4 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Several cabin camping options exist near West Branch, Iowa, with accommodations ranging from basic wooden structures to fully furnished units. Little Bear Campground offers two small rental cabins at $49 per night, providing affordable lodging with access to campground amenities including a swimming pool and playground. Palisades-Kepler State Park Campground features cabin rentals along the Cedar River with electric hookups, picnic tables, and fire rings. The cabins at West Lake Park provide water and electric hookups in a lakeside setting with boat access available. "Clean, well kept property, amenities on site, competitive priced sites for camping and to gather together and enjoy life for a moment or two," noted one visitor about Windmill Ridge Campground.
Rustic and deluxe cabins are both available, depending on the location. The Creekside Treehouse at Calyx Creek provides a unique cabin experience with heated floors, internet access, loft sleeping, and kitchen facilities. Deep Lakes Park Cabins offer water hookups and shower facilities, while maintaining a more rustic atmosphere with picnic tables and fire rings. Rolin Wapsi Campground includes cabin rentals with electric hookups and trash service. Most locations allow pets in cabin accommodations, though some restrictions apply. A review mentioned that Palisades-Kepler has "great hiking trails and views of the bluffs over the river," making it a strong pick for those seeking cabin campgrounds with easy access to trails.
Most cabins include beds but require visitors to bring their own linens, towels, and toiletries. Basic kitchenette facilities are common in the more developed cabins, while simpler units may only provide access to communal cooking areas. Campground stores at places like Beyonder Getaway at Sleepy Hollow and Wapsi River Environmental Education Center offer basic provisions, though selection is limited. Firewood is available for purchase at many locations, with Little Bear Campground, Beyonder Getaway, and Calyx Creek all providing firewood on-site. Cabins typically remain open from April through October, with some locations like Palisades-Kepler extending their season until December.
"Little Bear Campground is located right off I-80 at the West Liberty exit. It is right next to a trailer park. There are a few tent sites ($22/ night)and Rv sites($33/night)."
"following up on my review from over a year ago with fresh details, some new pics and a topline summary of HIGHLIGHTS and LOWLIGHTS: HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Full-hookup pull-through RV sites with 30 / 50 amp electric"
from $22 - $49 / night
"Park offers lots of amenities and recreation opportunities. Situated along the Cedar river, fishing and paddling can be done."
"Rangers made several loops around so we felt safe. Saw plenty of wildlife. Campsites were big but not level. "
Available this weekend
from $12 - $80 / night
"There’s 7 tent sites that are very well shaded, have a decent patch of land and include picnic tables, fire pits and scattered stand-up BBQ grills."
"If you’re a primitive camper like me, there’s a handful of sites (7 by my count) that include picnic tables, fire pits and scattered stand-up BBQ grills."
from $45 - $65 / night
"CG open all year, offers standard sites including electric, water, septic, fire rings, tables. Firewood, ice, recycling, showers/RR, host available. Sites have shade and Tent sites available."
"Just minutes west of Davenport, Park Terrace Campground is a delightful county-operated camping destination nestled within the sprawling 620-acre West Lake Park."
from $27 / night
"Park is a nature preserve with only 1 cabin for rent (Kestrel Cabin) sleeping six. Cabin offers modern amenities: stove, oven,micro, dishwasher, refrigerator, coffee pot, toaster, ADA access, shower."
"Cabin has all amenities for six. Charcoal grill, fire ring with wood supplied, picnic table, covered porch, trail head right next to cabin."
from $70 - $80 / night
"We had a great two day weekend at this park. Small and quiet. Mix of RVs and tents. We stayed on one of the 4 primitive sites but there are several with electric hookups."
"The RV sites aren’t really out of the ordinary but the park sits upon a slight rise above the Missouri River and the road around the campground leads down to the river."
Available this weekend
from $10 - $36 / night
"Family and pet friendly, clean, well kept property, amenities on site,completive priced sites for camping and to gather together and enjoy life for a moment or two."
"Treehouse is located near lavender farm store and offers: heated floors, internet, loft sleeping, heat/AC, kitchen, views."
from $275 - $295 / night
"Neat, newer cabins nettled along the sand pit lakes. Well maintained park with bike trail running through, fishing, hiking, paddling all within areas of cabins."
