Tall-Grass Prairie and River Stay

Private and secluded. We thank all of you for cleaning up so well after yourselves and being respectful of other campers. Our mantra: Leave no trace.

This is the best social distancing you can find anywhere! Even our three camp sites are a good distance from each other. Feel free to book without contacting us first. The calendar will let you know what's available. 

We leave some free firewood for campers, but a camping hatchet is always advisable to cut up kindling. 

(Note on Vehicles: ONLY SITE 1 can accommodate large vehicles and trailers. Sites 2 and 3 can handle pick up trucks, small SUVs and vans. Most vehicles can turn around at Site 1 but be prepared to back out of Sites 2 and 3.) PLEASE study the map on this site to get the lay of the land! Do NOT end up in our neighbor's front yard - thank you!

Experience some of what Native Americans enjoyed on 75 acres of restored prairie and timber as you camp alongside one of Iowa's most scenic rivers, the Cedar, in Eastern Iowa.  Meet the wildlife of the prairie - hear the honking of pheasants, the gobble of turkeys, the grunting of bucks as they walk through the tall prairie grass or the woods. Listen to thousands of frogs serenading each other from the pond to the river and back and the coyotes howl at night. In the morning, watch the sun come up over the trees across the river.  

Once on our property, as you drive toward the campground, you'll see a line of heart nut trees and honey berry bushes to your left and small chestnut trees on the hillside to your right. These are just one part of the edible savanna we are building for the future. We support clean food farms and donate $1 of your stay each night to the Sustainable Iowa Land Trust (silt.org) to protect land like this to grow healthy food. We hope you'll check them out and support them too. 

From your campsite, you'll have a river trail to walk or head behind you up into the hills to find the pond, search for mushrooms or pick berries depending on the time of year. Our neighbor to the south (to the right facing the river) owns 300 acres of limestone cliffs and timber and doesn't mind people walking along the trail but please stay on the trail and respect his privacy. Please DO NOT GO NORTH - that's to your left as you face the river - beyond our property (you'll see a neighbor's mowed lawn). These neighbors have asked that you respect their boundaries. 

We've planted some white fiberglass posts to indicate the trails into the property. Behind you as you face the river but beyond the prairie is a permaculture garden full of apples, cherries, pears, honeyberries and more you are welcomed to pick when ripe.  Keep walking and head up the hill to the LEFT and you'll come to our pond, where cattails flourish. If you approach quietly you may see some ducks or a Great Blue Heron take off. 

Hammock camping is allowed at Site 2. Please note separate directions to drive to that and Site 3 - do NOT attempt to drive across the culvert near the river.  Site 2 is a tighter space and we recommend it only for cars and small trucks. If you want total privacy, book both Site 1 and 2.  It's easy walking distance between the two. Getting to our new Site 3 means staying straight on the grass road until it bends to the left at the big forest of trees. Within 50 feet you'll be at your site. It's the same distance to the river, but we don't have easy access to it just yet. Best to join the others down the trail from you. 

Our home is at the top of the hill. We might come by to say hi but will otherwise stay out of your way. Iowa City is about 25 minutes away and Davenport about 35. We're only 10 minutes north of Interstate 80. The best hamburgers around are at the Tipton Family Restaurant about 15 minutes east. Both West Branch and Tipton have locally-owned grocery stores we encourage you to support.