38 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Cabins in the Lansing area provide furnished accommodations with varying levels of amenities. The Fire Tower Cabin at Yellow River State Forest features electricity, a refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker, and a queen bed with two futons for additional sleeping space. Red Barn Resort and Campground offers cabin rentals with access to full campground facilities including showers and toilets. "The cabin is well maintained, electricity, microwave, a full sized refrigerator, and two porches, where one of them is screened in. Sleeps 6," wrote one visitor about the Fire Tower Cabin. Upper Iowa Resort and Rental provides riverside cabins with proximity to water recreation activities.
Rustic and deluxe cabins are both available, depending on the location. The Fire Tower Cabin requires guests to use nearby pit toilets as it lacks an internal bathroom. Spook Cave and Campground cabins are described as "clean and nice" in reviews, though some mention train noise at certain sites. Most cabins in the region are pet-friendly, including those at Yellow River State Forest. Reservations are typically required with many properties operating seasonally from April through October. The Broken Paddle Campground and Sports Unlimited Campground also offer cabin accommodations with varying amenities.
Most cabins include beds but require visitors to bring their own linens, towels, and toiletries. Kitchenettes vary by property, with some offering basic appliances while others provide only outdoor cooking facilities. The Fire Tower Cabin includes a wood stove for heating on cool nights and air conditioning for warmer periods. Several properties including Red Barn Resort have on-site markets or camp stores for basic provisions. Firewood is available for purchase at multiple locations including Upper Iowa Resort and Spook Cave Campground, allowing for evening campfires near cabin accommodations.
"Visited the 3 lookouts including Iowa only Fire tower. Bird life is colorful. Lots of places to hike. Scenery is lush. I had no phone service."
"Not a lot of free parking options in this part of Iowa. No water, electric, or dump station, so very much like a parking lot overnight from that perspective."
from $12 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $25 - $39 / night
Check Availability"Very nice trails! Some trails are long with a lot of up and down through valley and ravines, so be prepared for the hike."
"Some sites have the fire ring very close to the parking area and some spots have limited shade (compared to the majority of the campground that is in the trees)."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"This campground is perfectly situated on the Upper Iowa River."
"Wen I lived in Minnesota and my boyfriend was living in iowa, this was our go-to meeting place for our weekend getaways. "
"Very nice QUIET park! RV Campsites are gravel with fire ring and picnic table. The sites are fairly level. There is also a cabin to rent. Many electric sites."
"Really enjoyed this park. This one seems to fly a little under the radar as we were able to book 2 sites next to each other for the weekend only a few days prior to our stay."
from $20 - $80 / night
Check Availability"Cabin has basic kitchen: fridge/freezer, micro, coffee pot, table/chairs, sleeping room with queen bed, 2 futons, AC/heat, fireplace screened porch, grill/smoker& fire ring outside, table, potable"
"Horses welcome, firewood and ice available. Historical Fire Tower hike/visit is a must. Primitive pack-in sites, 1 cabin available."
from $75 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $15 - $150 / night
Check Availability"You have to be "pet friendly" if you stay here, because the the chickens roam, the dogs make friends and the cats meander, just as cats tend to do."
from $40 - $120 / night
Check Availability"The train tracks are extremely close to slot of sites. Very loud. K ly bsd thing. Cave tour was great but at extra cost. Lake/swimming/fishing was great. Cabin was clean and nice."
RangerVery nice campground with a few FHU sites, most are electric only. Some sites are pretty sloped making it hard to level longer rigs. Check carefully when making your reservation. Nice close hike to see the overlooks to the river, and there’s a well maintained hike down to the Bridal Veil Falls. Minus 1 star for the horrible push-button operated showers that only stay on for 6 seconds at a time. Good phone service for both t-mobile and AT&T.
