Best Cabin Camping near Sheldon, IA

Cabin accommodations around Sheldon, Iowa provide rustic lodging options with varying levels of amenities. Mill Creek State Park offers basic cabin rentals with electric hookups and access to modern facilities, while Lake Pahoja Recreation Area provides log cabin accommodations with more privacy. "The cabins are adorable and provide a nice alternative for those who want the camping experience without pitching a tent," notes one visitor on The Dyrt. Most cabins include picnic tables, fire rings, and access to communal shower facilities, though interiors vary significantly between properties.

Rustic cabins typically feature basic sleeping platforms or bunk beds, with minimal furnishings and no indoor plumbing. More deluxe options like those at Island Park in Rock Rapids include electricity and some furnishings. Availability is limited, particularly during summer months when advance reservations are essential. According to feedback on The Dyrt, "The park has not very many campsites, and some have electric hookup while others are just for tent camping. They also have little log cabins." Most parks permit pets in cabins with additional fees, though policies vary by location.

Most cabin rentals provide beds but require guests to bring their own linens, pillows, sleeping bags, and personal items. Cooking facilities typically consist of outdoor fire rings with attached grills. Water sources are available near cabin sites but rarely inside the structures themselves. Many cabins at Martin Area County Park and Rivers Bend Campground have nearby restroom facilities with showers, though primitive cabins may only offer vault toilets. Small markets near some locations like Mill Creek State Park offer basic provisions, though most visitors bring supplies from larger towns like Sioux Falls or Sioux City.

Detours Nearby

LOCAL FAVORITES PRESENTED BYToyota Trucks
Olson City Park

Olson City Park

30 min away

Sandy Point Park

Sandy Point Park

54 min away

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Best Cabin Sites Near Sheldon, Iowa (13)

    1. Mill Creek State Park

    3 Reviews
    Paullina, IA
    16 miles
    Website

    $17 - $20 / night

    "Rangers are also available. 4 modern cabins and 48 sites with water, electric , cable tv. internet, and separate dump station. Snack bar and a nice sand beach on the premises.   "

    2. Island Park - Rock Rapids

    7 Reviews
    Larchwood, IA
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 472-3456

    $5 - $45 / night

    "Very cheap , 15$ a night for rv with electric and water, 5$ for tents. Huge swimming area with slides for kids, and river with a lot of fish!!! Brand New shower houses ."

    "Pool available. I would stay again."

    3. Rivers Bend Campground

    4 Reviews
    Rock Valley, IA
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 476-6065

    "There is a swimming hole with a little beach and walking/bike trail. They have tent sites that you have to walk to but they are right on the water away from all of the RV sites."

    "Only 4 stars due to neighbors leaving their dog outside barking constantly until they returned. Against park rules so maybe a one off. Water front on 80% of spots."

    4. Big Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux

    35 Reviews
    Brandon, SD
    46 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 582-7243

    "Located in Brandon not far from Sioux Falls. Clean bathrooms with showers. Firewood available to purchase. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring. Bike and hiking trails. Plus plenty of privacy."

    "Easy access from 90W, not much road noise and close to the town of Brandon for supplies. "

    5. Palisades State Park Campground

    30 Reviews
    Garretson, SD
    49 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 594-3824

    "The park is not very big so there are not many campsites. Some have electric hook up, others are just for tent camping. All of them provide a picnic table and a fire pit."

    "Here are some key take aways from our 3 night stay in late July 2022."

    6. Newton Hills Campground — Newton Hills State Park

    11 Reviews
    Canton, SD
    37 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 987-2263

    "The spacious and clean facilities provided the perfect backdrop for our outdoor getaway, offering a blend of adventure and relaxation away from the city."

    "Really great state park not too far from lake lakota with great playgrounds. Great woods woth trails"

    7. Martin Area County Park

    1 Review
    Sutherland, IA
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 225-6709

    8. Lake Pahoja Recreation Area

    2 Reviews
    Larchwood, IA
    34 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 753-2313

    "Good distance from others, yet close enough for group. Near everything in the beautiful black hills. Several areas.  Clean, comfortable restrooms. Store at entrance to park."

    "Beautiful campground with plenty of room between sites, playground equipment for the kids, and nice restrooms/bath house. The Lake offers terrific fishing, canoeing, kayaking and swimming."

    9. Lazy H Campground

    7 Reviews
    Akron, IA
    44 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 568-5299

    $45 - $65 / night

    "It is really obvious that these folks put a lot of thought and effort into this park. Big lake for swimming and fishing. Concrete pads and nice new picnic tables."

    "They all have a huge table and stone fire pit. Plenty of room for a second vehicle.

