Best Cabin Camping near Mount Vernon, IA

Several cabin rental options are available within 30 miles of Mount Vernon, Iowa, including Palisades-Kepler State Park and Matsell Bridge Natural Area. Most cabins provide basic amenities such as electricity, heat, air conditioning, and kitchenettes with refrigerators, microwaves, and coffee makers. Family cabins typically sleep 4-10 people with a combination of beds and pullout couches. "Our cabin had a common area with a kitchenette. The bathroom included a toilet and shower. The small, but cozy bedroom included a mattress along with a sink. Additional amenities included stove, frig, microwave, pots and pans, and even a small coffee maker," noted one visitor about their stay. Some properties like Calyx Creek offer unique accommodations such as treehouses with modern conveniences.

Rustic and deluxe cabins are both available, depending on the location. Palisades-Kepler cabins feature covered porches overlooking water, while Pinicon Ridge Park provides year-round cabin access. Most cabins require a two-night minimum stay, particularly during summer months. Reservations are essential, especially for weekend dates between May and September. A camper wrote, "We stayed in a family cabin that sleeps up to 4 people. You have to reserve cabins and there is a 2 night minimum stay, but the price is extremely reasonable." Pet policies vary by location, with many properties allowing dogs for an additional fee. Accessibility features are available at select sites, including ADA-compliant bathrooms and hard-surface parking.

Most cabins include beds but require visitors to bring their own linens, towels, and toiletries. Kitchen setups vary considerably between properties—some offer full kitchens with cooking and serving ware, while others provide only minimal equipment. Firewood is available for purchase at most locations, with fire rings and picnic tables standard at cabin sites. According to feedback on The Dyrt, "Outdoor amenities included a fire pit and picnic bench. Bonus: The back of our cabin area looked out onto the lake." General stores with basic provisions are located within short driving distance of most cabin properties, though campers should plan to bring specialty items from larger towns. Grocery options in Iowa City provide more comprehensive shopping approximately 30 minutes from Mount Vernon.

Best Cabin Sites Near Mount Vernon, Iowa (25)

    1. Palisades-Kepler State Park Campground

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

    $15 - $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."

    2. Matsell Bridge Natural Area

    3 Reviews
    Anamosa, IA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 892-6450

    "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."

    3. Little Bear Campground

    8 Reviews
    West Branch, IA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 627-2676

    $22 - $49 / night

    "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)."

    "Very cute campground right off highway. I called while traveling and Mike was very accommodating. Full hookups and showers. Even got a pool. Gas station nearby full of character."

    4. Pinicon Ridge Park

    9 Reviews
    Central City, IA
    21 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."

    5. Rolin Wapsi Campground

    1 Review
    Wyoming, IA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 721-8854

    $15 - $25 / night

    "They offer a few cabins for rentals. They have a dump station also."

    6. Beyonder Getaway at Sleepy Hollow

    13 Reviews
    Oxford, IA
    26 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."

    7. Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area Campground

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

    $17 - $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! "

    8. Calyx Creek, Creekside Treehouse

    1 Review
    Oxford, IA
    21 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."

    9. Eden Valley Refuge

    6 Reviews
    Baldwin, IA
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (563) 847-7202

    "It's a little hike in for the dispersed sites, but worth it to be in a secluded woodsy site. Was peaceful and relaxing."

    "We stayed in the RV/Camper side of the campground which is on the other side of the road from the refuge and trails. We stayed in spot #10 with was nice and roomy."

    10. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Monticello

    2 Reviews
    Monticello, IA
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 465-4665

    $35 - $105 / night

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Cabin Reviews near Mount Vernon, IA

157 Reviews of 25 Mount Vernon Campgrounds


  • Jessica H.
    May. 9, 2018

    Six Pines Campground — Backbone State Park

    Backbone State Park

    This has been one of my favorite state parks in Iowa to camp thus far. I've tent camped in April and cabin camped in October. The cabin camping was the better of the two experiences, mainly due to the unusually chilly overnight temperatures in April. During the warmer months you can rent canoes from the concession stand. Climbing/rappelling is also allowed in the park via registration at the park office.

