Best Glamping near Homestead, IA

Palisades-Kepler State Park Campground in Mount Vernon and Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area Campground in Palo offer premium glamping accommodations within 30 miles of Homestead, Iowa. These nature retreats feature modern glamping options with comfortable bedding, electricity, and private outdoor spaces. At Pleasant Creek, the glamping cabins provide a perfect balance between outdoor living and modern comfort, with access to the 410-acre lake surrounded by prairie flowers and wooded shoreline. Pinicon Ridge Park also offers stylish glamping accommodations with full amenities like electric hookups, hot showers, and well-maintained facilities. One guest noted, "The cabins were nice - not luxury but clean and in good condition. The gentleman that takes care of the campground takes great pride in his work and it shows."

Walking Stick Adventures Farm provides a distinctive glamping experience with tipi accommodations, combining authentic charm with essential amenities like fire pits, picnic tables, and access to clean shower facilities. Visitors enjoy hiking trails throughout the properties, with Pleasant Creek offering an 8-mile loop trail around its lake. The proximity to Cedar River creates excellent opportunities for fishing, paddling, and wildlife observation. Morgan Creek County Park's beautiful grounds feature glamping sites nestled among trees that provide natural privacy and shade. According to a camper, "The grounds were beautiful, even though you can tell some trees took a hit from the recent derecho." Most glamping sites in the area are available from April through October, with Pleasant Creek and Palisades-Kepler operating from April 1 to December 31, allowing guests to experience the stunning fall foliage that Iowa offers.

Best Glamping Sites Near Homestead, Iowa (16)

    1. Lake Iowa County Park

    7 Reviews
    Williamsburg, IA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 655-8465

    "Bathrooms and entire area was really in perfect shape. One of the cleanest showers and bathrooms I have seen. $10 for tent, $16 for electric - how can you go wrong?"

    "Looked like a decent amount of folks here but we didn’t drive very far into the park. If you take a look at the PDF maps on their website you can see how vast the places is with 122 spots!"

    2. Palisades-Kepler State Park Campground

    9 Reviews
    Ely, IA
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 895-6039

    $12 - $80 / night

    "Super chill and plenty of space, especially for tents on site 39. Bathrooms are very nice and modern and clean, maintenance was very nice to let me shower before he could clean it."

    "Situated along the Cedar river, fishing and paddling can be done. Lots of trails, CG and cabins closed for winter season for improvements and online reservations."

    3. Morgan Creek County Park

    3 Reviews
    Palo, IA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 396-2363

    $23 - $40 / night

    "The bathroom was pretty nice and clean. The grounds were beautiful, even though you can tell some trees took a hit from the recent derecho. The camp host was friendly and helpful."

    4. Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area Campground

    6 Reviews
    Shellsburg, IA
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 436-7716

    $12 - $60 / night

    "Cabins were nice - not luxury or glamping but clean and in good condition.  The gentleman that takes care of the campground takes great pride in his work and it shows - kudos to him! "

    "It's a great recreational area, and a beautiful campground, tent camping is a breeze with very secluded sites, and well water very close to each site and a trail that leads to a large dumpster."

    6. Windmill Ridge Campground

    1 Review
    Kalona, IA
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 656-4488

    "Family and pet friendly, clean, well kept property, amenities on site,completive priced sites for camping and to gather together and enjoy life for a moment or two."

    7. Little Bear Campground

    8 Reviews
    West Branch, IA
    33 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 627-2676

    $22 - $49 / night

    "Little Bear Campground is located right off I-80 at the West Liberty exit. It is right next to a trailer park. There are a few tent sites ($22/ night)and Rv sites($33/night)."

    "Very cute campground right off highway. I called while traveling and Mike was very accommodating. Full hookups and showers. Even got a pool. Gas station nearby full of character."

    8. Pinicon Ridge Park

    9 Reviews
    Central City, IA
    36 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 438-6616

    "Water and electric hookups, dump station near by. Clean shower house with storm shelter. Mixed sun and shade with generous grassy sites, fire pit and picnic table."

    "Storm shelter right on site. Playground is awesome for kids of all ages. Hiking trails are well marked and all over the park and state land nearby. Lookout Tower is a must see."

    9. Rock Creek State Park Campground

    21 Reviews
    Kellogg, IA
    50 miles
    Website
    +1 (641) 236-3722

    $12 - $40 / night

    "The lake has lots of features like brush piles, vertical structures, mossy areas and you can go over by the bridge and fish the rocks. It’s a great place if you have a boat or kayak/canoe."

    "Stopped overnight on our way home from Iowa City. No reservations & took our chances on finding an electric site. Score! Neighbors were friendly."

