Frequently Asked Questions.
If you don't find your question or answer below, send us a message and we'll happily get it posted.
When is check-in/check-out?
Campers & Tents
Check in - after 3 p.m.*
Check out - by 2 p.m. *
* Unless you make arrangements in the office (see also Question below: "What if the office is closed when we arrive?)
Cabins
Check in - after 3 p.m.
Check out - by 12 p.m.
What are the office & store hours?
Monday-Thursday... 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Friday-Saturday........ 7 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Sunday.................... 7 a.m. - 5 p.m.
We answer the phone, retrieve messages, and return calls: 7 days/week: 7 a.m. - 10 p.m. throughout the day.
What if the office is closed when we arrive?
Please let us know ahead of time if you will be coming in (or leaving) after hours. You can email wecamp@harvestfarmcampground.com or call 563-883-8562. We will happily make arrangements with you to check into your site or check out as gracefully as possible.
What If we need to cancel our reservation?
You can cancel reservations and get a refund of your deposit (minus cancellation fee) if you cancel within two weeks of your reservation. Check our policies & rules page for more information on cancellations and other campground rules.
How do we reserve our sites together?
Easy. You can make a group reservation online or by phone, 563-883-8562. We specialize in groups and Dave is a magician when it comes to making sure you’ll all be together. If you are making reservations online, there is a “special notes” field in the contact information where you can let us know any specific needs your group has.
By the way, all water/electric sites allow you to arrange your campers and tents however you want… in a circle, horseshoe, straight line, you decide.
How do we reserve a specific site(s)?
Hmmmm. You cannot reserve a specific site, but you can request it. We’ll do what we can to make it happen. Refer to the campground map for site #s and sections. Keep in mind if you make your reservation online, the site #s on the map do NOT correspond to the site #s you see on the reservation page in the "Type" column. No worries, just reserve the type of site you want (ie: Camper/RV - Tent - Tent w/ elec, Cabin) and let us know the specific site # you'd like—in the notes.
Why Don't the site #s online match the campground map?
Yeah, that can be confusing. But when you make a reservation (either online or phone), you are just reserving a "type" of site (like, a Camper/RV site or Tent site or Cabin). We will assign you a specific site. Why? because we guarantee that groups-big and small-get sites together. We know that's important. So we assign sites manually when we create a unique map each week. This is how we accommodate all requests.
When you make your reservation, you can request your favorite spot or specific site and we’ll do our best to get you in it. Please know that every site is an awesome site, so if it happens that don't get your request, there's a very good reason. We trust you'll bloom where you're planted...and will love camping here in any site.
Can we reserve a site with sewer hook-up?
No. Full hook-ups (including sewer & 50 amp elec. connections) are available with seasonal rentals and they are booked a year in advance. All other camp sites have water and 30 amp electric hook-ups. There are two dump stations conveniently located at the entrance.
Can we make reservations online?
Yes, click the Reservations link to reserve your site. You can even make group reservations online. And you can also let us know about any special requests or circumstances in the "special notes" field in your Contact Information form. We read every one!!
How do we get a seasonal site?
We have 89 seasonal sites: 41 Standard & 58 Premium (purple & red on the campground map). Seasonal contracts are renewed in October for the following season and include winter storage. Camping season starts around April 1st (depending on weather) and ends the last Sunday in October (regardless).
If you are interested in joining our awesome seasonal family, complete and submit the seasonal site app. We'll get you on our waiting list in the order that we receive it. Although we don't always have a lot of seasonal turnover and we do have kind of a long-ish waiting list, it’s true that many people are not ready for a seasonal site when they are called--for a billion different reasons. So, get your app in when you think you're moving in that direction.
Get current rates & more details on the Camping Sites & Rates page.
Can we bring our pets?
Yes. Friendly pets are always welcome—as many as you have, at no charge. They have to be on a leash, though, and you must pick up after them. Pets are welcome in the cabins, too.
Can we bring a 4-wheeler?
