Summit Cabin 2, West Lake Park

If 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!