Best Cabin Camping near Mingo, IA

Recent Cabin Reviews near Mingo, Iowa

170 Reviews of 23 Mingo Campgrounds

• 

  Kerry M.

  Ranger

  

  Aug. 25, 2021

  Tower Rock

  Modern cabins and a beautiful park

  The two cabins are fairly new and have all of the amenities. My mother-in-law stayed here while visiting recently and we enjoyed spending time at her cabin.

  While camping is no longer allowed in Tower Rock park, you can still enjoy a walk down to the river or bicycling on the paved bicycle trail. Tube rentals are available nearby for the Iowa River, and a local outfitter will rent a boat for the day to fish Pine Lake or the small lake northwest of Steamboat Rock.

  Pine lake is not that far away either and offers many fun activities.

• 

  Wendy P.

  Scout

  

  Jul. 19, 2018

  Ledges State Park Campground

  Beautiful hikes. Prepare for coons.

  One of the more beautiful places to camp in Iowa. Awesome hiking trails and really well-shaded campsites. The hike in spots are great if you like privacy and being in the middle of the woods - but you don’t want to be THAT far from your car.

  Beware of the raccoons. They’re plentiful and crazy smart here. We had one open our cooler, steal an egg from the cartoon - without disturbing anything else. Honestly, I was impressed! But some of our friends had them rip through their tents to get at food - not as impressive.

• 

  jennifer M.

  Guide

  

  Jul. 16, 2018

  Pine Lake State Park Campground

  Cabin

  My family and I rented on eof the cabins here. They were nice cabins just off the bank of the river! The cabin comfortably fit 4 of us. It had a nice stone fireplace a decent living room, small kitchen, and bathroom. Nice hiking trails right outside the cabin, along the river. Just down the road is a large lake with more hiking as well. Nice place overall!

• 

  Tom S.

  Guide

  

  Sep. 30, 2016

  Ledges State Park Campground

  Don't fall off the ledge!

  One of my favorite locations to camp in Iowa as a Boy Scout growing up was Ledges State Park. Since I hadn't been back in years, I decided to check it out and spend a night camping there. It's close to how I remember it.

  The campground has a good picnic area, restrooms, and an excellent trail. It's also inexpensive.

  What I enjoy most about this park compared to others in Iowa are the sandstone ledges and the slopes on the trail. There are some excellent views, so make sure your phone has enough battery to take photos (unlike me). I also spent a lot of time off the trail. It isn't too hard to get around. I'm not one who enjoys staying at a park that is mostly flat, so this is definitely a good place in Iowa for me to camp.

  If you are looking for a cool place to camp within an hour of Des Moines, you should seriously consider this park.

• R

  Randi

  Traveler

  

  Dec. 17, 2020

  Pine Lake State Park Campground

  Favorite Place to Hike

  We love hiking here, and the cabins are campground are very nice.

• R

  Randi

  Traveler

  

  Dec. 17, 2020

  Tower Rock

  Beautiful scenery

  The cabins were perfect, with lots of places to hike all around the area.

• 

  Brian F.

  Guide

  

  Feb. 19, 2020

  Tower Rock

  Two cabins for rent

  This location has 2 furnished "cabins" for rent. There are no RV or tent sites.

• 

  Leslie K.

  Scout

  

  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.

• 

  Amy G.

  Legend

  

  Jun. 2, 2018

  Sportsman Park

  Beautiful solitude with well manicured campsites

  This was one of the nicest county campgrounds I've ever seen. We've been to a lot of them, but this one stands out. Not to mention that the price was unbeatable! So much more reasonable than at home. Set off the road a bit in a tiny little town in Iowa, it's along a river and very close to the Raccoon River Valley Trail, an 89 mile loop trail (paved) that goes through several towns and counties. It costs $2/person/day if you are 18 or older, or a year pass is $10. There is also a lodge that you can rent.

  We rented a cabin for $50, because it was only about $10 more expensive than what we were planning on spending for a campsite in Minnesota. Normally, we stay in tents, so we were very pleased to find the options that this campground had to offer at such reasonable cost! If you wanted a tent site without electric, it was only $8. Electric sites were only $12. And the sites were incredibly well groomed. They were clean (I didn't see any trash). And they were tucked into the woods. A caretaker lives on site, and although we rarely saw him, it was obvious that he cared about his job. The bathrooms were clean and cared for too!

