16 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Multiple cabin rentals provide accommodations within 30 miles of Ottumwa, Iowa, ranging from rustic sites to fully equipped cabins with electric hookups and indoor kitchenettes. Lake Wapello State Park Campground offers cabins approximately 26 miles southwest of Ottumwa, with electric hookups and proximity to fishing and hiking opportunities. Lacey Keosauqua State Park features recently renovated cabins with full electric service, picnic tables, and basic furnishings. Lake Darling State Park provides "brand new five season cabins" according to a visitor review, with heating and cooling systems for year-round use. These facilities typically include restrooms with showers, though amenities vary by location.
Options range from rustic and deluxe cabins, depending on the location. Lake Darling's cabins are described as "small but clean" in visitor reviews and tend to book up quickly, especially during summer months. Most state park cabins require reservations well in advance, particularly for weekend stays from May through September. Some locations like Eveland Access near Oskaloosa permit pets in cabins with additional fees or deposits. Cabin rental periods typically run from April 1 to December 31 at Lake Wapello and Lacey Keosauqua, while other locations like Lake Darling and Honey Creek operate year-round.
Most cabins include beds but require visitors to bring their own linens, towels, and toiletries. Basic cooking facilities vary between locations, with some offering only outdoor fire rings and picnic tables while others may include indoor kitchenettes. Firewood is available for purchase at select parks including Lacey Keosauqua State Park and Eveland Access. Visitors should plan to bring food supplies as on-site stores are limited. For those staying at Lacey Keosauqua cabins, the campground features "well maintained and clean" facilities according to reviews, with hiking trails and a swimming lake nearby for recreational activities.
"excellent way to spend a day with family. boat rentals were a blast and added bonus."
"Some campsites are close to the lake. Several hiking paths-Lakeshore Trail goes around the whole lake, so be sure to reserve 2-3 hours to conquer this path-more if you like to take in the scenery. "
from $15 - $100 / night
Check Availability"New showers and toilets. Easy access. Not far from oskaloosa."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"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."
"Our family has been camping at Lake Darling for the past couple of years. We very much like the campground and the lake area."
from $15 - $110 / night
Check Availability"Very nice corp park. Campsites were spaced well apart with plenty of room on pad around campsites, cell service was four bars and air tv 30 channels"
"Pretty nice campground with showers/restrooms/dump stations spread throughout the campground. Tons a room between spots and lots of sites with a good view of the lake."
from $22 - $230 / night
Check Availability"Lacey-Keosaqua State Park is a gem located in Southeast Iowa in Van Buren County. It is off the beaten path but it is one of oldest Iowa State Parks."
"Nice drive in gorgeous country. 23$ site without water 28 w/ water 35 full hookups. Decent showers nice playground for kids lakeside spots as well. The host sells firewood and 2 sizes of ice."
from $15 - $36 / night
Check Availability"Campground Review: Honey Creek State Park is on Rathbun Lake, a very popular place to boat, fish and camp in Southern Iowa. We camped in the Group Campground with out Boy Scout Troop."
"Honey Creek State Park is located on the north side of Rathbun Lake in southern Iowa. Boat ramp at the park is large (6 lanes) with several docks to assist loading and unloading."
from $14 - $50 / night
Check Availability"12 a night for primitive camping and you get nice warm showers by the main entrance and nice bathrooms by the main entrance."
"We hiked the equestrian trails one afternoon and the regular trails the next day. I camped in the equestrian campground and loved it with my popup. Outhouse type toilets are available there."
"Waubonsie trail behind park is a short hike to the covered bridge and Dutchman's Store. Perfect Way to stretch your legs after a long day on the road. Bathrooms and showers were exceptionally clean."
"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!"
"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."
"it has full hookups, tent site swim beach, fishing, canoes,and f, playgrounds also cabins a stone lodge for family get togethers some sites just have electric and water on site and there are some full"
from $8 - $50 / night
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GuideI 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.
