Unplug and experience the peace and serenity of Iowa’s farms with a unique weekend getaway. These farms boast vacation rentals alongside opportunities to meet animals, tour the surrounding land and simply spend time in the outdoors.
1. New Day Dairy Guestbarn - Clarksville
As the state’s only farm stay on a working dairy farm, New Day Dairy offers an unforgettable lodging experience in Clarksville. Its GuestBarn can accommodate nine people and features a full kitchen, dining room, private bathroom and windows overlooking the cow barn. Throughout your stay, you can meet the cows up close during the complimentary intro and farewell barn tours, relax with the farm cats on the porch and patio, wander the property’s beautiful gardens, take a relaxing stroll through the woods and explore local restaurants.
For an enhanced farm experience, book the hands-on “Be a Dairy Farmer Challenge” to milk a cow, ride in a tractor, bottle-feed a calf and learn the inner workings of Rita the milking robot. Or, taste the flavors of the farm with add-on dine-in options like learning how to make your own ice cream, crafting your own pizza with local ingredients or grazing on a charcuterie board. No matter the experience you choose, you’ll leave New Day Dairy with lifetime memories.
2. Three Pines Farm - Cedar Falls
Nestled outside of Cedar Falls, Three Pines Farm offers a broad range of charming and rustic experiences. Experience tranquility among the prairie grasses by spending a night or two inside the farm’s Australian-made glamping tents. Inside, you’ll find unique features like a stargazer roof, linen bedding, a handcrafted English stove and beautifully curated vintage and local artisan-made pieces. Read more about the tents and glamping experience here.
Outside, you can choose between various activities. For a peaceful outing, set off on the prairie trails with a pig or baby goat companion or relax on outdoor patio. For a true farm experience, book a tour to see the working farm up close and meet the animals. Or, put your hands to work by joining a folk school class. They’re taught by experienced instructors and include traditional soapmaking, artisan rock wrapping and more.
When you’re hungry, customize your own dining experience by visiting the farm kitchen for an elegant cheese plate, comforting soups and pies and even homemade ice cream.
3. Big Red Barn Goat Milk Soap - Sheldon
Get the complete dairy goat farm experience at Big Red Barn Goat Milk Soap near Sheldon. The farm’s Airbnb offers two bedrooms, a living area and a private bathroom inside the owner’s home. Upon request, you can tour the farm, meet its goats, horses and chickens, try your hand at milking or soapmaking or simply relax by the firepit.
4. Best Nest Farm - Glenwood
Best Nest Farm’s 1800s-style covered wagons, complete with full bathrooms, AC/heat, mini fridges and microwaves inside and private firepits outside, are a one-of-a-kind lodging adventure in Glenwood. During your stay, explore the surrounding Loess Hills, meet the farm’s alpacas, goats, donkeys and ducks, take a stroll through the wooded trails and kayak or fish on the private lake as well as explore Glenwood’s restaurants and attractions.
5. PepperHarrow Farm - Winterset
Photo Courtesy PepperHarrow Facebook
Enjoy a tranquil weekend escape inside a glamping tent at PepperHarrow Farm, a 20-acre flower farm near Winterset. The tent is nestled among the lavender, annual and perennial gardens that overlook the Middle River Valley. It’s fully furnished with every amenity you need, including a plush king-sized bed, stocked kitchenette, camping gas grill, hammock and private deck, with a bathroom available in the event barn. You can explore the farm and surrounding walking trails, cut your own bouquet from the gardens, meet the farm cats and dogs or walk to town for a treat at the local ice cream shop.
6. Speckled Hen Farms - Winterset
Tiny but mighty, Speckled Hen Farms is a locally owned produce farm and funky farm store that offers another relaxing weekend retreat option near Winterset. A stay at the farm’s 70s-style vacation rental The Roost gives you access to the surrounding 10 acres of rolling hills as well as the onsite farm store’s handmade baked goods, artisan bread, farm-fresh eggs, local honey, fresh seasonal veggies and more. Plan your stay around one of the farm’s exciting events such as live music and wine tastings to make the most of your weekend.
