C
Cameron Z.
Traveler
TravelerBriggs Woods Park
Didnt stay long
Only stayed one night but very convenient location and registration.
Cabin Camping near Saylorville Lake, IA
2 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Search destinations
Add dates
Multiple cabin options surround Saylorville Lake, with accommodations ranging from basic to fully furnished. Jester County Park offers cabin rentals with electrical hookups and picnic tables near the water. Cabins at Timberline Campground include modern amenities like heating and air conditioning for year-round comfort. "The campgrounds are clean and quiet. Currently some camping spots are out of use due to flooding, but they are working on clean up," according to campground feedback. Thomas Mitchell County Park provides cabins with full electric service and nearby showers, while the Waterfront Cabin offers a more private, rustic experience directly on the lake.
Cabin layouts typically accommodate 4-8 people with varying bedroom configurations. Reservations are strongly recommended, particularly for summer weekends and holidays when availability becomes limited. Most cabins permit pets, though specific policies vary by location. Adventureland Campground maintains cabins year-round, while Winterset City Park cabins operate seasonally from April through mid-November. Des Moines West KOA Holiday features deluxe cabin options with private bathrooms, making them suitable for families seeking more amenities. As one visitor noted, "We stayed in one of the cabins at Jester Park for a weekend with friends and it provided plenty of room for our group."
Most cabins include beds and basic furniture, but guests typically need to bring their own bedding, pillows, towels, and personal items. Kitchen facilities vary significantly—some cabins offer only outdoor fire rings with cooking grates, while others include mini-refrigerators, microwaves, or full kitchens. Several campgrounds like Cuttys Des Moines Camping Club and River Oaks RV Park maintain on-site stores with firewood, ice, and basic grocery items. For more extensive shopping, grocery stores in nearby towns like Granger, Madrid, and Altoona provide all necessary supplies for cabin stays.
Best Cabin Campgrounds near Saylorville Lake (24)
1. Jester County Park
"Each site as a gravel drive and then open gravel area with a picnic table and fire pit with grill grate. Plenty of room for camp chairs and other furniture you may want to set up. "
"Fire rings, picnic tables, level gravel sites."
Check Availabilityfrom $20 - $25 / night
2. Ledges State Park Campground
"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."
"One of the more beautiful places to camp in Iowa. Awesome hiking trails and really well-shaded campsites."
84 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $12 - $25 / night
3. Timberline Campground
"Playground was next to us but it was fun watching the kids play. Full sun in the morning but afternoon was shaded by trees. Restrooms and shower was clean and close walking distance."
"We called ahead to see if they had sites available that night. Arrived just before the office closed at 7pm."
Check Availabilityfrom $35 - $80 / night
4. Adventureland Campground
"After some confusion with booking (office hours are until 7pm, confirmation email said 9pm) we were able to get ahold of the operations manager at the park who helped us."
"The staff was very helpful, plenty of laundry/restrooms throughout the campground and pretty clean overall. Concrete pads with full hook ups (30/50 amp, water and sewage) make setting up quick."
5. Thomas Mitchell County Park
"Thomas Mitchell park is located outside of Altoona Iowa on 197 acres. There are electric and non electric sites available."
"Came in late, even though there were several empty spaces turns out they were reserved. Very nice camp host told us we could have a non-electric site, none of them were reserved."
6. Des Moines West KOA Holiday
"Very nice campground with running water,electricity and wifi. It's opened year round."
"Not much privacy between sites nor shade. Bathhouses were clean and private. Laundry available. Off leash dog area available."
7. Cuttys Des Moines Camping Club
"They have indoor/outdoor pools mini golf, camp store, paddle boats, and other camp ground activities. I love cuttys and been thinking about buying a membership myself."
8. Waterfront Cabin
"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!"
Check Availabilityfrom $200 - $300 / night
9. Winterset City Park
"The Shower/restrooms were clean and stocked. Firewood is available for 8$ a bundle. Sites are gravel base and fairly level. The city park has a edge maze that is unique. "
"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!"
Check Availabilityfrom $15 - $22 / night
10. River Oaks RV Park
"Nice size campground, sites have good spacing and full hookups that were installed with some thought."
"We stayed here to go to the Iowa State Fair. It was easy to park here and catch a shuttle to the fair."
Check Availabilityfrom $45 - $60 / night
Drive Time
- 17 min from Des Moines, IA
- 27 min from Ames, IA
- 1 hr 49 min from Waterloo, IA
- 1 hr 50 min from Cedar Rapids, IA
Recent Cabin Photos near Saylorville Lake
6 Photos of 24 Saylorville Lake Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Cabin Reviews near Saylorville Lake
207 Reviews of 24 Saylorville Lake Campgrounds
Gerard E.