ScoutOur family has been camping at Lake Darling for the past couple of years. We very much like the campground and the lake area. Opportunities for improvement would be that the full hookup sites have the neighbors waste tube close the campers picnic table. Sometimes getting a whiff of black water waste while trying eat dinner leaves a little to be desired. Eh? If a person camps in the regular electric only sites this is not a problem. However, this requires ( for most campers) the use of the shower house. The bathroom facilities are clean and well kept but the showers could use some updating and better cleaning maintenance. The lake area offers great fishing and there are boat rentals available. Paddle boats, canoes, and other options. There is a long concrete multi use path along the lake and into the cabin area. The cabins seem nice, though we have never been in them or stayed in them. Book early they are usually booked up I am told. All in all a great weekend get away place. And generally limited cell signal might be better that way eh?
GuideThis 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. Most of the sites are nice and shady and level. A bathhouse with showers. A stone lodge for large parties. There is a playground, a few nice hiking trails, and a lake with a nice sandy beach. Almost empty during the week, but very busy on summer weekends. Hiking,fishing, swimming, kayaking,bird watching. There are many things to keep you busy here.
TravelerI was only able to stay one night but i loved it. We hiked the equestrian trails one afternoon and the regular trails the next day. 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. Picnic tables and fire rings are at each campsite.
ScoutClean, quiet and well set campsite for all camping styles. Set well off the main road, the gravel road is well maintained, graded well for easy driveable whee truck, rvs or trailers. 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. Check it out, don't believe you will regret it. Peace fellow travelers.
LegendCampground Review: Honey Creek State Park is on Rathbun Lake, a very popular place to boat, fish and camp in Southern Iowa. We camped in the Group Campground with out Boy Scout Troop. We pulled into camp after dark and between the headlights of our vehicles and our lanterns (My Goal Zero Light House 250) we set up camp in the dark.
We explored the campground, there were some nice trails and nice spots to camp. The bathrooms were clean but they were a little bit of a walk from the Group Site. The weather was great and the bugs weren't bad. I would recommend Honey Creek State Park.
Ranger Review: The Goal Zero Light House 250 is a nice lantern. I give it 4 out of 5 stars. The light settings are perfect. You can use half of the lantern or the full lamp power. You can adjust the lighting power by turning the knob on the front. It can be charged with a wall charger, a solar panel, or the green hand crank on top of the lantern.
We used it when setting our tent up in the dark and it did a good job. At 250 lumens it is just the right amount of light to let you see what you need with out blinding you in the dark. We did not start a campfire that night, instead we placed the Goal Zero Light House 250 on the ground and we surrounded the lantern with our camp chairs as if it was a camp fire. We were up for three hours talking and never did the lantern light weaken.
I like this light. It is too heavy and bulky for backpacking but it is great for car camping. There is a smaller model but I don't know if it will work for backpacking.
Scoutit has full hookups, tent site swim beach, fishing, canoes,and f, playgrounds also cabins a stone lodge for family get togethers some sites just have electric and water on site and there are some full hookups also a shower house and modern restrooms, fire wood for sale We go at least 3 times a year . So nice and quiet the lake is clean they also have a dump station
LegendLacey-Keosaqua State Park is a gem located in Southeast Iowa in Van Buren County. It is off the beaten path but it is one of oldest Iowa State Parks. The Park and campground are well maintained and clean. We visited over Labor Day weekend and the park was only two-thirds full. It was a variety of Tent campers and RV's. The camp sites are spaced really well so you don't feel like you are on top of one another. They have electric and non-electric sites and the shower is very clean. There are almost 80 sites in the campground.
Don't miss the hiking trails and the Beach House and swimming lake. Don't miss lake Sugema, the Indian Mounds or the Ely Ford Mormon Trail crossing.
GuideNice drive in gorgeous country. 23$ site without water 28 w/ water 35 full hookups. Decent showers nice playground for kids lakeside spots as well. The host sells firewood and 2 sizes of ice. Cheap too. Walking trails nearby.
Cabin camping near Ottumwa, Iowa provides access to several state parks within a 30-mile radius. Located in the gently rolling hills of southeast Iowa where the Des Moines River flows through at approximately 650 feet above sea level, the region experiences warm summers with high humidity and cold winters. Seasonal availability varies by location, with some cabins operating year-round while others close from January through March due to winter conditions.
