Most wildfires are preventable. Be fire safe
99% (691) • 168 campsites
Top-rated glamping sites near Union
Sleep in an Iowa Barn @ TLC
1. Sleep in an Iowa Barn @ TLC
98%
(43)
13mi from Union · 2 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
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.
Pets
Toilets
Showers
Windy Goat Acres
2. Windy Goat Acres
99%
(876)
36mi from Union · 5 sites
We love animals, plants, art, and outdoor recreation and love sharing these things with people! We found the perfect little plot for all of these things we love. Nature, art, animals, and lots of space! The hilly, lush land is also known as the Bohemie Alps and it's quite a beautiful area tucked away in Iowa.
Visit with the llamas, goats, peacocks, potbelly pigs and the horses and hike around the property or stay in for a quiet stay with a good book and enjoy all the sights and sounds. Lots of extra 'add ons' to enhance the experience, like a waffle bar kit, smore's package, hikes, and more!
Semi wooded property with hiking trails, hammocks, aerial silks, campfire pit. 5 mi away is Otter Creek Lake, a recreational park for fishing, kayaking, swimming, etc. We have 2 kayaks available. So much to do! Also perfect to just relax, meditate, yoga, sleep...
Pets
Toilets
Showers
Sunset Hills Bison Ranch & Lodging
3. Sunset Hills Bison Ranch & Lodging
97%
(16)
45mi from Union · 3 sites
*NEW 2023*Prairie-Schooner Wagon*You are invited to stay where the buffalo roam in a beautiful Conestoga Wagon! These unique wagons have heat & a/c, a king bed, twin/twin bunk beds and locking front door. Enjoy the beauty of the sunset along the rolling hills. Stargaze while cuddled around your private fire pit. Wake up to our bison herd grazing near by. Private luxury shower house w/ heat & a/c. The wagons do NOT have a kitchen. They do have a coffee maker, refrigerator, microwave, toaster and grill & more.
Toilets
Showers
Campfires
Pine Lake State Park
4. Pine Lake State Park
100%
(1)
State park 8.8mi from Union · 127 sites
Discover Pine Lake State Park's natural beauty and outdoor adventures.
Pets
Toilets
Showers
Union Grove State Park
5. Union Grove State Park
State park 19mi from Union · 22 sites
Discover Union Grove State Park's natural charm and outdoor activities.
Pets
Toilets
Showers
Pinn Oak Bunk House
6. Pinn Oak Bunk House
100%
(2)
25mi from Union · 1 site
Welcome to summer camp at Pinn Oak! This traditional bunkhouse features five sets of bunk beds plus one Twin XL bed—perfect for group getaways, friends, or family adventures.
Just a short walk from your cabin, you’ll find our shower house and shared campfire areas (firewood included). During your stay, enjoy access to our swimming beach and complimentary use of our kayaks and canoes—outside watercraft are not permitted on the lake.
Our property also offers scenic walking trails, multiple cabins, and plenty of space to relax and reconnect with nature. A small charcoal grill is available near your cabin for easy camp-style cooking.
Come unplug, unwind, and experience camp life!
Pets
Toilets
Showers
Cabin in the Woods
7. Cabin in the Woods
100%
(5)
38mi from Union · 1 site
Cabin in the Woods is located on 18 wooded acres. Small stocked pond right outside your front door! Enjoy the wildlife and peacefulness of nature all around. Secluded area, yet 15 minutes to restaurants, shopping, Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino, Adventureland and more! The cabin is a small one room space, with a loft for extra storage or sleeping. There is electric, but no running water. Gallon of water will be available. There is an attached outhouse with toilet. Small fridge and microwave. TV with DVD player.
Please note that the cabin does share a driveway with our house, so there may be cars that drive by. We do have animals on our property, so you may encounter dogs, cats, chickens and goats (all friendly)!
Toilets
Campfires
Timberline East RV Campground, Cabins & Glamping Sites
8. Timberline East RV Campground, Cabins & Glamping Sites
39mi from Union · 7 sites
Discover the unique charm of our centrally located KOA, where you immerse yourself in the beauty of an open, rolling landscape. We offer spacious cabins and the cutest vintage sleeping campers inspired by characters in the popular series Golden Girls (we are lovingly referred to as the Silver Sisters).