    10. Cedar River Campground

    11 Reviews
    West Liberty, IA
    39 miles
    Website
    +1 (563) 946-2431

    $35 - $50 / night

    "Convenient location a lot of amenities and activities"

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Recent Glamping Photos near Homestead, IA

1 Photos of 16 Homestead Campgrounds


Glamping Reviews near Homestead, IA

98 Reviews of 16 Homestead Campgrounds


  • C
    Jun. 6, 2018

    Matsell Bridge Natural Area

    Nice little inexpensive primitive site... spaces almost always available

    Nice quiet little primitive campground next to the Wapsipinicon River. Unfortunately, when I was there the last weekend of May, the gnats were bad, and the mosquitoes were just starting to gear up. HOWEVER, take bug spray and enjoy the rustic peacefulness of this "best kept secret" for primitive and inexpensive camping sites. Beautiful location, ranger close by, wood for sale just across the bridge, fire pits and picnic tables at every site. Good for RV, trailer or tent camping… level ground and lots of shade. Primitive bathrooms, no showers or running water.

  • Randall K.
    Aug. 9, 2024

    Lake Iowa County Park

    Great spot for a great price

    Very well kept campground! Bathrooms and entire area was really in perfect shape. One of the cleanest showers and bathrooms I have seen. $10 for tent, $16 for electric - how can you go wrong?

    Only issue is that the spots are pretty close together. Around 2:30am there was so much smoke in our van from nearby campfires that I woke up sick and my dog threw up all over the bed. At 3am we decided we needed to move to an electric site because it was too much to have the windows open. I felt really bad for anyone in a tent. I coughed all the next day.

    The campground was not that busy so there is no way I would stay here on a busy holiday weekend due to the spots being too close. If a few people make a fire you better shut down all your windows. No sleeping in the cool, night air here.

    But this is an issue at other places too. Just never experienced anything on this level before. Esp considering no one in our section even had a fire going.

    I wish campgrounds would start banning these fires. But that’s a topic for a later date.

    Other than that it was a great spot.

  • Leslie K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 7, 2024

    Outback Campground & Resort

    Wallaby Cabin Review

    This review is for the Wallaby cabin. This cabin supposedly has a bathroom with a shower, 3 beds and a kitchenette. The bathroom has a shower so small it is difficult not to rinse one's hair while applying shampoo. There is no sink in this room for brushing teeth, washing hands or face, etc. There is no mirror either, or hooks for towels or washcloths or clothes. There is also no heater. The cabin has no closet or any place to hang any clothes. There were several bugs crawling on the ceiling. The wall A/C could not help but spew dust, as it was coated with that on the filter and cover. The trash can had a clean bag, which occupants are required to leave in dumpster at checkout. When removing the bag, the stuck-on mess under it was appalling. The bed in each loft area had obviously been used and not changed, as the covers were in disarray and the bottom sheets not clean. The main bed has a zipped on plastic cover which the loose fitting fitted sheet will not stay on, causing occupants to end up sleeping on plastic. We purchased a blanket to go over it for the next night. We would not have stayed more than one night but, as we had reserved 3, it is not refundable. The tv is to the side of the immovable chairs, so that one must have head turned completely to one side to watch. The cabin has such a slant that a ball will roll by itself to the entrance side. All this for more than$350 for 3 night stay.

  • David S.
    Sep. 1, 2022

    Pinicon Ridge Park

    Nice clean and generally spacious

    Stayed in The Plains area. Water and electric hookups, dump station near by. Clean shower house with storm shelter. Mixed sun and shade with generous grassy sites, fire pit and picnic table.

  • Michele M.
    Jun. 5, 2023

    Rock Creek State Park Campground

    Worst spots in the park- 6 & 7

    Stayed 2 nights in 6/7. No shade, giant electrical boxes, whole campground is downhill from dump station and the smell on Sunday morning is really unpleasant. Feels like whole campground is crammed together and smoke from campfires is thick enough to chew.

    When we were there, teens were running littler kids off the playground; someone dumped all the TP in the men's room in to the toilets on Sunday morning, and the showers were too hot to use, with no way to adjust water temp.

    On the bright side, the lake is pretty, it's right there at the campground. Boat, kayak and canoe rentals seemed reasonable and little store was convenient.

  • Jackie J.
    Jul. 1, 2021

    Cedar River Campground

    Friendly, green scenery, a bit noisy

    We stopped over for the night, and it was a good respite. They have mini-golf, a nice pool and a creative rugged play area for the kids. Unfortunately, the pool was closed for the evening cleaning, so we didn't get to use it. There was a beautiful wetland just down from the campground. It is right off the highway, so it was loud when we were outside, but we couldn't hear it at all when we were in our Tab 400. The manager, son of the owner, was really nice and helpful. His mom has owned the RV park for 27 years and ready to retire. There are some friendly seasonal and long-term residents who are in a separate section, but you see them driving through on their golf carts and are super fun and gregarious.