    Full hookups are great.

    Tons of activities to do here. There’s fishing, boating, biking, and swimming."

    10. Countryside Campgrounds

    2 Reviews
    Harrisburg, SD
    48 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 372-4166

    "Super clean park. All pull through level sites. Clean bathrooms, clean laundry. A gem. Large green areas and a playground. A little bit of hiway noise."

    "Nice camp site tucked in near the interstate. 2 things not crazy about sound of trucks exiting off interstate using jakebrake (engine exhaust brakes) and sale barn near by."

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 13 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Recent Cabin Photos near Sheldon, IA

1 Photos of 13 Sheldon Campgrounds


Cabin Reviews near Sheldon, IA

104 Reviews of 13 Sheldon Campgrounds


  • Katrin M.
    Jul. 7, 2019

    Palisades State Park Campground

    A very nice getaway!

    We camped here over the weekend with our dogs. The campground is within 10 miles off of I90.

    The park is not very big so there are not many campsites. Some have electric hook up, others are just for tent camping. All of them provide a picnic table and a fire pit. They also have little log cabins. We stayed at campsite 6 which was a very good spot. Some of the other sites seemed very close together without much privacy or shade.

    The park staff (rangers, camp host and volunteers) was extremely friendly. They always made sure that we had everything we needed. The rangers also offer different programs on the weekend like learning about geocaching or how to make campfire desserts.

    There is one bathhouse for the entire campground. It seemed a little old but got cleaned daily. There are also several vault toilets around the area. From the campground you have access to the water. There are also several short hiking trails from where you can see the rock formations.

    It was just a very short ride to the Devils Gulch (Jesse James historical site) or Split Rock Park. There is also a Dollar General close by. We would definitely recommend the campground.

  • Carolyn M.
    Oct. 23, 2019

    Big Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux

    Ok place to spend the night, but could have been better

    I spent the night here and had to pay the entrance fee to the park as well as the camping fee for my tentsite. They had only a few tentsites available amid all the RV sites, but they were right on the edge of the playground, so the families had to walk right through my campsite to get to the play area. Not too big a deal as no one wanted to use the play area at night while I was sleeping, but still.  I also looked over at the power lines. There was a flush toilet facility close by but there was a very bright light on all night. Good for families needing to navigate in the dark but not wonderful if you like sleeping in darkness. And though I was told that quiet hours began at 10PM, the site next to me was quite loud through the trees until at least midnight so the quiet hours are not enforced. Meh. I don't think I'll be going back.

  • Myrna G.
    Jul. 24, 2019

    Big Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux

    Beautiful and peaceful

    Heading home needed a one night camp spot. This one fit the bill.
    Located in Brandon not far from Sioux Falls. Clean bathrooms with showers. Firewood available to purchase. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring. Bike and hiking trails. Plus plenty of privacy. Definitely will return.

  • Joe R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 25, 2022

    Palisades State Park Campground

    Well Shaded Park

    We happened upon this park during the 50th anniversary of the park so there were lots of park events happening. This is a very clean and well maintained park. We tent camp so much of my observations are geared for the tent camper. We stayed at site 34E, a long but narrow and slanted site. We were lucky to find some awkward somewhat flat place for our two tents. This site would be just fine for RV camping but I’d steer clear for tent camping. I’d estimate that 50% of the sites are flat and suitable for tents.
    Here are some key take aways from our 3 night stay in late July 2022. -clean and well maintained park

    • fair wireless service for Verizon
    • well placed and clean shower / restroom houses
    • nice playgrounds
    • great options on the park for paddle boarding, kayaking, water play as well as additional options at near by Devil’s Gultch and Split Rock parks.
    • Very well shaded park
    • Grocery store less than 10 min away.
    • Mosquitos weren’t a problem during out stay with a little bug spray prevention.
    • Nice aluminum picnic tables at all sites. Standard fire pits with grilling attachments.
    • employees will enforce local approved fire wood use Negatives:
    • lots of biting flies
    • if you like private sites this isn’t for you The interesting:
    • this is easily the most heavily staffed state park I’ve ever stayed at. If you like a constant park employee presence you’ll like it. I found it to be excessive however. During a 30 min time period we counted 8 employee vehicles to two park visitors driving by. It seemed to create unnecessary road traffic and noise at times. Park employees walk the park on foot in the dark at the 11pm to enforce quite time. There aren’t going to be any site reservation mix ups there either. Park employees constantly check sites and make sure reservations are correct. The camp host was very nice and makes the round frequently.
  • Susan L.
    Sep. 5, 2020

    Big Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux

    Convenient camping near Sioux Falls

    This Recreation Area is large and  located off the Sioux River, which was slow flowing when I visited. It’s not the most picturesque river I’ve seen, so if you’re looking for that look further. However, because it was slow moving it made for a nice round trip paddle. 

