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The One Iowa Farmstay Where You Can Play With Goats And Alpacas

Published Aug 7, 2024

Written by 

Raymond Goldfield

Visiting farms is one of the most enjoyable things to do in Iowa, especially when the farm is active with all sorts of adorable farm critters waiting to be greeted - and fed. Sometimes, after a day of goat yoga and petting zoos, I wish I could just stay there overnight - and it's actually possible at one unique farmstay in Iowa. Near the tiny town of Chelsea, a community with only a few hundred residents, Windy Goat Acres has transformed itself into a vacation rental with a variety of unique cabins and yurts where you can stay the night. The accommodations are great, but they're only part of the fun. The really great part of a stay here is all the roommates - the chickens, goats, ponies, pigs, and alpacas that call the farm home, and let you interact with them in some fun and unforgettable ways.

Windy Goat Acres is a beloved Iowa event venue and farm that has been transformed into a one-of-a-kind vacation rental.

A group of people gather under a blue canopy in a grassy area, surrounded by trees and stacked firewood.
Donald Erickson/Google Local

This charming farm has a hippie aesthetic and several unique cabins and other abodes scattered around the grounds.

A small wooden cabin with a red roof, front porch, and a decorative wheel above the door, surrounded by greenery.
Dani Kock/Google Local

The most recent addition is a Hobbit House - a tiny, old-fashioned house with some great Middle Earth charm.

A rustic, round building with a wooden door, surrounded by snow and trees, leading to a stone pathway.
Samantha Gorbet/Google Local

The most popular stay here, though, has to be the classic yurts.

A yurt on a grassy hill at sunset, with vibrant clouds and trees in the background.
Windy Goat Acres/Google Local

The standing glamping tents offer a fantastic mix of rustic charm and modern comfort.

Interior of a yurt with wooden beams, a circular skylight, a sofa, and a cozy, rustic atmosphere.
Rojane Francis/Google Local

Our favorite part of the farmstay, though, has got to be the animals - there are many of them, and they're all friendly!

Two ponies grazing on a grassy hillside, one light-colored with a long mane and the other brown.
Rojane Francis/Google Local

The alpacas are probably the most famous - and these friendlier cousins of llamas are known for their love of hikes in the nearby hills.

Two brown llamas stand in a grassy area with a chicken nearby, surrounded by trees and a wooden fence.
Rojane Francis/Google Local

The playful goats and pot-bellied pigs are great with kids - ask the staff about "piggy popsicles" to feed the latter.

A child in a colorful coat pets a small goat on a farm, with a barn and other animals in the background.
Samantha Gorbet/Google Local

Have you stayed at Windy Goat Acres in Chelsea, Iowa, before? If so, we want to hear all about your getaway at this unique farmstay in Iowa in the comments section! If not, there's no time like the present, so book your stay at the Windy Goat Acres HipCamp listing. You can also follow the Facebook page of Windy Goat Acres for more updates on the events being held here. And while you're in the area, consider taking a drive on Iowa's Czech Trail, to learn more about the history and traditions of this area of the Hawkeye State. If you're planning some hiking adventures while at Windy Goat Acres, we put together a packing list of hiking supplies to help you!

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