Planning a trip or weekend getaway and looking for the best glamping in Iowa? Here’s your guide to the best cabins, yurts, and tiny houses found in the rolling plains and natural spaces of this beautiful state.
Iowa offers an incredible opportunity for sightseeing, hiking, and swimming within the 83 state parks covering nearly 53 000 acres of land. The state parks and numerous natural settings will take your breath away as you settle in for a luxurious night’s stay glamping.
Spend your days relaxing, or head out to sights like Cedar Rock or Bellevue’s Butterfly Garden. These are unique to the Midwest and are lovely things to do in Iowa.
Visiting Iowa’s neighboring state? Consider these glamping in Nebraska!
Credit: Airbnb
Top Spots for Glamping in Iowa
Iowa has a variety of camping opportunities with a host of nearby outdoor activities. The glamping options we have listed below are a step above your typical camping experience and provide you with a comfortable stay. You can expect classic wooden cabins, canvas tents, and even tiny houses.
The Best Low-cost Iowa Glamping Site – Thornwood Cottage
The Most Unorthodox Glamping in Iowa – Shady Haven Tiny House
The Best Family-Friendly Iowa Glamping Site – Pine Green Hideaway on 200 Acres
Southwest Iowa’s Best Glamping Site – Rookery Cottage
Northern Iowa’s Best Glamping Site – Yurts at McIntosh Woods State Park
Best Glamping in the Northeast of Iowa – Log Cabin Glamping by the Lake
Best Glamping on Iowa’s Mississippi River – Spruce Haven Cottage
The Best Secluded Glamping Site – Cabin on the Wapsipinicon River
Most Unique Iowa Glamping Site – Huge Tent Under the Trees
Credit: Airbnb
THE BEST SITES FOR GLAMPING IN IOWA
When the weather is too cold for a night in a tent, or if you simply enjoy the comfort of a queen-size bed, glamping is an excellent option for accommodation in Iowa. You can experience the open outdoor spaces while still having access to essential amenities.
Below is the best glamping accommodation in Iowa.
1) Thornwood Cottage
Location: Lansing Harpers Road, Iowa, United States
Price: $75+ USD per night
A stay in this beautifully wood-crafted cottage gives you time to relax in the countryside and simply enjoy life. Enjoy life’s simple joys, such as a cup of coffee with your partner on the porch. As the seasons change, you’ll see the autumn colors arrive, and the leaves begin to fall.
The quaint cottage has a queen bed in the loft and a kitchen with an oven, stove, and microwave. The lounge has comforts like a television and a sofa that converts into a queen-size bed.
While the Fall season in September is the best time to visit Iowa, the wooden interior and air conditioning will keep the temperature pleasant throughout the year. You’ll have to brave the cold night to visit the toilet, which is located a step down along the short pathway.
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Guest Review: “Our host was friendly, easy to get ahold of, and cared about our experience. We loved exploring the grounds, the great dining options, a trip to the apple orchard, and a local winery.”
Credit: VRBO
2) Rookery Cottage
Location: Fig Ave, Coon Rapids, Iowa, United States
Price: $98+ USD per night
Relax and unplug during a quiet evening in the Rookery Cottage in the Middle Raccoon River Valley. You can cook in the kitchen or use the charcoal grill or cook over the firepit. Sit outside overlooking the prairie and vegetable garden on the private acreage and enjoy coffee in the morning. Watch the cows, chickens, and goats begin to stir as the birds chirp to welcome a new day.
To stay active, you can explore the nearby Whiterock Conservancy’s 40 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails before taking a dip in the river. Feel comfortable indoors thanks to the air conditioning and heated floors. The cottage has two queen beds and a futon.
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Guest Review: “Rural getaway under the stars. Highly recommend. Gorgeous area, very dog friendly!”
Credit: VRBO
3) Log Cabin Glamping by the Lake
Location: Fayette County, Iowa, United States
Price: $140+ USD per night
Feel relaxed as you drift to sleep in this hand-built luxury cabin in Iowa’s quiet countryside. It is located on the edge of a lake and gives you access to the property owner’s kayak, canoe, and rowboat. The log cabin feels spacious and has a queen-size bed, a fold-out couch, and two single beds. After a brisk hike around the lake, you can unwind in the jetted bathtub.
While the cabin is isolated, the River Valley campground is 400 yards across the lake on the same property. The lake is perfect for recreational fishing and the owners request that you release anything that you catch.
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Guest Review: “It was great and secluded. It is attached to an RV park but this cabin is off on its own and has private access to the pond. The cabin was beautiful, and the wrap-around porch is great!”
Credit: VRBO
4) Spruce Haven Cottage
Location: Bellevue, 52031, United States
Price: $132+ USD per night
https://www.vrbo.com/4645853ha
Instead of camping in Eastern Iowa, consider this cottage in the quaint town of Bellevue. It is located along the Mississippi River and is the perfect place to escape from the stress of daily life.
Explore the nearby town of Dubuque and the surrounding nature before settling down with a book on the screen-in patio, or outside at the firepit.
The cottage has a queen bed, a bunk bed, and a double bed. You won’t miss any of your regular amenities thanks to the well-equipped kitchen, flat-screen TV, central heating, and air conditioning. Another charming addition is access to a community swimming pool.
