Iowa

Types of Glamping in Iowa

Cabins

Cottages

Nature Lodges

20+ Accommodations in Iowa

Visit Iowa

Found between the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers, and bordered by Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Minnesota, Iowa is the 26th most extensive and 30th most populous state in the U.S. Its capital and largest city is Des Moines, a major center for the insurance industry in the U.S. and ranked as the “Wealthiest City in America” in 2014. Home to the Bridges of Madison County and Sabula, a one-mile-long island city. Iowa is nicknamed the Hawkeye State, as a tribute to the leader of the Sauk tribe, Chief Black Hawk. Summer time in the Midwest is synonymous with water, lakes, rivers and staying cool. What better way to do that than glamping Iowa!

Best things to do in Iowa

The Loess Hills are the tallest hills of their kind in North America and are home to the Waubonsie State Park where visitors will find numerous hiking paths. The Swinging Bridge in Columbus Junction offers a 262-foot-long walk above the forest, and the Kate Shelley Bridge, once the highest and longest double-track railroad in the world, is also well worth a visit. What’s more, Geode State Park offers plenty of recreation, such as hiking, boating, and fishing. You can enjoy all of this from a diversity of different accommodation types - from tipis to domes to yurts in Iowa, it's all here to enjoy!

Main tourist attractions in Iowa

Iowa has been the setting for several films, such as The Bridges of Madison County and The Field of Dreams, and is home to the only remaining hotel designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. One of the state’s most famous attractions is the Amana Colonies, seven historic villages founded by German immigrants. Dubuque is also a renowned landmark that includes American Indian archaeological sites. The city of Eldon hosts The Dibble House, a small, white house featured in the famous American Gothic painting by Grant Wood.

Best time of year to visit Iowa

Iowa belongs to the humid continental zone and presents hot summers, cold winters, and wet springs, with fall being the most pleasant season to visit. Temperatures vary widely during the year: in the summer, daytime highs average at 90°F, while daytime winter temperatures drop to around 15°F. The humid summers bring heavy rainfall and some light snowfall occurs during winter camping in Iowa.

Top places to visit in Iowa

Iowa exhibits three major habitats: wetlands, prairie, and woodlands. Discover various species of vegetation, such as ash, hickory and elm trees at the Jester Park Nature Center, which is also home to elk and bison. Witness the state’s flower—the wild rose—bloom throughout Iowa’s prairies during the summer, and observe eagles and hawks soaring in the skies from September to December at the Hitchcock Nature Center.