Glamping Wisconsin – glamping is a combination of the two words “glamorous” and “camping”. This kind of camping is a luxury camping where you use the host’s stuff instead! Glamping campsites have permanent luxury camping structures with upgrades (i.e. memory foam mattresses). So the experience becomes extra special, fun, and relaxing.

The Best Camping & Glamping Iowa: The Ultimate Guide

How to Find and Do the Best Camping in Iowa

Guide to THE Best Camping and Glamping in Iowa

Are you getting tired of hauling all of your camping gear around? Instead try upgraded Camping & Glamping in Iowa. Read ahead to figure out how to do the most awesome camping vacation you can do.

What is Glamping?

Glamping is a combination of the two words “glamorous” and “camping”. While the regular thing may be a simple tent and a sleeping bag, glamping typically involves more comfort and luxury. Glamping Iowa campsites have semi-permanent luxury camping structures with upgrades (i.e. memory foam mattresses). So the experience becomes extra special, fun, and relaxing — especially for the best family camping in Iowa!

Next, read up for a list of some of our favorites and some tips and tricks for extra awesome camping in Iowa!

Even More Camping & Glamping Iowa Info

Know Before You Go Glamping Iowa

Don’t plan on going glamping in Iowa to have just a little fun. Be prepared to have a LOT of AWESOME adventures! Aim to put the “glam” in glamping by making your trip as easy, enjoyable, and memorable as possible!

What to Pack

Think ahead about what to expect there and what to pack. Read our Ultimate Glamping Packing List for more info.

Explore the Area

Plan on a few excursions to have even more fun while you’re exploring the best camping and glamping in Iowa! For extensive information on the area’s scene, view our Decorah Area Guidebook.

Connect to the Local Scene

Plan ahead in case there is little cell signal. Look up local chamber and tourism webpages and ask county and community Facebook groups for advice on best places to go.

How to Cook, Glamping Iowa-Style

Cooking while visiting the best camping and glamping in Iowa sites is a ton of fun! Before you go find out what your host will provide you to cook your culinary glamping delights.

Here are some tips and tricks for cooking outdoors while luxury camping. We challenge you to “go gourmet” with your version of comfort foods!

Food & Drink

Menu plan ahead of time! Have fun looking up food options for your getaway. Check out this awesome Printable Camping Menu and Grocery List from Glamper Life. We totally love the creative ways you can grill. Some of our favorites are pizza, stuff-with-any-type-of-food-wraps, and easy foil-wrapped foods. Pack snacks to graze on when you rev up your appetites from all the fun too. Do some easy food and beverage pairings that highlight local fare and libations.

Light the Grill

Remember to take matches and a lighter with you! Cooking spray always helps.

Keeping Cool(er)

Bring a good cooler when glamping. They make pretty affordable coolers that keep food very cold 3-5 days. Make a plan to refresh your ice (on or off site from campgrounds). Pack your cooler with pre-portioned food (pre-cut is awesome)! Put items you’re cooking with first on top so you won’t have to dig around. Pack to eat most perishable items first. Consider bringing a second cooler for beverages.

Pots & Pans

Bring cooking vessels and ways to clean them. Disposable foil pans and foil are a great recyclable way you can cook but not have to worry about cleanup. KISS method (keep it simple, stupid)!

Utensils

Bring any tongs/spatulas, silverware, plates, cups, etc. that you’ll need to eat and do food prep. They make great disposable and recyclable options these days!

Activities for Glamping in Iowa

Part of the fun of visiting the best Glamping Wisconsin is doing different stuff in different environments. Get out of your comfort zone and try some new (or old!) things…

Explore & Move While Iowa Camping and Glamping

For the best family camping in Iowa or the best romantic getaway you’ve ever had…First, find a glamping host surrounded by the setting and the activities you want to do. Explore the fresh air, wildlife, and nature spotting or go discover the city! In nature, go exploring the woods with the family or, kayak, canoe, or tube down a nearby river. Absorb the magnificent sounds and sights of the around you.

Find the Gems – Visit Local Attractions

There’s something for everyone to do nearby when you’re camping or glamping in Iowa. Stop by for a bite to eat somewhere or go do something off your bucket list. Ask the staff for local favorite things to do and places to go!

Awesome Decorah Guidebook

We are partial to the Northwoods. Up here there is something that everyone will enjoy including a burgeoning foodie scene!

Make a Iowa Campfire

The campfire is a place of community and bonding. Play games, drink, eat and enjoy each other’s company around the campfire. Tell spooky or funny stories! Real quality time together that can’t be beat while doing the best camping or glamping in Iowa.

Romantic Glamping Iowa Getaways

Treat your loved one to a romantic glamping Iowa trip. Go adventuring together where you land, drink bubbly, eat chocolates, sip out of beautiful mugs, and have a fun night out on the town! You deserve it!

Up Your Photography Game – Take Pictures of Iowa Camping and Glamping to Capture Memories

Dust off your DSLR camera and go capture the beauty of your glamping site. Or, learn how to use your smartphone’s camera to make memories for long after the best Glamping Iowa trip – Nine Tips for Taking Brilliant Nature Photos with Your Smart Phone.

Iowa Glamping Activities for Kids (or fun-loving Big People too!)

Try out nature spotting, scavenger huts, collecting artifacts for scrapbooks, trail finding, bird watching or listening to calls, star gazing, searching for bugs. Or go play tag, make tic tac toe out of sticks and stones, create an obstacle course out of found objects, or play hide and seek! Bring some rainy day fun too for Iowa camping and glamping. Start making that scrapbook, bring some cards and games, read some books, or go play or hike in the rain! Here are a few more resources:

(S)more Food Ideas for the Best Glamping in Iowa

We LOVE upping our camping cooking game while glamping. It definitely upgrades your experience! As a glamper, we challenge you to do food pairings highlighting the tradition of camping, cocktails, and campfires. Share with us what you come up with for cooking while doing the best glamping in Iowa!

Breakfast

- Four glamping breakfasts you won’t be able to resist

Lunch/Dinner

Campfire Cooking

Kids Cooking

- Campfire Recipes for Kids

Desserts

- Gourmet S’mores – Four Ways – Oh So Delicioso
- 15 Creative S’mores Recipes – Shared Appetite