No. Generally speaking, don't bring motorized vehicles other than the one you drive in. Golf carts and bicycles are great for tooling around the campground or driving up to the store for ice cream. But still, drive slow and be mindful of others. And, please… pay attention to kids playing!
Can we bring wood?
Yes. You can certainly bring your own firewood for campfires. But if you don't want to shlepp it in, we deliver firewood right to your site: $20/rack (small wheelbarrow full).
What do the cabins include?
Furnishings: Cabins feature a queen bed with linens, AC/heat, half bath, fridge, microwave, kitchen table & chairs. The loft also includes two twin beds w/ linens upstairs, lots of room for air mattresses or cots.
We provide cots upon request at no charge. Air mattresses of various sizes can be purchased in the store.
Kitchen: Cabins includes a charcoal Weber grill, picnic table, & fire pit outside. Inside, coffee maker, two-burner electric cook top, basic pots & pans with a few cooking utensils, dish soap & sponge, paper towels.
Get a peek inside, cabin pics
What should we bring to The cabin?
You should bring bath towels, charcoal, plates, eating utensils, napkins, food, and beverages. If you forget something, you can buy it at our convenience store-located in the barn at the entrance. We'll have everything you need, at reasonable prices.
Can we do a WEDDINg or FAMILY REUNIOn at the campground?
Sure, we have special events here all the time. There are many options for hosting your gig at the campground. Weddings can be held outside at Eagle Point, in The Oaks, or by The Memorial Garden, or inside in The Quonset Hut. In fact, group get-togethers are often held in the Quonset Hut; it’s easy to decorate and holds a lot of people.
The Quonset Hut is a large spacious building, like a bunker, with extra high ceilings. The back doors open into a large luscious green yard for canopy tents, socializing, and parking. The building includes wood-chip floor, special event lighting, a long bar serving table, picnic tables, spool tables, elec. outlets, extension cords, grill, and parking. Rents for $25/hour or $250/weekend.
And don't forget to reserve camping sites and cabins for people who are staying the weekend to camp.
River Trips: How long & How Much?
Good questions. Travel times for river floats are kind of a moving target; they fluctuate depending on the weather— how much rain we get north of us and how often it rains— as well as the current river levels. But, normally, we have three floats for canoes/kayaks and one for tubes:
Canoes and kayaks:
Short - 1.5 hour float (no paddling-puts in at 9' bridge)
Medium - 3 hour float (puts in at MN state line)
Long - 4-5 hour float (puts in at Granger MN)
Tubes:
Medium 2.5 hour float (puts in at 9' bridge)
So, canoes & kayaks travel @ 2 mph, tubes @ 1mph; hence if we shuttle you 5 miles up stream with kayaks, it’s going to take you about 2-3 hours to float down river. So the long 4-5 hour float means you’re starting out about 9 miles up river. If you stop at the fresh water springs of the Niagara Cave or look for fossils at a rock bar or eat a picnic lunch on the bank, it will, of course, take longer. Plan accordingly :) Check out the River Activities page for cost and other details.
Do we need to reserve canoes, kayaks, or tubes?
Yes. You probably should if you are certain you want to get on the river. No deposit required. When the weather is good, usually all the vessels go out on the river. So let us know what, when, and how many you need for your river trip.
When do the shuttles run?
Shuttles start at 10 a.m. You can let us know when you want to get out on the river and we will schedule a shuttle to pick you up at your site around that time. We shuttle upstream. Everyone ends at the Harvest Farm landing where you will pull your canoe, kayak, tube on shore and walk (or drive) back to your site.
Where can we fish?
Many people fish right here at the landing. You can walk up or down stream and find plenty of smallmouth and rock mouth bass, trout, and even walleye. You can also shuttle up river in a canoe or kayak to Granger, MN and fish on your float downstream.
Do we need a fishing license to fish?
Yes. The campground is located in Iowa, so if you fish around here or down at the landing, an Iowa license is required. Kids 16 and under are not required to have a fishing license.
You can purchase a license online and get it sent to your smart phone, or print it and bring it with you. Check out these sites for assistance:
