after Memorial Day weekend along with my dogs in our minivan/tent. I butted up against woods with neighbors to one side which made me feel like I had a pretty private area to myself," reports one visitor.
Peaceful waterfront sites: Briggs Woods Park offers lakeside camping with spacious sites. "We stayed Sun-Wed in May. Closest other campers were about a football field away. Very quiet park, we stayed in the back," explains one camper who appreciated the tranquility.
Clean facilities with modern amenities: Joe Sheldon County Park receives praise for its well-maintained sites. "Beautiful pull through campsites some full hook ups others with electronic and water," notes a visitor who documented the park's offerings with photos.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Cell coverage varies significantly between parks. At Dolliver Memorial State Park, "cell service cuts out as you drive down into the park, and does not resume until you come back up and out. There's no wifi, and I'm not sure how satellite service would fare down here."
Limited trash disposal options: Several parks including Briggs Woods Park have unique policies regarding waste. One visitor noted, "Only downside to this park is there are no garbage cans. Weird?"
Advance planning for firewood: Briggs Woods Park visitors often mention challenges with firewood. "We wish the park cut-up its own firewood & offered it for sale (there are plenty downed trees available). As it is, you can't bring in any wood outside the area because of the Elm Tree Borer possibly being transported, so you will need to go to Ft Dodge to buy some."
Tips for camping with families
Accessible activities for children: Spring Lake County Park offers multiple family-friendly options. "Swiming, fishing, and skating?? Awesome campground with lots to do!" A different visitor added, "Bike/hiking trail, disc golf, kayak/paddle boat rentals, swimming beach, historic roller skating rink, playgrounds and more-something for everyone to enjoy!"
Animal viewing opportunities: Jester County Park provides wildlife viewing options. "Nature/Conservancy center there is just next level. They advertise Elk and Bison which are smart enough to stay far away from humans, as it should be," explains a recent visitor.
Plan for bug protection: During summer months, insect activity increases significantly. One Dolliver Memorial visitor shared, "Other than the bugs, which it is that time of the year, I enjoyed our time and the almost non-existent cellphone service."
Tips from RVers
Site selection matters: At Dolliver Memorial, spaces vary in size and layout. "We have a smaller camper and got lucky to fit into a smaller spot that backed up to the woods. The RV parking area isn't really big, but all sites are great & feel private, especially the outer ones."
Level sites at select parks: Don Williams Park offers well-maintained RV areas. "Peaceful camping with lots of room, 50 amp hook ups and water easily available," reports one RVer who found the setup convenient.
Spacious pull-through options: Joe Sheldon County Park features sites designed for larger rigs. "Spacious, level pull through sites with full hookups. Decent Verizon coverage. Shower houses could use updates."
