Glamping near Alden

Glamping in Alden offers over 180 tailored spots, from riverside ranches to unique barn stays. Prices start at $40 and average around $105 per night. If you want a quiet escape with a hot shower and your dog by your side, you’ll find it here. Fire pits crackle at dusk, wildlife moves at the edge of camp, and the Iowa River is never far away for fishing or a long walk. Top picks include Secluded riverside ranch (31 reviews), Sleep in an Iowa Barn @ TLC (30 reviews), and the compact Spruce Tiny Cabin (2 reviews). This is glamping that gets the details right: real beds, working showers, and the sounds of the river at night. Bring your boots, your binoculars, and a taste for small-town comfort.

99% (74)

Top-rated campgrounds

Our barn dormitory with 7 bedrooms, a lounge, men's and women's restrooms with showers, and kitchenette on the lower level. The upper level has a full kitchen, a large dining hall/dance hall, and a stage.

1. Sleep in an Iowa Barn @ TLC

24mi from Alden · 2 sites · Tents, Lodging · Zearing, IA

Threshold Learning Center is 28 acres of prairie, creek, woods, and our barn dormitory. Threshold is first, an outdoor learning center for schools during the school year, and a summer camp offering several day camps, family camps, and trips. As a non-profit, however, we are constantly trying to find a way to offer our programs to everyone regardless of whether they are able to pay our fees while still making enough money to stay open. We started renting TLC to the public 5 years ago for weddings, reunions, or just families who are looking to connect to the world around them. Our motto is "No Child Left Inside" and we want every inner child to enjoy what we have at TLC. We have 7 bedrooms in our dormitory, 5 camp sites, a large camp fire ring, a mini-golf course, and we are always willing to lead your group in an educational experience or take you on a hayrack ride.

Secluded riverside ranch

2. Secluded riverside ranch

33mi from Alden · 3 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Goldfield, IA

This property encompasses 15 acres featuring a mile of mowed trails that weave through wildflower prairies, along a meandering creek, peaceful woods along the river, and a 501(c)(3) animal rescue providing sanctuary to goats, a llama, a miniature cow, an ostrich and more! The perfect place to unwind, unplug, and connect with nature in a private setting, not on a gravel pad at a treeless, overcrowded campground.

Spruce Tiny Cabin

3. Spruce Tiny Cabin

49mi from Alden · 1 site · Lodging · Montour, IA

Pilgrim Heights is an oasis of natural beauty and outdoor recreation for all ages! We sit on 100 private wooded acres with an 80 acre recreational lake complete with a beach, and stunning views from our private cabins. From fishing to canoeing to hiking, the center is bursting with enriching activities. 100 private wooded acres 80-acre recreational lake Beach Fishing Boating Swimming Hiking Campfires Challenge Course Frisbee Golf

A cabin, in the woods, by the river, on a snowy morning. The warmth inside from the fireplace. Life is quiet, and good.

4. Pine Lake State Park

127 sites · Eldora, Iowa

Discover Pine Lake State Park's natural beauty and outdoor adventures.

Dolliver Memorial State Park

5. Dolliver Memorial State Park

24 sites · Lehigh, Iowa

Discover the rugged beauty of Dolliver Memorial State Park.

Black Oak Tiny Cabin

6. Black Oak Tiny Cabin

49mi from Alden · 1 site · Lodging · Montour, IA

Unique tiny cabin experience! Black Oak Cabin has been recently updated and sleeps up to four people. Relax, unwind, and take a break from technology. It features a stunning view of our lake and private deck for sipping your cup of coffe in the morning. Commune with nature on our private trails, beach and more! Black Oak Cabin features a mini fridge, mircowave, and coffee maker. Hot water, A/C and heater.

Union Grove State Park

7. Union Grove State Park

22 sites · Gladbrook, Iowa

Discover Union Grove State Park's natural charm and outdoor activities.

McIntosh Woods State Park

8. McIntosh Woods State Park

51 sites · Ventura, Iowa

Discover the Serenity of McIntosh Woods State Park.