LegendTimberline East RV Campground
9-14-26
9-14-26 Timberline East RV Campground, I do not think this is a KOA anymore. Tent site T1 & 2 was level and on grass with table and fire ring. checked in at 7pm, overcast, Molly was great at the check in, offered a 10% Veteran discount. $34 for the night. We only stayed one night. Showers and bathrooms were decent. T-Mobile was 5G 4 bars. Rained all night, you can hear the noise from the highway but you drown it out.
- MMelissa H.
ScoutDes Moines West KOA Holiday
Great stop, perfect for kids
Great stop, perfect for kids - trampoline, jumping pillow, and a playground. Spots are close together (as with most KOAs) but easy off I-80 and a great pit stop for a night or two with family.
- LLori C.Scout
Thomas Mitchell County Park
Beautiful
Great little spot with lots of hiking trails. Bathrooms are clean and guests are quiet. Don’t miss grave from 1869 at top of hill on trail. Beautiful place. Wish I lived closer.
- ssusan F.
RangerThomas Mitchell County Park
Kind hosts and well-kept grounds
This is a sweet well-maintained campground just south of Mitchellville, Iowa off of 80. Not many sites and only a handful were occupied mid week in July. There is a little stream running along the edge of the campground. There is one bathroom building with 6 separate rooms - each with a toilet, sink and shower with warm water. Plenty of drinking water at centralized locations. There is shade at most sites when you first enter the campground and in the loop. Along the edges (inc the stream) shade is more variable. The only issue we had was a bright light that was on all night near the end of the loop. We were in site 5 and had to move our truck so it didn’t shine in all night.
Lumpie C.
GuideLedges State Park Campground
Very attractive nature area
Level sites and very quiet. Great hiking location and photo opportunities.
Cari E.RangerLedges State Park Campground
Oasis in a cornfield
There’s not a lot going on in the vicinity of this state park, which is on the smaller side, and you will hear some cows, but all in all the campground exceeded my expectations for the two nights I stayed. This was partially because my site, 65, offered ample room away from the neighboring sites and backed up to a small green area with the road further back (minimal noise, aside from the random loud dirt bike). It also had a good mix of shade and sun if you’re hoping for a bit of solar charging, though no shore power or water. The site was long and mostly level with just the smallest tilt, but not enough to be a bother even without leveling blocks. The dumpster is nearby, but it’s a tiny one and was well maintained (aka not smelly). The brand new shower house was within easy walking distance as well. I had enough service (Verizon) to send texts and watch a bit of YouTube (buffering times were a smidge slow), but you likely wouldn’t have a strong enough signal for much more.
Marty C.ScoutJester County Park
Great find!
Great spot in the woods. Lots of trails. They have a bison and elk sanctuary. Also a nature center. A playground. They have several RV spots. Most are pre book but they have a section for first come first serve. Also lots of tent camping. A few group camping areas. Showers are ok. I believe the non shower house bathrooms are all vault toilets. Overall a great place to stay!
Andrea H.GuideBriggs Woods Park
A wonderful family campground!
I took my mother and my youngest on a Mother’s Day weekend camping adventure. We chose Briggs Woods because of its location and reviews from other campers. It is a larger campground than you think! Spots for primitive tent camping, electrical hook up and full hook ups. The campground offers free WiFi and it reached clear to the back end over by the four little cabins. The pit toilets by the four little cabins were clean and stocked. My daughter was able to walk her little dog around the campground with no issues of other dogs running loose. Quiet hours begin at 10:30 pm and everyone followed the rule. I also like how close to the river this campground is. We stayed in electrical spots in the #60s. I like how you can scan the QR code and pay right there from your phone. Very convenient! The camp hosts were friendly and would often cruise by in their golf cart checking on campers.
Guide to Saylorville Lake
Cabin camping near Saylorville Lake offers diverse lodging options in close proximity to central Iowa's largest reservoir. Most cabins are situated within a 30-mile radius of the lake, with elevations ranging from 800-900 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures typically reach 80-90°F, while spring and fall temperatures average between 50-70°F, making cabin stays comfortable outside peak summer months.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At Jester County Park, fishing is a primary draw for cabin campers with several access points. "Good fishing nice open areas and trails to explore. Lots of cool kid activities. Buffalo ranch near by which is cool as well as Pingora outdoor supply store near by where you can purchase firewood and other camp supplies," notes camper Luke C.
Hike to Clark's Tower: Winterset City Park cabins provide access to scenic hiking with historical significance. "There is a two mile loop that leads you up Clark's Tower where you can see the rolling hills of gorgeous Madison county. great place to take the family for a picnic or host a cookout," according to Carson O.