Take a refreshing dip in our pool, open from Memorial Day to Labor Day, or relax by our catch and release fishing pond, full of bluegill, bass, and channel catfish.
We are close to many Central Iowa attractions and events, including Alta House Wedding and Event Center, the Iowa Speedway, Knoxville Nationals, Pella Tulip Time and downtown Des Moines Farmers Market. Our campground features spacious RV and tent sites too; check out the Newton/Des Moines East Campground listing on Hip Camp for more information.
It's always a Great Day at Newton/Des Moines East KOA!
Pets
Toilets
Showers
Saylor Creek Hideaway
9. Saylor Creek Hideaway
100%
(8)
49mi from Union · 1 site
Escape to nature without sacrificing comfort!
Experience a unique getaway with your friends or family. Whether you're celebrating an anniversary, creating fun family memories or simply looking for a weekend getaway, our place is perfect for you!
“There is nothing like hearing the owls at night and hanging out by the campfire all day.” - Christy
Come and relax in the trees. Wake up to the beauty of nature and relax with a cup of espresso on the deck. During the day, explore all that Des Moines has to offer. From outdoor activities to shopping and dining, there is something for everyone. And when night falls, gather around the fire pit with your loved ones and share stories while roasting s'mores.
You won't have to give up comfort while "camping". Our glamping tent offers all the amenities you need to feel comfortable while still being immersed in nature. With air conditioning and heat, you can adjust the temperature to suit your needs no matter what the Iowa weather throws your way. Get a good night's sleep in our king-size bed with cozy bedding.
Enjoy the convenience of running water at the nearby sink and shower, which means you won't have to give up cleanliness while camping. Sticky hands from roasting s'mores? No problem!
“This is the perfect getaway location without having to "rough it"... this was the absolute best place to try out camping without sacrificing some comforts.” - Gloria
Inside the Tent:
- King size bed. All bedding is provided.
- Couch folds into a twin size bed. Bedding provided.
- Towels, shampoo, conditioner body wash
- Air conditioning and heat
- Small refrigerator
- Nespresso machine with pods, creamer & sugar
- Dining table with two chairs
- TV
- WiFi
- Board games
“Extremely comfy bed with cozy warm bedding.” - Lindsey
Outside the Tent:
- Two deck chairs
- Solo Stove smokeless fire pit
- Two Adirondack chairs
- Charcoal grill with charcoal
- One large bundle of firewood
- Fire starter and lighter
- Outhouse with sink and composting toilet
- Outdoor shower with rainfall shower head
This tent is tucked into the trees on the 7 acre property where we live. Our house is out of sight when you're on the campsite. A short walk down a path and you will reach the tent where you will be immersed in the trees.
Toilets
Showers
Campfires
Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community
T
Trisha
August 2026
1 night at Windy Goat Acres
The animals are delightful. The first time all the goats and ducks noisily came to say hello was a favorite moment from our trip. The yurt is beautiful. Air conditioned which was needed in humid August. The space is lovely and very well equipped with electricity, a kitchenette with full sink and a tv and dvd player. The bathrooms near the house are less than a 5 minute walk, being a flashlight for late nights early morning trips! There is a standard porta potty right near the yurt, also need a flashlight.
Take time to just wander the grounds. Cannot recommend the waffle breakfast enough. So delicious!
See more
Cassie
August 2026
With pets
We had such a wonderful stay at Windy Goat Acres! There is truly so much to do that you never even need to leave the farm. Our stay was the perfect mix of fun, relaxation, and quality family time.
We loved getting to spend time with the llamas, snuggling the sweetest kittens, watching the dog and emu races, making magically giant bubbles, wandering the grounds, and slowing down to play games together as a family. There was always something fun to discover, but it also never felt rushed or like we had to be doing something every minute.
