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East Grove Farms Winery and Vineyar…

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· Salem, Iowa
1 site
1 Tent
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.  It 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 10 am to 6 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, 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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Fishing
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Wildlife watching
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Forest
Swimming hole
Farm
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Location
Salem, Iowa, United StatesTo respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
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Hosted by East Grove F.Joined in March 2016
100%
62 ratings · 52 reviews
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Kenneth B.recommends
October 31, 2022
Freedom Seekers Camp
Camping at East Grove
The site was clean and ready as usual, the campsite was mowed and easy to get to. All details of the booking were perfect.
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Trica T.recommends
October 8, 2022
Freedom Seekers Camp
Magical!
Such a beautiful location! Being a host myself they took care with details to ensure their guests have a welcoming and clean site. I highly recommend!
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Jill W.recommends
September 30, 2022
Freedom Seekers Camp
A wonderfully unique experience
This was a fantastic campsite on beautiful land with a friendly and giving host. Joel allowed us to hike and explore his land as well as sample the mead. It was such a lovely experience and he offered up the history of this land plus even gave us a tour. It was truely a unique experience and we loved it! You might note that there was no grate for the fire so if you are camping there, bring your own (as we did). Also it's not far off the Ave for the Saints so you may hear some traffic noise. Neither of these is a big deal...just an FYI. :) You will LOVE this site.
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Robert J.recommends
September 22, 2022
Freedom Seekers Camp
Family camp
Great host! Very private as you are the only campers on property. Kids enjoyed fishing swimming and taking the boat on the water that is on the property. Fires were great at night. Visit the winery store if you can. Will stay again!
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Stacy S.recommends
August 31, 2022
Freedom Seekers Camp
This is awesome place to stay, the campsite was private. Walking the through the grapevines, around the pond was great. Hostess was very nice.
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Kristen H.recommends
August 7, 2022
Freedom Seekers Camp
One of the most beautiful camping spots we have booked! The hosts were so nice and we even visited the meadery and got to sample and buy some for our trip. They make some very good mead! The site had a big fire ring, firewood and kindling, a picnic table and a prep/storage table. There were wildflowers surrounding the site with a big area of mowed grass for our dogs to run and play. If you’re headed this way, I highly recommend staying here. We will definitely be back!
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Malorie J.recommends
July 24, 2022
Freedom Seekers Camp
Everything is amazing!!! Best experience and hosts
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Ken H.recommends
July 16, 2022
Freedom Seekers Camp
Great secluded place!
Phenomenal place. A great hidden gem. The campsite is very tidy. Plenty of room to walk around the property. The lake is awesome and has great fishing and swimming. I would recommend this place to anyone!
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Bruce K.recommends
July 14, 2022
Freedom Seekers Camp
This is a great campsite. Very private. Access to a little pond with fishing. Free firewood. Friendly host. Stay here.
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Steven J.recommends
July 3, 2022
Freedom Seekers Camp
Great experience! Hosts are super friendly and lots of fun. We loved all the mead they brew and the tasting was a lot of fun for the whole group. The campsite is secluded and perfect. The stars and Lightning bugs at night were absolutely amazing. We are already talking about going back again!
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Michael M.recommends
June 20, 2022
Freedom Seekers Camp
Private campsite. Amazing lightning bug show at night and great view of the stars. Super easy to catch bass in the pond off spinnerbaits and topwaters.
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Andrea P.recommends
June 7, 2022
Freedom Seekers Camp
Camping on a beautiful farm!
Excellent stay! Our experience on East Grove’s farm was magical. We enjoyed the view of the firefly’s at night and the night sky with many stars. We had some free mead samples and all of the meads are really tasty. The wood provided at this campsite can last us a whole week it’s worth buying it from them. The pond has a lot of fish I caught three in as little as 30 minutes. There is a nearby state park 20 minutes away where there was a lot of kayaking and nice trails. We are coming back in the fall!
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Kenneth B.recommends
October 6, 2021
Freedom Seekers Camp
It was peaceful and well kept. Plenty of room and attention was paid fully to all details of the booking
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Autumn C.recommends
October 4, 2021
Freedom Seekers Camp
Truly an amazing stay! The property is beyond awesome! Loved visiting the pond, walking around the trails, and of course the bees! The camping spot was private with a ton of space. At night, we got great views of the stars and the Milky Way. We also did a tasting of the mead which was delicious, so we made sure to bring some home. We had such a great trip and not far from Chicago. We’ll definitely be visiting again and hope we catch it when they’re having a live show!
