Cabins near Slater, Iowa provide an accessible base for exploring central Iowa's rolling hills and waterways. The region sits at the junction of several watersheds, with elevations ranging from 850 to 1,050 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures typically reach the mid-80s with occasional thunderstorms, while spring and fall offer more moderate conditions with temperatures in the 60s and 70s.
What to do
Hiking options: The trail system at Ledges State Park Campground ranges from easy walks to more challenging routes. "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!" notes one visitor.
Fishing spots: Both lakes and rivers offer varied fishing experiences around Slater's cabin rentals. At Don Williams Park, you'll find "great sites right on the lake. Trails, fishing and beautiful lake views." The park's lake supports multiple species including bass and panfish.
Water activities: Paddling opportunities abound near cabin accommodations. One visitor to Don Williams Park mentioned, "Camped by tent, basic amenities on-site-fire ring, table, etc. Went kayaking on lake and then on Des Moines River (close by). Nice wildlife areas, hiking, fishing, etc."
Wildlife viewing: Some parks offer unique wildlife observation opportunities not found elsewhere in the region. At Jester County Park, one camper mentioned the "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."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Visitors frequently praise the maintenance standards at Jester County Park. "We had a great stay here, check in was easy, getting firewood was easy, the bathhouses were so clean and nice, hiking and views were amazing!" reports one reviewer. Another notes that it's "clean, I mean immaculate."
Affordability: Cabin accommodation prices vary significantly but often represent good value. Sportsman Park earns praise for exceptional pricing: "Normally, we stay in tents, so we were very pleased to find the options that this campground had to offer at such reasonable cost! If you wanted a tent site without electric, it was only $8. Electric sites were only $12."
Lake access: Many cabin rentals offer convenient water access. Little Wall Lake County Park receives consistent praise: "Spacious sites along a gorgeous lake..quiet..wish every campground was this nice!" Another visitor described it as a "Beautiful county park in rural Iowa near Story City."
Winter options: While many parks close seasonally, Des Moines West KOA Holiday offers year-round cabin rentals. "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," reports a winter visitor.
What you should know
Reservation timing: During peak season, secure cabin reservations well in advance, especially for weekends and holidays. Some parks offer both reservation and walk-up options.
Bathroom facilities: Bathroom quality varies widely across cabin accommodations. At Thomas Mitchell County Park, the "shower house was clean, pretty quiet, and only 5 miles off the highway." Another visitor reported, "The camp hosts are helpful and offer firewood, which they bring to your site, on Wednesday-Sunday."
Noise considerations: Some cabin locations experience more noise than others. At Thomas Mitchell, "We could not hear the highway from our spot despite it being close by, and the other campers around were very quiet." However, at Adventureland Campground, one camper noted it's "a lively, large campground" that can get busy during peak times.
Site selection: Pay attention to specific site locations when booking. At Thomas Mitchell Park, one visitor advised: "I personally would not want to be in a site beyond number 7 as it gets too close to the dump station and subsequent 'sewage lagoon'."
Tips for camping with families
Activity options: Many cabin accommodations feature family-focused amenities. At Des Moines West KOA Holiday, visitors appreciate the "ton of fun amenities for kids such as a pool, dunk tank, gem mining, ladder golf, horseshoes, jumping pillow, water balloon wars, basketball and more."
Water play: Creeks provide natural entertainment for children. Thomas Mitchell Park offers "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."
Playground access: Many parks include play structures near cabin areas. At Sportsman Park, visitors find "a shelter, a playground with slides and swings, and a bigger building you can reserve."
Seasonal events: Check park schedules for family programming. At Timberline Campground, reviewers note "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."
Tips from RVers
Leveling considerations: Site levelness varies across the region. At Timberline Campground, campers report "Sites were pretty level, sizable that our 43' motorhome and tow fit without unhooking. We just stayed over night since we're heading home."
Check-in procedures: Many parks offer after-hours check-in. Timberline Campground staff earned praise as "Very friendly help at the office. Clean sites. Pretty tight quarters." Another mentioned "staff was awesome even showed us to our spot."
Utility hookup quality: Most cabin rentals and RV sites offer reliable utilities. Adventureland Campground features "Concrete pads with full hook ups (30/50 amp, water and sewage) make setting up quick."
