Willow City Farm

Great location and a thoroughly pleasant time!

This was an instant book. The write up said to check in at main house on arrival and we would be taken to site. Messaging had told us that hosts weren’t home and that the interim host wouldn’t be able to deliver eggs or tour as we paid for...Interim host also didn’t answer the door. Hosts were in Yellowstone with limited comm ability but told us to drive thru field to site. Beautiful idea. String lights. Pond. Paddle boat. Dock. Canoe. But Portapotty was a cess pool and at max capacity. Soap provided but no water. Paddle boat was filthy and unusable. Half of string lights not working. Lantern left out with welcome camper letter but lantern not working.

Beautiful idea but not optimally executed.

We went out and spent a couple hours on the property but didn't stay, only because it was going to get chilly that evening and we forgot to pack extra bedding for the occasion, plus we were still pretty close to home anyway. It was a nice set up for a small group, and it was private. It would have even probably been more private if the fields weren't plowed yet. When we left we visited a nearby winery in New Berlin, then went onto enjoy food and shops in Springfield which was also close by. When we were at the site, we didn't have much luck fishing, but that could have been due to weather.

Stayed only one night but enjoyed our stay. Great little get away.

Lovely little farm with a private pond front for the campsite. It’s very cool to get a farm tour and meet the animals. Tara made us feel very at home and it was a very relaxing trip.

The property is really beautiful and peaceful and we appreciated how quiet and tranquil it was. The campsite itself, while lovely in the photos, sits next to a stagnant pond that breeds mosquitos. Not only was this not a place we wanted to eat (we wound up eating in our van), the idea of boating, swimming or fishing was completely out of the question. It's possible that this is a seasonal issue. We were there in September.

Response from Tara and Joe, the Host, on September 28th, 2020

Hi Alise! Sorry this was your experience. We have not had much rain is a few months, so like all the lakes, rivers and ponds in our area, the water is lower than normal! Hopefully we get a decent rain soon!

Helpful

1

Helpful

1

Remove vote :(

Great place--it will make you feel like you are on Gilligan's Island.
You younger folks can google that reference.

Tara and Joe were very helpful with a same day reservation. They thought further ahead than I did, anticipating a late arrival, and hung up some string lights at the sight. This helped me find the exact spot on their land in the dark, as well as help me set up my tent! The next morning we visited the farm animals and briefly met Tara. If we’d had more time and hotter weather, I’m sure the little pond would have been really fun to play on/in. It’s a cool little spot.

Lovely campsite on a private little pond. We felt secluded and on our own, which we loved. And the biodiversity of the pond area was impressive; bluegill, turtles, snakes, frogs, birds, squirrels, and even heard coyotes in the far distance over night. The host left us independently to our peaceful campsite, which we prefer. And the dock area was great for throwing in a bobber and worm. The campsite is on a working farm, so farm animals you will hear. We will definitely be back! Loved our stay.