Sleep in an Iowa Barn @ TLC
Hosted by Gretta · Zearing, Iowa
2 sites · Tent, Lodging · 28 acres
Creature comforts
Enjoy the comforts of home at some sites—including flush toilets, showers, and a kitchen.
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1 site
TLC Camping
97%
(16)Campfires allowed
Toilet
Potable water
Pets allowed
Showers
Picnic table
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1 site
TLC Barn Dormitory & Camping
97%
(15)Campfires allowed
Toilet
Potable water
Pets allowed
Showers
Picnic table
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for NaN guests$75
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$15
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Reviews
98% Recommend41 ratings · 33 reviews
Mixed feelings
· October 2025
With pets ·
TLC Barn Dormitory & Camping
The idea of this is great. However, this place needs updated, cleaned, and aired out. (Maybe some air purifiers) The smell of mildew if very very strong! 5 out of our 10 guests are still sick (5 days later) from breathing in the air quality in this place. We paid darn near $500 for the weekend and couldn't even stay the 2nd night because we couldn't breathe! It is very cluttered and not well kept. Again, the "idea" is great but this place needs some attention before being rented out to people.
Ash H.
6 months on Hipcamp
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!!
Richard S.
5 months on Hipcamp
Hosts were great. So kind and welcoming. Barn would be great for bigger groups! I was a solo camper in a hammock. Was given the welcome to hammock anywhere I wanted. Chose a nice spot by the creek. Expected mosquitoes. Got them. Expected quiet. Did not get it until quite late. There is a park and a retirement home right on the other side of the creek. It was loud due to a lady talking very loudly until almost 11. There were others taking too, but it was mostly one lady. Lol. Not the fault of aTLC, but i thought it was a bit more remote.
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Tina B.
2 reviews
Recommends
· November 2024
Group trip ·
TLC Barn Dormitory & Camping
The facility provided a great setting for our women’s retreat. Loved it!!
Diane B.
1 year on Hipcamp
Beautiful property with great amenities and excellent hosts. Stopped through on our travels from Indiana to the Black Hills and beyond. Would definitely stay here again. Thanks Gretta for everything.
J
Jeremy C.
3 reviews
Greta is amazingly sweet to work with, and very laid back allowing you to just do your thing, but helpful and easily accessible.
The dormitories are basic, but clean and met our needs. They were also air conditioned, which was an added surprise!
You have two modern single shower bathrooms, so if the dorms are heavily occupied then juggling showers and hot water can be a bit tricky.
The upstairs of the barn offered a large family room where we played board games and a shared kitchen we could use.
The weekend we stayed there was a community outdoor concert on their property, with a food truck, which was added fun for the family.
They have a beautiful property with lots of room to run and play a pickup football game. Their land touches two parks, the city park with playground and basketball courts are on one side, and a public fishing lake on the other side.
We wanted to do quite a bit of fishing. Just across the street was a park with a lake and kayak rental. The park is kind of small, and not "foresty", it is literally located in the middle of a flat cornfield. But the fishing was excellent. A great place to take your kids for a guaranteed catch- the water is exceptionally clear and you can see the fish right from the dock!
The better park is located in Colo, about 10-15 min drive. Included a beach, boat ramps, shelters, a walking trail that looped the lake. A really beautifully kept place to spend the day. Highly recommend.
Overall our barn stay was fun and relaxing!
C
Christina L.
1 year on Hipcamp
Recommends
· October 2023
Group trip ·
TLC Barn Dormitory & Camping
Had an excellent time! Loved the space. I would recommend this place for anyone who is planning an event.
D
Drake A.
2 years on Hipcamp
This was the most beautiful place we have stayed at to date. The hosts are so warming and lovely and the site itself is more than we could have asked for. Thanks TLC for giving us a nice home for a couple of nights and for being a genuinely caring organization that takes care of the community and the children.
M
Mia L.
2 years on Hipcamp
I loved the tent camping at Greta’s place. What a find! Such a great place to relax and let the world spin for a few days. Can’t wait for my next trip to Iowa so I can stay again.
Jorl C.
2 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· May 2023
Tent · With kids ·
TLC Camping
Great spot! Easy to find, clean bathroom and shower, firewood, potable water and rubbish disposal! Had lovely chats with the hosts aswell! Would definitely stay again! Thanks Gretta!
A
Anna H.
7 reviews
Recommends
· May 2023
Tent ·
TLC Camping
Nice quiet property with convenient accommodations. The weather was a bit stormy so Gretta graciously offered a room in the barn. I’ll definitely stay again if I’m passing through.
Z
Zane A.
2 years on Hipcamp
Perfect stay! Beautiful and peaceful. Great stop on our trip. Gretta let our girls use the arts and crafts on a rainy night and all the amenities were a welcome addition to our stay. Would stay again without hesitation.
Shannon K.
15 reviews
Recommends
· July 2021
Group trip ·
TLC Barn Dormitory & Camping
Perfect location for a little getaway. Loved the open spaces outside and especially the fire pit. Gretta made everything so easy- we will definitely be back!!!
H
Hillary R.