  • Khenia F.
    Sep. 20, 2022

    Palisades-Kepler State Park Campground

    First time, one night

    Super chill and plenty of space, especially for tents on site 39. Bathrooms are very nice and modern and clean, maintenance was very nice to let me shower before he could clean it. It was our only night there and we heard a lot of movements by the woods that it creeped us out but we were hearing haunted stories before arriving so the Halloween vibes was definitely there. Loads of shade and quiet nice neighbors.

  • Kim F.
    Aug. 10, 2024

    Windmill Ridge Campground

    Hidden little gem

    Clean, quiet and well set campsite for all camping styles. Set well off the main road, the gravel road is well maintained, graded well for easy driveable whee truck, rvs or trailers. Family and pet friendly, clean, well kept property, amenities on site,completive priced sites for camping and to gather together and enjoy life for a moment or two. Check it out, don't believe you will regret it. Peace fellow travelers.

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 1, 2024

    Little Bear Campground

    Convenient EZ On- & Off-Highway Family-Style Campground Outpost

    It’s smaller than a football field and tucked behind one of those old-school gas stations that you see in the middle of a desert that looks permanently closed, but then you see old Jethro sitting on the corner around the bend from the fuel pumps smoking a cigarillo not worrying about whether the place blows up or not. That’s how I found Little Bear Campground. When I arrived, the place was closed, but thankfully there was a sign posted on the door to call Mike, so I did. And he couldn’t have been nicer, offering me up any open site in the place. 

    So, I took a spin around the joint, which I would describe as ‘intimate’ with all of the very level grassy spots being fairly close to one another, interspersed with plenty of cover shadow from all of the trees that you’ll find this place populated by. The place was half empty, so I guess whatever crowdedness might actually exist in reality was somewhat lost on me. That said, if you are driving an RV or hauling a 5th Wheeler, I would certainly be less than impressed by seemingly the great proximity you will have to your fellow neighbor. Maybe that matters to you or maybe it doesn’t as many of the RV locations I have seen over the past year all land on more intimate quarters than not. The sites for RV / 5th Wheelers are small rock / gravel, which I gather from my mobile home hauling friends is that it is the preferred surface when concrete is not available. 

    While we showed up the last week of the season to encounter that the community pool was closed, apart from this, there really wasn’t a ton of other amenities to speak of although there was a community hall where I understand that group activities like bingo, euchre and other family-friendly games are played. Of course, there were the basics of in-ground fire ring and standard-issued picnic tables. There was a kid’s playground with swingset and teeter-totters that had definitely seen better days. Apart from the main office, which I presume served also as a mini-market and as I understand has both showers and laundry facilities (although I wouldn’t know as it was locked up) there isn’t much here. 

    The few primitive camping sites that do exist here are located on the western side of the property up against the corn fields, which I actually appreciated, and had very good mature trees growing around the area, but one would definitely feel like a ‘second class citizen’ here. As a tent pitcher myself I was absolutely bummed by the lack of privacy, where seemingly you would be on full display for the rest of the RV parking crowd having full view of your campsite. In all, there’s 45 RV slots here with all of the basic hook-ups including water, sewage and 30 / 50 electric amp. By my count, there was 5 or so individual primitive camping sites. And for $22/night for tent camping and $33/night for RV parking, you really can’t beat the prices. 

    Insider’s Tips? Here’s a few: (1) Should you be looking for some place to try out the local fare, while there’s Taste of India (which by the look of the place I would steer you away from), there’s only just a handful of other joints nearby that might be of interest like Saap Saap, a Loatian joint (yeah, I just said that, a Loatian joint in the middle of nowhere, Iowa) that is actually quite good in the little town of West Liberty, which is, ironically, south of here (not west) and offers up a few other culinary finds like JB’s Grub & Pub, Shanghai Chinese, Puebla Mexican Restaurant and El Patio; (2) If you are looking to marinate in some good US history, then you are in luck as there is a museum near here to little known / revered President Herbert Hoover that has a bunch of exhibits and other dusty things; and (3) Should you be wanting to embrace nature, then head west to Hickory Hill Park that offers up some really nice hiking, biking and walking trails on 185 acres of pristine Midwest prairieland. 

    Happy Camping!


Guide to Homestead

Lake Iowa County Park near Homestead offers a variety of camping experiences within a landscape of rolling hills and prairie. The park sits at approximately 800 feet above sea level and features a mix of wooded areas and open grasslands. The camping season typically runs year-round with peak visitation from April through October when temperatures range from 60°F to 85°F.

What to do

Hiking along Cedar River: At Palisades-Kepler State Park Campground, trails follow the scenic river. "Beautiful trails, stone gazebo. Nice hike along the Cedar River. Only camped once, but definitely on the list to visit again," notes Brett G. The park's terrain offers moderate difficulty with elevation changes.