  We were in a cabin and they were simple, but suited our needs. They had two wooden cabin-style buildings with little front porches (not screened in, but room under the overhang for chairs). Inside, you had two bunk beds, and the bottom bunk of one was a pull out futon, so you really had room to sleep 5 people. (Must mention: The futon in our cabin was horribly uncomfortable. I would have given 4 stars to the review because of it, but the futon alone shouldn't take away from the rest of the campground, which was immaculate). There was also a bathroom with an ADA shower, toilet, mirror and sink. In the room, there was a mini fridge, coffee maker, microwave, little sink and it even had air conditioning! Tucked in the corner was a folding table and chairs. A few hooks scattered around the walls completed the room. The A/C in ours wasn't at full working capacity, but it did chill the room down enough to be very comfortable. And it was very hot outside! We also had a little fire ring and picnic table, just outside the door.

  The campground could accommodate plenty of tents and campers alike. Some electric, some not. All with very nice grassy pads for tents, all with picnic tables and fire rings. Grass was well clipped and there were plenty of parking spaces. It was very quiet when we were there, but I assume it gets busy on the weekends. The shower/bath house had separate bathrooms (both unisex) and both with toilet, mirror, sink and shower). Both were very clean for a camp bathroom. A little campground for those wishing to camp together was at the back of the park. It, too, had bathrooms. But they were locked, so I couldn't peek inside.

  Bottom line, it was well worth our $50 for the cabin (you can't even get a hotel room for that price any more). I'd love to go back and tent in the quiet of a weekday eve when the crickets are chirping and I can feel the breeze through the tent!

  Please note - there are no trash cans at the campground if you are in tents or RV's (the cabins have them inside). It is a carry in/carry out campground

  There are LOTS of water pumps all over the campground. Yay for water!!

• 

  Shawn S.

  Scout

  

  Jul. 17, 2022

  Des Moines West KOA Holiday

  What can I say…KOA!

  Everything you expect from a KOA. Roadside Oasis, a place to rest a weary head, food, showers, etc. Cabins always help get you in and get out early without setting up camp.

• 

  Jake C.

  Legend

  

  Jan. 25, 2023

  Waterfront Cabin

  Off-Grid Cabin by the pond

  Jake from the Dyrt here!  I had a chance to learn a little about this awesome cabin, they offer the opportunity to get off-grid and hangout on the porch overlooking a pond.  Check them out and leave a review on The Dyrt!

• L

  Lisa D.

  Ranger

  

  Jun. 10, 2020

  Des Moines West KOA Holiday

  Peaceful and clean!

  We stayed one night in a basic cabin. AC was on upon arrival- check in/out was quick and easy !Bathrooms were immaculate! Pizza & Chicken ordered on site was a delicious dinner when we were just to tired to fuss with our own gear. Nice store too!!

• 

  Kerry M.

  Ranger

  

  Aug. 29, 2021

  Union Grove State Park Campground

  Campsite at a beautiful little Iowa lake

  Union Grove is known for having good lake fishing. The lake is also a great place for kayaking or canoeing.

  The campground has mostly RV sites, but there are a handful of smaller tent sites at the back, which are my favorite. The campground is quiet.

  Amenities:

  Showers and toilets

  Dump station

  Water

  2 cabins

  Things to do nearby:

  Enjoy the lake

  Matchstick Marvels in nearby Gladbrook

• 

  Larissa C.

  Guide

  

  Aug. 3, 2018

  Jester County Park

  Best Camping in Central Iowa

  Jester Park is our go-to camping destination in central Iowa! By far, this county park has a lot of fun activities and access points to the Saylorville waterway circuit. In addition to the water access ways, there is a sweet pond to fish in, several hiking trails, a brand new (opened August 2018) Nature Center, amphitheater, bison and bird viewing, and even cabins if you want to rent them (fully stocked, linens included!).

  Our favorite spot to camp is 410 and 409. It's a secluded area within the 400s that is lined with trees on one side and a drop off into the Saylorville water circuit on the other (see photos). For $15/night/camping spot, you can enjoy the best view of stars and amazing sunsets. We go a couple times a year to camp and Jester has even been the place where we hold special events like birthdays/going away parties.

