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1860's Botanical Paradise

96%
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· Bellevue, Jackson, Iowa
2 acres hosted by Jessica O.
1 lodging site · 1 tent site
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Amazing views
Hipcampers say this spot has amazing views.
Best in Iowa: Finalist
Named one of the best Hipcamps to visit in 2024.
Jessica is a Star Host
Star Hosts are highly rated, responsive, and committed to providing incredible experiences.
Romantic
Recent Hipcampers say this Hipcamp is romantic.
Happy to announce we’ve won 2nd best property to visit in Iowa! We hope to keep striving and adding more amenities as we go! Thank you to our wonderful guests and hello to future guests! 👋🏽 Built in 1860 by its first caretaker botanist, this homestead was propagated over its many years of life and is busting at the seams with medicinal and edible herbs. We now run a flower farm and vegetable gardens on our homestead. If you’d like to learn about herbs or gardening/ homesteading, we love sharing our knowledge. If you’d just like some farm fresh eggs for breakfast and enjoy your time alone amongst the songbirds, that's just fine too :) The property is built into the stone hillside allowing for breathtaking views but also stairs to get to the campsites. Please wear comfortable shoes (not flip flops 😉). If you have mobility issues property access will be difficult. Please no children under 5. !CLASSES! We run our small school/business: HOMESTEAD and HAMMER from the property and are bringing classes to YOU! Look in the "EXTRAS" for classes you can partake in on your visit OR for more information on what's included on class weekends check out our website below! Classes include, forAging wild edibles, mushroom identification, homesteading skills, soap making, forging metals and many more! Website: www.homesteadandhammer.com *For guest and host safety property managed 24-7 by video and security services*
Activities
Biking
Boating
Fishing
Hiking
Natural features
Forest
Mountainous
Wetlands
Farm
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Reviews
96% Recommend139 ratings · 114 reviews
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Julie T.
2 months on Hipcamp
Recommends
· April 2025
A cozy place to stay the night! Jessica was a wonderful host. We enjoyed our stay and got some of Jessica’s herbal infused goat milk soap and locally made sausage. I’d definitely visit again 😊
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Jordan A.
11 months on Hipcamp
Recommends
· March 2025
Can't wait to come back!
We loved camping here! Wonderful hilltop spot with an overlook view. We also loved getting to see the chickens and baby chicks. Jessica was so kind and hospitable. We can't wait to come back!
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Alison C.
3 reviews
Recommends
· March 2025
Nice get away
Nice stay! Love the view looking over the church and the town. Had a great time watching the birds and 5 little chicks. So cute. The bunkie is beautiful and the bed is so comfortable. I will definitely come again. The drive nearby is so beautiful!
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Alejandro R.
1 month on Hipcamp
Recommends
· March 2025
Great glamping getaway!
With pets ·
Staying on Jessica’s land was one of the single best getaways either I or my partner have had in recent memory! We initially took a trip away from home to alleviate burn out early in the working year and returned home even more refreshed than anticipated. The Bunkie was perfectly cozy for me, my partner, and our pup. The view was rejuvenating, and we had access to whatever we needed to keep comfortable. We did a lot of reading and board games when inside, and did our cooking on one of the many fire pits outdoors. Jessica has a wealth of knowledge and earnest love for the land she stewards, and we had a great time learning about the local flora and fauna. She kindly walked us through foraging, apothecary processes, artisanal soap-making, and her husband taught us how to keep our knives razor sharp. Beyond the knowledge we were gifted, we made sure to also leave with a lot of amazing smelling soap and bath salts. Outside of the space, there’s a lot of beautiful and reasonably accessible hiking in the vicinity. If you’re not one for cooking each night, there’s also a number of good spots in town to get some coffee/tea, food, and beer. We’re excited to tell everyone back home about the beautiful time we had, and we’re hoping to come back soon to see how the space is during other seasons. Thank you so much, Jessica!
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Stephanie R.
2 reviews
Recommends
· March 2025
Great spot!
With pets ·
Wonderful place with a fantastic host. Made me and my pup feel so welcome, next level soaps, and a pet skunk!! Got to take a soap making class and learned so much! Very peaceful atmosphere with good vibes.
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Stephanie R.
2 reviews
Recommends
· March 2025
Me and my pup had a wonderful time in the bunkie! Jessica is a fantastic host and truly went above and beyond to make sure that me and my dog were comfortable. She had great recommendations for stuff to do around the area and taught me how to make soap! Her soaps are truly next level and it was so cool to see all of her wonderful art! We also had some of her amazing tea!! It was delicious! She also has a pet skunk that was too adorable! Thanks for hosting us Jessica!
Location
Bellevue, Jackson, Iowa, United StatesTraditional, ancestral territory of 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
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Hosted by Jessica O.

Joined in May 2021
Response rate: 100%Response time: Within an hour
Hipcamp is created with ❤️ and hope for our future.