Hiking trails and wildlife viewing: At Lacey Keosauqua State Park Campground, campers enjoy well-maintained trails throughout the seasons. "There are almost 80 sites in the campground. Don't miss the hiking trails and the Beach House and swimming lake. Don't miss lake Sugema, the Indian Mounds or the Ely Ford Mormon Trail crossing," notes one visitor. The park features historical sites along with natural areas.
Fishing opportunities: Lake Iowa County Park offers fishing access with minimal shoreline development. "The area around the lake and near by pond, is not overly developed. There are wild raspberries and mulberries, lots of wildlife," reports one camper. The lake supports multiple fish species and allows both shore and boat fishing.
Swimming and water activities: Many parks feature swimming beaches during summer months. At Indian Lake Park, you'll find "a lake with a nice sandy beach" according to reviewers. Rental options for water activities exist at several locations. "There is a boat ramp, hiking trails, showers, and the ohv park is only 30 min away on the other side of the lake," notes a visitor at Honey Creek State Park.
Spacious, well-designed campsites: Lake Wapello State Park Campground receives consistent praise for its layout. "Spacious campground with clean facilities. Some campsites are close to the lake," shares one camper who appreciated the park's design. Sites typically include fire rings and picnic tables with reasonable separation between neighbors.
Clean facilities: Maintenance standards are high across most parks. At Keokuk County Belva Deer Park, visitors find "$12 a night for primitive camping and you get nice warm showers by the main entrance and nice bathrooms by the main entrance." The cleanliness of shower facilities receives frequent positive mentions across multiple parks.
Wildlife encounters: Many cabins offer opportunities to view local wildlife. Lake Iowa County Park visitors report, "We had a blue jay that visited us regularly at our campsite, along with deer walking through." At Lacey Keosauqua State Park, one camper noted, "Bonus: the deer came out each evening to forage."
Reservation requirements: Most cabin rentals require advance planning. For Lake Darling State Park Campground, visitors advise "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."
Seasonal considerations: Many cabins have limited seasonal availability. "We stayed for a week in mid November. Although we had a storm at the beginning and end the overall stay was great. Weather ranged from 50s to 70s during the day and 30s to 40s at night," reports a Lacey Keosauqua visitor about off-season stays.
Campfire smoke concerns: In tightly packed campgrounds, smoke can be an issue. One Lake Iowa camper warned, "Around 2:30am there was so much smoke in our van from nearby campfires that I woke up sick and my dog threw up all over the bed." Consider cabin placement and wind direction when selecting sites.
Playground access: Several parks feature playground equipment for children. Indian Lake Park "has something for everyone. They have primitive tent sites, electric only, electric+water, and fhu. They also have cabins for rent... There is a playground, a few nice hiking trails, and a lake with a nice sandy beach."
Water activities for kids: Waubonsie Trail Park provides family-friendly amenities. "Horseshoe pit, playground and campfire swing area were nice surprises. All for under $20 for electric RV site! Great campground for a small group event," writes one visitor. Many parks offer gentle shorelines suitable for younger children.
Educational opportunities: Several parks include nature programs and historical features. "Waubonsie trail behind park is a short hike to the covered bridge and Dutchman's Store. Perfect Way to stretch your legs after a long day on the road," notes a visitor, highlighting accessible activities for families of all ages.
Site selection considerations: Choose sites based on specific needs. At Lake Darling, "Opportunities for improvement would be that the full hookup sites have the neighbors waste tube close the campers picnic table. Sometimes getting a whiff of black water waste while trying eat dinner leaves a little to be desired. If a person camps in the regular electric only sites this is not a problem."
Hookup availability: RV sites with full hookups are available at several parks, though quality varies. At Indian Lake Park, they have "full hookups, tent site swim beach, fishing, canoes,and f, playgrounds also cabins a stone lodge for family get togethers some sites just have electric and water on site and there are some full hookups."
Campground layout awareness: Honey Creek State Park campers recommend particular areas: "We camped in spot #20 of the north loop. I would not recommend any spot in the center second of the loop. It was more like parking than camping." Research specific loop and site layouts before booking cabin or RV sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular cabin campsite near Ottumwa, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Ottumwa, IA is Lake Wapello State Park Campground with a 5-star rating from 6 reviews.
What is the best site to find cabin camping near Ottumwa, IA?
TheDyrt.com has all 16 cabin camping locations near Ottumwa, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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