6 Best Ranches To Stay In Iowa, USA - Updated 2024

Mary
Mary 
Updated
| 3 min read

Fall in love with the picturesque beauty of Iowa. As a landlocked state, it is known for its various types of geographical features and bountiful farmlands. One of its most famed attractions is National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium, which is the ideal place for wildlife lovers. Meanwhile, those seeking a one-of-a-kind underground adventure should stop by Maquoketa Caves State Park. Also, don’t miss out on the chance to get a closer look at the agricultural lands in this state. Stay at a ranch to get a whole picture of a simple life in the countryside. Browse through this list of the best ranches to stay in Iowa, USA, to learn more.

We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) Superhost status, recent guest reviews, location, accommodation type, prices, availability of dates, decor, and amenities. The image galleries get refreshed with the latest updates regularly. They were last updated on April 14, 2024.

1. The Milk House at Lucky Star Farm; Iowa City (from USD 136)

Experience solitude inside this 700-sq. ft. (65.03-sq m) house between Iowa City and Kalona. The rental offers cozy accommodations with essential amenities, such as a fully equipped kitchen, a private bathroom, and queen-size beds. It lies on a 20-ac (8.09-ha) farm that raises animals, such as goats and llamas, on pasture. You can also find chickens and witness where eggs came from.

For a fun outdoor experience, guests can fish on the pond or try the stand-up paddleboard provided.

Stayed at this property?
Iowa City, Iowa, United States
183.24 km (113.9 mi) from Beeds Lake State Park
310 reviews   Superhost Wifi Available
Entire cottage 2 Beds 4 Guests 2 Bedrooms 1 Bathroom

Accommodates: 4

Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
kitchen was fully prepped with good pots pans utensils etc
the beds were comfortable and the kitchen nicely equipped
it had everything one would need for a comfortable stay
Cleanliness:
the milk house is clean and comfortable
a wonderful stay incredibly clean peaceful and just as advertised
susan’s place was very lovely and clean
the house was well set up and clean
it is very clean and cozy ~ you can tell it is lovingly cared for
Host:
the host were great at respondingto questions and recommendations
the farm is beautiful and hosts are gracious
susan is a great host
the youngs are wonderful hosts; they've thought of everything
susan was a wonderful host who was always responsive and very accommodating
Location:
great location being just between iowa city and kalona
a great getaway close to iowa city - quiet peaceful and comfortable
the location is close to some fun shops make your way towards kalona
this unique milk house on the farm will provide a nice cozy and tranquil place to stay
great place to relax for the weekend with the kiddo
Read more reviews

2. Northeast Iowa Farm Cottages; Sumner (from USD 140)

Northeast Iowa Farm Cottages offers two cottages. The first features a full kitchen, laundry area, and a game room. Meanwhile, the second is equipped with several sleeping beds should you be traveling with a larger group. An outdoor shower is also available on site. Guests can enjoy the fresh air using the barbecue grill, picnic table, or firepit.

Wake your children early to try harvesting fresh farm eggs, then spot cattle in the pasture.

Stayed at this property?
Sumner, Iowa, United States
101.18 km (62.9 mi) from Beeds Lake State Park
82 reviews   Superhost Wifi Available
Farm stay 8 Beds 12 Guests 2 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms

Accommodates: 12

Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
beautiful skies and fresh air and lots of beds
comfortable very spacious with ample amenities
plenty of space an outdoor shower a great game room and a well appointed kitchen
plenty of room to move and they really enjoyed bunking
Cleanliness:
we found both buildings clean with plenty of towels to accommodate our large group
clean and friendly environment in the heart of iowa farmland
place is clean and has everything that they need
comfortable beds well equipped kitchen a clean shower and a little entertainment
place was clean and provided everything that we needed
Host:
mike is such a kind host
mike and his wife were amazing hosts who treated us like family
host was friendly and easy to reach for any needs
hosts are super friendly and helpful
mike & his wife are wonderful hosts highly recommend for a unique farm stay
Location:
this is a great location for a family to relax and spend time together
it is calm and beautiful there are two dwellings
felt like we were back at a malt shop in the 60's
the accommodation is thoughtfully equipped and comfortably furnished with everything that you need for a quiet country getaway
this was a fun place to stay while we were in iowa for an event
Read more reviews

3. Family-friendly farmhouse with fireplaces; Franklin County (from USD 221)

Treat your loved ones to a memorable vacation on a farm by booking a stay at this family-friendly farmhouse with essential amenities, including a full kitchen and fireplaces. Staying here will allow you to enjoy a farm view from the porch where you can dine alfresco. For a more relaxing stay, take advantage of the soaking tubs in some of the bathrooms on this property.

Make your stay more memorable by saying hello to some farm animals, including goats, here too!