    We stayed in a family cabin that sleeps up to 4 people. You have to reserve cabins and there is a 2 night minimum stay, but the price is extremely reasonable. These cabins also offer heat and A/C. Our cabin had a common area with a kitchenette.The bathroom included a toilet and shower. The small, but cozy bedroom included a mattress - you're responsible for bringing your own linens - along with a sink. Additional amenities included stove, frig, microwave, pots and pans, and even a small coffee maker. And, the couch in the common area pulled out into a futon, providing extra sleeping space. Outdoor amenities included a fire pit and picnic bench. Bonus: The back of our cabin area looked out onto Backbone Lake.

    We purchased firewood in Strawberry Point, a small town just a short drive from the park. Iowa requires that firewood be obtained within the county you're staying in due to the Emerald Ash Borer epidemic.

    We fished for trout and hiked along several trails in the park. The Devil's Backbone was our favorite mainly because of the scenery along the bluff. It was the perfect way to view the changing leaves and watch the Maquoketa River flow by.

    While we did have neighbors on either side of us, the noise level was minimal, and everyone was respectful of parking spaces as there is a common parking area in front of the cabins.

    This is a beautiful spot to visit especially in autumn.

  • James M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 15, 2024

    Summit Cabin 1

    Very nice, clean County cabin overlooking lake

    This modern cabin offers to better bedrooms, full service, kitchen, living room, with sofa, sleeper, and fireplace, ADA bathroom, covered porch with chairs and view of the lake, fire pit, and picnic table outside. Park offers, kayak and paddleboard, rentals, concessions, and a swimming beach in season.

  • James M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 15, 2024

    Summit Cabin 2, West Lake Park

    Very, very clean, County, modern cabin, surrounded by Prairie overlooking lake

    This cabin has all modern conveniences with two sleeping rooms, full service, kitchen, living room, with sofa, sleeper, and fireplace, ADA bathroom and a covered porch overlooking the lake. There’s a gas grill, fire pit, picnic table for outdoor recreation. The park offers kayak rentals, paddle boat rentals, swimming beach in season, and concessions.

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 7, 2025

    Bald Eagle Campground and Cabins

    Barren RV-Riddled Campground Outpost

    One of the 6 campgrounds that you will have to choose from here at Scott County Park, Bald Eagle CG & Cabins is one that is more geared for the RV driving and trailer toting tribes as each site has FHUs with electric, water & sewage, fire rings and picnic tables; however, if you wanted to pitch a tent here, you could, although I would recommend nearby Incahias as an alternative. Unlike some of the other campgrounds here, Bald Eagle kind of lives up to its name as there’s not much in the way of tree cover or brush, so the land is somewhat BALD. The land is incredibly flat, back-in slots are spacious, hard and very level grounds are incredibly well-organized and the bathroom / shower facilities with great HOT running water and are about as impeccably clean as can be.

    Near by Bald Eagle is Pride Lake, which makes this pet-friendly CG your top pick if you’re an angler or looking to get some decent oaring with your kayak or canoe. Sitting in front of Pride Lake are 2 very large shelters – Whispering Pines and Hickory Hills – as well as a playground for the kiddos and a restroom facility that is also spartan-clean. Surrounding Bald Eagle is also no shortage of hiking / biking / horse trails. We found the CG itself to be fairly quiet, although lacking in privacy without the benefit of any real brush or trees to blot out our next-door neighbors, but that said, everyone was incredibly friendly with full displays of Midwestern hospitality that this area is known for. There is also a single large cabin available for rent that has capacity for 10 people.