Glamping in Alden offers over 180 tailored spots, from riverside ranches to unique barn stays. Prices start at $40 and average around $105 per night. If you want a quiet escape with a hot shower and your dog by your side, you’ll find it here. Fire pits crackle at dusk, wildlife moves at the edge of camp, and the Iowa River is never far away for fishing or a long walk. Top picks include Secluded riverside ranch (31 reviews), Sleep in an Iowa Barn @ TLC (30 reviews), and the compact Spruce Tiny Cabin (2 reviews). This is glamping that gets the details right: real beds, working showers, and the sounds of the river at night. Bring your boots, your binoculars, and a taste for small-town comfort.

99% (74)

Top-rated campgrounds

Our barn dormitory with 7 bedrooms, a lounge, men's and women's restrooms with showers, and kitchenette on the lower level. The upper level has a full kitchen, a large dining hall/dance hall, and a stage.

1. Sleep in an Iowa Barn @ TLC

24mi from Alden · 2 sites · Tents, Lodging · Zearing, IA

Threshold Learning Center is 28 acres of prairie, creek, woods, and our barn dormitory. Threshold is first, an outdoor learning center for schools during the school year, and a summer camp offering several day camps, family camps, and trips. As a non-profit, however, we are constantly trying to find a way to offer our programs to everyone regardless of whether they are able to pay our fees while still making enough money to stay open. We started renting TLC to the public 5 years ago for weddings, reunions, or just families who are looking to connect to the world around them. Our motto is "No Child Left Inside" and we want every inner child to enjoy what we have at TLC. We have 7 bedrooms in our dormitory, 5 camp sites, a large camp fire ring, a mini-golf course, and we are always willing to lead your group in an educational experience or take you on a hayrack ride.

Secluded riverside ranch

2. Secluded riverside ranch

33mi from Alden · 3 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Goldfield, IA

This property encompasses 15 acres featuring a mile of mowed trails that weave through wildflower prairies, along a meandering creek, peaceful woods along the river, and a 501(c)(3) animal rescue providing sanctuary to goats, a llama, a miniature cow, an ostrich and more! The perfect place to unwind, unplug, and connect with nature in a private setting, not on a gravel pad at a treeless, overcrowded campground.

Spruce Tiny Cabin

3. Spruce Tiny Cabin

49mi from Alden · 1 site · Lodging · Montour, IA

Pilgrim Heights is an oasis of natural beauty and outdoor recreation for all ages! We sit on 100 private wooded acres with an 80 acre recreational lake complete with a beach, and stunning views from our private cabins. From fishing to canoeing to hiking, the center is bursting with enriching activities. 100 private wooded acres 80-acre recreational lake Beach Fishing Boating Swimming Hiking Campfires Challenge Course Frisbee Golf

A cabin, in the woods, by the river, on a snowy morning. The warmth inside from the fireplace. Life is quiet, and good.

4. Pine Lake State Park

127 sites · Eldora, Iowa

Discover Pine Lake State Park's natural beauty and outdoor adventures.

Dolliver Memorial State Park

5. Dolliver Memorial State Park

24 sites · Lehigh, Iowa

Discover the rugged beauty of Dolliver Memorial State Park.

Black Oak Tiny Cabin

6. Black Oak Tiny Cabin

49mi from Alden · 1 site · Lodging · Montour, IA

Unique tiny cabin experience! Black Oak Cabin has been recently updated and sleeps up to four people. Relax, unwind, and take a break from technology. It features a stunning view of our lake and private deck for sipping your cup of coffe in the morning. Commune with nature on our private trails, beach and more! Black Oak Cabin features a mini fridge, mircowave, and coffee maker. Hot water, A/C and heater.

Union Grove State Park

7. Union Grove State Park

22 sites · Gladbrook, Iowa

Discover Union Grove State Park's natural charm and outdoor activities.

McIntosh Woods State Park

8. McIntosh Woods State Park

51 sites · Ventura, Iowa

Discover the Serenity of McIntosh Woods State Park.

Public campgrounds near Alden

A cabin, in the woods, by the river, on a snowy morning. The warmth inside from the fireplace. Life is quiet, and good.

Pine Lake Campground

18mi from Alden · 127 sites · Tents, RVs · in Pine Lake State Park

Dolliver Campground

Dolliver Campground

37mi from Alden · 24 sites · Tents, RVs · in Dolliver Memorial State Park

Union Grove Campground

Union Grove Campground

42mi from Alden · 22 sites · Tents, RVs · in Union Grove State Park

McIntosh Woods Campground

McIntosh Woods Campground

43mi from Alden · 51 sites · Tents, RVs · in McIntosh Woods State Park

Stories from the community

Our barn dormitory with 7 bedrooms, a lounge, men's and women's restrooms with showers, and kitchenette on the lower level. The upper level has a full kitchen, a large dining hall/dance hall, and a stage.