7. Windy Goat Acres - Chelsea
Embrace the ultimate unplugged weekend at the remote Windy Goat Acres in Chelsea. This farm sanctuary, retreat and event venue merges the owner’s passion for animals, plants, art and outdoor recreation. Book a stay in one of the farm’s five vacation rentals, which are scattered throughout the 15-acre property and include two yurts, two cabins and even a cozy Hobbit house. Each is a short distance from the farm’s shower/bath house.
When you’re not relaxing on your private deck, farm adventures can include, but are not limited to, meeting all the farm animals, hiking the wooded trails, relaxing in a hammock or exploring nearby attractions like Otter Creek Lake.
Enhance your stay with add-on experiences like playing cornhole with the llamas, making breakfast with farm fresh eggs, feeding popsicles to the potbelly pigs or treats to all the farm animals, hiking with a llama, watching an outdoor movie and more.
8. Sunset Hills Bison Ranch - Malcom
Discover the unexpected wonders of staying on a working bison ranch at Sunset Hills, which is located in the quiet countryside near Malcom. Enjoy the ultimate unplugged getaway by booking a stay inside the cabin or covered wagons, all of which are pet-friendly and include heat/AC, a coffee maker and fridge inside and their own private cowboy pool, fire pit and patio seating outside.
The cabin features one queen bedroom, two lofts with twin beds and a queen-sized sofa sleeper along with a full kitchen and bathroom, plus a front porch that's located just steps away from a section of the bison pasture. For a more intimate yet equally comfortable stay, book one of the three covered wagons. Each wagon features one king bed and a twin bunk bed. Two of the wagons have separate private bathhouses while the luxe wagon boasts its own attached bathroom.
When you’re not lounging in the cowboy pool or inside your cozy vacation rental, you can enjoy a stroll along the pasture’s fence line or shop at the onsite farm store. Be sure to say hello to the owners to hear fun bison facts and stories about the herd. Add even more excitement to your experience by purchasing extras like bison burgers, smores ingredients and kids' activities/toys.
9. Calyx Creek Lavender Farm
Opened in 2024 after an Iowa family fell in love with a lavender farm they discovered while living in the Pacific Northwest, Calyx Creek introduces visitors to the versatile wonders of lavender through a variety of experiences.
Choose between four stunning treehouses for a one-of-a-kind lavender lodging experience. Each treehouse features a modern kitchen, full bathroom(s) and spacious decks, and some even include luxurious amenities like fireplaces, heated floors and private saunas.
During your stay, the farm features a variety of activities, like interactive farm tours and workshops that allow you to peacefully explore and/or learn everything there is to know about lavender. Immerse yourself in the lavender fields and enjoy a relaxing stroll among the aromatic ambiance that fills the air on quiet days.
When you’re in need of a snack, stop by the on-farm café to sample lavender-infused drinks and treats, including lavender lemonade, homemade lavender baked goods and even ice cream. Once you’ve fallen in love with the plant’s aroma and flavor, visit the farm store to take a piece of the experience home with you. Potential souvenirs include everything from lavender lotions, oils, soaps and scrubs to culinary items like syrups, brownie mixes, sugar and even diffusers and wall hangings.
10. Whippoorwill Creek Farm
Nestled in the rolling hills of south central Iowa, Whippoorwill Creek is more than just a working farm – it’s a place to pause, reconnect and learn something new. Stocked with cows, goats and vegetables across 570 acres, this fifth-generation farm is the perfect location to roll up your sleeves and learn. Owners John Hogeland and Beth Hoffman host a variety of affordable and themed cooking classes that are a hit with guests. Sit around the fire with old friends, enjoy farm-fresh food, take a relaxing stroll surrounded by nature and sleep in the renovated hilltop barn with sweeping views of the fields and forests below.
