The 5 Best Iowa Cabin Rentals

Best in Decorah: Dry Run Cabin

With three bedrooms, including one in a loft, a kitchen, a double-height living room, and a wrap-around porch, there’s plenty of room for your entire group at this spacious log cabin in Decorah, Iowa, a town in the northeast end of the state. Guests rave about the kitchen, in particular, since it's well-stocked with equipment like an oven, microwave, and full cutlery. If you're cooking for a lot of people, the provisions here are sure to be handy.

The rental has a classic log-cabin aesthetic, with homey decor warming up the space. The cabin's wealth of windows helps to light up the open plan of the bottom floor and they provide a much needed indoor-outdoor connection.

The cabin provides a great home base for exploring area attractions, from the Trout Run Trail, which loops around the historic city, just a mile away, to the downtown area’s art, music, wine and beer, and dining scenes, just two miles away.

Best Waterfront: Lake Cornelia Cabin

Set right on the waters of Lake Cornelia in Clarion, a town about 90 minutes from Des Moines, this cozy cabin has all-wood interiors featuring one private bedroom, a loft, a small kitchen, and a living room.

Take in the views from the upper-level balcony or the large private dock that's right outside the door. That means you'll have super easy access to the water, which is perfect for a summertime cool-down.

The rental is just a short walk from Lake Cornelia Park, a public ground that has a playground and a beach if you want to get away from your private side of the lake, and a short drive from hiking and snowmobiling trails.

The cabin also provides a great educational opportunity to learn about the history of the state and its agriculture, as it sits right nearby Clarion's Heartland Museum, where kids can learn all about the history of midwestern farming, play around on tractors, and explore the plains.

Best in Bluff Country: Hidden Hollow

Enjoy 158 private acres of spacious Bluff Country land in northeast Iowa at this three-bedroom cabin in McGregor. This rental even comes with its own private pond, if you're keen to fish nearby or just relax by taking a dip in the water.

With decor that combines rusticity with a touch of whimsy, plus details like a soaking tub and an elegantly landscaped back garden, Hidden Hollow is perfect for meditative retreats or a quiet weekend away. There are stone and rock features that help create an open backyard, meaning you'll have plenty of space to relax and enjoy the forest wilderness.

If you feel like being adventurous, you can explore the many hiking trails throughout the property. Dogs are welcome here, too!

Most Historic Stay: Trout River Log Cabin

Take a trip back in time with a stay at Trout River Log Cabin, built in the 1850s by Norwegian immigrants. Norwegians have a long history in Iowa, having been pushed out of their home country due to economic pressures, immigrating to the midwestern United States to become farmers.

While the cabin was originally a Norwegian-Lutheran parochial school, it’s since been converted into a lovely vacation rental, with a small kitchen, an upstairs bedroom, and a split bathroom (there’s a toilet downstairs and a shower upstairs).

Just outside Decorah, the cabin is a great escape and an opportunity to unwind and disconnect, and even though it's updated with electricity for maximal comfort, there’s no TV or WiFi. So, guests are encouraged to go hiking in the area and swim in the Trout River and reconnect with nature.