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Guest Review: “Spent most of our time outdoors. The location was good. Enjoyed the screened-in porch and the fire pit. Loved the area for hiking and biking”
5) Cabin on the Wapsipinicon River
Location: Grand Mound, Iowa, United States
Price: $176+ USD per night
Winter camping in Iowa can get rather chilly. Consider staying in this spacious cabin for an at-home atmosphere surrounded by beautiful nature. The property is located in Grand Mound along the Wapsipinicon River and provides a variety of activities. Try your hand at fishing or count the variety of birds in the area.
The cabin has two queen-size beds, three single beds, and a double bed in the loft. You’ll find it easy to unwind after an action-packed day thanks to the air conditioning and satellite TV. If you are looking for glamping in Clinton County, this may be the spot for you.
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Guest Review: “We’ve been coming here for years and it’s the pinnacle of our summer. It’s so private and peaceful and the space is perfect for a group. Love it.”
Credit: VRBO
6) Yurts at McIntosh Woods State Park
“Northern Iowa’s Best Glamping Site”
Location: 1200 East Lake Street, Ventura, Iowa, United States
Price: $60+ USD per night
https://www.iowadnr.gov/Places-to-Go/State-Parks/Iowa-State-Parks/McIntosh-Woods-State-Park
Enjoy Experiences unique glamping experience in the north of Iowa in one of two yurts at McIntosh Woods State Park. The 60-acre state park borders Clear Lake and offers a variety of outdoor activities. After an action-packed day of fishing, kayaking, and swimming, you’ll feel a need to for a long night’s sleep in the rustic yurt.
The yurts in Iowa represent traditional dwellings of the nomadic people of central Asia, such as Anatolia and Mongolia. They are positioned in the shade, and the modern restroom and shower building is nearby. While the State Park is not completely isolated, this means you can walk to a nearby bar and grill for lunch.
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Guest Review: ”So peaceful, the great breeze coming off the lake. And surprisingly no bugs. Would definitely recommend!”
7) Shady Haven Tiny House
“The Most Unorthodox Glamping in Iowa”
Location: 101 E Dorchester St, Bellevue, IA 52031, United States
Price: $117+ USD per night
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/45223514
Rest with your feet up, overlooking the Mississippi River and the neighboring state of Illinois from this clean tiny home in the Riverview RV Park. The two homes available for rental are located next to the other cabins and have a great vantage point from which you can watch the barges go past.
Despite its small size, this tiny home offers a variety of amenities, including a refrigerator, stovetop, and microwave. You’ll still have the luxury of wifi and a flat-screen TV to keep you occupied when your campfire goes out. Spread out and picnic in front of your tiny home, or head out on a boat or kayak rental.
The small space is air-conditioned and comfortably fits the lounge, kitchenette, sofa bed, and upstairs double bed. However, the relaxing sound of the Mississippi River will occasionally be broken by a train infrequently passing nearby.
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Guest Review: “Awesome place to relax and get away! Listening to the train and the Mississippi River at night is the best thing.”
Credit: Airbnb
8) Pine Green Hideaway on 200 Acres
“The Best Family-Friendly Iowa Glamping Site”
Location: 100th St, Spragueville, 52074, United States
Price: $204+ USD per night
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/24967354
Find time to escape to this spacious cabin in the Whispering Meadows resort. You’ll easily fit into the four bedrooms, and you are welcome to bring your pets along on vacation. The 6-hole golf course, whirlpool tubs, and RV trails nearby will keep you entertained and help you keep you on your toes.
Consider winding down your day with a hike through the woods, fishing for bluegill at the pond, or simply sitting to do some bird watching. The cottage has a homely feel with a kitchen, living area, fireplace, central air or heating, and a porch. Each of the four bedrooms has a queen and twin-size bed.
While located on a 1,800 square foot property, the glam fishing cabin is a short drive to Maquoketa, where museums, galleries, and antique shops await.
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Guest Review: “This cabin is remote, no cell service and no WIFI but we enjoyed its proximity to the places we wanted to visit. The host was attentive and kind.”
9) Huge Tent Under the Trees
Location: Des Moines, Iowa, United States
Price: $144+ per night
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/50373370
Spend a night beneath the trees in a huge canvas tent near Des Moines. You’ll feel comfortable and cool thanks to the king-size bed and air conditioning. Spend your vacation relaxing in nature with walks and campfires while still enjoying the comforts of streaming a movie in the evening.
The tranquil location feels like the countryside while still being close to Des Moines. It is nestled between fields to the West and the East, while neighbors to the North and South are separated by a distance and trees.
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Guest Review: “Perfect glamping tent for a getaway. Loved the comfy bed and heated blankets in a timer and high-quality canvas tent with fun little extras.”
ANY OTHER GLAMPING CABIN RENTALS WE SHOULD VISIT?
While I try diligently to bring you the best locations and places to stay, there may be a few I have missed out. Reach out to me if you know of any unique glamping in Iowa that deserves to be mentioned in this post.
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FINAL THOUGHTS ON IOWA GLAMPING SPOTS
Can you think of a better way to enjoy your glamping cabin with family or friends than a fire at your feet and the stars above you? With unique log cabins, cottages, tiny homes, and yurt rentals in Iowa, there are many great accommodation options to choose from for your glamping retreat.
If you are looking for an easy escape to the outdoors without needing to camp, then the above glamping options may be for you.
Check out Horns Ferry Hideaway by the DesMoines river adjacent to Lake Red Rock.