Jess and Jim were incredibly welcoming and so easy to communicate with from start to finish. Jim took the time to share so much with us about the animals, the land, and the farm itself, which made the experience even more special. You can tell how much love, thought, and care they have poured into the property and the animals who call it home. It really feels like they enjoy sharing this little piece of their world with the people who stay there.
Windy Goat Acres was such a unique and memorable getaway, the kind of place where you can unplug, slow down, explore, laugh a lot, and just enjoy being together. We left with some really special family memories and would absolutely recommend it to anyone looking for a fun, peaceful, and truly one-of-a-kind escape. We would happily come back!
See more
Megan
August 2026
With kids
I think this was our 5th time visiting…each time we visit, we fall more in love with the space and the animals. This place is truly special and we look forward to visiting again.
See more
S
Sarah
August 2026
With kids
This is our 2nd time visiting, 1st time staying in the Hobbit House. We of course loved it! This kids already want to come back next year and see all the animals.
See more
B
Brett
August 2026
2 nights at Windy Goat Acres
Windy goat offers a kaleidoscope of experiences, and no two visits are ever the same. Each time I go back, I see something new that Jess has added. The landscape and hidden gnomes and fairies along the various paths on the farm reward the attentive viewer. It is a great place to recharge your batteries, and store up some whimsy to face the mundane world.
See more
A
Alisha
August 2026
With kids
Such a beautiful escape from reality. We always love our weekends here.
See moreK
Kathryn
August 2026
With kids
Amazing experience! We had a blast as a family! Our kids loved the animals and waffles!
See more
A
Anna
July 2026
With pets
One of the coolest places I’ve ever stayed. The hobbit house was adorable inside and out. My dogs and I loved the property trails. All of the animals on-site were adorable to watch.
See more
Meg
July 2026
With pets
This was the first-ever time I ever went "glamping" and it was amaaazing. My husband and I were in the Hobbit House on the property, and we also brought our cat with us. The Hobbit House is adorable and The Lord of the Rings theme is not just the exterior of the cabin, but interior as well, with the full Tolkien anthology inside. But! I am going to guess most people who stay here won't be in there all that much, seeing how there is so0o0o much to see and do just walking around the property. The animals are adorable, sometimes silly, and always amazing to sit with and just gaze upon them. My favorite of all the animals was probably the emus, simply because they are so goofy. But we also loved the horses, especially how gentle and curious they all were. And there was a small horse, a big draft horse, and 3 miniature horses, all completely adorable.
This is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and UNIQUE experiences anybody could ask for in Iowa. If you've never "glamped" before, get ready for a treat. Even if you're City Folks, I think you'll still have an amazing time if you are okay with roughing it for the weekend (although there is AC)!
Thank you Jess & Jim for the incredible time. My husband and I are already talking about when we want to go back, and possibly switch to the main yurt the next time around.
See more
E
Erin
July 2026
With pets
From the whimsical touches to the friendly farm animals, my stay at Windy Goat Acres was truly memorable. The property has such a warm, welcoming atmosphere that makes it easy to relax from the moment you arrive. The owners were incredibly communicative beforehand and even provided a charming hand-drawn map, which made exploring the different areas of the farm both simple and fun.
The cabin itself was cozy and inviting, with a calming scent that immediately made it feel like a peaceful retreat. One of my favorite parts of the experience was adding on breakfast—the fresh waffles and farm-fresh eggs were absolutely delicious and well worth it.
The only minor drawback was the lack of curtains in the cabin, which initially caught me off guard. However, there is a nearby bathhouse for changing if you’d prefer additional privacy. By the next morning, I found myself appreciating the unobstructed windows as the sunrise filled the cabin with beautiful natural light. It ended up being one of my favorite parts of the stay.
Overall, Windy Goat Acres offers a unique and relaxing getaway with thoughtful hospitality and plenty of charm. I would gladly return for another visit.
See more
B
Becca
July 2026
With kids
Windy Goat is a magical place and I'm so happy that I finally got to share it with my kids - I think it's safe to say that they love it as much as I do!
