Best Cabin Camping near Marengo, IA

Cabins near Marengo provide diverse lodging options with varying levels of amenities and comfort. Hannen County Park offers cabin accommodations within a quiet lakeside setting, while Lake Iowa County Park features cabins with access to outdoor activities. Cabins typically include basic furnishings and electrical hookups. "Nice, quiet and affordable. Saw lots of deer and rabbits right outside our door. Shower rooms are very nice," notes one visitor about Lake Iowa County Park. The Calyx Creek Creekside Treehouse provides a more upscale option with heated floors, internet access, kitchen facilities, and a loft sleeping area, ideal for those seeking cabin comfort with modern amenities.

Rustic and deluxe cabins are both available, depending on the location. The Beyonder Getaway at Sleepy Hollow offers cabins that come with running hot and cold water plus electricity, located conveniently near a fishing pond. Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area includes cabin options alongside their camping facilities, with availability from April through December. One camper mentioned that "the treehouse is located near lavender farm store and offers heated floors, internet, loft sleeping, heat/AC, kitchen, views." Cabin rental policies vary by location, with many sites requiring advance reservations, especially during peak summer months. Pet policies differ significantly—some locations welcome pets in cabin areas while others restrict them.

Most cabin rentals include beds but require visitors to bring their own linens, towels, and toiletries. Cooking facilities vary widely between locations, from basic fire pits to fully equipped kitchens in premium cabins. Simple cabins typically have minimal cooking options, so campers should plan meals accordingly. Beyonder Getaway includes a general market store for basic provisions, though selection may be limited. According to one visitor, shower facilities at Lake Iowa County Park are "really nice" with "very hot water," making cabin stays more comfortable. Visitors staying in KOA-style cabins should confirm which amenities are included before arrival, as standards vary across different properties in the region.

Best Cabin Sites Near Marengo, Iowa (18)

    1. Hannen County Park

    4 Reviews
    Marengo, IA
    5 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."

    2. Beyonder Getaway at Sleepy Hollow

    13 Reviews
    Oxford, IA
    15 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."

    3. Lake Iowa County Park

    7 Reviews
    Williamsburg, IA
    13 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!"

    4. Calyx Creek, Creekside Treehouse

    2 Reviews
    Oxford, IA
    16 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. Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area Campground

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

    $12 - $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! "

    6. Palisades-Kepler State Park Campground

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

    $12 - $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."

    7. Keokuk County Belva Deer Park

    1 Review
    Sigourney, IA
    29 miles
    +1 (641) 622-3757

    "12 a night for primitive camping and you get nice warm showers by the main entrance and nice bathrooms by the main entrance."

    8. Pinicon Ridge Park

    9 Reviews
    Central City, IA
    40 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."

    9. Outback Campground & Resort

    3 Reviews
    Garwin, IA
    31 miles
    +1 (641) 484-3611

    "Jump into the nearby water and let the kids have a blast! Enjoy a nice fun night away from home!"

    10. Windmill Ridge Campground

    1 Review
    Kalona, IA
    31 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."

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Cabin Reviews near Marengo, IA

101 Reviews of 18 Marengo 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.

  • Leslie K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 7, 2024

    Outback Campground & Resort

    Wallaby Cabin Review

    This review is for the Wallaby cabin. This cabin supposedly has a bathroom with a shower, 3 beds and a kitchenette. The bathroom has a shower so small it is difficult not to rinse one's hair while applying shampoo. There is no sink in this room for brushing teeth, washing hands or face, etc. There is no mirror either, or hooks for towels or washcloths or clothes. There is also no heater. The cabin has no closet or any place to hang any clothes. There were several bugs crawling on the ceiling. The wall A/C could not help but spew dust, as it was coated with that on the filter and cover. The trash can had a clean bag, which occupants are required to leave in dumpster at checkout. When removing the bag, the stuck-on mess under it was appalling. The bed in each loft area had obviously been used and not changed, as the covers were in disarray and the bottom sheets not clean. The main bed has a zipped on plastic cover which the loose fitting fitted sheet will not stay on, causing occupants to end up sleeping on plastic. We purchased a blanket to go over it for the next night. We would not have stayed more than one night but, as we had reserved 3, it is not refundable. The tv is to the side of the immovable chairs, so that one must have head turned completely to one side to watch. The cabin has such a slant that a ball will roll by itself to the entrance side. All this for more than$350 for 3 night stay.

  • L
    Aug. 22, 2020

    Waterloo - Lost Island Waterpark KOA

    Something for everyone

    Great RV park. Lots of room and cabin rentals for folks that don’t have an RV. The fenced dog park was fantastic for those of us with dogs. A lake with beach area and an area for fishing founded it out! Would recommend!

  • C
    Jun. 6, 2018

    Matsell Bridge Natural Area

    Nice little inexpensive primitive site... spaces almost always available

    Nice quiet little primitive campground next to the Wapsipinicon River. Unfortunately, when I was there the last weekend of May, the gnats were bad, and the mosquitoes were just starting to gear up. HOWEVER, take bug spray and enjoy the rustic peacefulness of this "best kept secret" for primitive and inexpensive camping sites. Beautiful location, ranger close by, wood for sale just across the bridge, fire pits and picnic tables at every site. Good for RV, trailer or tent camping… level ground and lots of shade. Primitive bathrooms, no showers or running water.