ScoutI was a little skeptical after a negative review about the regular residents, so I watched for that dynamic. We were camping with another family so we had 8 kids between the two of us and I was worried all those kiddos would upset people. Quite the opposite experience from that review and it motivated me to leave this one to help provide a good picture. I have nothing bad to say about our camping experience. We did go a little out of season (September 12) so a lot of the campsites were empty. Most their sites are flat, and clean. The grass was well mowed and maintained. They had activities for the kids (Halloween). People that drove by were friendly and smiling, and waiving. We had people drop off candy for the kids asking parents first. We had people offer basketballs for our kids to use while they were away from their site. Me and my friend were about to haul ice bags and wood up a huge hill on foot and someone stopped their golf cart and emptied it of what they were carrying to give us a ride to our campsite. The kids tootled about on their bikes being kids with no negative experiences. There were a couple of kids on motor scooters whose engines were kind of obnoxious but that’s going to happen more and more at campgrounds, and it wasn’t during quiet hours. We had sites atop the “full Lakeview” and it was honestly surprising how beautiful it was up there. I think it can be difficult to get a view when you’re camping but those sites had it. We knew the full lake view sites were open so we took the cheaper ones across from them, but still saw the same view. There was a great amount of space between the sites we used. The only possible critique I might offer is in that specific row there weren’t many trees for shade, but the weather was cooler so it didn’t affect us, but if we went in the summer it might have been more uncomfortable without that natural shade. The bath houses and showers were great!!! I feel like a good bath house can make or break a campsite and we’ve been to some smaller ones that were quite lacking but this one was great. Very clean, not many bugs, spacious, real doors on the shower stalls. We did not arrive in season to utilize the pool area but it looked great from the other side of the gate ;) - the parks were well maintained and the kids loved them. there was a set of stairs that went from up the hill down to the office that looked a little sketchy but they were closed off for use. If you didn’t have a golf cart or couldn’t ride a bike, the trek from where we stayed to the office might be a challenge. Overall we loved it and would definitely consider going again. The sites were a little pricey but had on site sewer hookup which is fantastic.
ScoutBe advised site 14 is on such a steep hill it was honestly scary coming in an out of our camper! If an older couple were staying at this site in a camper I’m not sure if they would even be able to. Our second door entrance cannot be used due to how steep the hill is and we had to add wood to the bottom of our stairs because they didn’t touch the ground. Forgot to add you’re also under a very large black walnut tree that is currently dropping walnuts that are ripe.
LegendWe got here on a Monday and got a great spot in the back. The sunrise was spectacular. Then the fog moved in off the river and it was pretty cool.
ScoutThis is a fantastic Campground, especially for RVs and families. Large playground and outdoor games, small indoor rec area. During busy weekends with lots of kids and holidays, they have foam parties for the kids where they fill the basketball court with foam 3 ft High. Most sites are permanent sites, but have probably around 20 other 30 amp sites that can accommodate large RVs. There are only a few tent sites, but if tent is your only option and you still want to stay they will rent you an RV site for the tent. New owners are very friendly, and have adopted the same overwhelmingly hospitable nature as the previous owners. Fantastic people and very helpful. It will accommodate special needs or requests as long as it doesn't bother anybody or go against any insurance policies. I've had a permanent site here in the past, and recently started camping again and came to visit old friends. The new owners were still happy to accommodate semi truck parking for my job. I haul milk locally so I work more than I'm off, but the family can still camp and I can come when I'm done work. It is near the Wisconsin River, so it's fairly sand base although the Grass Grows plenty so you're not tracking sand everywhere. The benefits of this is when it rains heavily the sand absorbs the water rapidly. The only negative is the mosquitoes. Be prepared for mosquitoes with lots of bug spray. This is no fault of the campground, all low wetlands in Wisconsin are the same. The bathrooms are some of the best in any Campground I've seen. They are always clean, modernized, and Air condition. There are showers and bathroom stalls near the park. They try to keep families close to the park if possible for the bathrooms and the park access itself. They are really extremely accommodating for requests if it's in their power at all. The owners live at the campground and are always accessible by a simple phone call if after hours. There's a community vibe, with a community fire pit up front and often people are just hanging out outside of the main office. It embodies our Wisconsin way of life and you will find strangers waving at you every time you pass by. It's just our nature, don't be weirded out by the friendliness. The regular permanent campers are all so friendly and always willing to help a newbie or even someone struggling to figure out a problem or even carry things.
GuideFound this campground by chance after the campground I had planned to stay at was a complete disaster. Luckily, they were able to get me a campsite for two nights where I could regroup do a little laundry and chill out also took a bike ride on the bike path.
GuideNice campground with hookups. But the shower only had the push button and the water was so hot it was scalding!
LegendThis is a tucked away campground off a few miles of gravel near Spring Grove, MN. It has a pool and activities found at many KOAs. There is a beautiful creek going through the property and is a very beautiful area known as the driftless region.
Scoutfriendly host, lots of place for my tent
Cabin camping near Lansing, Iowa offers visitors accommodations nestled in the bluff country of northeastern Iowa, where the landscape rises nearly 600 feet above the Mississippi River. The region features cold water trout streams and dense hardwood forests, providing seasonal camping opportunities typically from mid-April through mid-October. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing, while summer brings warm days ideal for water recreation.
