Riverside

Geode State Park

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South Haven

Starved Rock State Park

Ice Age National Scenic Trail

Governor Dodge State Park

Effigy Mounds National Monument

Indiana Dunes State Park

Muskegon State Park

Elephant Rocks State Park

Mark Twain National Forest

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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,

Potable water

Showers

Trash

Cooking equipment

Walking Stick Adventures Tipi Camp

We offer one private site on four acres, including a small pond, beach, treehouse, trails and peace and quiet. In addition to the tipi, there are kayaks, canoe, fire ring, wood supply, cooking equipment, dutch ovens, hammock, and tables and chairs. Campers will need to bring sleeping bags and food.  Dogs are welcome. There is a rustic restroom (outhouse), with an outdoor shower. Water and electricity are available at the restroom and campsite. 

In addition, Navigation Play-Williamsburg, provides outdoor play opportunities at the farm on a seasonal basis. If interested, find her on her facebook page or find her link on my website www.walkingstickadventurescom.com   

Our dream was to restore an old farmstead to prairie and woods,  grow our own food, make some wine and create a wonderland for grandchildren. The tipi and pond campsite is our way of sharing our place. We love meeting new people, especially those that are looking for a new camping experience.  


Kayaking the pond is great for all ages. 

a small fire pit is allowed instead the tipi; can be removed for more room

Nothing better than a dip in the pond on a hot summer day!

Dutch ovens are provided for those who want to try their had at camp cooking. 

The tipi includes a fire ring for cooler nights. 

Birdwatching and wildlife watching are encouraged around the pond and along the trails. Binoculars are available on request. 

Relax at the end of the fishing jetty and watch the fish go by. 

Draco Hill Nature Farm

A convenient 7 miles north of Interstate 80 but feels like an oasis away from it all. Summer has begun! The prairie is starting to flower, the mulberries are just finishing up and black raspberries are coming on in the woods for you to forage. Please take a taste and leave the rest for others to enjoy. There have also been black bear sightings in Cedar County! If one decides to visit, please steer clear of it. They are NOT as cute as they look, especially if you get between them and their food or cubs!

This year, Draco Hill Nature Farm is hosting free events you can join in on when you camp. Coming up is a night time bug show and talk July 12 and prairie walks in August and September. See Dracohill.org/events for details. Make it part of your camping experience or sign up for your own private sustainable agriculture tour under "Extras."

Enjoy nature in a private, wooded river valley setting. Go to sleep under the stars to the sound of frogs, cicadas, coyotes, deer and the rustling wind through the tallgrass prairie. Wake to an amazing sunrise over the river. Enjoy a hike through our 4 miles of trails on 75 acres of rolling woodlands and prairie, picking berries, finding mushrooms, scaring up a turkey or pheasant in the brush or listening to the birds. (Pull out your Merlin app to see who's singing!) Play in the river or upland pond, cut cattails and prairie grasses for souvenirs and enjoy being unplugged for a while. Your hosts are here if you need us, but we leave you to enjoy this beautiful place at your own pace.

NOTE: It's raining more this summer than it has in 4 year so bring insect repellant. Poison ivy is also very prevalent. We spray chemicals as little as possible for your safety and the benefit of the environment so wear long pants in the woods and be vigilant around your campsite. We use TecNu - a product we scrub on and wash off if we get into poison ivy by mistake and it has kept us from any major outbreaks.

The prairie is full of flowers once summer is in full swing! A wildlife photographer's paradise. 

Take a hike in the woods and enjoy the cool green smells of summer. 

The timber shows off its own flowers at certain times of year. 

Use your Merlin app to identify birds in the prairie. Here's a sample from one evening in May.

Some of our Big Blue Stem grows to 9 feet by August. See what it felt like to walk through native grasses and not see someone just a few feet away!

Deer, turkeys, pheasants, owls, hawks, bald eagles are all regulars!

Visit the upland pond for a cool dunk on a hot day. Treat yourself to cattails if you know what to do with them!

Folk School Farm Stay

Come enjoy the natural beauty of a working farm!  In our transition to agroforestry, wetland restoration and perennial ag, you'll find some great spaces to walk your dog, let your children run and learn about ecological conservation. The farm is also home to a flower cutting garden, a food forest garden, and a folk school.  Guests are welcome to cut flowers for a donation, and enjoy the sheep, chickens and resident cat.  The setting is also great for taking in sunrises, sunsets and star gazing. 

Come explore the landscape, book a farm tour or enjoy some studio space at Land Alliance Folk School.

Blueberry Hill

Welcome to our idyllic 10-acre historic farmstead in rural Johnson County, Iowa (about 8 miles west of Iowa City). We are a bookish, quiet couple with a 7-year-old daughter, 2 llamas, 12 chickens, 2 lambs, 3 housecats, and 5-10 barn cats. In June and July, we open our farm to the public for U-pick organic blueberries. We're looking for Hipcampers who are respectful and clean.

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