Chimney Rock Campground Policies

Chimney Rock’s Manifesto of Expectations

We get that we are stewards of this place that means so much to so many. While most of our guests come year after year and love this place – we don’t take this for granted. However, we feel it is important to set expectations ahead of time to make sure Chimney Rock is the right fit for you!

    1. PLANS CHANGE | From time-to-time unforeseen circumstances arise, and sometimes we need to change plans around here. We aim to make sure if things change for our guests, you will receive an equal or upgraded experience as a result. We appreciate your patience with us!

    2. WE’RE A CAMPGROUND RESORT | This is a campground, so there are other folks on site. If you ever have challenges with other guests, call us in – we’re happy to help. We are not remote, but we are in the beauty of the Upper Iowa River valley. So on rare occasions there will be noise from neighbors or a highway. Our campsites aren’t as close as KOA’s, but they aren’t as far apart as some national forest campground sites. However, we feel the amenities of being a campground and being close to some super cool stuff outweigh being in the absolute middle of nowhere. We also do have quiet hours from 10pm to 8am so groups of all types can enjoy the peace and relaxation of the woods at night.

    3. NOT A HOTEL | We are a campground, not a hotel, and ask you to help with a few things before check out. While we don’t have time to clean all the glamping cabin dishes between guests, we do provide dish soap and ask you wash them before you leave. Our goal – this extra time helps our team to make sure the units are so clean even Cody’s mom would stay here. And she does!

    4. OUR GLAMPING IS STILL KINDA CAMPING | Our glamping campground units are camping – albeit with a lot of upgrades. So, there are the normal things you’d expect to see in nature and camping with occasional animals (that will leave you alone) and insects and such conditions. Our campers and tents do not have bathrooms or operable appliances inside. We did this to keep the costs down for everyone as compared to many of our glamping competitors. There is a water station outside the bathhouse, though, for you to get your own potable water.
    5. CAMPING BATHHOUSE IS SHARED | If you’re looking for a dedicated camping bathroom never used by other guests, Chimney Rock isn’t the right fit for you. Our glamping campground has a shared public bathhouse with bright, private bathrooms — we clean it 2-3 times daily. But sometimes guests aren’t as respectful as others in leaving it as clean as they found it. We thought about strapping a staff person to the bathhouse to clean it on demand, but decided against it for a number of reasons. BUT if the bathhouse does need extra attention between cleanings, text cell number inside bathrooms to let us know – we will get on it!
    6. PUT STUFF BACK PLZ | We ask guests to put away stuff where they found it, in the condition it was originally in. Parents — please help your kids put balls, yard games, and non-motorized watercraft and beach toys away. Kids – please help your parents pick up the cabin or glamping unit before you leave.
    7. ENJOY THE BREEZE | There is no AC – we’re so far north it’s hardly ever needed. We recommend closing windows by day and opening for cool air at night – nearly always does the trick! Our glamping units have fans inside them, and our glamping units have power stations that can power fans if you bring one.

    8. FAMILY FRIENDLY PLACE | We aim to be a family-friendly resort and therefore have a lot of amenities on-site for all ages (including adults – ya’ll need to relax too). But parents — please do not let your young kids go around the resort unsupervised (this still is a forest, and we do have an unsupervised lake). To be a good fit for families, our glamping cabins do have some bunk beds – which aren’t the right cup-o-tea for all adults.

    9. WE’RE HERE TO HELP | Our small team is working hard to make sure this place is top notch – but if you ever run into an issue let us know right away so we can make it right! If we don’t know about it we can’t help. And if you have any ideas on how to improve, let us know and we will add it to the list!

    10. AND MOST IMPORTANTLY…And last but not least, you are contractually obligated on telling the owners where and how you caught your fish! 😉

POV Policies

Reservation Policies

RATE INCREASES
Rates are raised annually to address cost of living increases and inflation. This ensures we are able to maintain the same high quality experience you expect from a stay at Chimney Rock. 2025 rate increase will be 6%. 

REQUIRED CREDIT CARD ON FILE
In lieu of a security deposit or a hold on your credit card for a damage deposit, Chimney Rock requires all guests to have a credit card on file for the event damage is incurred during your stay. Your credit card information is kept confidential and secure and stored in the resort’s secure, online card processing company – Stripe.

DAMAGE PROTECTION
In the event property is damaged or missing, payments to your card are processed only after post-checkout. A fee will be assessed based on the extent of the damage or missing items. This damage protection also includes a $40/hour charge for a unit left in an unusually unclean state (again, documentation will be provided to the guest if this occurs). Guests will be notified via email of damage documented, providing the documentation for your records. 

MISSING PAYMENTS
The securely stored credit card will also be charged if payments are missed according to the payment schedule agreed to.

ALTERNATE ACCOMMODATIONS
Situations arise from time to time, and we reserve the right to provide alternate accommodations for any reason that are of equal or greater value to your reservation – if this ever occurs we will provide notification in writing for your records.

If you’d like to request moving to a different unit after check in for personal reasons/preference, we do have a $25 extra cleaning fee for glamping units.