See moreE
Eric
July 2026
L
Liz
July 2026
2 nights at Windy Goat Acres
We had the most wonderful time at Windy Goat Acres! The yurt was clean and comfortable. It was more well stocked than we anticipated. Short walk to the bathroom with a lovely outdoor shower. There are so many fun details that make this place so whimsical.
We got several add-ons and our favorites were the waffle bar, movie night, cup o' treats, goat social, and the piggy popsicles! We had a lovely time chatting with Jess and Jim. The animals are so loved and so friendly. We held the baby goats! Also, there are four kittens running around that are so sweet. We wish we had booked another night and we will definitely be back!
See moreA
Allison
July 2026
With kids
This is the third summer my family and I have stayed at Windy Goat Acres, and it's becoming one of our favorite summer traditions! Jim and Jess are wonderful hosts. This year we tried the waffle bar - it was SO GOOD! We also got some goat and bunny snuggles in during the goat social, and bunny sits and apple bits. It's super fun to meet the new kittens and give them some snuggles too. I love how peaceful the farm is. It gives the family a chance to slow down and spend quality time together in nature. It's the best! We will definitely be back.
See more
K
Kendall
July 2026
1 night at Windy Goat Acres
Fantastic stay! We stayed in the Queen Armadillo yurt - super clean and bright place with a ton of amenities. We were on a bike trip so got in later than expected, Jess was great about communicating us and offering to help get us set in the dark. Beautiful place with a lot of charm. Bathroom is a bit of a walk but easy in the daytime. Would highly recommend for families or couples wanting to get some comfortable nature time.
See more
P
Piper
July 2026
Weekend Trip to Windy Goat Acres
What an amazing place! This was the perfect weekend getaway. So relaxing and peaceful, amongst animals and nature. The owners were very welcoming and nice!! Highly recommended.
See more
A
Ashley
July 2026
With kids
We had a fabulous time at Windy Goat Acres. All of my childen ages 18months-12 years, enjoyed the experience. We spent plenty of time with the animals, explored the magical trails, and had quality family time in our yurt. The yurt was thoughtly put together with clean linens, a small toaster oven, and decent amount of other kitchen essentials. We appreciated the fan, and sound machine, as well as the coloring books and board games. I was hesitant to purchase extras, but we ended up feeding the bunnies, piggie popsicles, and food cups. It was the best part! We will add the goat social our next visit.Jess and Jim took the time to educate us about their animals, and were responsive to our needs.
The bathroom is a walk, but managable even with littles. We found something new to explore every time we ventured out. I was disappointed with the amount of trash I found on the trails, and around the farm. I assume this was from past visitors, and we picked up as we found it. I would encourage others to clean up after themselves and lend a hand when needed. We LOVED our stay.
See more
D
Desiree
July 2026
With kids
We had an amazing time at Windy goat acres. Everything was exactly how the listing described it. It was myself my husband and 212-year-old girls. The girls had a great time exploring and having an adventure. The only downside was the heat, but Jess and her husband did everything they could too help with that. We had great AC in the llama llama chalet. And we had the unexpected bonus of there being a Mermaid hosted event that weekend, so the girls got a chance to wear mermaid tails and swim with some real mermaids. Highly recommend the waffle breakfast. It comes delivered with more toppings than I could keep track of. We also did the goat meet and greet and the piggy Popsicles. Even without adding any extra as it would be a great weekend.
See more
M
Melissa
July 2026
With kids
Our family had a magical time at the farm! We stayed the whole weekend and never had a dull moment - from exploring the property to bonding with the animals to a surprise mermaid party, we had a great time! We were relaxed from the moment we arrived and were taken care of well by Jess and Jim. Highly recommend. We will definitely be back!
See moreA
Amber
July 2026
Weekend Trip to Windy Goat Acres
The hobbit house is a great option for those looking to escape to a magical retreat. The trees around the hobbit house provide a lot of privacy. We could hear people at the nearby cabin, but they couldn't see us nor could we see them. There is a bit of a steep walk from the parking area to the hobbit house, so I recommend you bring a wagon to help bring your items up the path with greater ease. At night, the site was lit up with fireflies and was completely silent. I highly recommend the Hobbit House. I hope to return soon!
See more
