Iowa vacation rentals
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Top-rated vacation rentals in Iowa
Guests agree: these vacation rentals are highly rated for location, cleanliness, and more.
Cottage in Spirit Lake
5 out of 5 average rating, 12 reviewsCharming Lakes Cottage in the Woods!
We have stayed at various places up at the lakes and this was our favorite. A great choice if you need a lot (5) of bedrooms. A great space out back if you want to do a bonfire, which we did all 3 nights. The owner hosts are VERY friendly, helpful and responsive. And the house itself is very well appointed. 5 stars all around. We are looking to stay here again next trip up!
Townhouse in Dubuque
4.93 out of 5 average rating, 120 reviewsThe Fenelon Place
We have made a habit of staying at Jeremy’s place a couple of times a year when we come up for family events. We are always comfortable and happy with our choice.
Cottage in Clear Lake
4.96 out of 5 average rating, 179 reviewsCharming 3 bedroom lake home - on site parking
Enjoyed the upgrades making the place feel even more homey, always has hot water for the multiple bathrooms, and a very nice addition was use of the garage to park our car during the Surf Ballroom Winter Dance Weekend!
Home in Arnolds Park
4.76 out of 5 average rating, 38 reviewsOkoboji Perfection!
Just as described in a perfect location! Worked great for our group!
Cottage in Harpers Ferry
4.89 out of 5 average rating, 166 reviewsHarpers Slough Cottage w/ Hot tub
This was a great place for a group of friends to gather! The kitchen space worked great for serving our snacks, and there was comfortable space for everyone. The views from the deck were beautiful. This was a great stay, and it was quiet and peaceful during our winter stay!
Home in Lakeside
4.96 out of 5 average rating, 112 reviewsMom & Pop's Lakeside Place
Good spot to relax near friends and family. Dog friendly with the fenced-in backyard was a major plus.
Home in Arnolds Park
4.87 out of 5 average rating, 61 reviewsOkoboji Bridges Bay Cabin Well Stocked!
It was everything g we expected and I would say more. The house had everything we needed.
Bungalow in Decorah
4.88 out of 5 average rating, 133 reviewsRenovated Private Bungalow By Downtown & Trails
Great host and a nice, private location! Overall a great experience.
Home in Ottumwa
5 out of 5 average rating, 9 reviewsFran's Cottage
Cozy and peaceful cottage. Home had everything we needed to celebrate Thanksgiving as a family. Large kitchen with good sized fridge, stove top/oven cooking equipment/utensils. There was plenty of dining space for meals and playing games. Also was nice to have a washer and dryer so we didn’t have to go home with dirty laundry. Would stay again.
Home in Mystic
4.89 out of 5 average rating, 9 reviewsSunny Days Valley View Villa 3
Loved our stay. 2 days there were 13 of us definitely tested the capacity lots of room. My husband and I added a day , he seldom gets summer vacations. Bring blankets especially if people sleeping on couches. More kitchen stocking if doing a lot of cooking. The house was awesome one level especially the game room extra space. Two sleeper sofa’s would work in there. Lots of room for large groups. Fire pit and pool absolutely great. Patio and two doors on the poolside was very useful. I did call Douglas with a few questions, very accommodating and friendly.
Home in Lakeside
4.75 out of 5 average rating, 4 reviewsCozy Lakeside home 3-bed 2-bath wi-fi AC Beach
Angie’s beach house was a perfect spot for our extended family to gather for Christmas. The house was spotless, very nicely decorated and perfectly checked all the boxes. I’m sure we’ll be checking into renting again this spring or summer when family comes to visit again . Angie was very responsive and so nice to work with. Highly recommend! 🌟
Home in Iowa City
5 out of 5 average rating, 31 reviewsThe Stuart House near downtown Iowa City
Fantastic hosts! Very communicative. Great little spot for a weekend trip to Iowa city.
Vacation rentals for every style
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Popular amenities for Iowa vacation rentals
Iowa cabin rentals
Cabin in Clear Lake
4.98 out of 5 average rating, 122 reviewsCornerstone Cabin with lakeview
Another great stay here at Clear Lake thanks to Steve. We’ve stayed at this cabin twice now to do some ice fishing! Highly recommend!
Cabin in Arnolds Park
4.86 out of 5 average rating, 111 reviewsOkoboji Bridges Bay Cabin on Pond
This was our 2nd stay with Ryan and it’s been great both times! Always clean, like the pictures, and easy to check in. Ryan has had great communication before and during our stay. Will stay again!
Cabin in Newton
4.98 out of 5 average rating, 270 reviewsLittle Cabin in the Woods - Great for Staycation!
Was a beautiful little cabin in the woods. Was very peaceful a place away from the busyness of life. There was hiking trails and seen some wildlife. The hot tub was amazing and the perfect touch to relax in . The clear instructions on everything was very helpful as well. Would definitely recommend this cabin for couples to get reconnected. Would love to bring our family next year and stay at the bigger cabin. Also close enough to a bigger town but yet out in the country. Awesome place enjoyed it so much.
Cabin in Harpers Ferry
4.83 out of 5 average rating, 230 reviewsAndy Mountain Cabin #2
Great place we have stayed here a few times and will be back again!
Cabin in Decorah
4.93 out of 5 average rating, 202 reviewsWhats New Cabin and Antique Store
This little place was cute and cozy! Had every thing you needed in your Home away from Home ! Beautiful surroundings and tucked away in your own little quiet spot. Will definitely be coming back! Thanks again!
Cabin in Keosauqua
4.86 out of 5 average rating, 108 reviewsPrivate Woodsy Cabin close to River and Keosauqua
It is a beautiful place to see the nature. Super quiet place. Wonderful hosts.