• M

  Mary

  Guide

  

  Apr. 14, 2022

  Little Wall Lake County Park

  Beautiful county park in rural Iowa near Story City

  This little gem is a great place to stay.  Small lake.  Some sites are reserveable online and some are first come first serve.  We had water and electric on site.  Showers were not open yet in April.  The frogs in the nearby swamp were fun to hear.   Lots of birds too.  This looks like it is a popular park for local people in the summer.  There are 3 cabins also.

• 

  Renee H.

  Ranger

  

  May. 23, 2024

  Des Moines West KOA Holiday

  Nice modern KOA

  Large modern KOA with sites to accommodate all sizes of rigs and also tent campers. Gravel sites require some leveling. Not much privacy between sites nor shade. Bathhouses were clean and private. Laundry available. Off leash dog area available. Convenient to John Wayne’s birthplace and covered bridges of Madison County. Bulk propane tanks were on site for winter campers. Camper cabins available. Small store with Hunt Brothers pizza to order. Gathering room on site and pedal car racetrack. Verizon cell signal was good. Garbage dumpster and dump station on site.

• 

  Kerry M.

  Ranger

  

  Aug. 22, 2021

  Pine Lake State Park Campground

  Pine Lake is an awesome state park

  This campground is near home so I know it well.

  The campground itself is nice, with some decent sized campsites, many having a great view of upper Pine Lake. There are flush toilets and showers. Campsites have electric hookups. It can get busy during peak season!

  Some of the campsites are near the lake, some are near the road. Noise is usually not a problem as the road has a 35mph speed limit by the campground.

  Things to do: (so much to list!)

  • Paddle on upper or lower Pine Lake
  • Fishing, shore or boat (lake, stream, or river)
  • Bicycle trails
  • Hiking trails (all around lower Pine Lake)
  • Beach swimming (lower only)
  • Float or paddle nearby Iowa River (tube and boat rentals nearby)
  • Eat, replenish supplies in nearby Eldora
• 

  Stuart K.

  Legend

  

  Apr. 1, 2024

  Newton KOA

  This KOA Deserves Your Attention

  Literally a single stone’s throw from I80, one of the busiest thoroughfares you’ll find yourself on here in the great ‘Hawkeye State,’ this is one campground that very much deserves your attention, despite being a KOA. In fact, this campground outpost is so close to the highway that you’ll be hard pressed not to see or hear it during your entire stay. While this KOA does sit down a bit from the hustle & bustle that comes with a major interstate highway, a good number of the available RV sites sit on a sloping hill that is the same elevation as the highway itself, so if you do have the choice, opt for the lower sites (more on that later). 

  Sitting just 30 minutes east of Des Moines, Newton KOA offers up about 100 sites for RVs and 5th wheelers offering up all the standard hook-ups (water, sewage and 30 / 50 amp- but be careful because some sites only offer 30 or 50, while some do offer both, so be sure to ask when making your reservation). For mi tent pitching bredren, there’s about a dozen or so sites to choose from and all are fairly intermingled with the RV sites, although each site does sit on a plush patch of grass, so this KOA does a nice job on that front of integration. Oh, and if you don’t have an RV, 5th wheeler or a tent, on worries, this KOA will rent you one of its three cabins. 

  As this is a KOA you can expect a ton of amenities and this place does not disappoint with: catch & release fishing pond w/ fish cleaning station (that is oddly placed about as far away from the fishing pond as you can get), disc golf course, K9 camp for the puppies, cable TV, WiFi, in-ground pool (available 5/25 until 9/3) with ADA pool lift, horseshoes, meeting rooms, firewood for sale, LP gas refueling station, pool table, shuffleboard, social lounge, two kids playground, laundr-O-mat, basketball court, restroom & shower facilities, mini-market with basic groceries, ping pong, jump pad, game room, gaga pit, designated dumpster and dump station and of course the scattered fire pits and picnic tables. Just to go above and beyond, this KOA serves up free breakfast of flapjacks on Saturdays. Yahoo! 

  Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) Whether you are pitching a tent or pulling up in your RV, the best sites IMHO are those in the lower valley, but located right in front of the main office, where there are 6 RV slots numbered #45 – 50 and 6 tent sites numbered T1 – T6; (2) Should you get hungry and might want to try some local fare, check out Taco John’s and La Cabaña Mexican Restaurant, which I guess stand for ‘local’ around here, although there is Newton Family Restaurant. If you are looking for something really different and amazing, I would suggest heading on over to Dan’s Sandwich Shop, which feels like real Americana from a bygone era, complete with a diner-esque vibe and matching elbow counter to warm up to over a nice piece of apple pie, scoop of ice cream washed down with a hot mug of coffee; (3) While this KOA has a mini-market, you will find a bigger selection with better prices just down the road at the local Walmart, where just due west of this, you’ll find a Hy-Vee Grocery store with a wine & spirits shop positioned there as well. Further down the road, you have excellent fresh cut meat from Fareway Grocery, but check out the local hotspot, Newton Market as well; and (4) While what you will discover from an outdoor standpoint at Newton KOA is interesting, if you want something more substantial, head to Newton Arboretum & Botanical Gardens for 6 acres of family-friendly landscape to explore with more displays and demonstrations that you can shake a stick at! Seriously, there’s a butterfly garden, peony border and nearly 200 individual species of trees here to check out. 

  Happy Camping!

• 

  Mike C.

  Scout

  

  Sep. 26, 2018

  Ledges State Park Campground

  Small Quant and scenic

  The views around the park are some of the very best in Iowa. Hiking trails often found you coming face to face with deer who look at you inquisitively. Fun for family as the waters over the roadways are a splash for adults and children alike. It's a hidden gem, just outside Boone Iowa.

• 

  Dorothy H.

  Guide

  

  May. 17, 2018

  Ledges State Park Campground

  Love it

  Not something you see a lot of in Iowa. It is well worth a trip to see and explore.

• 

  Kent B.

  Guide

  

  Aug. 17, 2016

  Ledges State Park Campground

  So great

  This is the best park in the state of Iowa, so much fun going thru the low water crossings!

• R

  RideTheWaveofBlessing J.

  Scout

  

  Oct. 11, 2021

  Timberline Campground

  Blow-My-Mind Camping

  If you’re traveling through Des Moines, Iowa area; this is the place you will want to camp at! Outstanding facilities, beautiful and tranquil location, friendly and helpful staff, and a place you will always remember as a sweet spot.

• A

  Adam

  Guide

  

  Nov. 7, 2020

  Winterset City Park

  Loved this cute park!

  We will definitely return, we loved this park. The bridges of Madisin County, Clarke Tower, cute local ice cream shop, John Wayne Museum! So much fun in a cute Iowa community!

• 

  Traci J.

  Scout

  

  Jun. 13, 2019

  Little Wall Lake County Park

  Cute little place

  Clean and host was nice. Kids had a fun time and want to come back. Close to the interstate and easy to get to. Only downfall if I need one is the campsites are closer together and it’s close to an highway so you can hear cars driving by but it’s rural Iowa so there aren’t that many.

• 

  Bill M.

  Guide

  

  Jun. 30, 2016

  Little Wall Lake County Park

  Check weather

  This is a nice small camp area that only has one downfall: a lack of wind break. We went when the wind was blowing in typical Iowa summer fashion. The grounds are peaceful and there's lots of great plant and flower spotting. When we were there, there were only a few small bass boats on the water, no water sports.

• 

  Matt S.

  Legend

  

  Nov. 1, 2018

  Ledges State Park Campground

  Ledges will reopen in January 2019

  Ledges State Park is one of the most visited parks in Iowa. I loved coming to this park as a kid and I can't wait for it to re-open. It has been closed since January 2018, but it scheduled to re-open in January of 2019. Here is a link to a local story explaining the closure and flooding and the schedule to re-open the park.

  https://whotv.com/2018/10/24/ledges-state-park-flooding-and-renovation-update/

• M

  Matt A.

  Traveler

  

  Aug. 16, 2019

  Ledges State Park Campground

  Hidden Slice of Heaven

  Growing up in Iowa maybe 50 miles from the Ledges was one the the best things for me. Campground is clean and well kept with both electric and primitive with a few hike in spots. It is a beautiful park with some good trails and a creek running through the bottoms of the "canyon". Loved going all the time when I was a kid and now 30 years later I have taken my family there several times making the drive from Kentucky just for some relaxation time.