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East Grove Farms Winery and Vineyar…

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· Salem, Henry, Iowa

600 acres hosted by East Grove F.

1 tent site

Best in Iowa: Finalist

Named one of the best Hipcamps to visit in 2023.

East Grove is a Star Host

Star Hosts are highly rated, responsive, and committed to providing incredible experiences.

All to yourself

100% of recent Hipcampers say this Hipcamp felt private.

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.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, porta john, and shade. Firewood is available if you ask. There is no electricity or running water. There is a pond for fishing and some trails, and of course all campers are welcome to visit our headquarters for a free tasting of our wine and mead! Wagon rides can be arranged and on occasion there is live music at the meadery on weekends. 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.

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77 ratings · 65 reviews

Michelle B.recommends

September 2, 2024

Freedom Seekers Camp

Enjoyed our time here. Loved the privacy and the stars at night were beautiful.

Sue P.recommends

July 30, 2024

Freedom Seekers Camp

Beautiful setting, fireplace pit and supplies. Nestled among vineyards and pretty pond. Watch the big sky and the fireflies.

Julian W.recommends

July 26, 2024

Freedom Seekers Camp

A+

A+ One of the most unique camping experiences I’ve had. You are situated at the back of the vineyards within a small treeless alcove that provides spectacular views of the surrounding land, especially at dawn. The Porta pottie is accessible and clean and the wood bundles were placed at the camp site along with kindling and paper. We are already eyeing a return trip to sample the mead and wine!

Eric W.recommends

July 19, 2024

Freedom Seekers Camp

It was a great campsite. Very quiet and easy to find. Bathroom was very clean. Would recommend for sure

Cheryl B.recommends

July 9, 2024

Freedom Seekers Camp

Excellent site

This camp and location was beautiful, very clean and well organized. The restored historic home is lovely and significant for it's abolitionist history. It worked well for our small in truck pop up camper. One of my favorite camps and we hope to return to taste the mead and maybe when the music is playing!

Kristen B.recommends

June 23, 2024

Freedom Seekers Camp

Friends kayaking weekend

Our annual camping and kayaking friends trip was awesome as usual. This was in huge part, because of East Grove Farms Winery and Vineyard in Salem Iowa. It was so much more than expected! Lots of shade, breeze, beautiful vineyard, and pond, as well as necessities such as a fire pit, picnic table, grill, and an awesome worktable. To top it off, their wine and mead are among the best we have tasted! We will definitely return and cannot thank the hosts enough for their hospitality!

Location

Salem, Henry, Iowa, United StatesTraditional, ancestral territory of Peoria, 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