Best Cabin Camping near Waverly, IA

Cabin Reviews near Waverly, IA

70 Reviews of 13 Waverly Campgrounds

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  Jessica H.

  Ranger

  May. 9, 2018

  Six Pines Campground — Backbone State Park

  Backbone State Park

  This has been one of my favorite state parks in Iowa to camp thus far. I've tent camped in April and cabin camped in October. The cabin camping was the better of the two experiences, mainly due to the unusually chilly overnight temperatures in April. During the warmer months you can rent canoes from the concession stand. Climbing/rappelling is also allowed in the park via registration at the park office.

  We stayed in a family cabin that sleeps up to 4 people. You have to reserve cabins and there is a 2 night minimum stay, but the price is extremely reasonable. These cabins also offer heat and A/C. Our cabin had a common area with a kitchenette.The bathroom included a toilet and shower. The small, but cozy bedroom included a mattress - you're responsible for bringing your own linens - along with a sink. Additional amenities included stove, frig, microwave, pots and pans, and even a small coffee maker. And, the couch in the common area pulled out into a futon, providing extra sleeping space. Outdoor amenities included a fire pit and picnic bench. Bonus: The back of our cabin area looked out onto Backbone Lake.

  We purchased firewood in Strawberry Point, a small town just a short drive from the park. Iowa requires that firewood be obtained within the county you're staying in due to the Emerald Ash Borer epidemic.

  We fished for trout and hiked along several trails in the park. The Devil's Backbone was our favorite mainly because of the scenery along the bluff. It was the perfect way to view the changing leaves and watch the Maquoketa River flow by.

  While we did have neighbors on either side of us, the noise level was minimal, and everyone was respectful of parking spaces as there is a common parking area in front of the cabins.

  This is a beautiful spot to visit especially in autumn.

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• L

  Lori H.

  Scout

  Aug. 22, 2020

  Waterloo - Lost Island Waterpark KOA

  Something for everyone

  Great RV park. Lots of room and cabin rentals for folks that don’t have an RV. The fenced dog park was fantastic for those of us with dogs. A lake with beach area and an area for fishing founded it out! Would recommend!

• 

  Ashley D.

  Traveler

  Aug. 23, 2018

  Six Pines Campground — Backbone State Park

  Fun for the whole family

  This campground has many things to do. This place has tent, rv and cabin camping, you can choose modern or non modern camping. Fun activities include fishing, swimming in a lake and also ground fed springs, boat rentals on the lake, hiking also horse trails, rock climbing, caves, playgrounds shelters for events and parties. I am sure there are even more things to do that I didnt have the time for.

• A

  Amanda C.

  Guide

  Sep. 4, 2020

  Six Pines Campground — Backbone State Park

  Great park!

  I tent camped at Six Pines Campground for 3 nights in August. The park has two campgrounds and this one is non electric with pit toilets and water. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring with a really nice grill. The sites are large and flat and the ones on the outside of the loop are well shaded. Two trails can be accessed from the tent campground - Six Pines trail and West Lake trail. There are two shower houses that you can use at the RV campground but it takes about 15-20 minutes to drive across the park to that campground. The park is very large with about 20 miles of trails. There is a spring fed creek and, if you stay away from the trout fishing area, you can play and wade in the creek. It has a sandy/rocky bottom and sandy banks. It felt wonderful on a hot day. There is a swim beach on the lake but it was closed due to E. coli in the water. There’s a small camp store too. At night in this campground there are no lights except in the registration kiosk so it’s perfect for star gazing. The Field of Dreams movie site is just 45 minutes away and makes for a fun side trip. There is a town about 10 minutes away with a couple restaurants and coffee shops. The Six Pines trail can be taken from the campground to the Backbone trail. The Backbone trail is along a rocky ridge. There are side trails down to the base of the cliffs and lots of rock climbing to do. Very fun to explore the side paths and climb up the rock walls.

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• 

  Kerry M.

  Ranger

  Aug. 25, 2021

  Tower Rock

  Modern cabins and a beautiful park

  The two cabins are fairly new and have all of the amenities. My mother-in-law stayed here while visiting recently and we enjoyed spending time at her cabin.

  While camping is no longer allowed in Tower Rock park, you can still enjoy a walk down to the river or bicycling on the paved bicycle trail. Tube rentals are available nearby for the Iowa River, and a local outfitter will rent a boat for the day to fish Pine Lake or the small lake northwest of Steamboat Rock.

  Pine lake is not that far away either and offers many fun activities.

• K

  Kimberly E.

  Guide

  Jun. 8, 2021

  Waterloo - Lost Island Waterpark KOA

  Great Campground for Kids, Lots of Amenities

  Decent sites with full hook ups. Little shade with small trees next to about each site. Gas, propane, laundry room, beach area, small boat rentals, good sized convenience store with ice, beer, snacks, milkshake machine, etc. Enough to do for a day or two without going to the water park. Overall felt pretty exposed but the amenities made up for it.

• J

  Jenn P.

  Guide

  Aug. 9, 2022

  Hickory Hills Park

  Great place to camp

  This campground has no shippers but is secluded and quiet and only 5 dollars. There’s a barn with electricity running water and real toilets.

• 

  Kerry M.

  Ranger

  Aug. 21, 2021

  Six Pines Campground — Backbone State Park

  Two campgrounds to enjoy at Backbone State Park

  Backbone State Park is unlike any other place in Iowa, having geological features uncommon in Iowa.

  There are two campgrounds. I have camped in both:

  Modern Campground: This is a large, modern campground with all of the standard amenities found in a modern campground… electric hookups, flush toilets, water. I have camped here twice, both times in my travel trailer. Overall, it is a nice campground with decent space in between campers, however, I tend to avoid it during the busier summer and fall colors seasons.

  Primitive Campground: This is my favorite at Backbone for camping, especially in the autumn after the leaves have fallen off of the trees. As this campground is non-electric, there are not many people camping after it turns colder. I have spent many nights there alone in the primitive campground, watching RVs pull in and then leave after realizing that it has no hookups.

  Nearby trout fishing: Backbone is home to one of the more popular trout streams in Iowa. The fishing is easy as most of the fish are stocked (April-October). Still, it is an enjoyable fishing trip as the stream itself is mostly rocks and gravel, with several deep holes. The water is cold and clear.

  Other activities: Hiking is very popular in Backbone. I have also seen rock climbing and rappelling. There are some nice spots away from the trout stream for wading and a little swimming. Backbone State Park also has a small lake with a swimming area and boat rentals during the summer. Several nice cabins are available for those who do not want to camp.

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  Trish I.

  Scout

  Jul. 5, 2016

  Six Pines Campground — Backbone State Park

  Peaceful

  Backbone offers 2 different campgrounds, a beach, trout and regular fishing a playground anso electric and water hookups. This park books up fast but offers walk ins so don't give up if booked online. Also offers cabins, beautiful trails, paddle boats, and a snack shack during the day. A little bit for everyone.