Trout fishing in stocked streams: Yellow River State Forest maintains several stocked trout streams popular with anglers. "Stocked trout streams are an attraction for fishermen," notes Mary S. about Big Paint Campground, who shared a photo of the stocking calendar in her review. The streams offer cold, clear water ideal for beginners and experienced anglers alike.
Hiking forest trails: The region offers extensive trail systems with varying difficulty levels. "We enjoyed hiking despite the mosquitoes and humidity in August and were able to make a 5+ mile loop leaving from the campground," explains a visitor at Big Paint Campground. Trails connect multiple camping areas, allowing for day hikes between sites.
Visit historic sites: The area features unique historical attractions. "We visited the 3 lookouts including Iowa's only Fire tower," writes Tori L. about her stay at Yellow River State Forest. Many cabins are positioned to provide easy access to both natural and cultural attractions within a short drive.
River access for water recreation: Upper Iowa Resort and Rental provides cabins with convenient water access. "This campground is perfectly situated on the Upper Iowa River. The best part of this camp is they offer tube canoe and kayak rentals with a shuttle to the put in then you float back to the campground," explains Erin A., highlighting the convenient setup for water activities.
Natural swimming areas: Several cabin properties offer swimming facilities beyond traditional pools. "Also has a 'pool'/man made pond with a beach all the way around it," mentions Erin A. about Upper Iowa Resort. These natural swimming areas provide refreshing alternatives to standard pools during summer months.
Spacious outdoor areas: Cabins often feature generous outdoor living spaces. At Fire Tower Cabin, James M. appreciates the "screened porch, grill/smoker & fire ring outside," which extends the usable living space beyond the cabin walls. Many properties prioritize outdoor gathering spaces for meals and evening relaxation.
Bathroom access varies significantly: Cabin bathroom facilities differ dramatically between properties. At Fire Tower Cabin, a reviewer notes: "NO shower/bathroom, must use pit toilet just yards away at trailhead." Understanding bathroom arrangements is crucial when booking.
Train noise affects some locations: Train tracks run through parts of the region, impacting certain properties. At Spook Cave and Campground, Dawn S. warns: "The train tracks are extremely close to slot of sites. Very loud." Research cabin locations relative to railroad tracks when noise sensitivity is important.
Cell service limitations: Many cabin areas have limited connectivity. "There is no cell service at this park (TMobile)," reports Lacey F. about Beaver Creek Valley State Park. Some visitors appreciate this for disconnecting, while others should plan accordingly for communication needs.
Look for cabin-adjacent activities: Red Barn Resort and Campground offers family-friendly amenities near their cabins. "The sites are very spacious and easy getting into for RV's/campers. The creek adds to the wonderful scenery," notes Kurtis S., highlighting the accessibility and natural features that appeal to families with children.
Consider kitchen setup for meal planning: Cabin kitchens vary widely in equipment. Fire Tower Cabin includes "basic kitchen: fridge/freezer, micro, coffee pot," according to James M., allowing for simplified meal preparation. Families should check kitchen inventories before arrival to plan appropriate meals.
Research sleeping arrangements: Cabin sleeping capacities and configurations differ. At Fire Tower Cabin, you'll find a "sleeping room with queen bed, 2 futons," which accommodates multiple family members in one space. Understanding bed types and room layouts helps families distribute sleeping arrangements appropriately.
Water crossings may be required: At Beaver Creek Valley State Park, Stephanie K. notes that "Tent sites [are] further back in the campground through multiple water crossings (ok for cars)." Cabin visitors should verify access requirements, especially during spring when water levels may be higher.
Seasonal road conditions: Winter and early spring can present challenges for cabin access. "Was very thankful to find a place to overnight in mid-November. Not a lot of free parking options in this part of Iowa," explains Stuart O. about Big Paint Campground. Many cabin properties maintain limited winter accessibility depending on snowfall and temperature conditions.
Utility hookups for auxiliary equipment: While staying in cabins, some visitors bring additional equipment requiring hookups. "Many sites have full hook-up, most if not all have electric. I paid $25 a night. Full week is $150!!" notes Danny J. about Pikes Peak State Park, information valuable for those bringing supplemental camping equipment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular cabin campsite near Lansing, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Lansing, IA is Big Paint Campground — Yellow River State Forest with a 4.5-star rating from 12 reviews.
What is the best site to find cabin camping near Lansing, IA?
TheDyrt.com has all 38 cabin camping locations near Lansing, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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