"Neat park with lots of paddling, fishing, hiking, beach. Cabins are newer, ADA accessible, and face lakes for great shore access and shared fire pits."
from $110 - $250 / night
"One of the 6 campgrounds that you will have to choose from here at Scott County Park, Bald Eagle CG & Cabins is one that is more geared for the RV driving and trailer toting tribes as each site has"
"Cabin sits at end of campground lane with covered porch, parking for 3 cars, ADA accessible. Cabin has 2 sleeping rooms, sleeping loft, and sofa. Capacity is 10, with all kitchen amenities."
from $17 - $36 / night
ScoutClean, quiet and nice facilities but the placement of the fire rings borders on the absurd. These are obviously RV sites so there's already little expectation of privacy but they're good size and leave ample space behind your camper. The site we were on was tree-lined in the back. Perfect for a fire ring, right? Nah. Instead they're out front 5 ft from the road. I've never seen anything like it. 🥴
LegendJust minutes west of Davenport, Park Terrace Campground is a delightful county-operated camping destination nestled within the sprawling 620-acre West Lake Park. With four picturesque lakes, rolling green lawns, mature shade trees and an impressive assortment of recreational activities, this is much more than your average roadside CG. Whether you're passing through the Quad Cities or settling in for a relaxing weekend, there's plenty to keep you entertained, including fishing, kayaking, hiking, disc golf and a seasonal swimming beach. It's an especially appealing destination for families who appreciate having a little adventure right outside their camper door.
The campground itself features approximately 77 campsites, including spacious RV sites with 50-amp electrical service, water and sewer hookups, plus 13 primitive tent sites tucked toward the wooded perimeter in the rear - so for those tent campers that like to be somewhat removed from the RV crowd, this is an excellent option. Most RV sites are reasonably level, with gravel parking pads, picnic tables and fire rings, although spacing can be a little cozy (er, tight) in places. Mature trees provide welcome shade throughout portions of the campground, while the modern bathhouse offers restrooms and showers. Additional conveniences include a dump station, playground, seasonal campground host and firewood availability. Best of all, the CG delivers an impressive collection of amenities without the hefty price tag of a commercial RV resort.
A few things worth knowing before arriving: the CG is accessed through Gate 5 off 110th Avenue, and water hookups are generally seasonal despite the CG's year-round designation. Some sites are more exposed than others, and the relatively close spacing means privacy isn't necessarily its strongest selling point. Nevertheless, for RV travelers, tent campers and families seeking affordable accommodations with outstanding recreational opportunities, Park Terrace is a terrific little discovery.
Insider's Tip: Tent campers should head toward the designated wooded camping area toward the back of the CG for a more traditional outdoor experience. RV travelers should bring an extra-long drinking-water hose, as some sites share water connections positioned several campsites apart. Also, the park gates close overnight, so plan your arrival accordingly.
Happy Camping!
TravelerNice quiet campground. The front looks like more long timers and it was a little noisier up there but I drove to the back loop and it's nice and quiet back here. PLENTY of 50/30/20 amp hookups and the shower house in the back was nice. Water was just lukewarm but it was hot out so no problem. Might be less pleasant in colder weather though. Pull through spots available. I would stay here again for sure.
ScoutLake Darling is by far the best, cleaners, friendliest campground I hand every stayed at.... Traveling all the way from New Mexico they really make everything easy and welcoming thanks Iowa for welcoming us
ScoutQuiet place. Camp host was friendly. Bathroom needs a little care but overall great campground. As far as cellular service, I was only getting one bar, however Starlink worked great.
LegendIf sleeping on the ground has begun losing some of its charm, Summit Cabin 2 at West Lake Park offers a pretty compelling alternative. Perched atop a rolling prairie hillside overlooking Railroad Lake, this modern 1.2K sq ft cabin combines the serenity of camping with enough creature comforts that you might briefly forget you're supposed to be 'roughing it'. Managed by the Scott County Conservation Board, the cabin is ADA-accessible, sleeps up to eight and sits within a 620-acre county park encompassing 4 lakes, giving you plenty of nature outside the door without surrendering air conditioning, indoor plumbing or a proper mattress at the end of the day.