Cabin in Iowa Falls
4.93 out of 5 average rating, 107 reviewsCabin Cove By the River
such a great place. relaxing, warm and welcoming. Will definitely rent again. loved the place and area.
Cabin in Keosauqua
4.91 out of 5 average rating, 512 reviewsTimber Creek Cabin
The place was amazing and easy to find, very clean and secluded. The host communicated well, I will be back one day !
Other great vacation rentals in Iowa
Home in Correctionville
4.95 out of 5 average rating, 20 reviewsCute 2 BR home perfect for a small town getaway
Just as described. My husaband travels year round and prefers to stay in Airbnbs. Comfortable bed, everything he needed to fix meals. He appreciated the shower accommodating his 6'7" frame. Would stay here again!
Home in Des Moines
4.92 out of 5 average rating, 143 reviewsGreat location. Sleeps 8 w/ full kitchen & parking
Charming home with all the amenities needed for a great reunion of 4 friends from college. The well-kept home was inviting and perfect for long conversations, shared meals, and restful nights. Delicious eateries in walking distance. So glad we found this home! Would return in an instant!
Home in Le Claire
5 out of 5 average rating, 11 reviewsGroup Retreat
It had everything we needed for our stay. Check out instructions were clear. I would definitely stay here again
Home in Manson
4.88 out of 5 average rating, 16 reviewsTwin Lakes Family Escape
Awesome place would definitely stay there again.
Home in Huxley
4.84 out of 5 average rating, 44 reviewsComfortable and spacious
We celebrated the holidays at this house, and it worked out great. The house had plenty of space, a kitchen with everything we needed, comfortable beds, and clean bathrooms. Being able to park in the garage was a nice treat. Huxley is a smaller town, but it does a have a nice grocery store and is only a 10-15 minute drive to both Ames and Ankeny.
Home in Dyersville
5 out of 5 average rating, 29 reviewsCedar Peak Acres
We rented Shelli’s place after my Mom passed away. Shelli was so helpful with our reservation and our stay, and sent kind and thoughtful messages before, during, and after our visit. The place was bigger than I expected and so nicely furnished. It was a great experience and I’ve already passed on the rental information to family and friends for their future needs. The whole experience made such a trying time in our lives that much easier and we’re very grateful! 💝
Place to stay in Keosauqua
5 out of 5 average rating, 3 reviewsThe Tiny Nest, A Unique Space on Main Street!
From my wife Abigail: This little nest provided an overnight spot for my sister and I and our girls that we were grateful for, as we had trouble finding something available for our spur of the moment little shopping trip. We were packed in there fairly tight, but made some good memories🤩 We got there late and really appreciated that our host went over and set up the cots and made up the beds!
Home in Monona
4.97 out of 5 average rating, 110 reviewsDriftless Manor Getaway
We appreciate the little extras she has available. Also plenty of blankets and pillows. Everything is clearly marked.
Your guide to Iowa
Welcome to Iowa
Those who don’t know Iowa will associate it exclusively with corn. The state is the country’s largest producer of the crop, anchoring the Midwestern Corn Belt. But beyond its obvious associations with farmland in the heartland, Iowa is rich in culture and nature. Home to the world’s largest truckstop and the country’s most famous state fair, the state is represented by snippets of real Americana, patched together like a quilt across the prairie. In western Iowa, the town of Le Mars is known as the ice cream capital of the world. The eastern part of the state boasts a UNESCO-designated City of Literature, Iowa City, as well as the cultural hubs of Cedar Rapids and Davenport. And in the heart of the state, Des Moines stands as its center of politics and economy. No matter where your Iowa journey takes you, there’s sure to be a scenic byway, a quiet monument, or a photo opportunity along the way.
The best time to stay in a vacation rental in Iowa
Extreme heat. Frigid cold. Thrilling summer thunderstorms. Awe-inspiring tornadoes. Depending on when you visit Iowa, you could experience any number of weather patterns, thanks to its position in the landlocked, wide-open plains. Iowa’s variable climate also means that spring is glorious and fall color is gorgeous, and the only thing rivaling the state’s sticky-hot summers are its postcard-perfect winter scenes. In general, it’s best to book one of Iowa’s cabins for rent during the warmer months, when festivals and fairs dominate the event calendar. Book a trip to the northwest in May for the Orange City Tulip Festival, an homage to Dutch heritage that’s more than 80 years old. In late July, Indianola hosts its glorious National Balloon Classic. The famous Iowa State Fair takes over Des Moines the second week of August, drawing fans of funnel cake and carnival rides to see the famous butter cow sculpture. And in the fall, the Madison County Covered Bridge Festival is a fantastic occasion to go leaf-peeping just outside Des Moines.
Top things to do in Iowa
Charming small towns
Some of Iowa’s best spots to visit are its smallest. Pella shows off its 175-year-old Dutch heritage with the tallest working windmill in the country and the annual Tulip Time festival, held during peak blooming season each May. The seven tiny villages that comprise the Amana Colonies were established in the 1850s for German exiles, and stand today as National Historic Landmarks. All over the state, small towns with unique histories welcome visitors year-round.
The Bridges of Madison County
Chances are you’ve heard of Madison County’s picturesque covered bridges, which have stood sturdy since the 1800s. Of the 19 originally built around the county, there are now just six, and they’re well worth the visit — especially in October, when they’re honored with a celebratory festival.
Driftless Area
Earning its name for the fact that it was bypassed by glacial drift, the Driftless Area was left with beautiful and unique geographical features unlike a typical Midwestern landscape. The Iowa section of this multistate region is marked by deep river valleys, limestone bluffs, and steep inclines. Beyond numerous outdoor recreational opportunities, the sparsely populated Driftless Area is home to quaint inns, old churches, and charming antique shops.
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