The best forest cabin rentals near Ankeny, Iowa

Looking for a cozy cabin getaway surrounded by lush forest? Hipcamp has over 240 options for you to choose from near Ankeny, Iowa. With options ranging from rustic hideaways to luxurious retreats, you'll find the perfect cabin to suit your needs. Our top-rated campsites include Windy Goat Acres (208 reviews), Come Enjoy the Beauty (160 reviews), and Folk School Farm Stay (135 reviews). You'll also find popular amenities such as pet-friendly accommodations, toilets, and showers. And with activities like snow sports, hiking, and swimming, there's no shortage of adventure to be had. With an average price per night of $65 and options as low as $15, you can find a cabin that fits your budget and your sense of adventure.

98% (390)

Top-rated campgrounds

Looking for a cozy cabin getaway surrounded by lush forest? Hipcamp has over 240 options for you to choose from near Ankeny, Iowa. With options ranging from rustic hideaways to luxurious retreats, you'll find the perfect cabin to suit your needs. Our top-rated campsites include Windy Goat Acres (208 reviews), Come Enjoy the Beauty (160 reviews), and Folk School Farm Stay (135 reviews). You'll also find popular amenities such as pet-friendly accommodations, toilets, and showers. And with activities like snow sports, hiking, and swimming, there's no shortage of adventure to be had. With an average price per night of $65 and options as low as $15, you can find a cabin that fits your budget and your sense of adventure.

98% (390)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. Rock N Ranch Events & Campground

98%

(208)

41mi from Ankeny · 14 sites · Lodging · Menlo, IA

Our retirement dream is to share our beautiful property with people who love the outdoors. We started with our rustic tent sites and slowly added cabins. We go from primitive to sites with heat and air conditioning. We are not far from the Interstate but sure seems like we are as you travel the 4.6 miles of gravel road to step back in time.

2. Shadybrook Camping and RV Adventure

96%

(492)

29mi from Ankeny · 61 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Earlham, IA

This property has a year round running creek called Bear Creek. They also mined the stone off the property for the State Capital in Des Moines, Iowa. Abundant wildlife and mature beautiful trees. Hiking trails, playground equipment, dog park, shelterhouse, showerhouse/restrooms, community fire pit, all sites have fire pits and picnic tables, laundry area, rec room, and welcoming staff!

3. Sleep in an Iowa Barn @ TLC

98%

(41)

34mi from Ankeny · 2 sites · Tents, Lodging · Zearing, IA

Threshold Learning Center is 28 acres of prairie, creek, woods, and our barn dormitory. Threshold is first, an outdoor learning center for schools during the school year, and a summer camp offering several day camps, family camps, and trips. As a non-profit, however, we are constantly trying to find a way to offer our programs to everyone regardless of whether they are able to pay our fees while still making enough money to stay open. We started renting TLC to the public 5 years ago for weddings, reunions, or just families who are looking to connect to the world around them. Our motto is "No Child Left Inside" and we want every inner child to enjoy what we have at TLC. We have 7 bedrooms in our dormitory, 5 camp sites, a large camp fire ring, a mini-golf course, and we are always willing to lead your group in an educational experience or take you on a hayrack ride.

4. Hoofs 'n Horns Ohnemusbeef Farmstay

100%

(1)

37mi from Ankeny · 2 sites · Lodging · Lacona, IA

We invite you to turn off your phone and unwind on the front porch rocking chair as you watch one of our breathtaking sunsets or sunrises. Pasture and grassland with 7 ponds are accessible by a short hike along the cattle trails. A marked perimeter trail follows Wolfe Creek, home to wildlife and a shady cool spot during the hot days of summer. Mulberry Cottage is at the northeast corner of a 200-acre cattle ranch where we practice rotational grazing on ten paddocks. The cabin, surrounded by Mulberry and Osage Orange (Hedge Trees) are host to berry eating birds and mammals. (And the occasional marsupial). Cattle are fenced outside the cabin area but may be close by where you hear them and see them. Deer and coyotes are common on the property as plenty of birdlife. The cabin is a farm-stay experience with farm fresh eggs, and Mulberry preserves for your baked goods in the morning. You will need your muck boots and cowboy hat to hike our cattle trails and wade in the creeks. Try your hand at "frogging" in the marshes of one of our 7 ponds. Bottle-feeding a calf or collecting eggs are some of the chores you are welcome to participate in. You'll be amazed at the variety of wildflowers and birding opportunities. The head cowboy himself will invite you to chore time or have a farm tour of our grazing and regenerative practices. Our natural beef and tallow products are all for sale at the farm or grill up some "Ohnemusbeef" available at our farm store.

5. Cabin in the Woods

100%

(5)

7.9mi from Ankeny · 1 site · Lodging · Bondurant, IA

Cabin in the Woods is located on 18 wooded acres. Small stocked pond right outside your front door! Enjoy the wildlife and peacefulness of nature all around. Secluded area, yet 15 minutes to restaurants, shopping, Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino, Adventureland and more! The cabin is a small one room space, with a loft for extra storage or sleeping. There is electric, but no running water. Gallon of water will be available. There is an attached outhouse with toilet. Small fridge and microwave. TV with DVD player. Please note that the cabin does share a driveway with our house, so there may be cars that drive by. We do have animals on our property, so you may encounter dogs, cats, chickens and goats (all friendly)!