MINIMUM RENTAL AGE
Minimum age to rent a glamping unit is 21 years and the person who books the resort must stay for the entire rental period. Sub-letting or parents renting for their children under age is NOT allowed. Minimum Age required to rent a campsite is 18 years and the person who makes the reservation must stay for the entire rental period.

ADDITIONAL CHARGES

    • We have a $40 surcharge for 1 night glamping or campsite stays
    • Each additional guest charge beyond capacity of unit – $10/night (all seasons)
    • There is a $50.00 per check fee for all returned checks
    • There is a $40/hour charge for units left in an unusually unclean state

Cancellation Policies

CANCELLATION POLICY AND REFUNDS
The cancellation policy you booked with can be found with your confirmation email you received when you paid your deposit. 
We know that plans can go astray. However, we rely primarily on advance reservations and cancellations cannot always be filled. No refunds due to change of plans or early departures. All guests are financially responsible for the entire booking once your reservation has been made. All cancellations must be made within these time frames or you will be charged the additional balance due. The renter agrees that he/she will not claim any charge backs or credits from his/her credit card company for any fees charged to his/her credit card, including but not limited to deposit, rental, or additional damage fees. We will make every effort to find new renters for the unit.

So to be fair to all concerned, our current policy is as follows:

    • Campsites – For glamping campsite reservations, 75% of paid prepayments are refundable when cancelled 14 days before arrival or earlier. 0% of deposits are refundable if cancelled within the 14 day window. If you cancel within 14 days before check-in, you will be refunded 100% of your deposit if we manage to re-rent your campsite on the previously reserved dates.

We recognize extenuating circumstances occur – if a cancellation occurs within a two week time frame of your stay due to either inclement weather (flood, snowstorm, or bitter cold of ~0 degrees high) or a family emergency you may apply your deposit to a future visit. This will be reviewed on a case by case basis.

Check in and Check Out Procedures

TIMES
Summer check-in is a firm 3pm and check-out is 9am for cabins and 3pm and 11am for campgrounds unless arranged prior with owners. The remainder of the year it is flexible with coordination with ownership.

Campground Map (KNOW WHERE TO GO UPON ARRIVAL)

CHECK-IN PROCEDURES
Know where your campsite is before you get on the road – see Chimney Rock’s map on where to go when you get here. Check in is a firm 3pm at the earliest, although you’re welcome to come to the property early to use our outdoor amenities. Helpful information about the resort as well as the unit key can be found at your unit (which will be unlocked), so head straight there to relax when you arrive any time 3pm or later.

CHECK-OUT PROCEDURES
Upon departure guests are required to leave the resort in the same general condition as it was when they arrived. There is a $40/hour charge for glamping units or campsites left in an *unusually* unclean state – if needed, this charge will be issued within one week of check out and documentation to the unclean state left will be provided. 

GLAMPING UNIT CHECK-OUT TO DO’s

    • Please return all kitchen items to your cabin if you used them in a different unit
    • Place all blue towels in the blue laundry bag; place all white linen sheets in the white laundry bag; and strip comforter covers (white sheet-like duvet cover on comforter) and place in the gray laundry bag – leave the mattress protector pad on the bed (your help with this is again MOST appreciated — our laundry service is now requiring these steps)
    • Remove all trash and recycling from the unit – there are designated dumpsters for each available on the driveway out of the property
    • Extinguish all fires and cleans trash out of fire ring
    • Lock the unit and return your key in your unit to the hook where you found it by the front door

CAMPSITE CHECK OUT TO Do’s

    • Remove all trash and recycling from your campsite, there are designated dumpsters for each available on the driveway out of the property
    • Extinguish all fires and clean trash out of fire ring

Pet Policy

POV Pet PolicyTEXT

Aggressive pets are not welcome.

There is a $50 fee for not cleaning up after your dog (this includes significant pet hair remaining on furniture post-checkout or any indoor pee or poop stains). ANY damage, including significant hair on furniture or bedding, will be subject to additional charges. Each dog-friendly unit is furnished with cleaning supplies to clean up after them. Sheets to cover the couches and futons are available upon request. If any damages are incurred from dogs’ behavior, owners will be required to pay for them with the credit card on file at the office.

We also ask dog owners to observe the following:

    • No barking
    • All guest dogs must be on a leash at all times and clean up after them
    • Remember your pooper scooper
    • Dogs are not to be left in the cabins alone unless they are confined in an indoor dog kennel
    • Dogs are not to be tied to trees or to the cabin
    • No more than TWO dogs allowed per cabin, unless permission is granted at time of reservation
    • Dogs are not allowed in the rec room. If your dog is on the beach it must be on a leash.
    • If your dog is off leash there is a $20 fee. If found off leash again you will be asked to remove your dog from the campground.
    • Sorry, we do not allow cats

Service Pet Policy

Note: We fully support guests who legitimately need service animals. Please be aware that fraudulent misrepresentation of a pet as a service animal is a federal crime under the Americans with Disabilities Act. If it is discovered that a guest has misrepresented a pet as a service animal, we reserve the right to seek financial restitution, report fraudulent claims to government authorities, and to cancel the reservation and remove the guests without notice and without any refund for unused nights.

