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East Grove Farms Winery and Vineyar…

100%

· Salem, Henry, Iowa

600 acres hosted by East Grove F.

1 tent site

All to yourself

100% of recent Hipcampers say this Hipcamp felt private.

East Grove is a Star Host

Star Hosts are highly rated, responsive, and committed to providing incredible experiences.

Best in Iowa: Finalist

Named one of the best Hipcamps to visit in 2023.

Located in Southeast Iowa, East Grove Farms Winery and Vineyard specializes in honey wine (also known as mead) made from various fruits like Elderberries. Our headquarters is the O.A. and Emma Garretson House, which has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The farm itself is the oldest continuously-settled farm in Iowa, and was established in 1837. The farm served as a station on the Underground RR and farm founder Joel C Garretson was the stationmaster. All are welcome to visit during our open hours on Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 5 pm (or by appointment) for free wine and mead tastings. During the summer we offer wagon rides, and in the winter (weather permitting) we offer sleigh rides. East Grove Farms focuses on sustainable agricultural practices, and strives to be pesticide-free whenever possible. Feel free to wander through the fields, go hiking through the timber, fish for dinner in our pond. Learn more about this land: East Grove Farms invites you to pitch your tent in the former hazelnut thicket that our ancestors and the East Grove community safely hid freedom seekers from Missouri in the 1840's. It is located 1/4 m north of the winery near the vineyard and tree line and you can usually drive to the camp on a grass path thru the elderberry patch. It offers complete privacy and has a fire ring, picnic table, a prep table, and shade. Firewood is available for sale at $10 per pallet. There is a porta potty at the camp site but no running water or electricity. For those interested in the underground RR, there is an excellent museum in nearby Salem, the Lewelling Quaker Museum, a National Park Service noted site for abolitionist activity.East Grove Farms invites you to pitch your tent in the former hazelnut thicket that our ancestors and the East Grove community safely hid freedom seekers from Missouri in the 1840's. It is located 1/4 m north of the winery near the vineyard and tree line and you can usually drive to the camp on a grass path thru the elderberry patch. It offers complete privacy and has a fire ring, picnic table, a prep table, porta john, and shade. Firewood is available if you ask. There is no electricity or running water. There is a pond for fishing and some trails, and of course all campers are welcome to visit our headquarters for a free tasting of our wine and mead! Wagon rides can be arranged and on occasion there is live music at the meadery on weekends. For those interested in the underground RR, there is an excellent museum in nearby Salem, the Lewelling Quaker Museum, a National Park Service noted site for abolitionist activity.

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100%

71 ratings · 60 reviews

Kristen B.recommends

June 23, 2024

Freedom Seekers Camp

Friends kayaking weekend

Our annual camping and kayaking friends trip was awesome as usual. This was in huge part, because of East Grove Farms Winery and Vineyard in Salem Iowa. It was so much more than expected! Lots of shade, breeze, beautiful vineyard, and pond, as well as necessities such as a fire pit, picnic table, grill, and an awesome worktable. To top it off, their wine and mead are among the best we have tasted! We will definitely return and cannot thank the hosts enough for their hospitality!

Ashley M.recommends

June 16, 2024

Freedom Seekers Camp

Beautiful property tent site is completely secluded. Site sits behind vineyard and pond. Fire ring, food prep table, Porta john, and firewood all at site. Winery is across the road recommend the elderberry. Definitely be back for another stay.

Kenneth B.recommends

June 11, 2024

Freedom Seekers Camp

Joel was an exceptional host as always . The campsite was well maintained and he always seems to add little things to make it easier for the campers.

Bart C.recommends

June 2, 2024

Freedom Seekers Camp

Beautiful private site!

The farm was absolutely stunning and so private, the camp site is tucked back deep on the property behind a plot of grapevines, near a pond and nestled in the tree line at the edge of the field. We were treated to a show of hundreds of lightning bugs pulsing around the campsite. and a night sky full of stars. Just passing through, we wish we could have stayed another night or two. One of our favorite campsites ever!

Eyad H.recommends

October 29, 2023

Freedom Seekers Camp

Holy mackerel this was amazing

Jole, Steph and the whole experience was amazing!! My friends and I had a great time fishing, and playing cards. We caught a ton of bass and a 12 oz red eat sunfish!!! But I think our favorite part was that Jole invited us to his birthday party on the second day. Overall they were extremely welcoming and helpful. This campout was to celebrate my 14th birthday and I’m thinking it might be the site of my 15th too!!

Danielle H.recommends

September 3, 2023

Freedom Seekers Camp

This was a perfect little retreat. The hosts are very friendly and there's so much history to the land surrounding them. They make tasty wine and mead that they're happy to let you taste. The site has a perfect combination of shade and sun, and it's well maintained. It was nice to be secluded with views of the vineyard and woods.

Location

Salem, Henry, Iowa, United StatesTraditional, ancestral territory of Peoria, oθaakiiwaki‧hina‧ki (Sauk) & Meškwahki·aša·hina (Fox), Očhéthi Šakówiŋ, and Kiikaapoi (Kickapoo) First Nations according to To respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking

Hosted by East Grove F.Joined in March 2016

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