Fairfield

Rathbun Lake

Lacey-Keosauqua State Park

Geode State Park

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East Grove Farms Winery and Vineyard

Located in Southeast Iowa, East Grove Farms Winery and Vineyard specializes in honey wine (also known as mead) made from various fruits like Elderberries. Our headquarters is the O.A. and Emma Garretson House, which has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The farm itself is the oldest continuously-settled farm in Iowa, and was established in 1837.   The farm served as a station on the Underground RR and farm founder Joel C Garretson was the stationmaster.

All are welcome to visit during our open hours on Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 5 pm (or by appointment) for free wine and mead tastings. During the summer we offer wagon rides, and in the winter (weather permitting) we offer sleigh rides. East Grove Farms focuses on sustainable agricultural practices, and strives to be pesticide-free whenever possible. Feel free to wander through the fields, go hiking through the timber, fish for dinner in our pond.

Learn more about this land:

East Grove Farms invites you to pitch your tent in the former hazelnut thicket that our ancestors and the East Grove community safely hid freedom seekers from Missouri in the 1840's.   It is located 1/4 m north of the winery near the vineyard and tree line and you can usually drive to the camp on a grass path thru the elderberry patch.  It offers complete privacy and has a fire ring, picnic table, a prep table, and shade.  Firewood is available for sale at $10 per pallet.

There is a porta potty at the camp site but no running water or electricity.

 For those interested in the underground RR, there is an excellent museum in nearby Salem, the Lewelling Quaker Museum, a National Park Service noted site for abolitionist activity.

This is what the campsite looks like.  We have a picnic table and a food prep table in the shade.  We have two small fire rings and grates for cooking.  We hope to add a larger fire ring.

You can park your vehicle at the main headquarters or in most cases you can drive directly to the site from June through October when the path is dry.

This is East Grove's headquarters, the historic O.A. & Emma Garretson house.  It is on the National Register of Historic Places and has been completely restored to its near original condition.

When the area was settled in 1837, this was a hazelnut thicket, later offering safe passage on the Underground RR.  It is now one of the areas we grow our elderberries, aronia berries, and grapes.  The camp site is behind the vineyard along the tree line.  

There is ample parking and space to pitch a tent in the open grassy area or in the shade.

This is the main entrance to East Grove Farms.  The stone pillars were built in 1937 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the farm.

This is the way you will drive to hip camp.  Drive thru the elderberries and follow the path between the aronia berries and pond.  It is hidden from view from 335th St which offers privacy.

Hawkeye will greet you at the farm.  He's very friendly but will bark when you arrive,

Whitetail Tent Camping

Camping, (Fishinfg at 2 of our sights) Enjoying a campfire and sometimes even petting Pedro the donkey!

Learn more about this land:

Nestled into the center of historic and scenic Van Buren County (where there are more Whitetail Deer than people) 

You are a 5 minute drive away from The Des Moines River which is great for kayaking, boating and fishing. 

You’re also 5 minutes away from Lacey State Park, which has a 30 acre lake. Lacey Lake also has a sandy beach area and over 13 miles of trails to hike on. 

If you like to go fishing and boating, Lake Sugema, a 579 acre lake, is a 10 minute drive from this campsite. 

If you’re into horseback riding, you’ll be camping 19 miles from where you can rent a horse and ride on 25 miles of trails in Shimek State Forest, just east of Farmington, Iowa.

Potable water

Showers

Trash

The recreational bike trail (13 miles) is located immediately adjacent to the camping area.

Trail-Side Rural Retreat

Our 3-acre pasture borders a 13-mile recreational trail that encompasses our entire town.  Super easy access to the trail via bike, golf cart, or on foot to the middle school, high school, community auditorium, William Penn University or Lacey Recreational Complex.  We live approximately 150 yards from the city limits, but are on a gravel road.  It is an easy 7-minute drive to the grocery store, 2 minutes to the local hospital, and the trail is accessible to walkers, golf carts and bicyclists.  Our property does not have any hookups, but if needed, there is are a couple of spots where a 110 connection could be accommodated (for an additional $5/night) close to our home that we could have discussions about using.

Please note on the three acres, we do have 15 laying hens who free-range during the day, but are confined at night.  They typically do not have any desire to interact with humans unless you are feeding them and should not present any problems.  IF you bring a pet, please insure it is kept controlled and not allowed to interact with our hens or the folks using the recreational trail.  As a bonus, for $5 per person we would be happy to whip up a farm-fresh egg breakfast each morning you stay with us.

During summer months, guests are welcome to use our above-ground fully-enclosed pool complete with outdoor shower (heated by the power of the sun shining on a garden hose which means hot water is VERY limited!).  There is a tiki bar, small deck and lawn furniture inside the pool enclosure.

Please stop by the main house to check in when you arrive. We look forward to hosting you!

The view of our home, barn and pool area from the camping area.  Bonfires are welcome!

The view of the camping area from our home.

Our chickens share the camping space, and are confined to the coop at night.

Our pool area that can be used for an additional fee per stay.

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