Wildlife viewing: Several cabin locations feature wildlife observation areas. At Jester County Park, "They advertise Elk and Bison which are smart enough to stay far away from humans, as it should be," explains Jim S., who also mentions the "Nature/Conservancy center there is just next level."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Cabin campers consistently mention facility cleanliness as a top amenity. A visitor to Timberline Campground wrote, "This place is wonderful. The staff are all extremely friendly and accommodating. Facilities are all very clean and well taken care of. The pool is a great bonus!"
Water access: Many cabins feature proximity to water. At Thomas Mitchell County Park, "Campground is very green and shady. Many sites are creekside. Park has large playground area, hiking trails, fishing pond," explains Michelle H.
Family-oriented amenities: Cabin campgrounds focus on family activities. "Swimming pool, water pillow for bouncing, fishing pond, dog park, swimming pool. Well maintained, lots of planned activities," notes a visitor to Des Moines West KOA Holiday describing the range of amenities available.
What you should know
Seasonal availability: Cabin rental seasons vary significantly by location. While Adventureland Campground offers year-round cabin rental, other locations have limited seasons. Ledges State Park Campground typically operates from April 1 to December 31, and some locations close entirely during winter months.
Advance reservations required: Particularly for summer weekends, cabin availability becomes limited. At several locations, online reservation systems allow booking up to a year in advance, with holiday weekends filling months ahead.
Pet policies vary: While most cabin locations accept pets, specific rules differ. Some require additional deposits or restrict pets to certain cabin types. Bring documentation of vaccinations, as several locations require verification.
Tips for camping with families
Entertainment options: Several cabin locations feature dedicated youth activities. At Jester Park, camper Larissa C. explains, "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 Nature Center, amphitheater, bison and bird viewing."
Water recreation for kids: Cabin locations with water features provide natural cooling options. At Thomas Mitchell County Park, "Easy trails for the kids to go hiking and playing in the creek to cool off in the heat. There is even a pond for fishing that you can take a trail from the campsite to," according to Willy W.
Educational opportunities: Several cabin locations offer nature education programs. "Winterset City Park is part of a city park on the outskirts of Winterset. There is a dog park and one of the Bridges of Madison County is located within walking distance of the campground," notes Heather G., highlighting attractions within walking distance of cabins.
Tips from RVers
Hookup considerations: Full-service cabin options vary in hookup configuration. Jim C. at River Oaks RV Park notes, "Sites have good spacing and full hookups that were installed with some thought. Only used one stinky slinky, could have hooked up water with a 6' hose, and the electrical was near the back of the site."
Wi-Fi availability: Internet access varies significantly between cabin locations. River Oaks RV Park offers "Free WiFi was good; we streamed tv. It did freeze a few times but hard to tell if it was the WiFi or the provider," according to a recent visitor, while other locations offer more limited connectivity.
Level sites: Site grading affects comfort in cabin areas. One camper notes, "Our spot was pretty level and well maintained," at Jester Park's Campground #1, though others mention needing leveling blocks at some locations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do cabins cost at Saylorville Lake?
How much do cabins cost at Saylorville Lake?
Cabin rental prices at Saylorville Lake vary by season and amenities. While specific Saylorville rates aren't detailed in reviews, comparable options in the area provide context. Briggs Woods Park offers cabins at competitive rates alongside their standard camping options. For private accommodations, Waterfront Cabin provides an off-grid experience overlooking a pond. Typically, Iowa state park and county park cabins range from $50-150 per night depending on size, amenities, and season. Contact Saylorville Lake directly or check their reservation system for current pricing.
What amenities are included in the Saylorville Lake cabins?
What amenities are included in the Saylorville Lake cabins?
Saylorville Lake cabins typically include basic furnishings like beds, tables, and chairs. For reference on similar accommodations in the region, Jester County Park overlooks Saylorville Lake and offers cabins with scenic views. Most Iowa park cabins provide electricity, heating/cooling, picnic tables, and fire rings. Indoor plumbing varies by location, with some offering full bathrooms while others require guests to use nearby shower houses. Springbrook State Park Campground features amenities like clean bathrooms with showers, playgrounds, and recreational facilities that complement their cabin offerings. Expect basic kitchenette facilities but bring your own linens, pillows, and cooking supplies.
How do I reserve a cabin at Saylorville Lake?
How do I reserve a cabin at Saylorville Lake?
To reserve a cabin at Saylorville Lake, book through the official U.S. Army Corps of Engineers website or Recreation.gov. Reservations typically open 6 months in advance, and early booking is recommended, especially for summer weekends and holidays. Similar to Newton KOA, which has a straightforward reservation process with courteous staff, expect to provide payment information and confirm site details when booking. For additional options in the area, Ledges State Park Campground also offers online reservations through the Iowa DNR system. Have alternate dates ready as cabins fill quickly during peak season. A deposit is typically required at booking with balance due upon arrival.
Keep Exploring