    Easy access from 90W, not much road noise and close to the town of Brandon for supplies. 

    There’s a fantastic disc golf course complete with a creaky suspension foot bridge that spans the fiver. 

    Great hiking and biking trails too. I hiked the Valley of the Giants trail, which earns its name because of the many old, “giant” oaks in this river bottom area. It’s an easy hike with one slight incline/decline, but the loop was curtailed by a giant felled oak tree.  The path was completely covered and no matter which way I tried I couldn’t see the trail it had become so overgrown. Sadly it seems that this has been the fate of several the the Giants, perhaps due to the river flooding.

    The campground has gravel pads. My site backed up to the river but there was a bushy berm and the bike/walking bath between the site and the river. No problem to access the river though because there are little paths worn through the bushes. Lots of trees for shade and good space between sites. There’s electric but no water at site. Fill up by the restrooms or before you come. Picnic table and fire ring with grill connected. Fire ring is on a cement pad. I’d never seen that before. 

    There are also  cabins for rent and when I was there the restrooms looked clean and functional.  Picnic shelter and gazebo are on site as well as the Bergeson’s Homestead. It’s always nice to see history being preserved like this! When I’m passing through this area again, I’ll revisit this recreation area.

  • Carrie F.
    Aug. 28, 2019

    Lake Pahoja Recreation Area

    Gorgeous setting, awkward spots

    No hook ups. Gorgeous setting, several spots are not level, small size. Good distance from others, yet close enough for group. Near everything in the beautiful black hills. Several areas.  Clean, comfortable restrooms. Store at entrance to park. Boat rentals available, slip rental available.

  • Derek D.
    Jul. 31, 2018

    Hillview County Rec Area

    Great views in the Loess Hills of Iowa.

    Deer Ridge campground is 1 of 3 campgrounds within Hillview Rec area. It is the most popular one of the 3, it has flat sites with access to shower house and running water and 50 amp hookups. There is plenty of hiking trails, a pond for fishing or swimming, an Elk herd, 2 picnic shelters, an outdoor learning center, horseshoe pit, sand volleyball court, 2 playgrounds, and plenty of grills and picnic spots and in the winter a tubing hill. They also have 2 cabins as well. As of 2019 they also added a 9 hole disc golf course as well.

  • Amy S.
    Apr. 26, 2020

    Big Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux

    Beautiful area with many recreational activities.

    This park is tucked in the middle of a Brandon neighborhood. I've always been a tenter in the past. I am new to RV camping. I was pleasantly surprised how much space there was between each campsite. We stayed in 37E. It was level as most of the sites appeared to be. It's spring now so the trees are just starting to bud but this site will have some shade and privacy when everything blooms. The picnic table and fire ring were clean and in good repair. I enjoyed my stay here. My only criticism is the overly full vault toilets. I'll spare you the details but it was un pleasant. I would visit again!

  • Jennifer S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 2, 2021

    Lazy H Campground

    Beautiful Newer RV Park

    It is really obvious that these folks put a lot of thought and effort into this park. Big lake for swimming and fishing. Concrete pads and nice new picnic tables. We were greater by an awesome host who gave us some welcome gifts. Keep in mind, this is an RV park, not a campground. Sites are close and although they've planted some nice trees, they are small and aren't providing shade yet. Overall, really nice spot if you are into amenities rather than privacy. Great for kids!


Guide to Sheldon

Cabin camping near Sheldon, Iowa offers a delightful escape into nature, with various campgrounds providing cozy accommodations and a range of outdoor activities.

Cabin campers appreciate these amenities

  • Island Park - Rock Rapids features electric hookups, drinking water, and showers, making it a comfortable choice for cabin campers.
  • Rivers Bend Campground offers reservable sites with picnic tables and sanitary dump facilities, ensuring a hassle-free stay.
  • Mill Creek State Park provides modern cabins with access to clean restrooms and showers, perfect for families looking for convenience.

Enjoy local activities like fishing and hiking

Some prices for cabin camping range from $5 to $15

  • Lazy H Campground offers tent sites starting at $15, making it an affordable option for families.
  • Martin Area County Park provides primitive camping for just $5, perfect for those looking for a budget-friendly getaway.
  • Countryside Campgrounds features well-maintained sites with prices that cater to various budgets, ensuring a pleasant stay for all visitors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular cabin campsite near Sheldon, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Sheldon, IA is Mill Creek State Park with a 4.3-star rating from 3 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 13 cabin camping locations near Sheldon, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.