  • James M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 30, 2024

    Caylx Creek, Shepard Hut

    Neat cabin tucked in woods

    New! Has everything you need to get away-kitchenette, queen bed, AC, trails, large lavender farm! Farm store offers foods, drinks, lavender harvesting.

  • 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!

  • Clint  G.
    Jul. 19, 2021

    Pinicon Ridge Park

    Perfect County Campground

    We stayed at this campground for 7 nights with W/E hook ups.  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.  The bathrooms and shower were very clean with lots of hot water.  There is hiking in the park and very little road noise.

  • Shannon G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 27, 2019

    Little Bear Campground

    Cute and Quaint

    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). We pulled in late to stay the night. It had full hook ups with a fire ring and picnic table. The spot was good sized and clean. There is an office/ gift shop and a convent store within walking distance. There is 2 cute little cabins which run $49 a night. There is a pool(closed for season), and a playground for kids. I was surprised that the interstate noise was much quieter than I thought it would be. All and all it was a pleasant place to stop over.


Guide to Marengo

Cabin rentals near Marengo, Iowa range from $16-100 per night depending on amenities. The region sits amid rolling farmland in east-central Iowa with elevations between 750-850 feet. Summer temperatures typically reach 85°F with high humidity, while winter nights often drop below freezing, affecting cabin availability and comfort.

What to do

Fishing opportunities: Hannen County Park features a lake stocked with fish, making it popular with anglers staying in their cabins. "Good fishing! Nice park with plenty of sites and nice beach," notes Amber R. The park's lake provides year-round fishing access when not frozen.

Hiking trails: Cabin visitors at Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area can access an 8-mile trail around the lake. "There is a nice hiking trail around the lake, about 8 miles complete loop. There is a bit of elevation change and not many opportunities to 'bail out' so take water and pace yourself," advises Mitch C.

Water activities: Paddling and swimming options exist at several cabin locations. "Very quiet and relaxing! Several options for different outdoor activities," reports George H. about Hannen County Park. The lake offers canoe, kayak, and swimming access from late spring through early fall.

What campers like

Clean facilities: Lake Iowa County Park receives consistent praise for maintenance standards. "Shower house and bathrooms were really nice! Wasn't expecting to want to take a shower but couldn't pass up the opportunity when we saw them. Very hot water," reports Claudia M.

Wildlife viewing: Cabin sites offer opportunities to observe local fauna. "Very well kept campground! Bathrooms and entire area was really in perfect shape," notes Randall K. about Lake Iowa County Park. Deer and rabbits are commonly seen near cabin areas, particularly at dawn and dusk.

Quiet atmosphere: Palisades-Kepler State Park cabins provide peaceful retreats. "Super chill and plenty of space, especially for tents on site 39. Bathrooms are very nice and modern and clean," states Khenia F. Weekday stays typically offer greater tranquility than weekends.

What you should know

Reservation requirements: Most cabin facilities require advance booking, especially during peak season (May-September). Many parks use the Iowa state reservation system, requiring deposits of one night's stay.

Heating and cooling: Calyx Creek Creekside Treehouse offers climate-controlled accommodations. "Treehouse is located near lavender farm store and offers: heated floors, internet, loft sleeping, heat/AC, kitchen, views," notes James M. Standard cabins typically have electric heat but may lack air conditioning.

Site terrain: Campgrounds in the region often feature uneven ground, which can affect cabin accessibility. "Campsites kinda small and hilly. Great hiking trails and views of the bluffs over the river," explains Amber R. about Palisades-Kepler State Park.

Water access: Most cabins near Marengo have nearby water sources but may require short walks. "This place is huge. We pulled in very late on a Weds night / Thursday morning. Self registration at the front," notes Claudia M. about Lake Iowa Park, which features cabin locations a short walk from the water.

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: Beyonder Getaway at Sleepy Hollow provides family-oriented activities. "This campground has many amenities for the whole family. From tent sites, to Airbnb cabins for 9 people they have a site for everyone. They have laundry, showers, horseshoes, volleyball, basketball, fishing and a swimming beach," reports Iris A.

Site selection: When reserving cabins with children, request locations near restrooms. "The camp sites were nice and the restrooms were not bad. There is plenty of access to the lake for fishing whether it's from shore or on a boat," says Chad R. about Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area.

Storm preparedness: Some cabin areas have designated storm shelters. "Stayed in The Plains area. Water and electric hookups, dump station near by. Clean shower house with storm shelter," notes David S. about Pinicon Ridge Park.

Tips from RVers

Leveling considerations: Some campgrounds require additional preparation for comfortable stays. "Bring a lot of leveling blocks. Most sites are slanted in both planes," advises Warren W. about Beyonder Getaway at Sleepy Hollow.

Off-season value: Cabin rentals during April-May and September-October often offer reduced rates and greater availability. "We stayed in a 25 foot travel trailer in the middle of the week. Weekends are pretty much sold out. We love the area. Kayaking, biking, and fishing. Very well maintained grounds," shares David J.

Utility access: Most cabin properties provide electric hookups, but water and sewer connections vary significantly. "Campsite was clean and quite. Pool was nice, kids loved that," reports Brandon R. about nearby facilities, though cabin amenities differ from RV sites.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular cabin campsite near Marengo, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Marengo, IA is Hannen County Park with a 4.8-star rating from 4 reviews.

What is the best site to find cabin camping near Marengo, IA?

TheDyrt.com has all 18 cabin camping locations near Marengo, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.