Cabins near Sheldahl, Iowa provide access to the central Iowa landscape where gently rolling hills meet open prairies at elevations between 850-1,000 feet. Most area campgrounds remain open from April through November, with a select few offering winter cabin accommodations when temperatures typically range from 15°F in January to 85°F in July. Several parks provide cabin options with modern amenities while maintaining close proximity to nature.
What to do
Water activities at Jester Park: The park offers excellent fishing opportunities along Saylorville Lake with multiple 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 Luke C.
Hiking trails at Ledges State Park: The park features challenging terrain with stone steps and unique sandstone formations. "I did not camp here how ever I drove and took a day hike. The hiking trails are cool. I would say it was a challenging hike. A lot of up and down terrain, stone steps, etc. The ledges along the river were beautiful and depending on the river height you can walk right along them," explains Jennifer M.
Explore creek access at Thomas Mitchell County Park: The park features a small creek with multiple entry points. "Thomas Mitchell park is located outside of Altoona Iowa on 197 acres. There are electric and non electric sites available. The outer loop has a creek that flows behind the sites with large stairs to get down to it. Kids were having a blast in the water," shares Shannon G.
Cycling on the Raccoon River Valley Trail: Located near Sportsman Park, this 89-mile paved loop trail costs $2 per person per day or $10 for an annual pass. "It's along a river and very close to the Raccoon River Valley Trail, an 89 mile loop trail (paved) that goes through several towns and counties," explains Amy G.
What campers like
Peaceful lake settings: Cabin lodging near Little Wall Lake provides a serene waterfront experience. "Spacious sites along a gorgeous lake..quiet..wish every campground was this nice!" writes Chris H.
Modern bathroom facilities at Des Moines West KOA Holiday: Guests appreciate the well-maintained shower houses. "Bathrooms were immaculate! Pizza & Chicken ordered on site was a delicious dinner when we were just to tired to fuss with our own gear. Nice store too!!" mentions Lisa D.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Several cabin rental locations offer nature observation. "Iowa county parks are amazing. They pour money into them and it really shows. Clean, I mean immaculate. Nature/Conservancy center there is just next level. They advertise Elk and Bison which are smart enough to stay far away from humans, as it should be," reports Jim S. at Jester Park.
Year-round cabin availability at Little Wall Lake County Park: The park maintains cabins throughout all seasons. "This little gem is a great place to stay. Small lake. Some sites are reserveable online and some are first come first serve. We had water and electric on site. The frogs in the nearby swamp were fun to hear. Lots of birds too," shares Mary.
What you should know
Self-registration systems: Many cabin rentals near Sheldahl offer easy check-in. "Dawson is such a cute little park. I rented a primitive tent site for two nights and it was $20. The self-registration was super simple!" explains Bethanie S. at Sportsman Park.
Wind exposure considerations: Cabin rentals in open areas can experience strong winds. "This is a nice small camp area that only has one downfall: a lack of wind break. We went when the wind was blowing in typical Iowa summer fashion," Bill M. notes about Little Wall Lake County Park.
Highway noise levels: Some cabins are situated near roadways. "The only downfall if I need one is the campsites are closer together and it's close to an highway so you can hear cars driving by but it's rural Iowa so there aren't that many," explains Traci J.
Sewage facility proximity: When booking cabin accommodations, check site locations. "We did notice that we were right next to the 'sewage lagoon' by the RV dump spot. We were upwind, so it wasn't too bad. Would recommend avoiding sites 18 and 19," advises Thomas B. about Thomas Mitchell County Park.
Tips for camping with families
Consider cabin rentals with playgrounds: Timberline Campground offers family-friendly amenities. "Great, safe, and quiet campground. Beautiful site on a pond, clean bath houses, cool weekend amenities, and since we came in October, pretty empty after Labor Day during the week," Paul C. reports.
Book lakeside cabins for kid-friendly water access: Parks with small lakes offer safe water play. "There is even a pond to fish in, several hiking trails, a brand new (opened August 2018) Nature Center, amphitheater, bison and bird viewing, and even cabins if you want to rent them (fully stocked, linens included!)," Larissa C. mentions about Jester Park.
Pack creek-friendly footwear: Several parks feature small waterways for exploration. "Great place to go tent camping, very clean and quiet. 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," Willy W. shares about Thomas Mitchell County Park.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling preparation at Adventureland Campground: RV sites may require adjustments. "Sites were pretty level, sizable that our 43' motorhome and tow fit without unhooking. We just stayed over night since we're heading home. They take you to your site. The site we were on is sorta blacktop but the sides have crumbled and it has a slight tilt to it so stepping down out of the camper was tricky," warns Roxanna L.
Consider off-season stays for quieter experience: Adventureland offers year-round lodging with varying noise levels. "Very quiet but that will change once Adventureland opens. For as concerned about their grass as they are you would think the mowing crew would do a bit better," notes Bart R.
Winter heating availability: Some cabins offer year-round accommodations. "Office is open until 7pm which was very helpful as we arrived a little later than expected. Well kept, clean bathrooms with space heaters running to ensure they're warm during the December cold," Iris A. explains about Des Moines West KOA.