Stayed at this property?
Hampton, Iowa, United States
6.39 km (4.0 mi) from Beeds Lake State Park
Agritourism 12 Guests 6 Bedrooms 5 Bathrooms

Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
nice to have a king and regular bed on main floor
Cleanliness:
the property was clean and comfortable
Host:
hosts were very responsive to any questions and easy to work with
grandkids are 2 6 7 and 9 and really had fun seeing the goats that the property owners brought over
awesome communication was excellent we met the owner and she was a total delight
Read more reviews
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4. Handcrafted wooden cabin with deck; Grinnell (from USD 195)

Live simply inside this 588-sq. ft. (54.63-sq m) handcrafted wooden cabin. It has a spacious open-concept floor plan connecting a full kitchen, lounge, and dining area. It also has a cozy indoor fireplace for colder nights. A queen-size bedroom and two lofts with twin beds are available for more sleeping space. Enjoy the outdoors on the deck with Adirondack chairs and a barbecue grill.

You can fire up the pit outside and watch the herd of bulls on the farm.

Stayed at this property?
Malcom, Iowa, United States
130.56 km (81.2 mi) from Beeds Lake State Park
cabin 1 Guests 1 Bedroom 1 Bathroom

Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
the cabin was super clean had all the amenities we could ask for and was warm and cozy
Cleanliness:
clean and all the cooking supplies you need
Host:
the owners were very helpful and quick to reply to any questions we had
wonderful place to stay very clean peaceful the owners are very nice people
bison were cool to see and came close enough to give them treats supplied by the host
Location:
i highly recommend staying at this wonderful location
and the walk around the trail to see the bison was really cool for our family
Read more reviews
Earn OneKeyCash for every dollar spent on eligible hotels, vacation rentals, flights, car rentals, and more when you book across our family of brands.

5. JL Brinkmeyer Family Ranchhouse; Lamoni (from USD 214)

Feel the comforts of a modern home inside JL Brinkmeyer Family Ranchhouse. It is a family-friendly accommodation with all the essentials for a hassle-free holiday, such as a full kitchen and a bathroom with complimentary toiletries. If you need to warm yourselves up, stay in the lounge with an indoor fireplace or the back garden with a firepit. You may also relax on a patio swing while enjoying the views.

Those who book here can access the rental’s yard and the ranch house. You can easily spot some cattle and cows while you’re here too.

Stayed at this property?
Lamoni, Iowa, United States
242.37 km (150.6 mi) from Beeds Lake State Park
23 reviews   Wifi Available
Farm stay 3 Beds 6 Guests 3 Bedrooms 1 Bathroom

Accommodates: 6

Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
her ranch house is charming and beautifully decorated with a heated bathroom floor as an added luxury
the house is small any very comfortable
Cleanliness:
the house is always extremely clean and inviting
it is always sparkling clean and provides everything you need and more
linda’s ranch house is wonderful very clean and decorated so cute the themed bedrooms and beds were very comfortable
Host:
linda was an amazing host and took the time to meet us at check-in
the beds are very comfortable and linda is a wonderful host and very easy to communicate with
checkin was easy and linda was very helpful with recommendations for local places to eat
amazing host very nice house in a peaceful setting highly recommended
great place to stay nothing overlooked very kind and thoughtful hosts couldn’t have asked for much better
Location:
the location is perfect and so easy to get to
great atmosphere & a good place for a relaxing weekend
Read more reviews

6. Grant’s Cottage; Spirit Lake (from USD 275)

Stay at Grant’s Cottage at Coyote Ranch if you’re looking for modern accommodation overlooking farmland. The rental, originally built in 1874, has everything you’ll need, from spacious bedrooms to a well-decorated dining room. This cottage also has a comfy living room with the softest leather sofas and a smart TV.

The property is right across Elinor Bedell State Park, so remember to stop by for a short stroll. Of course, don’t leave without paying a visit to the cutest horses, which you can request to feed, in Coyote Ranch.

Stayed at this property?
Spirit Lake, Iowa, United States
164.53 km (102.3 mi) from Beeds Lake State Park
21 reviews   Wifi Available
Entire cottage 6 Beds 8 Guests 2 Bedrooms 1 Bathroom

Accommodates: 8

Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
the house is like the pictures and the beds are comfy
Cleanliness:
great clean place to stay
the house is very clean and equipped nicely
Host:
she is a great host and this is definitely somewhere we plan to visit again
jodi is also fantastic host
host was great and enjoyed the room to play and nearby lakes
check-in was easy and the host jodi was super accommodating
great spot for the weekend just what we were looking for the host always responded in a timely fashion
Location:
great location near almost everything
great place to stay comfortable close to everything
a great place to get away for the weekend and still be close to the lake
jodi was very helpful and the location was great
what a perfect place to spend winter games weekend
Read more reviews

Savor a quiet vacation on a ranch

If you want a relaxing escape from the crowded cities of the United States, stay on a peaceful ranch with stunning nature views. Book a stay at any of the thrilling ranches listed above for a memorable vacation.

Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Mary is a writer and photographer. She often puts her thoughts and musings about the world into writing and occasionally tries to fit everything into a single frame. She loves traveling to...Read more

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