Inside, this place is impressively equipped with two bedrooms - one with a queen bed plus twin bunks and a second room with a queen - a queen sleeper sofa, full kitchen with stove/oven, refrigerator, microwave and dishwasher, dining table for eight, modern bathroom with shower, Wi-Fi, gas fireplace, heat and air conditioning. Outside you'll find a covered porch overlooking the lake, picnic table, fire ring and gas grill, with parking for 2 vehicles. The kitchen even includes dishes, cookware and utensils, although you'll need to bring your own bedding, pillows, bath towels and toiletries. Pets aren't permitted, which is worth remembering before Fido hops into the truck expecting a weekend at the lake.
The real advantage, though, is everything waiting beyond the front porch. West Lake Park offers four lakes for fishing and recreation, a seasonal swimming beach, boat dock, accessible fishing dock, paddleboat rentals, playgrounds, trails, disc golf and seasonal concessions. For forgotten groceries or something worthy of tossing onto that gas grill, nearby Hy-Vee Grocery Store on West Locust Street is a convenient Davenport resupply option; you're also close enough to the Quad Cities that civilization never feels particularly far away.
Insider's tips? Here's a handful: (1) Bring a couple of lawn chairs because that covered porch overlooking Railroad Lake begs for morning coffee and an evening sundowner, but it's in the shade - if you want to grab some proper dawn or dusk light, you'll need to bring your own seat; (2) pack all bedding and bath linens, because those aren't provided; (3) bring fishing rods and take advantage of the park's four lakes, or make a day of the swimming beach and paddling opportunities during warmer months; (4) Firewood is available for purchase inside the park, saving you from hauling your own; (5) Remember that only two vehicles may park at the cabin, although overflow parking is nearby (like literally 20 yards from the VIP parking you'll find here at the cabin); and (5) Don't arrive expecting to pitch an extra tent beside the cabin as tents and campers aren't permitted within the cabin area.
Happy Camping!
GuideStayed one night as passing thru, has lots of pull thru sites, FHU, and 30/50 amp. Great bathrooms, some shaded sites. Kinda crazy, pulled into gate 5 to check if had available site, was told, had to go into gate 1, pick an open site, and then go back to gate 5 to pay!!! Thankful the ranger, who we followed into campground, set up, and were able to pay ranger, thus did not need to disconnect our tow car! Can book in advance online which would be easier, but we were winging the one night stay.
GuideOne of my favorites. Iowa knows how to do County campgrounds. Firefly campground has full hookups and reservations. The other campgrounds have water and electric and are first come first serve. I arrived on a Friday afternoon in July and found a site easily.
ScoutThe campground was very nice and clean. Rangers made several loops around so we felt safe. Saw plenty of wildlife. Campsites were big but not level. We thought they only had outhouses until we discovered a modern bathhouse at the other end of the campground. Showers were big but very shall rustic. We only stayed one night as we were passing through but definitely could be an option in the future for other stays.
Cabin camping near West Branch, Iowa offers accommodations within rural Iowa's gentle rolling landscape of farmland and woods, with elevations between 800-900 feet above sea level. The area experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 74-85°F and high humidity, making air-conditioned cabins particularly valuable from June through August. Most parks maintain cabins on higher ground, protecting against seasonal Cedar River flooding that can impact riverside sites.
Fishing at multiple lakes: Pride Lake within Scott County Park provides catch-and-release fishing with nearby cabin accommodations. "Pride Lake is smaller but fun to fish," notes a visitor to Bald Eagle Campground and Cabins.
Paddling opportunities: Wapsipinicon River offers paddling routes accessible from several cabin locations. A visitor to Wapsi River Environmental Ed. Ctr. reported "Wapsipinicon River below bluff offers paddling, fishing. Menke Observatory offers sky programs."
Hiking trails: Most cabin locations connect to trail systems of varying difficulty. "Fun beginner hikes, As a local to the area it's a park i visit often," mentions one visitor about Palisades-Kepler State Park's trail system.