If you are bringing a service animal to the resort, you are required to provide the following information:

    • Is your service animal required because of a disability?
    • What work or task has your service animal been trained to perform?
RULES
    1. Your service animal must be housebroken, non-aggressive, not destructive, and not display repeated, unprovoked barking.
    2. Your service animal must not be left unattended at any time.
    3. Outside of the guest quarters, your service animal must be on a leash at all times, or under control of verbal or sight commands that they follow at all times.
    4. Your service animal should have a collar, harness, or microchip with identifying owner information attached should it become lost.
    5. Your service animal must be immunized against rabies and wear a current vaccination tag.
    6. Please walk your service animal outside for bathroom needs and clean up defecations immediately. Indoor piddle pads are not allowed.
    7. Please keep your service animal off the furniture and counters unless it is specifically needed for your disability. 
    8. You are responsible at all times for your service animal’s behavior. While we reasonably expect that your specialty service animal is well-trained, should any damage occur, you are responsible for the cost of any cleaning, repairs or replacements. (See additional damage/cleaning fee above).
    9. You will be required to remove your service animal and/or leave for excessive noise, aggressive or damaging behavior or obvious lack of sanitation.

Other Policies

We cater to families and strive to provide an upscale family vacation rental experience. Renters agree to abide by our resort rules that are provided to you upon arrival.

Quiet Hours: Resort quiet hour is from 10:00pm to 8:00am. This means no loud noises after 10pm. All music must be completely turned off.

Minimum Night Stays: For the campground season (May to September) we require a 2-night minimum stay. For stays less than these amounts the duration must be approved by ownership and incur an extra fee (nominal).

Maximum Occupancy: The number of persons occupying your shall not exceed the number stated on your reservation. If additional persons are added after your reservation is secured you MUST inform us upon arrival and charges will be added as necessary. Guests may be subject to cancellation/penalties if numbers exceed confirmed occupants listed. This is a violation of the rental agreement.

Use of Grounds: All guests use the grounds and amenities at your own risk. This includes the beach and swimming area, which is un-guarded. Our gardens have been designed to be enjoyed by all. It is the responsibility of the parent to keep their children out of the gardens and landscaped areas. PLEASE RESPECT NATURE! We would greatly appreciate it if persons do not disturb plants, rocks, trees or other natural gifts. Please do not nail anything to trees or hang any ropes, swings or hammocks from tree limbs. Please do not walk or step in flower beds.

Candles: The use of any type of flame is prohibited in all buildings and throughout the site; The new “flameless candles” which are battery operated are permitted for use.

Children Supervision: There have been times we have had guests at the complex whose children were not properly supervised. Children under the age of 18 are your complete responsibility. Please know where your children are at all times and make certain that they clearly understand resort rules and policies.

Handicap Accommodations: We provide level-designated parking, ramped walkways throughout the property along with suitable restroom facilities. Motorized and transport chairs can easily navigate the grounds. All venues on the property are handicapped accessible.

Parking: Parking is available at the designated areas of the complex (gravel areas).

Speed Limit: The speed limit on the Campground complex is 5 mph and is strictly enforced for the safety of your guests.

Resort Indoor Furniture: Cabin and glamping unit furniture as well as the furniture in the rec room are not permitted to be taken out of the units.

Visitor Policy: Visitors are welcome between 8am and 6pm. Every guest of POV Resort may have one visitor, but they must register upon arrival at the office. If visitors do not follow the guidelines of the resort they may be asked to leave.

Alcohol: Alcohol consumption on the property is allowed with moderation only. We are a family oriented, peaceful resort, catering to those that want an enjoyable vacation experience.

Smoking: There is no smoking allowed in any cabins or glamping units of ANY kind. Smoking is only allowed in designated areas on the property, and we kindly ask that all cigarette butts are disposed of in the trash.

Fish Cleaning: There is no fishing cleaning allowed within any of the cabins. Fish are to be disposed at the fish cleaning station – see instructions posted there.

Trailers: Trailers are also welcome to the property and may be parked in designated parking areas.

Phones: We are located in the woods and your cell phone may not work at our resort (although we do get good ATT and Verizon service here).

Fireworks: The only fireworks we allow at the resort are small fireworks such as fountains and sparklers. All others are prohibited. Please pick up the trash.

WIFI: We do have high-speed wifi available in the main area of the rec building. That being said, the resort is about relaxing and enjoying the woods – so some IP addresses and websites may not be available. 

Campfires and Firewood: All firewood must be purchased on-site to ensure firewood is not contaminated with pests or diseases. We enforce all local burn bans. Please do not cut down any trees or limbs – we are trying to preserve the national forest. All our cabins and campsites have fire rings and there is firewood for sale (self-serve) at our store at the gray rec building. Each week-long cabin rental receives a complimentary bundle of firewood upon check-in.

This property is privately owned. The renter accepts renting privileges with the understanding the he/she does hereby release Chimney Rock Campground, its officers and employees of all liability for loss or damage to property and injury against claims resulting from loss or damage to property or injury to the person of any member of the family or guest of the registered renters arising out of the use of resort facilities.