The Unexpected Iowa Glampground You’ll Remember Forever

Po-ta-to-chip. Po-taaaa-to-chip. Poooo-ta-to-chiiip. I giggle beneath a lush canopy of trees, fluffing my pillow, still tucked in at the most unique glampground in Iowa. I recognize the song of the goldfinch, the distinct potato chip rhythm my parents taught me when I was a little girl. I grew up camping in a big, square, yellow, canvas tent. My dad was proud of it: the indestructible aluminum poles and thick, musty walls that never cracked or ripped after decades of use. That was “the good life,” he said, and I wonder what he’d think of this fancy set-up I’m in now. There’s an oval basket-style chandelier above my head, a fluffy mint duvet pulled up to my chin, and a sweet, little wooden porch outside the zippered doors.

Why This Unique Glampground in Iowa Stands Out 

We don’t have many glampgrounds in the Hawkeye State, which makes the Saylor Creek Hideaway an unusual place to stay in Iowa. Not a resort and not a public campground, it’s a private 9-acre oasis that falls somewhere between the two. This is private property with just one tent, making it feel like the wild-camping experiences I had as a kid. And while it feels private and secluded, it’s not as far out in the boonies as you’d think. Instead, it’s just a few miles from Margo Frankel Woods State Park, only 6 miles north of downtown Des Moines.

Inside the Experience or Stay: Features, Atmosphere, and Highlights 

If you’ve never been glamping before, the word itself is a portmanteau of the words "glamorous" and "camping." In my eyes, this is the perfect experience for nature lovers who prefer a boutique stay over the "novelty" of squeezing into a sleeping bag on the cold, hard ground. Glamping tents usually have real beds, wood floors, electricity, and the comforts of a hotel suite. Saylor Creek Hideaway is all of that, with the bougie turned up a notch. This unique experience in Iowa features a single king bed, a twin-bed-sized couch, a small kitchen table and coffee table, a mini fridge, air conditioning and heating, a TV, a Nespresso machine, and WiFi. Outdoors, you’ll find a private bathroom with a rain shower, a composting toilet, an outhouse sink, a smokeless fire pit, Adirondack chairs, patio furniture, and a charcoal grill.

What To Know Before You Go

Before you book a stay at the best glamping experience in Iowa, there are a few important things to keep in mind. First, you are not actually staying in the wilderness. Although the property is wonderfully wooded and full of wildlife, you are staying on a residential site, and the owners live there, too. You can’t see their house from the tent, and your privacy is ensured, but it’s important to remember that you are not as isolated as you feel. And as nice as it would be for glamping to be bug-free, this is not a hotel, and there will be bugs. Be sure to bring insect and tick repellent.

Saylor Creek Hideaway is an ideal wilderness getaway for those who already love camping and want to have an elevated experience. It’s also a wonderful opportunity for hotel lovers to experiment with camping without sacrificing comfort. Whatever your travel style, it’s one of the most unforgettable and unique things to do in Des Moines, Iowa.