Cabin rentals near Larchwood, Iowa offer several features beyond traditional campgrounds. This region at 1,463 feet above sea level experiences distinct seasonal changes with winter temperatures often dropping below freezing from November through March. Cabin accommodations remain available year-round at certain parks, with varying reservation requirements depending on season and location.
What to do
Hiking trails access: Lake Vermillion Recreation Area has one 1.5-mile trail through restored prairie. "The Otto Stream trail (no stream, no otters) is about 1.5m trail thru restored prairie," notes May M., though visitors should prepare for limited shade.
Disc golf courses: Big Sioux Recreation Area features disc golf among its activities. "I didn't partake but they do have a Frisbee golf course," mentions Tyson K., who also enjoyed the nearby suspension walking bridge during a short hike.
Swimming beaches: Multiple water features provide swimming options during summer months. Lake Pahoja Recreation Area includes "terrific fishing, canoeing, kayaking and swimming" according to Lisa H., who adds the lake is surrounded by "an awesome hiking path with benches to take breaks and educational signs."
Wildlife viewing: Spring and early summer offer wildlife observation opportunities in recreation areas. "Spring was coming alive with gobbling turkeys and cackling pheasants; we even got a show from a strutting tom turkey," reports MickandKarla W. from their stay at Lake Vermillion.
What campers like
Cabin site spacing: Many campers appreciate the site layout and spacing between units. At Newton Hills State Park, visitors find "beautiful, quiet, shaded, level sites with plenty of space between," according to Victor E., though he notes bath facilities "seem old and marginally maintained."
Shower facilities: Clean shower facilities rank high among camper priorities. At Big Sioux Recreation Area, Trevor A. reports, "The showers are great, the walking trail is great, and the spots are nice and spread out. Overall a great park!"
Lakefront views: Water-view camping spots are highly valued. At Rivers Bend Campground, Kaitlin B. notes "decent size spots with lakefront views at just about all of them" and mentions "a swimming hole with a little beach and walking/bike trail."
Clean facilities: Campground maintenance affects visitor satisfaction. "Super clean, nicely spaced, tons of trails," writes MalibuDave42 L. about Big Sioux Recreation Area, adding "as Google guided us to the campground, we were getting concerned. Turns out, great campsite."
What you should know
Fee structures: Several parks have complex fee systems beyond basic camping costs. At Lake Vermillion Recreation Area, MickandKarla W. explains: "We had already paid the $30 a night plus $10 nonresident reservation fees, to find out starting this year we needed to pay a non-resident $15 a night state park fee or $60 for a year pass."
Seasonal availability: Many cabin facilities operate on limited schedules. Island Park in Rock Rapids closed temporarily due to flooding, as Dave K. discovered: "Drove over tonight excited for my stay at this neat looking park. Unfortunately it appears that the June 2024 flood damaged the campground and it's currently closed for repair."
Tent site locations: Tent camping options vary significantly between parks. At Lake Vermillion, May M. notes "the more scenic lakeside camping is for RV's, with flushing toilets and showers, but the trade off for privacy and seclusion at the tent site was worth it."
Noise considerations: Location-specific noise issues affect some campgrounds. At Rivers Bend Campground, Jenny R. gave "only 4 stars due to neighbors leaving their dog outside barking constantly until they returned. Against park rules so maybe a one off."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Sioux Falls Yogi Bear campground specializes in children's activities. Alec S. reports, "Our family spent a long weekend here enjoying all of the activities they had to offer. Everything from laser tag to chocolate milk chugging contests... Saturday night was the yogi bear parade and it was the highlight of our entire stay."
Beach facilities: Water features provide recreation for children. At Island Park, Amber P. simply states "very cheap, $15 a night for RV with electric and water, $5 for tents. Huge swimming area with slides for kids, and river with a lot of fish!!!"
Winter camping: Cold-weather cabin options require special preparation. Nicholas S. found Newton Hills Campground provided "spacious and clean facilities" that offered "the perfect backdrop for our outdoor getaway, offering a blend of adventure and relaxation away from the city."
Proximity to amenities: Location relative to towns affects convenience. John D. notes Newton Hills State Park is "a very good park if you are visiting someone in the area or a traveler" with "grocery store, restaurants, and gas stations within about two miles."
Tips from RVers
Site types: Palisades State Park Campground offers distinct camping areas. According to Tim R., "South Dakota is known for its well-maintained state park campgrounds, and this area offers two great options: King and Queen. Queen is nestled in a wooded area with limited visibility to the sky, offering a more secluded experience."
Connectivity: Internet access varies widely between campgrounds. Tim R. also notes that at Palisades, "King also offers free Wi-Fi with a download speed of 22 Mbps, while Queen has no T-Mobile service. However, King provides 15 Mbps of service."
Utility placement: Electric hookup locations require planning. MickandKarla W. explains at Lake Vermillion, "The electric hookup is at the back; we needed about 30 [feet] of cord. All sites here are electric only and nicely spaced apart."
Site leveling: Terrain challenges exist at some campgrounds. Carrie F. says Lake Pahoja Recreation Area has "gorgeous setting, several spots are not level, small size. Good distance from others, yet close enough for group."
