Best Cabin Camping near Ruthven, IA

Enjoyable Stay

We go in early in the afternoon after traveling from Madison WI.  

The KOA seemed alright but I was very disappointed in the long term/ Full time RVs parked there.  Some were alright but a couple of pretty dumping ones.  

They were not full and I can understand the reason.  

The facilities seemed to be well maintained.  The pool and playground were very nice and the sites we stayed around were fine.  It was just those few trailers that gave it that run downed feeling. If they took care of those even made them clean the area around them and wash them it  would go up a star or 2.

The internet was iffy again and I guess we will just have to live with that though I did expect more from a KOA.

That night they did have live entertainment but we did not know about it until they started to play.  It was locals I think that lived there and was like a jam session.

This is a pretty awesome place. There is a lot of activities. The resort resides on Storm Lake and it’s usually pretty active. The first night we were there it actually had a very nice lightning storm.

The lake has a lot of perch, walleye, crappie and white bass. It’s not a very deep lake but has some pockets that you can find on the west side that does pretty good. There are boat ramps and parks all along the lake.

The resort is pretty huge it has an indoor and outdoor water park. The park slides are pretty fun and scary. There is also a lazy river!

The restaurant in the hotel is top notch. They served some of the best food. You won’t go hungry and the price wasn’t over priced like some resorts.

There is also a very nice large playground for kids to play on and a nice little beach to go swimming on. They clean the beach every morning but it gets pretty dirty towards the end of the day.

It doesn’t get very crowded during the week but on the weekend it picks up and a lot of people who aren’t staying at the resort show up to play in the water park.

As far as outside there are lots of trails to walk on. Tons of little parks around the lake to have picnics and town isn’t that far if you need to get coffee or groceries.

We spent several nights camping at South Joe Sheldon County Park. Beautiful pull through campsites some full hook ups others with electronic and water. I’ve included some pictures.

What a beautiful, clean campground right on a gorgeous lake!! I really enjoyed my short stay here - the owner met me at the office when I called him. No problem that I didn’t have a reservation- plenty of room! $37 for the night. Showers and bathrooms were big and clean. Campground in general was immaculate. Would definitely stay again if I was passing through this way. Literally right off I-90.

Well maintained campground with fishing piers and a swimming beach. A lot of seasonal/permanent sites. Transit spots were a little tight but owners did what they could to space you out. Very accommodating.

Large campground with a play park and other sporting area. Lake to swim in - no lifeguard offered. Large sites with water/electric hook up - some full hook sites and big rig friendly. The site we were put in was not set up well for the connections however it was a large site. Very muddy site but they offered to let us use a rug so we didn’t get ours all Muddy.

We found this place by accident, and were very happy we did. It’s a small family run campground with mostly seasonal campers. Set along the shores of Lake Imogene, which comes out of nowhere surrounded by farm land, and you can’t even see it from the road. Mature shade trees everywhere, Impeccably clean bathrooms, showers, etc. playground, small homemade mini golf course, volleyball, basketball, the works to keep the kids happy and entertained while you relax in a quiet clean setting. We stayed in a bull through site with two other campers, were nice and spaced out and didn’t hear them at all, but we’re told on weekends because of an on-site wedding venue, there are more people and the campsites are full. Mid-week night stats are tops though, and we would absolutely stay here again. The pull through sites have electric, water and sewage at every site.

Everyone we met (owners, staff, other campers) were extremely nice. Good people, great stay.

What a gem! We were there for a one night mid-week stay, and it was so quiet and calm because ~70% of the spots are taken by seasonal guests who are primarily at the campgrounds on the weekends. Right on Lake Imogene, there is a boat dock and a sandy swimming beach (which we had entirely to ourselves!). The grounds are well-maintained and very clean. There are three playgrounds (one at the swimming beach), a mini golf course, and an actual phone booth. The owners live on site and are very kind and accommodating. We got a late checkout for an additional $10, allowing us to really take advantage of this amazing spot. Highly recommended.

Very quiet and clean, goid WiFi. Gary was very helpful. This campground is just beautiful. There is a lake you can fish,swim,rent kayaks and canoe. Laundry and showers.