Maria is a dream host and this was the best Hipcamp site we've done so far on a cross-country road trip. I was not ready for Iowa to be so beautiful! Gorgeous small pond, perfect for our kids (11, 6) to test the waters with kayak and canoe. They wanted to go in repeatedly. They caught a small frog and there were definitely some larger ones, too!

The tipi is remarkable and Maria is forthcoming with instructions and helpful hints. We were plenty warm on a hot July night. It could be trickier for less experienced campers in rougher / wetter weather. Outdoor shower was great and easy once we got the hang of the water operation. Running water and power down towards the picnic area were also a major plus. You can park out of the sun and load in the shade: a difference maker. We had a beautiful patch of Iowa to ourselves and wish we could have spent more time there – so much so that we've booked a return trip at the end of the month on our way back.

A few other thoughts:
- creepy crawlies and bugs (that don't bite!) are a part of the experience for sure. All harmless, though.
- the sunset on the pond can't be beat, with surround-sound frog activity
- it's got everything you could want for camp cooking
- camp lights, towels, running water were great to have
- Maria's husband makes wine and gave us a bottle of a pleasantly sweet rhubarb wine and a cherry wine to try out
- the kids loved to swing and investigate the nature around the property!

A+, great host and experience.

Ranch Camp affords a gorgeous Wyoming sunset view on a farm setting. As tent campers on the property, that farm setting meant beautiful horses, open fields and a rooster that did wake us up at 4:20am and, well, the rest of the morning. Earplugs are highly recommended. If you're bringing kids that aren't accustomed to country living, they might have a hard time sleeping; winds whip in the night and there are the aforementioned roosters. The host invited the kids to see the animals and her fairy garden and moon gardens. We had a nice stroll around the property in the evening together. Well water was great and helped us refill along a long journey.

I would say watch out for dog waste when setting up your camp site. We had to clean up a lot of it. W/ COVID a concern for us in July 2020 (en route to visit some at-risk family members) we did not use the indoor facilities, and wish a little more cleaning attention had been paid to the outhouse.

Joe's place is toward the top of a canyon featuring a pretty stunning sunset view. Give yourself time to take that in, and don't leave before getting an outdoor shower in, preferably after it warms up a little in the morning. It is a good combo of rustic with amenities, with enough things for kids 5+ to do and a few things to look out for. It's not 100% private with a motor home dweller occupying a spot about 200 feet down from the campsite, but she was pleasant and welcomed our kids to play with her dog, and we didn't feel cramped by neighbors. The kids loved the animals and making s'mores.

Night winds in July got pretty loud and whipping for the kids; the site doesn't have a lot of cover from trees, if that is important to you. I also heard what sounded like a pretty heavy duty military plane overhead in the middle of the night, which may or may not be the usual. However, the space-age-looking, fully outfitted dome tent and outdoor shower are terrific. Repeat, the outdoor shower was great (in July, anyway). We made use of the fire pit, camp stove and picnic table over the stay, and would have done more if provided more time. Joe also leaves you a lot of tools and goodies. Access to electricity to keep phones charged was nice.

The outhouse is both welcome and pretty basic, sawdust for doing your business, no running water but a water cooler provided. Water can be heated with a small electric kettle, making cleaning dishes doable if not simple. On the glam scale the site is a 3/5 but overall we liked this place a lot and would stay here if we were passing through Park City again. Be apprised that your vehicle needs to be able to make it up a pretty steep, rocky hill or you'll have to park down at the base and bring your stuff. I would not describe it as accessible for those with physical disabilities.

COVID note that Joe was respectful about social distancing but did not wear a mask (we wore ours upon arrival). He was friendly and made sure we felt pretty safe and was conscious of our desire to keep things clean.