Iowa is a state in the US, that is bordered by the Mississippi River and the Missouri River. Known for its cornfields, rolling plains, river views and various lakes, the landscape of Iowa is gorgeous indeed. There are quite a few popular tourist attractions and famous landmarks in Iowa, such as the Des Moines Art Center, 19th-century State Capitol Building, Pappajohn Sculpture Park and Cedar Rapids’ Museum of Art. Fun fact, Iowa is known as the birthplace of sliced bread! Also, Iowa earned itself the nickname ‘The Hawkeye State’, in 1838. If you’re planning a nice relaxing family vacation, here are some of the best lakefront rentals in Iowa, USA.
We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) host status, recent guest reviews, location, accommodation type, prices, availability of dates, decor, and access to a lake. The image galleries get refreshed with the latest updates regularly. They were last updated on January 20, 2025.
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1. Fabulous getaway with jaw-dropping views (from USD 3103)
Literally just steps away from East Lake Okoboji, this gorgeous lakehouse is perfect for you and your friends. With four bedrooms and seven beds, the property can easily accommodate twelve guests. Basically, this property has a main house that consists of two bedrooms, a living room, a bathroom, and a full kitchen. There’s also a guest house that has two bedrooms, a living room, a bathroom, and a kitchenette. The lake has a large deck that can be used for sunbathing, fishing, relaxing, or even swimming! Of course, guests are allowed to bring their own boats and tie them to the deck.
Spirit Lake, Iowa, United States
354.17 km (220.1 mi) from Lake Wapello State ParkAccommodates: 12
Top guest reviews
Host:
the the place is wonderfully decorated and elizabeth was very responsiveelizabeth was responsive and easy to communicate withRead more reviewsLocation:
location was great and having the two homes was ideal for our family situationguest house and main house very close together and perfect for two families
2. Expansive house near the lake
Located right next to Lake Rathbun, this four-bedroom house is great for a trip with your family or friends. With a lush yard, a small kitchen, a cozy living room and a pool table, think of this place as your home away from home. Just a short walk from the water, the location is pretty great! All in all, it’s a wonderful place to stay.
Mystic, Iowa, United States
30.51 km (19.0 mi) from Lake Wapello State ParkSuperhost
Accommodates: 13
Top guest reviews
Location:
awesome house at a great location close to the lakegreat time with friends location is great as is houseCleanliness:
very clean home with welcoming neighborsthe house is spacious and was very cleanvery clean and lots of amenitiesRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
beds are comfortable with nice sheets and pillows
3. Spacious home with stunning views of the lake (from USD 1140)
First and foremost, let’s talk about the most prominent feature of this house - the spacious outdoor deck that literally overlooks the lake and provides a 360-degree view of the water. This six-bedroom house is located on the banks of Lake Red Rock, which is one of the biggest lakes in Iowa. Perfect for a family reunion or a trip with your friends, this property is perfect for large gatherings. With six bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms, a fully stocked kitchen and a spacious living area, the property is big enough for everyone. There is also an outdoor swimming pool and a pool table for the guests to enjoy.
Otley, Iowa, United States
81.8 km (50.9 mi) from Lake Wapello State Park
4. Beautiful lakefront cabin in the woods
Recently renovated from head to toe, this gorgeous one-bedroom lakefront cabin is nestled in a secluded part of 3 Fingers Campground. Surrounded by nothing but woods and greenery, with gorgeous views of the lake and a relaxing break from the hustle and bustle of the city, this cabin is perfect for you and your partner to spend some quality time together. This cabin has a queen-sized bed, a fully equipped kitchen, a cozy living area, and all the modern amenities that you could ask for. P.s, every room has a water view!
288.47 km (179.3 mi) from Lake Wapello State ParkAccommodates: 2
Minimum Nights: 3
Refund Policy : 100% refund if you cancel at least 14 days before check-in.
Top guest reviews
Cleanliness:
the lake is clean and not weedy at allRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
great fully equipped kitchen and bathroom with washer and dryer comfy bedroom that walks out onto the peninsula
5. Beautiful apartment with a lake view
Located along the shores of Carter Lake, this one-bedroom apartment provides beautiful views of the lake. If you’re looking for a place to enjoy some quality time with your partner, a place with great views and easy access, then this property is perfect! Barely 10 minutes away from downtown Omaha and not too far from the airport, this apartment is rather centrally located. And the views from this apartment are too good to be true!
