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.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
kitchen was fully prepped with good pots pans utensils etcthe beds were comfortable and the kitchen nicely equippedit had everything one would need for a comfortable stayCleanliness:
the milk house is clean and comfortablea wonderful stay incredibly clean peaceful and just as advertisedsusan’s place was very lovely and cleanthe house was well set up and cleanit is very clean and cozy ~ you can tell it is lovingly cared forHost:
the host were great at respondingto questions and recommendationsthe farm is beautiful and hosts are gracioussusan is a great hostthe youngs are wonderful hosts; they've thought of everythingsusan was a wonderful host who was always responsive and very accommodatingRead more reviewsLocation:
great location being just between iowa city and kalonaa great getaway close to iowa city - quiet peaceful and comfortablethe location is close to some fun shops make your way towards kalonathis unique milk house on the farm will provide a nice cozy and tranquil place to staygreat place to relax for the weekend with the kiddo
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.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
beautiful skies and fresh air and lots of bedscomfortable very spacious with ample amenitiesplenty of space an outdoor shower a great game room and a well appointed kitchenplenty of room to move and they really enjoyed bunkingCleanliness:
we found both buildings clean with plenty of towels to accommodate our large groupclean and friendly environment in the heart of iowa farmlandplace is clean and has everything that they needcomfortable beds well equipped kitchen a clean shower and a little entertainmentplace was clean and provided everything that we neededHost:
mike is such a kind hostmike and his wife were amazing hosts who treated us like familyhost was friendly and easy to reach for any needshosts are super friendly and helpfulmike & his wife are wonderful hosts highly recommend for a unique farm stayRead more reviewsLocation:
this is a great location for a family to relax and spend time togetherit is calm and beautiful there are two dwellingsfelt like we were back at a malt shop in the 60'sthe accommodation is thoughtfully equipped and comfortably furnished with everything that you need for a quiet country getawaythis was a fun place to stay while we were in iowa for an event
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!
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
nice to have a king and regular bed on main floorCleanliness:
the property was clean and comfortableRead more reviewsHost:
hosts were very responsive to any questions and easy to work withgrandkids are 2 6 7 and 9 and really had fun seeing the goats that the property owners brought overawesome communication was excellent we met the owner and she was a total delight
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.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
the cabin was super clean had all the amenities we could ask for and was warm and cozyCleanliness:
clean and all the cooking supplies you needHost:
the owners were very helpful and quick to reply to any questions we hadwonderful place to stay very clean peaceful the owners are very nice peoplebison were cool to see and came close enough to give them treats supplied by the hostRead more reviewsLocation:
i highly recommend staying at this wonderful locationand the walk around the trail to see the bison was really cool for our family
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.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
her ranch house is charming and beautifully decorated with a heated bathroom floor as an added luxurythe house is small any very comfortableCleanliness:
the house is always extremely clean and invitingit is always sparkling clean and provides everything you need and morelinda’s ranch house is wonderful very clean and decorated so cute the themed bedrooms and beds were very comfortableHost:
linda was an amazing host and took the time to meet us at check-inthe beds are very comfortable and linda is a wonderful host and very easy to communicate withcheckin was easy and linda was very helpful with recommendations for local places to eatamazing host very nice house in a peaceful setting highly recommendedgreat place to stay nothing overlooked very kind and thoughtful hosts couldn’t have asked for much betterRead more reviewsLocation:
the location is perfect and so easy to get togreat atmosphere & a good place for a relaxing weekend
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.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
the house is like the pictures and the beds are comfyHost:
she is a great host and this is definitely somewhere we plan to visit againjodi is also fantastic hosthost was great and enjoyed the room to play and nearby lakescheck-in was easy and the host jodi was super accommodatinggreat spot for the weekend just what we were looking for the host always responded in a timely fashionRead more reviewsLocation:
great location near almost everythinggreat place to stay comfortable close to everythinga great place to get away for the weekend and still be close to the lakejodi was very helpful and the location was greatwhat a perfect place to spend winter games weekend
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.
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