Camping cabins near Lone Tree, Iowa range from rustic to modern and can be found within a 30-mile radius of this small town located in Johnson County. The region sits along the edge of the Central Lowlands at approximately 700 feet above sea level, with a continental climate featuring warm summers and cold winters. Fall cabin rentals offer the best views of changing foliage, with peak colors typically occurring between late September and mid-October.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Little Bear Campground provides easy access to nearby fishing spots with convenient amenities. A visitor noted, "Very conveniently located off I-80, Fair price, full hook up and pull through site $33.00." Another camper shared that the campground is "Cute and Quaint" with "full hook ups with a fire ring and picnic table."
Paddling options: At Deep Lakes Park Cabins, visitors can launch kayaks or canoes directly from their cabin sites. As one reviewer mentioned, the "435 acre County quarry park with cabins" offers "lots of paddling, fishing, hiking, beach."
Hiking trails: Palisades-Kepler State Park Campground provides several miles of wooded trails with varying difficulty levels. Campers appreciate the "Beautiful trails, stone gazebo. Nice hike along the Cedar River." One visitor noted the "Great hiking & fishing!" adding that there are "Lots of intense trails to explore but some trees were in the way due to a past storm."
Swimming beach access: Scott County's Park Terrace Campground - West Lake Park features a swimming beach with rental equipment. One visitor described it as having "4 lakes for fishing, paddling, and a seasonal beach for swimming with concessions."
What campers like
Proximity to Interstate: Little Bear Campground receives praise for its convenient location. A traveler mentioned it's "Perfect for overnight camping" and "Very cute campground right off highway." Another noted it's "right off I-80 at the West Liberty exit" making it ideal for travelers.
Scenic views: Cabins at Deep Lakes Park are positioned for optimal lakefront experiences. One camper described the setting as "Neat park with lots of paddling, fishing, hiking, beach. Cabins are newer, ADA accessible, and face lakes for great shore access and shared fire pits."
Privacy options: Palisades-Kepler State Park offers more secluded camping spots. A camper shared that "Super chill and plenty of space, especially for tents on site 39." The park's layout provides natural buffers between many sites.
Clean facilities: The bathroom and shower facilities at Bald Eagle Campground and Cabins receive consistent praise. One visitor noted the "heated shower house, very clean" facilities, while another mentioned "The bathrooms/shower rooms are large and clean."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most cabin facilities require advance booking, especially during summer months (May-September). One visitor to Beyonder Getaway at Sleepy Hollow mentioned "Called the camp ground with our concern and they were more than accommodating. Very friendly on the phone. Once we arrived (late) everything was set out with a map."
Site conditions: Campgrounds may have uneven terrain at certain sites. A camper at Beyonder Getaway noted: "Not only did it look like EVERY site was uneven this place was extremely outdated" while another mentioned "The spots are good and most are pull-throughs but some are too short for a 30' camper."
Weather impacts: Fall and spring camping can involve muddy conditions after rain. Bald Eagle Campground visitors should note that "Cleaning Day is Monday... they come around to clean the bathrooms and refill products, empty the dumpsters, and clean out the fire pits."
Noise levels: Weekend occupancy significantly impacts the camping experience. A camper at Beyonder Getaway observed: "Busy on the weekend. Bring a lot of leveling blocks. Most sites are slanted in both planes."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds offer kid-friendly play areas near cabin sites. At Little Bear Campground, a visitor noted "There is a pool(closed for season), and a playground for kids." Another mentioned they have "a kid's playground with swingset and teeter-totters."
Swimming options: Park Terrace Campground - West Lake Park offers seasonal water recreation for children of all ages. One visitor highlighted "Park offers 4 lakes for fishing, paddling, and a seasonal beach for swimming with concessions." Another mentioned it has "very nice pool, but we didn't use it."
Educational opportunities: Several campgrounds are near historical attractions. Bald Eagle Campground is close to Pioneer Village, which a visitor described: "I loved climbing around in the train cars, eating icecream/candy canes, and watching the blacksmith work. Sometimes they'll have shootouts in the street which was always a blast pun intended!"
Kid-friendly cabin options: Bald Eagle Campground offers cabins specifically designed for families. A reviewer noted their cabin "sits at end of campground lane with covered porch, parking for 3 cars, ADA accessible. Cabin has 2 sleeping rooms, sleeping loft, and sofa. Capacity is 10, with all kitchen amenities."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Most cabin-friendly campgrounds also accommodate RVs with varying hookup options. At Beyonder Getaway, "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."
Site selection: Choose sites based on specific needs rather than just availability. A camper at Little Bear Campground advised: "It had full hook ups with a fire ring and picnic table. The spot was good sized and clean."
Seasonal considerations: Some facilities reduce services during off-peak months. A visitor to Park Terrace Campground noted "A portion of this campground is sectioned off for the season, though plenty of spacious sites are available."
Leveling requirements: Many RV sites require substantial leveling. At Beyonder Getaway, one camper warned: "Bring a lot of leveling blocks. Most sites are slanted in both planes."