Carter Lake, Iowa, United States
284.38 km (176.8 mi) from Lake Wapello State ParkTop guest reviews
Host:
julie is an amazing hostwe had a wonderful time & julie was an amazing hostthey are exceptional hosts & we would love to visit againshe was very quick to respond which was very helpful especially when asking for food recommendationsthey were very nice and attentive while we were there but definitely gave us our spaceLocation:
thirdly it's a great location for kidswe will definitely be keeping this place in mind should we travel toward utah in the near futuresuch an inviting place to stay relaxing & very tranquilRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
we immediately felt comfortable and welcomed
6. Beautiful family-home with a lake view (from USD 250)
Located along Sun Valley Lake, this gorgeous four-bedroom home is a sight to behold. With chic decor, modern interiors, comfortable and cozy bedrooms and spacious living areas, this house can easily sleep up to nine people. One of the best features of this property is the newly built deck that provides jaw-dropping views of the lake. Apparently, the view doesn’t get any better than this. Since this is a private lake, guests are not allowed to fish in the lake or rent boats. However, you can spend time in nature, enjoy the view of the lake, breathe in the fresh air and just take a break from the noise of the city.
Ellston, IA, US
7. Beautiful and modern lakefront cottage (from USD 884)
Located right next to the lake, this spacious and modern house is perfect for a family vacation. With six bedrooms, two bathrooms, two super large living rooms, a fully equipped kitchen and an outdoor patio that overlooks the lake, this cottage has everything you can ask for. Surrounded by trees and nature, located right opposite a lake, and boasting a private beach, this property will meet your expectations and more! Guests also have full access to two canoes, life jackets, fishing poles, bikes and more. What else could you ask for?
Pella, Iowa, United States
75.4 km (46.9 mi) from Lake Wapello State Park
Top guest reviews
Host:
a big thank you to the owner for all his helpthe owner was made aware and i’m sure this will be repairedbrandon (owner) is super flexible and communication beforehand and during was on pointthe big table in dining room was great for hosting mealsLocation:
town is close so grabbing supplies at walmart or dinner is easynearby pella has cute shops bakeries and a fantastic aquatic centerit was close to town which made for easy trips to the bakery dinning etcquiet cul de sac but easy access to town bike trails parks and marinaCleanliness:
property very clean and we really enjoyed our staylots of space modern clean with comfortable linensRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
feedback to owner: the property easily accommodates a dozen people but that’s challenging with 2 bathroomslots of space to relax and large dining room table to accommodate all of usit would have been nice to have a second tv in the basement for the kidsthe kitchen was great and we had plenty of room to eat around the table
8. Private cottage next to a gorgeous lake
This homely and private two-bedroom cottage is located along the banks of Black Hawk Lake. Think of this place as our home away from home, with just one minor difference being that you get to enjoy gorgeous waterfront views. With a cozy living room, a small kitchenette, lots of indoor and outdoor seating and two super comfortable bedrooms, this property is perfect for you. Relax by the deck, enjoy a swim in the lake, try your hand at fishing or just spend time in nature: all you need to do here is relax.
Lake View, Iowa, United States
260.38 km (161.8 mi) from Lake Wapello State ParkAccommodates: 4
Top guest reviews
Host:
beth is a great host and is very responsive with any questions or needshighly recommend this cabin very fun town and beth was a great hostour hosts were highly communicative and the space was perfectthe neighbors were extremely friendly as wellLocation:
lovely location warmly decoratedthe town has much personality and the bike trail was close and beautifulplace is super quiet and relaxingperfect place to stay for a weekend getaway to black hawk lakeCleanliness:
the cabin is clean comfortable and charmingthe home is very clean comfortable and cozythough small the space is used perfectly and very cleanlovely cozy well supplied very clean wonderful patio and sandy lakeside areaRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
homey and fully equipped for a comfortable stay the patio is divinebeds were comfortable with nice bedding and plenty of blankets
9. House with easy access to the lake
Literally a few steps away from the lake, this beautiful three-bedroom lake home is perfect for you and your friends. Not too far from the city and totally surrounded by nature, this place allows you to enjoy the best of both worlds. With three bedrooms, three bathrooms, indoor and outdoor seating, and a fully equipped kitchen, this property is perfect for three couples. Guests also have access to two inflatable boats that they can use on the lake.
Lake View, Iowa, United States
261.67 km (162.6 mi) from Lake Wapello State ParkAccommodates: 6
Top guest reviews
Host:
emilie was very responsive to our questionseveryone was so friendlygreat little lake house with a host who responds to your questions/concerns in a timely mannerawesome little town and an amazing host would definitely book againthe host is very down-to-earth and super accommodatingLocation:
great location in a quaint town right on the lakeyou will love the location and friendly small-town atmospherewonderful park in town that our boys loved to play atCleanliness:
the house was very clean and comfortablevery nice and clean placegorgeous house and clean beyond expectationsthe house was very clean and very relaxingthe house is clean well decorated and spaciousRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
the warm bathroom floor was very much appreciated this time of year
Escape to the lakeside
There are some beautiful lakefront houses in Iowa, which are great for family vacations, trips with your friends, and vacations with your better half. Which one of these amazing lakefront rentals in Iowa, USA are you going to book?
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