4 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· June 2021
Group trip ·
TLC Camping
I very much enjoyed my stay at TLC! I was looking for a quiet weekend and TLC was the perfect place. The TLC property is wonderful. Gretta and the on-site hosts were also wonderful and very accommodating. There’s also a county park with a lake about 1/2 mile away. My dog and I went for a couple walks over there. I will definitely try to get back to TLC again and recommend others check it out!
B
Brenda S.
3 reviews
Recommends
· May 2021
Group trip ·
TLC Barn Dormitory & Camping
This was our second hipcamp experience. This was a nice place to stay. We enjoyed ourselves. The host is super nice. The barn itself is really neat. The bathroom was clean. It was raining when we were here so we did not get to enjoy the fire pit or the outdoor areas. She supplied the blankets and bath towels, there was hand soap and bath soap. The barn has an upstairs loft that was real neat too. It was chilly at night when we were there, and she supplied a heater for our room and the barn itself has heat as well. We were there in off season, so things were very quiet. We only stayed one night but would defintely stay there again if we are ever in the area. Thank you for a lovely stay!!
E
Erica O.
4 reviews
Recommends
· April 2021
Group trip ·
TLC Barn Dormitory & Camping
Gretta and her family were amazing hosts! We had such a great time in the barn. The fire pit is an awesome space, and we were so happy with how welcoming they were to our dogs. Highly recommend this location if you're looking for an escape.
Lindsey M.
4 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· October 2020
We were the only campers and had full access to all facilities, and welcomed by very nice folks and invited to use the wood on site to build a fire. We ended up leaving quite early as the wind kicked up, but a lovely place not too far out of the way.
S
Sasha M.
10 reviews
Gretta was a delight. Very friendly and welcoming. The camp site was perfect. We felt comfortable and safe during our entire stay. I will definitely be back!
C
Christine M.
5 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· September 2020
Wonderful site, friendly hosts, and excellent amenities! Couldn’t ask for more.
Ilan I.
5 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· August 2020
Beautiful campsite outside of Des Moines with lovely owners! So accommodating and wonderful. Thanks for everything!
Drew L.
3 reviews
This stay was perfection! I ended up arriving really late (around 10pm). Gretta stayed in communication with me throughout the day, and after it ended up getting stormy, she let me stay in the barn dorm rooms instead of having to set up camp in the rain at night. That was so generous and much appreciated! In the morning my dogs got to stretch their legs and run around the farm while I made breakfast outside on the picnic tables. Perfect, relaxing, and calm place to camp. Highly recommend!
Candi B.
6 reviews
We stopped here overnight while on a road trip. We ended up getting in later than expected after traveling and when we arrived there was a fire in the fire pit waiting for us which was an incredibly nice surprise! They have a great fire pit with benches and you’ll want to spend some time here enjoying the incredible night sky. We have never seen a more star filled sky than we did staying here! It was breathtaking. If we were ever in the area again I’d definitely stay another time!
C
Celina S.
3 reviews
Recommends
· July 2020
Group trip ·
TLC Barn Dormitory & Camping
Such a spacious and cute space! Worked out perfectly for a small bachelorette party in the midst of Covid. One thing to note is the kids classes are still in session during the week. They wiped everything down before we entered the space and there was a full kitchen and living room area to hang out in. I would just be wary if you're trying to be completely distanced. You can see the stars by the campfire at night. It's the quintessential Iowa campout spot.
S
Sarah G.
5 years on Hipcamp
Such a great spot in the country. We all loved the barn and wide open spaces. Hosts were great too
Kyle R.
5 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· July 2020
Group trip ·
TLC Camping
TLC Camping is a wonderful, quiet spot perfect for anyone looking to stay over in Central Iowa. Gretta is friendly, thoughtful, with good communication.
Kayley B.
3 reviews
Very lovely little area. They made us a fire. We explored the running creek and the fireflies were plentiful. The facilities were nicely kept and the barn was gorgeous.
Arial M.
5 years on Hipcamp
Gretta was accommodating to my uncertain schedule since I was on a road trip. She welcomed me as soon as I arrived and I was so greatful she had a log teepee waiting for me to light because I was way too tired to build a fire. I took my dog for a walk in the morning around the beautiful grassy property and the trail was nicely mowed. Plenty of sites to choose from that were perfectly flat! In the morning, the caretaker checked on me and wished me well on the rest of my journey. I will probably stop here on my way back!
Leigh M.
6 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· June 2020
Our hosts were very friendly, yet respectful of our privacy. TLC has a nice variety of campsites to chose, from prairie to wooded area by the creek. We appreciated the communal campfire site and wood included! Definitely would stay again.
K
Kristin S.
5 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· June 2020
Group trip ·
TLC Camping
Great hideaway. Beautiful area. Loved our trip.
B
Brandon S.
5 years on Hipcamp
Gretta and her team made us feel right at home. They took us for a tour of the property, let us see inside their amazing repurposed grain silo house, and were so welcoming. We were the only campers and there were no classes going on so it was very private. We had our choice of campsites between right by the barn and fire pit or down further in the wooded area. It was just what we needed for a one-night stopover. We would definitely stay there again!
E
Erin A.
6 years on Hipcamp
Location
Zearing, Story, Iowa, United StatesTo respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
Hosted by Gretta R.
Joined in August 2018Response rate: 80%Response time: Within 14 hours
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