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1860's Botanical Paradise

96%
·
· Bellevue, Jackson, Iowa
2 acres hosted by Jessica O.
1 lodging site · 1 tent site
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Amazing views
Hipcampers say this spot has amazing views.
Best in Iowa: Finalist
Named one of the best Hipcamps to visit in 2024.
Jessica is a Star Host
Star Hosts are highly rated, responsive, and committed to providing incredible experiences.
Romantic
Recent Hipcampers say this Hipcamp is romantic.
Happy to announce we’ve won 2nd best property to visit in Iowa! We hope to keep striving and adding more amenities as we go! Thank you to our wonderful guests and hello to future guests! 👋🏽 Built in 1860 by its first caretaker botanist, this homestead was propagated over its many years of life and is busting at the seams with medicinal and edible herbs. We now run a flower farm and vegetable gardens on our homestead. If you’d like to learn about herbs or gardening/ homesteading, we love sharing our knowledge. If you’d just like some farm fresh eggs for breakfast and enjoy your time alone amongst the songbirds, that's just fine too :) The property is built into the stone hillside allowing for breathtaking views but also stairs to get to the campsites. Please wear comfortable shoes (not flip flops 😉). If you have mobility issues property access will be difficult. Please no children under 5. !CLASSES! We run our small school/business: HOMESTEAD and HAMMER from the property and are bringing classes to YOU! Look in the "EXTRAS" for classes you can partake in on your visit OR for more information on what's included on class weekends check out our website below! Classes include, forAging wild edibles, mushroom identification, homesteading skills, soap making, forging metals and many more! Website: www.homesteadandhammer.com *For guest and host safety property managed 24-7 by video and security services*
Activities
Biking
Boating
Fishing
Hiking
Natural features
Forest
Mountainous
Wetlands
Farm
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Reviews
96% Recommend132 ratings · 107 reviews
The Woodsy tent site offers a cozy and welcoming atmosphere with hosts who are consistently praised for their hospitality and responsiveness. Campers appreciate the close proximity to picturesque Bellevue and scenic drives to nearby attractions like Dubuque and Galena. While most reviews highlight the peaceful and beautiful surroundings, there's a note about the tent space being somewhat small and the path to it potentially slippery. Overall, it's a recommended spot for those seeking a quiet retreat with engaging hosts and the opportunity to explore local homesteading.
Summary AI-generated from real reviews
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Jordan M.
2 reviews
Recommends
· February 2025
Magical Getaway
Staying at Jessica’s Bunkie was a wonderful experience. The design of the room was so cute and cohesive. Truly felt like a little cabin even though it was functionally a sunroom off the side of the house. The bed was great and views even more beautiful. What was even better though was getting to explore the property. There’s some trails out back that allowed us to climb up the mountain and the hobbit house was so cute. It felt like we could be at home there. When swinging on the swing Jessica invited us inside to meet her pet skunk! She showed us the room where she creates and stores her art (soaps and terrarium like frames). We got to see the birds out her window, so many! And talking with her sun was quite fun, learning about bees. She was so hospital and really made the experience magical. The only thing that could have been better was that the room was quite cold despite the little heater and we didn’t have water till we asked in the morning. But I think some of that had to do with how we didn’t let her know our ETA and arrived quite late! The bathroom was also a decent walk from the room. Maybe 100ft? But felt long cause of the cold. That’s typical hip camp though, right? Overall, would 100% recommend and go back as well!
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Amy G.
5 reviews
Recommends
· December 2024
Gorgeous private view!
With pets ·
This was a lovely stop-over on our way to family Christmas - even with snow and slush on the ground, she met us in the dark after we arrived with smiles and warm greetings!! Free firewood for our campfire (which is right outside the window of Bunkie) was a bonus. Even though it was a chilly night and we didn't stay outside too long, we could easily see it from the window when we were inside. A wall of windows was perfect to make the smaller space seem even larger. And if it had been summer, I'm sure the flowers and wildlife would have been a lovely sight!! Even in winter, we could see Christmas lights outside the town. Jessica had tea waiting for me (I ordered it), allowed our pets to stay with us (wonderful to be able to sleep in comfort with our dogs), had a coffeemaker, supplies to shower (if it had been warm enough to do so), extra blankets and a space heater to warm our little private space. Yes - you must go up and down stone steps to access the parking area and the bathroom, but all you need is shoes and it's totally possible. While this would not be a location for accessibility (for those that need that), if you are able, it's a great little experience. The town is absolutely gorgeous on the Mississippi River with little shops, and a few restaurants. I'd highly recommend if you want a creative little place to stay, don't mind a gorgeous view, want free firewood with your campfire ring and want to meet a real life pet skunk - yes - that's right :)
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Cody E.
1 year on Hipcamp
Recommends
· December 2024
Best host ever! Attentive and caring! I had a great time and plan to visit again! Beautiful property as well!!
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Anthony H.
5 months on Hipcamp
Recommends
· November 2024
Woodsy Tent Site
We loved camping at the Woodsy tent site! It’s was cozy. Sarah was very welcoming and a great host! Always quick to respond to anything we needed. Downtown Bellevue was cute and had a great book shop. 30 mins to Downtown Dubuque and 50 mins to Galena. The drive was very scenic!
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Wyatt S.
5 months on Hipcamp
Recommends
· October 2024
Nice and cozy old home on the hills behind Bellevue! Jessica was wonderfully accomodating!
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Stefano E.
7 months on Hipcamp
Recommends
· October 2024
Cute and interesting property with lots to do there and nearby, host was accomodating and kind. Picking my own eggs out of the hatchbox to cook made breakfast an activity in and of itself!
Location
Bellevue, Jackson, Iowa, United StatesTraditional, ancestral territory of oθaakiiwaki‧hina‧ki (Sauk) & Meškwahki·aša·hina (Fox), Očhéthi Šakówiŋ, and Kiikaapoi (Kickapoo) First Nations according to
To respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
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Hosted by Jessica O.

Joined in May 2021
Response rate: 100%Response time: Within 2 hours
Hipcamp is created with ❤️ and hope for our future.