Public campgrounds near Ankeny

Springbrook Campground

44mi from Ankeny · 111 sites · Tents, RVs · in Springbrook State Park

Stories from the community

R

Robin

2 weeks ago

1 night at Rock N Ranch Events & Campground

Beautiful property, lots of trails to explore, pond and complete relaxation. Hunters Havin sleeping cabin was awesome. Great for cooler weather and beautiful surroundings for campfire. We can’t wait to return in the summer with the grandkids.

Holly

October 2025

1 night at Rock N Ranch Events & Campground

The host was super friendly and flexible, even when we got in around midnight. The space was safe and views were lovely the next morning. I'd recommend staying!

E

Eric

October 2025

2 nights at Shadybrook Camping and RV Adventure

Absolutely love the cute little cottage and the fun playground areas.

Rayven

October 2025

2 nights at Shadybrook Camping and RV Adventure

We had a great stay! The cabin was cozy and clean, tucked on the outskirts of Des Moines in a quiet little RV park and campground. The host was super friendly and helpful, and we appreciated that it wasn’t crowded at all. There were fun swings to discover around the property, and we enjoyed a perfect evening campfire—firewood was conveniently available on-site. Would definitely stay again!

Devon

August 2025

With pets

Weekend Trip to Rock N Ranch Events & Campground

The Ranch is a hidden paradise for a person like myself!! Very peaceful with a Creek,Pond, and Trails!!!! We had a Full moon during the stay and it’s amazing view every night! 10/10!!! 5 Star!!! MUST SEE!!!

Our barn dormitory with 7 bedrooms, a lounge, men's and women's restrooms with showers, and kitchenette on the lower level. The upper level has a full kitchen, a large dining hall/dance hall, and a stage.

Richard

August 2025

5 nights at Sleep in an Iowa Barn @ TLC

Our stay at the TLC Learning Center was an incredible experience. I only wish I had more time to explore and take advantage of the many available activities. And next time I would bring more friends and family to enjoy the experience. There’s room for everyone!!

MICHAEL

August 2025

3 nights at Rock N Ranch Events & Campground

This place is a hidden gem and we will continue to come back year after year. The family is very kind and we absolutely love coming to camp here.

T

Tyler

July 2025

With pets

Weekend Trip to Rock N Ranch Events & Campground

My girlfriend and I booked Hunter’s Havin for a 2 night stay with our dog and it was amazing. The quiet atmosphere with tons of privacy was exactly what we were looking for. We were greeted by Linda with a big smile and a tour of the land. We were able to unwind and relax to our heart’s content. On the 2nd day, the heat became unbearable for us and our dog, and Linda was very accommodating, allowing us to move to the Honeymoon Cabin for our final night, which included air conditioning. We will definitely be back in the future, and highly recommend Rock N Ranch and Linda to anyone looking for a quiet getaway out in nature.

T

Toni

July 2025

2 nights at Shadybrook Camping and RV Adventure

We were in town for the Midwest National Softball tournament and found this little place to make our home for 3 nights. It's out of the way....but pretty close to interstate traffic noise. Although with the air conditioning running, it wasn't an issue. The entire compound was very clean and set up to be private Nice hot showers only a short ways from the cabin. We fell in love with the small town of Earlham. It's like the perfect quintessential town depicted in movies. The downtown bar and grill has great food. And short drives on dirt roads to visit the covered bridges of Madison county. We would certainly recommend Shady Brook to others considering a stay in the Des Moines area.

A

Austin

July 2025

With pets

3 nights at Rock N Ranch Events & Campground

I loved staying at Rockin Ranch. There is nice pond caught many fish. Very secluded and quiet. 10/10

M

Megan

June 2025

1 night at Rock N Ranch Events & Campground

My travels become chaotic and I was unable to make my reservation. The host was very understandable and respectful! She did everything to try and accommodate me and I appreciate that effort! I WILL make it to the cabin one day!

M

Montgomery

June 2025

1 night at Rock N Ranch Events & Campground

Cabin was very private with its own fire ring. Lots of fireflies when we went which was a good surprise. Very friendly host who showed us everything on their site even tho we showed up around 9pm

A

Amelia

June 2025

With pets

Weekend Trip to Rock N Ranch Events & Campground

We had an amazing time! It’s so quiet and peaceful. Darlene was an amazing host! We will def be back!! Thanks for having us 🫶🏼

F

Fernando

May 2025

Weekend Trip to Rock N Ranch Events & Campground

Un lugar fantástico por la tranquilidad el contacto con la naturaleza a mi esposa le fascinó y mi también me encantó el anfitrión muy amable 😊. Lo recomiendo 100%

E

Emily

May 2025

With kids

Weekend Trip to Rock N Ranch Events & Campground

This is the second year in a row our family has spent at Rock-N-Ranch. We stayed in The Loft this year. Is was an amazing little getaway. The weather didn't totally cooperate but we wouldn't have changed it for anything! The hosts were very welcoming and made sure our stay was perfect! We will absolutely be back for a 3rd time next year!

D

Drake

May 2025

Weekend Trip to Rock N Ranch Events & Campground

Absolutely awesome camp both times I went! Super nice hosts. Highly recommend Rock N Ranch!