Lake activities: Lake Iowa County Park provides water recreation on its small lake. "If I had more time, I would have gone paddle boarding or fishing on the lake," says Ken G. The lake allows non-motorized watercraft and has designated fishing areas with catches including bass and panfish.

Mini-golf and swimming: Cedar River Campground features recreational amenities for families. "They have mini-golf, a nice pool and a creative rugged play area for the kids," shares Jackie J. The mini-golf course costs $3 per person and the pool is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Wildlife observation: The natural areas near camping options provide habitats for local animals. "We had a blue jay that visited us regularly at our campsite, along with deer walking through," mentions Leslie P. Early morning and dusk offer the best wildlife viewing opportunities.

What campers like

Clean bathroom facilities: Campers consistently praise the maintenance of shower facilities. "Shower house and bathrooms were really nice! Wasn't expecting to want to take a shower but couldn't pass up the opportunity when we saw them. Very hot water," reports Claudia M. from Little Bear Campground.

Tent camping privacy: Some parks offer more secluded tent sites. "The tent sites are very nice and private. There are waist high prairie flowers between the sites to provide privacy and beauty," explains Ann B. These sites typically feature level ground with nearby water access points.

Yurt camping options: While traditional yurt camping near Homestead, Iowa is limited, several parks offer alternative glamping accommodations. "The campground takes great pride in his work and it shows," one visitor notes. Structures similar to yurts provide shelter with basic amenities.

Waterfront access: Rock Creek State Park Campground offers sites near the water. "You can reserve some spots right on the water and fish from your tent," explains Willy W. The park maintains these premium sites with fire rings and picnic tables.

What you should know

Highway noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience road noise from nearby highways. "It is right off the highway, so it was loud when we were outside, but we couldn't hear it at all when we were in our Tab 400," reports Jackie J. Sites farther from road access generally offer quieter conditions.

Site spacing varies: Campground density differs significantly between locations. "The sites both tent and RV are simply too close for you to enjoy the place. Camp fires every 10 feet," notes Bruce K. about Rock Creek State Park.

Weather preparedness: The area experiences typical Midwestern humidity and weather patterns. "Being from Colorado where we live at much higher altitudes & we didn't expect the humidity to affect us as it did. Not a bad thing, we were just used to 15% max and that weekend we saw 90% with 90 degrees," shares Clifton B.

Seasonal considerations: Availability and conditions change throughout the year. "The pool was closed for the evening cleaning, so we didn't get to use it," mentions a reviewer at Cedar River Campground. Most amenities operate fully from late spring through early fall.

Tips for camping with families

Playground accessibility: Pinicon Ridge Park offers exceptional playground facilities. "Our kids had more fun at this campground than any other so far. They have the most amazing playgrounds (yes, two of them!) That we've ever seen," shares Chelsea D. The playgrounds feature rubber composite ground surfaces for safety.

Water recreation options: Several parks offer swimming and boating for children. "Rock Creek is known for its crappie and large mouth bass fishing. The lake has lots of features like brush piles, vertical structures, mossy areas," explains Willy W. Rental equipment is available at some locations.

Trail difficulty levels: Consider trail ratings when planning hikes with children. "There is a nice hiking trail around the lake, about 8 miles complete loop. There is a bit of elevation change and not many opportunities to 'bail out' so take water and pace yourself," advises Mitch C. Shorter trail options exist at most parks for younger children.

Storm preparedness: Some campgrounds offer storm shelters for safety. "Storm shelter right on site. Playground is awesome for kids of all ages," notes Beau Z. about Pinicon Ridge Park. Checking weather forecasts before arrival is recommended.

Tips from RVers

Site leveling considerations: Many RV sites require minimal leveling equipment. "The site was a level rock pad witch was very spacious with a fire ring and picnic table," reports Clint G. about Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area Campground. Most sites accommodate RVs up to 40 feet.

Electric hookup options: Amperage varies between campgrounds. "There are RV electrical sites available along with water/sewage. Most of them have tables also," explains Willy W. Electric sites typically cost $16-33 per night depending on amperage and water availability.

Dump station access: Facilities for waste disposal are available at most parks. "No water or sewer at the sites but there are water spigots dispersed through the campground and full dump station as you come in/leave," shares Elisha L. Dump stations generally remain open throughout the camping season.

Site reservation recommendations: Popular weekends fill quickly at most campgrounds. "On the weekends it's pretty busy but during the weekday it empties out," notes a reviewer. Reservations can be made up to three months in advance at most locations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Homestead, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Homestead, IA is Lake Iowa County Park with a 4.6-star rating from 7 reviews.

What is the best site to find glamping camping near Homestead, IA?

TheDyrt.com has all 16 glamping camping locations near Homestead, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.