Cabin options near Winterset, Iowa offer lakeside and forested settings within 20-25 miles of town. Several parks maintain cabins that operate seasonally or year-round, with availability typically heaviest from April through October. Winter cabin rentals require advance planning as fewer locations remain open during colder months when temperatures can drop below freezing.
What to do
Water activities at Three Mile Lake: Three Mile Recreation Area offers lakeside cabins with easy water access. "The cabins are very clean the bunks allowed for four to sleep. Beautiful sunsets overlooking the lake," notes a visitor at South - Three Mile Co Rec Area.
Hiking near cabins: Ledges State Park provides cabin accommodations near sandstone formations with moderate hiking trails. "I did not camp here however I drove and took a day hike. The hiking trails are cool. I would say it was a challenging hike. A lot of up and down terrain, stone steps, etc," writes one visitor to Ledges State Park Campground.
Biking from your cabin: Green Valley State Park offers cabins near a multi-use trail system. "The bike/walking trail is amazing, will take you all around the lake and into town. Right past the hospital and into McKinley Park," explains a camper at Green Valley.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Cabins at Timberline Campground consistently receive praise for cleanliness. "Marta and crew were so friendly and helpful! Clean bathrooms, beautiful property. Close to hwy but far enough away," reports a recent visitor.
Swimming pool access: Some cabin locations offer swimming options during warmer months. "This place is wonderful. The staff are all extremely friendly and accommodating. Facilities are all very clean and well taken care of. The pool is a great bonus!" notes a camper at Timberline Campground.
Quiet surroundings: Cabins at Winterset City Park provide peaceful settings. "I just loved this campground. It has shade trees, grass, free showers and lots of room. It is part of a city park on the outskirts of Winterset," describes a visitor.
What you should know
Cabin amenities vary substantially: Different locations offer distinctly different cabin experiences. "Our spot was pretty level and well maintained," notes a visitor to Jester County Park.
Reservation requirements: Most cabin rentals require advance booking. "Very nice bathrooms, store, pool, etc as far as standard KOA amenities go. But very lacking on trees and very packed in," reports a camper at Des Moines West KOA Holiday.
Proximity to highways: Some cabins are located near traffic noise. "You could literally throw a rock from the entrance and hit a passing semi. Would be a possible extended stay for construction folks. Not for any peace and quiet camping," warns a visitor to Shady Brook Camping.
Weather considerations: Iowa experiences seasonal temperature variations. "We stayed here for a week while working in the area. Very nice place. Clean and well maintained," shares a summer visitor to Green Valley State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Jester County Park cabins provide easy access to play areas. "Jester Park is our go-to camping destination in central Iowa! By far, this county park has a lot of fun activities and access points to the Saylorville waterway circuit. In addition to the water access ways, there is a sweet pond to fish in, several hiking trails," explains a regular visitor.
Kid-friendly activities: Some cabin locations schedule regular programming. "Lots for kids to do! The pool was up and running perfect! They even had a dunk tank which was pretty funny!" notes a visitor to Des Moines West KOA Holiday.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Several cabin locations offer animal sighting opportunities. "Bison and bird viewing, and even cabins if you want to rent them (fully stocked, linens included!)," notes a Jester Park visitor.
Tips from RVers
Cabin advantages over RV setup: Cabins offer convenience for transitional stays. "We wish we could've stayed longer. Office is open until 7pm which was very helpful as we arrived a little later than expected," shares a visitor to Des Moines West KOA Holiday.
Timing for cabin reservations: Planning ahead is essential, especially for holiday weekends. "Very pretty and clean. We got in pretty late, staff was awesome even showed us to our spot. The park looked nice, only thing some spots looked really close together," notes a camper at Timberline Campground.
Winter cabin options: Limited facilities remain open during colder months. "Don't pay attention to the highway signs that says they're only open until October, they're working on updating them," advises a December visitor to Des Moines West KOA Holiday.