Visit historic sites: Walnut Grove Pioneer Village in Scott County Park preserves regional history with interactive exhibits. "Pioneer village if you've never been was the absolute bees knees as a kid to go to, especially since you can hike to get there! I loved climbing around in the train cars, eating icecream/candy canes, and watching the blacksmith work," shares a former regular at Bald Eagle Campground.
Modern amenities in rustic settings: The Creekside Treehouse offers unexpected comforts in a woodland setting. "Treehouse is located near lavender farm store and offers: heated floors, internet, loft sleeping, heat/AC, kitchen, views," according to a review of Calyx Creek, Creekside Treehouse.
Family-friendly atmosphere: Cabins at Beyonder Getaway provide activities for younger children. One visitor noted, "The kid activities was kite making with dollar tree plastic kites and a 'mud pit' that was a kiddie pool they added some dirt to and water," indicating simpler activities for smaller children.
Wildlife viewing: Deer sightings are common at Scott County Park cabins. "Expect to see whitetail deer as they love to make the park home," mentions one visitor about cabin areas at Bald Eagle Campground.
Seasonal water recreation: Park Terrace Campground - West Lake Park offers cabin campers lake access with rental equipment available. "Beach has kayak, paddle-boats, and fishing boat for rent. World class disc golf course, 4 lakes with good fishing, 2 large cabins sleeping 8 each!"
Cabin conditions vary significantly: Deep Lakes Park Cabins offers newer construction options. "Neat, newer cabins nettled along the sand pit lakes. Well maintained park with bike trail running through, fishing, hiking, paddling all within areas of cabins."
Off-season availability: Several cabin properties remain open during colder months. "CG open all year, offers standard sites including electric, water, septic, fire rings, tables," notes a visitor to Park Terrace Campground regarding their cabin season.
Booking requirements: Holiday weekends often require minimum stays. At Beyonder Getaway, "At over $200 for three nights (which was required for a holiday weekend) you would expect this place to be nice."
Water issues at some locations: Temporary water supply disruptions occur at certain parks. "Water keeps running out. When it does run its white and tastes nasty," cautions a visitor about one property, suggesting cabin campers might want to bring drinking water.
Choose cabins with playground access: Playgrounds vary substantially between parks. "The park offers lots of amenities and recreation opportunities. Situated along the Cedar river, fishing and paddling can be done," notes a visitor about Palisades-Kepler State Park Campground.
Consider cabin spacing for privacy: Some cabin areas provide more seclusion than others. "There's not much in the way of tree cover or brush, so the land is somewhat BALD," warns a visitor about one section of Bald Eagle Campground, suggesting families might prefer more secluded options.
Educational programs: Environmental education enhances family cabin stays. "Park specializes in environmental education and the Eagle View Eco Center with exhibits and native live animals, trails, prairie, observatory, amphitheater," highlights a visitor to Wapsi River Environmental Center.
Ask about accessibility: Some cabins feature ADA accommodations. "Cabin sits at end of campground lane with covered porch, parking for 3 cars, ADA accessible," notes a visitor to Bald Eagle Campground's cabin options.
Leveling challenges: Sites at Beyonder Getaway at Sleepy Hollow require substantial leveling equipment. "Super nice staff. We stayed here for a few weeks while working in the area. The land is not flat. The spots are good and most are pull-throughs but some are too short for a 30' camper."
Bathroom facilities: Quality of shower facilities varies significantly between parks. "The bathroom/shower room was large and clean. A downside was that the shower was just a stall... not much room to put your clothes and towel, but they did provide a shower caddy to put your soaps and such on."
Road conditions: Interior park roads can present challenges. "The roads are slightly narrow, just enough for 2 cars to pass each other so make sure you are looking out while riding your bike."
Seasonal camper presence: Some parks have significant numbers of seasonal residents. "Many RV's appeared to be seasonal campers. We arrived late and left early, so did not use the amenities."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular cabin campsite near West Branch, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near West Branch, IA is Little Bear Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 11 reviews.
What is the best site to find cabin camping near West Branch, IA?
TheDyrt.com has all 29 cabin camping locations near West Branch, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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