The Department of Natural Resources is working to meet the growing demand for cabins at Iowa’s State Parks. DNR State Parks bureau chief Kevin Szcodronski says the 72 cabins currently in place are booked full almost every weekend. He says the cabins are popular overnight options for people that don’t have an RV or don’t enjoy camping in a tent.
The DNR would like to construct more cabins, despite the expense, knowing that the investment will pay off down the road. "We’re looking at ways to increase the cabins, they are a major investment to put that improvement into a park," Szcodronski says.
The more rustic cabins, without bathroom facilities, run about $35 a night. Full service cabins are generally $50 a night or $300 a week. The cabins are available for reservation up to one year in advance. Szcodronski says another popular feature at the state parks are camping sites for RV’s.
"Camp sites with electricity and full hook-ups are very high demand," Szcodronski says. "Half the sites can be reserved, and just about every weekend all the campsites are pretty much reserved on the electrical sites." Iowa will be getting another State Park in a couple years. Szcodronski says the legislature has approved funding to develop the Volga River recreation area in northeast Iowa. Cabins and campsites in Iowa’s State Parks can be reserved online at www.IowaDNR.com .