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Emily H.recommends
September 8, 2021
Freedom Seekers Camp
Absolutely lovely spot - secluded at the back of the vineyard with the choice between setting up camp under trees or under the stars. Would recommend to all. One note: There were coyotes in the area the nights that we stayed and they were barking and howling throughout the night, so if that makes you nervous, then this might not be the site for you.
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Earl O.recommends
August 30, 2021
Freedom Seekers Camp
The most beautiful and secluded camping site ive ever seen. Joel and Steph were perfect hosts. We shared a couple beers and chatted with them for a couple hours and they are complete hosts. The campsite was wonderful, nice big table to use as a base, great combination of shade and sun, beautiful setting in the vineyard, a one acre pond stocked with Bass and sunny's. Joel let us use his boat, provided the oars for us without us asking. It was a terrific time and we are already planning our next trip!! Thanks again Joel and Steph for our wonderful camping trip!!
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Sarah D.recommends
August 25, 2021
Freedom Seekers Camp
Wonderful!
One of the nicest campsites I've ever stayed at. The farmhouse and vineyard are absolutely beautiful. The campsite is hidden far back and nicely cleared, with lovely soft grass. Lucky me, grapes were in season during my stay :P and a dip in the pond was refreshing after my long drive! I also appreciated the portajon had just been serviced. Hosts have paid great attention to detail and it shows. I would recommend to everyone and I wish great success for their farm and business!
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Betty M.recommends
July 24, 2021
Freedom Seekers Camp
Freedom Seekers=Unique Experience!
Staying at Freedom Seekers Camp was an excellent experience! The campsite is very unique and beautiful. The location's history is very interesting. The owners, Steph and Joel treat you like family. They are very informative, easy going, and a lot of fun! I will definitely stay here again to explore more of the campsite and local areas, not to mention to get more of the delicious Meade they make at East Grove.
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Tim O.recommends
June 26, 2021
Freedom Seekers Camp
Peaceful Nights!
Tucked between trees and fields of fruit grown for the meadery on the property, you'd have no idea you were less than a mile off highway 218. You can hear all the beautiful sounds of the night and see thousands of fireflies while sitting at the bonfire, burning the very affordable firewood bought on site! There is a nice pond just a couple hundred yards away for swimming or fishing for Sunfish. Make sure to set up an appointment with Joel for tasting the mead they make here. I recommend the Chili Mead but they are all tasty and easy to drink. Happy HipCamping!
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Timothy H.recommends
June 24, 2021
Freedom Seekers Camp
Great site for tent camping!
Wry nice site. Excellent and quick response from the host. Used the site on a motorcycle trip.
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Josh B.recommends
June 13, 2021
Freedom Seekers Camp
Second stay, it was as great as our first.
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Paul F.recommends
June 4, 2021
Freedom Seekers Camp
We really enjoyed our stay and the Mead we puchased!
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Jason R.recommends
June 1, 2021
Freedom Seekers Camp
The stay was everything I could have hoped for. The day we got in, one of the hosts showed us to the campsite which was very private. Once we got camp set up we made out way to the tasting room and the owner had a private tasting with us. He was very friendly and we had great conversation. The second day we went fishing in the private pond and the host gave us tips on the best spots. The scenery was beautiful and the stargazing at night was the best. Me and my wife plan to come back with friends.
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Emma H.recommends
May 30, 2021
Freedom Seekers Camp
Such a beautiful winery! The campsite is quiet and private but also safe. I was able to drive my car right up to it which was convenient. Joel at the winery was very friendly (as well as his dog) and helped me out when I had car troubles. I was very thankful! Highly recommend this Hipcamp
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Abby C.recommends
October 17, 2020
Freedom Seekers Camp
This place was great. We didn't get to stay long, but it was perfect for our one-night stay. We'll definitely come back, both for the site and for the winery!
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Kenneth B.recommends
October 11, 2020
Freedom Seekers Camp
Peaceful restful experience
It is just a clean pleasant place to camp, not to far away, but not too close
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Robin C.recommends
October 4, 2020
Freedom Seekers Camp
We had a great time at the campsite. Very easygoing and peaceful. You can hear the highway but it’s more of a nice background sound. Definitely try the Meadery.
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Carrie F.recommends
September 27, 2020
Freedom Seekers Camp
A gift
East Grove is a gift for the world. The site is extraordinary, very private, and the owners are incredible. Kindling and wood was abundant and delivered to the site, the bathroom regularly serviced, and absolutely gorgeous scenery abound at East Grove.
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Faith B.recommends
September 26, 2020
Freedom Seekers Camp
A Great Experience!
It was a peaceful place to get away. My husband, and our two dogs, had a great time!
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Kenneth B.recommends
September 24, 2020
Freedom Seekers Camp
Peaceful and scenic
It was clean , peaceful there were lovely hiking trails , everything was wonderful
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