    We loved Scott County Park so much because there is a lot that this gem offers up, from fresh water catch & release lakes, a combination of topographies (from woodlands, wetlands and prairie grasslands), a beautiful 18-hole championship golf course, outdoor exercise areas, club house and concessions, stand-alone cabins for rent, designated dump stations and trash receptacles, numerous picnic areas, a massive heated swimming pool complete with a snake-like water slide, volleyball court, ranger stations, seasonal on-site hosts, firewood available for purchase at entry stations, Walnut Grove Pioneer Village and St. Anne’s church at the park’s NW perimeter, 7 community shelters, designated picnic areas, a memorial park, equestrian area and an incredibly well-paved network of roads that allows you to easily access just about every corner of this park.

    Happy Camping!

  • James M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 2, 2023

    Wapsi River Environmental Ed. Ctr.

    Nice Family cabin in quite park

    Park is a nature preserve with only 1 cabin for rent (Kestrel Cabin) sleeping six. Cabin offers modern amenities: stove, oven,micro, dishwasher, refrigerator, coffee pot, toaster, ADA access, shower. AC/heat, covered porch, firewood, picnic table, Charcoal grill, trails. Park is also site of nature center with live animals, an observatory, access to Wapsipinicon River.

  • James M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 28, 2024

    Bald Eagle Campground and Cabins

    Nice modern cabin in County campground

    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. Has fire pit, wood available in campground, tables, and gas grill with rental. Playground nearby, park has seasonal pool, garden of course, trails, Pride Lake for fishing and paddling.

  • James M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 30, 2025

    Wapsi River Environmental Ed. Ctr.

    Very nice, quite, cabin surrounded by forest

    Cabin has all amenities for six. Charcoal grill, fire ring with wood supplied, picnic table, covered porch, trail head right next to cabin. After hours offers quite park, dark skies, and trails with wildlife. Wapsipinicon River access just down River Trail.

  • James M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 28, 2022

    Summit Cabin 1

    Well maintained County cabins overlooking Railroad Lake

    Lake Restoration is currenlty underway! These modern cabins have everything a family needs. Site has parking including handicap and overflow, fire pit, tables, grill, covered porch overlooking lake and prairie, firewood, ice, concessions at cg office or beach/boathouse( when open), world-class disc golf, fishing, trails, playgrounds nearby. Cabins are within West Lake Park.

  • James M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 12, 2023

    Summit Cabin 2, West Lake Park

    Modern cabin along prairie and lake complex

    Cabin sits atop hill overlooking Railroad Lake surrounded by prairie. Lake complex offers fishing, paddling, swim beach, concessions, etc. Trails in park, disc golf, Wildlife etc. Cabin sleeps 8, full service kitchen with serving and cooking ware. Outside gas grill, fire pit with grill, picnic table, firewood available . Overflow parking nearby.


Guide to Mount Vernon

Cabin camping near Mount Vernon, Iowa, offers a perfect blend of nature and comfort, allowing visitors to enjoy the great outdoors without sacrificing the conveniences of home.

Some prices for cabin camping range from $22 to $1300

Cabin campers like these nearby activities

  • Enjoy fishing, swimming, and boating at Pinicon Ridge Park, where the playground and trails keep kids entertained all day.
  • Explore the scenic trails and enjoy the natural beauty at Palisades-Kepler State Park, perfect for hiking and wildlife watching.
  • Experience the tranquility of the Wapsipinicon River at Matsell Bridge Natural Area, ideal for canoeing and relaxing by the water.

A visit to the nearby Nature Center

  • The Eden Valley Refuge features a Nature Center that offers educational programs and trails for hiking, making it a great spot for families.
  • At Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area, visitors can enjoy well-maintained trails and a beautiful lake, perfect for kayaking and fishing.
  • Rolin Wapsi Campground provides access to tubing and kayaking on the Wapsi River, along with a friendly atmosphere and beautiful scenery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular cabin campsite near Mount Vernon, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Mount Vernon, IA is Palisades-Kepler State Park Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 9 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 25 cabin camping locations near Mount Vernon, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.