Cabin rentals near Whittemore, Iowa provide overnight accommodations in parks situated within a 40-mile radius of town. The area sits in north-central Iowa amid rolling farmland at approximately 1,200 feet elevation, with seasonal temperatures ranging from winter lows below 0°F to summer highs in the 80s. Camping cabins in this region typically require advance reservations during peak summer periods (June-August) when weekend availability becomes limited.
What to do
Hiking trails at Dolliver Memorial State Park: Several miles of trails wind through sandstone bluffs and forested areas. "We LOVE the hiking trails. Some can be a pretty good workout & steep for a 61 year old, but they are do-able & have resting benches a long the way. There are some beautiful old bridges if you get on the right trails," notes one camper at Dolliver Memorial State Park.
Fishing at McIntosh Woods: Located on Clear Lake, the park provides shoreline fishing access. "Short walk to nice lake & marsh. Walking trails," reports a visitor to McIntosh Woods State Park, which offers cabin options near the water. The park includes a large station for cleaning fish and boat launch facilities.
Swimming at Flying Goose: The campground maintains a sandy beach area for swimming in Lake Imogene. "Right on Lake Imogene, there is a boat dock and a sandy swimming beach (which we had entirely to ourselves!)," shares a camper from Flying Goose Campground, adding that the grounds are "well-maintained and very clean."
What campers like
Spacious sites at Joe Sheldon County Park: The pull-through camping spots offer full utilities. "Beautiful pull through campsites some full hook ups others with electronic and water," notes a visitor to Joe Sheldon County Park, which provides cabin rental options.
Recreation amenities at Flying Goose Campground: The property offers multiple play areas and activities. "There are three playgrounds (one at the swimming beach), a mini golf course, and an actual phone booth," according to a guest at Flying Goose Campground, where cabin rental options include access to all facilities.
Quiet camping at Thorpe Park: Sites are situated in partially wooded areas with electrical hookups. "Gorgeous little park right on a series of small lakes. Camping is in grassy and forested area," explains a camper at Thorpe Park, which offers a rental cabin near the water. The property maintains bathrooms and water faucets for camper use.
What you should know
Seasonal restrictions at state parks: Many parks close facilities during winter months. "We had a nice and cold adventure camping Easter weekend this year (March 31). Wish we would have rented one of the cute little cabins that have fire places," a visitor noted about Dolliver Memorial State Park, pointing out the importance of cabin heating during off-season stays.
On-site food options: Some locations offer food service for guests. "Very nice park with a nice restaurant and many things to do in the area," reports a camper about Lizard Creek Ranch Camping, which provides cabin accommodations alongside camping options.
Cell service limitations: Coverage varies significantly between parks. "Wifi is virtually non-existent there, but it is nice to be 'unplugged'" notes a Dolliver Memorial Park visitor, while another camper mentioned "Cell service was good but no WiFi without a hotspot for us" at the same location.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple age-appropriate play areas keep children entertained. A visitor to Pilot Knob State Park notes: "Got to see turtles laying eggs and deer were all around. Family loved the fishing," highlighting natural attractions that engage children.
Budget-friendly cabin options: State park cabins typically offer lower rates than private campgrounds. "Nice place to spend the weekend or a week! Non electric sites are $10.00 and electric are $18.00," shares a camper from Pilot Knob State Park Campground, which offers cabin options alongside traditional campsites.
Water recreation for children: Several parks provide safe swimming areas. "The grounds are well-maintained and very clean. There are three playgrounds (one at the swimming beach), a mini golf course, and an actual phone booth," explains a Flying Goose Campground visitor, highlighting multiple activity options for families.
Tips from RVers
Late arrival procedures: Some parks accommodate after-hours check-ins. "Arrived after office was closed. Still greeted by the owner very welcomingly," shares a camper from Jackson KOA, which offers cabin rentals alongside RV sites approximately 35 miles from Whittemore.
Hookup placement considerations: Some sites have inconvenient utility layouts. "The site we were put in was not set up well for the connections however it was a large site," notes a visitor to Flying Goose Campground, suggesting campers request specific information about hookup locations when booking.
Leveling requirements: Site terrain varies significantly between parks. "Not all sites are level, and most do not have delineated parking pads," comments a Pilot Knob visitor, recommending RVers bring leveling blocks for cabin-area camping.
