The Magnificent Lakefront Airbnb in Iowa That Is Perfect for a Spring Retreat

When spring is in full swing, the Hawkeye State is at its most beautiful. Nowhere is this more apparent than on the shores of one of Iowa's magnificent lakes. We have so many beautiful bodies of water dotting our forests and prairies that you'd be surprised: Iowa might not be the Land of 10,000 Lakes—yes, we know that's our neighbor to the north, Minnesota—but it feels pretty close. So, at this time of year, I'm drawn to the water, and start to browse for waterfront vacation rentals. I came across one particular lakeside Airbnb in Iowa that feels like a dream come true. It's located near the tiny town of Ruthven, which, frankly, is as close to the middle of nowhere as you get, and it's called Lost Lunker's Lodge, a charming getaway on the banks of Lost Island Lake. This cabin sleeps up to eight guests, making it perfect for a family getaway, and the house is incredibly well-furnished - but you'll probably want to spend most of your time on the water, which is only feet away from the house!

Welcome to Ruthven's Lost Island Lake! This beautiful getaway is as spectacular inside as it is outside. It is a sprawling four-bedroom cabin only feet from the lake that sleeps as many as eight people. Inside the home, you'll find plenty of comfortable seating for the group, as well as multiple televisions and other entertainment options throughout the house. The four bedrooms include a king bed, a queen bed, and two bedrooms with sofa beds.

All of that is fine for the evening or if the weather is bad, but when you come to a lakeside vacation rental, you want to be outside. Fortunately, this property has plenty of outdoor spaces, so you can take advantage of its gorgeous setting.

There's a large deck with plenty of seating, as well as a dock, which provides easy access to Lost Island Lake for fishing or kayaking.

Whether you had a successful day angling or packed in supplies from a nearby grocery store, the home's full kitchen is perfect for preparing it. There's plenty of room around the dining room table for the whole family to enjoy whatever you whip up.

On nicer evenings, though, you may prefer to fire up the grill and cook outside. Grilling up a mess of fish that you caught and eating it right beside the lake on which you caught it gives it all a little extra flavor.

Have you stayed at Lost Lunker's Lodge, our favorite lakeside Airbnb in Iowa? If you'd like to book your own getaway, head to the official Airbnb listing—there are still plenty of dates available for the whole spring and summer. And while it might be tempting to spend the entire getaway just relaxing by the water, consider a day trip to nearby Emmetsburg, which is considered by many to be the best Irish town in Iowa.