Cabin rentals near Montrose, Iowa give campers easy access to outdoor activities in southeast Iowa. The area features the Des Moines River Valley with heavily wooded ravines and limestone bluffs. Winter temperatures average 29°F while summer averages 75°F, with most cabin facilities offering year-round accommodations.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At Big Hollow Recreation Area, visitors can catch largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, and catfish in the lake. "If you are into fishing, this place has large mouth bass, crappie, bluegill, and catfish," notes a camper who stayed in site 32, which offers "private and very pretty" accommodations.
Water recreation: Spring Lake Park offers rentals for various watercraft. "Kayak/Canoe/Pontoon rentals. CHEAP primitive camping. Miles of trails. Staff and caretakers keep the trails extremely clean. Excellent views of the large lake the trails go around," mentions one visitor who appreciated the well-maintained environment.
Hiking trails: Lacey Keosauqua State Park Campground features well-marked trails with diverse terrain. A camper who stayed in November noted, "Trails were well maintained and tended even late into the season. My pups and I loved walking the lake loop (2.1miles) every day. Bonus: the deer came out each evening to forage."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Wilson Lake Park maintains modern restrooms and shower facilities. A visitor noted, "Very nice. Clean rest rooms and coin op showers. There were a lot of ticks, but the camp was quiet. I saw many people fishing."
Affordable cabins: Indian Lake Park offers reasonably priced cabin options. A frequent visitor explained, "This park has something for everyone. They have primitive tent sites, electric only, electric+water, and fhu. They also have cabins for rent. All very reasonably priced."
Helpful staff: Campground hosts at multiple locations receive positive feedback. At Indian Lake Park, "Tony and his wife are the camp hosts. Tony was so helpful and nice. The camp sites are spacious and clean," according to a satisfied camper who appreciated the personal attention.
What you should know
Seasonal availability: Many parks operate with limited services during winter months. At Lacey Keosauqua State Park, a November camper reported, "Weather ranged from 50s to 70s during the day and 30s to 40s at night. There were only 4 other sites occupied with a few ins and out during the week."
Reservation requirements: Camp Nauvoo and other cabin facilities require advance planning. "Camp Nauvoo is a nice, church operated, park only 5 minutes from downtown Nauvoo. The sites are sunny and all are pull-through but some have shade. The park streets are gravel with concrete pull-through sites," according to a traveler who found it to be a good value.
Bathroom facilities: Quality varies between parks. At Wilson Lake Park, a camper noted, "The only real complaint we had was that there was no lights in the bathrooms, we didn't want to use the campers bathroom for just one night. There were other bathrooms but they were locked."
Tips for camping with families
Beach access: Lee County Pollmiller Park offers swimming areas suitable for children. "The park is clean and family friendly. The beach is a great addition for some family fun," reports a visitor who appreciated the well-maintained environment.
Playground equipment: Big Hollow Recreation Area includes facilities specifically for children. A visitor mentioned it has "a large playground and shower house" among its many family-friendly amenities, making it suitable for extended stays with children.
Rental opportunities: Several parks offer equipment rentals that appeal to families. At Spring Lake Park in Macomb, Illinois, "They have canoes to rent and you're bound to see cranes and ducks along the way. Just be weary of the geese by the reservoir because they can be moody!" advises a repeat visitor.
Tips from RVers
Site specifics: Waubonsie Trail Park offers different campground sections with varying privacy levels. "I camped in the equestrian campground and loved it with my popup. Outhouse type toilets are available there. I only drove past the RV campground and the campsites were close together. The equestrian area is the way to go in my opinion but i love the quiet."
Hookup availability: Big Hollow Recreation Area provides full utility connections. An experienced camper states, "This is a great campground. Sites are pretty level and easy to get parked. Full hookup!!! There is a good sized lake that we have kayaked and swam in."
Site selection: For those seeking privacy at Wilson Lake Park, specific sites offer more seclusion. A visitor recommends, "We stayed at site 2 which is a little smaller than we would've liked but it is all concrete and has full hook ups. Did not do any fishing so can't comment on that."