Richard

August 2025

5 nights at Sleep in an Iowa Barn @ TLC

Our stay at the TLC Learning Center was an incredible experience. I only wish I had more time to explore and take advantage of the many available activities. And next time I would bring more friends and family to enjoy the experience. There’s room for everyone!!

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Black Oak Tiny Cabin

H

Heather

June 2025

With pets

Weekend Trip to Black Oak Tiny Cabin

The little cabin is was nice! We really enjoyed our stay. The office manager/co-director was on top of anything we needed. She even brought us firewood!! The only thing I would add is the cabin is part of a larger camp. So there is no guarantee you will have it all to yourself as the description says. However, it was very quiet and we were not disturbed any other campers. I would recommend 10 out of 10!

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Spruce Tiny Cabin

Mark

May 2025

With pets

1 night at Spruce Tiny Cabin

The good: At night you'll have crickets and frogs singing for you, and in the morning birds will take over. Waking up to a sun rising over the lake is wonderful. The host was friendly, and they provide pretty much everything you'll need. There is a great truck stop just a few minutes away, too. The bad: There were dead bugs everywhere. The bed wasn't the most comfortable. The road is in terrible condition, and I worried about getting out if it rained. If I'd been on the motorcycle it would have been impossible to do.

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Dog-friendly getaways

Spruce Tiny Cabin

49mi from Alden · 1 site · Lodging · Montour, IA

Pilgrim Heights is an oasis of natural beauty and outdoor recreation for all ages! We sit on 100 private wooded acres with an 80 acre recreational lake complete with a beach, and stunning views from our private cabins. From fishing to canoeing to hiking, the center is bursting with enriching activities. 100 private wooded acres 80-acre recreational lake Beach Fishing Boating Swimming Hiking Campfires Challenge Course Frisbee Golf

Secluded riverside ranch

33mi from Alden · 3 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Goldfield, IA

This property encompasses 15 acres featuring a mile of mowed trails that weave through wildflower prairies, along a meandering creek, peaceful woods along the river, and a 501(c)(3) animal rescue providing sanctuary to goats, a llama, a miniature cow, an ostrich and more! The perfect place to unwind, unplug, and connect with nature in a private setting, not on a gravel pad at a treeless, overcrowded campground.

Sleep in an Iowa Barn @ TLC

24mi from Alden · 2 sites · Tents, Lodging · Zearing, IA

Threshold Learning Center is 28 acres of prairie, creek, woods, and our barn dormitory. Threshold is first, an outdoor learning center for schools during the school year, and a summer camp offering several day camps, family camps, and trips. As a non-profit, however, we are constantly trying to find a way to offer our programs to everyone regardless of whether they are able to pay our fees while still making enough money to stay open. We started renting TLC to the public 5 years ago for weddings, reunions, or just families who are looking to connect to the world around them. Our motto is "No Child Left Inside" and we want every inner child to enjoy what we have at TLC. We have 7 bedrooms in our dormitory, 5 camp sites, a large camp fire ring, a mini-golf course, and we are always willing to lead your group in an educational experience or take you on a hayrack ride.

Black Oak Tiny Cabin

49mi from Alden · 1 site · Lodging · Montour, IA

Unique tiny cabin experience! Black Oak Cabin has been recently updated and sleeps up to four people. Relax, unwind, and take a break from technology. It features a stunning view of our lake and private deck for sipping your cup of coffe in the morning. Commune with nature on our private trails, beach and more! Black Oak Cabin features a mini fridge, mircowave, and coffee maker. Hot water, A/C and heater.

Nearby parks

Explore the area’s public lands.

A cabin, in the woods, by the river, on a snowy morning. The warmth inside from the fireplace. Life is quiet, and good.

Pine Lake State Park

Dolliver Memorial State Park

Dolliver Memorial State Park

Union Grove State Park

Union Grove State Park

Gladbrook, Iowa

McIntosh Woods State Park

McIntosh Woods State Park

Value Prop

Value Prop

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

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