Stay In Covered Wagons At Best Nest Farm

Glamping – or as I call it, fancy pants camping – is an increasingly popular getaway option in the Midwest. One of the newest locations for a glamping experience is Best Nest Farm, a farm in Glenwood, Iowa that has luxury covered wagons available for overnight stays. I stayed a night this summer with my family of four. It’s the best of two worlds: The camping experience but with air-conditioning, a comfy bed, and a bathroom. 

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Best Nest Farm. All thoughts, opinions and typos are my own. This post may contain affiliate links.

Best Nest Farm offers a glamping experience that gets families immersed in the outdoors without for forgoing the luxuries and comforts of modern living. This particular location has the benefit of being tucked in the Loess Hills, but not too far away from bigger cities like Omaha and Council Bluffs. I felt like I was a world away, but it was just a 40-mile drive to get there!

If you haven’t been to the Loess Hills, or don’t even know what they are, spending a night at a place like Best Nest Farm will be a great opportunity to introduce yourself to the area. The hills, which are predominantly formed from wind-deposited silt, are rare and found only in one other part of the world, and nothing compares to the vastness of this region. The Loess Hills stretch for over 200 miles along the western edge of Iowa.

Right in the heart of the Loess Hills is Best Nest Farm, located next to a lake and sitting on grassy hills. It’s tranquil there. The views give you pause. And if you are in need of some modern distractions, it’s just a few miles from Glenwood, a cute town with an extraordinary candy shop and one of my favorite craft breweries.

The Heart of the Experience: Best Nest Farm

The owners of Best Nest Farm, Amy Kern and Marcel Devetten, opened their two covered wagons in June 2023. Amy is a born-and-raised Omaha girl; her husband is from the Netherlands. Neither had ever experienced life on a farm, but as empty nesters, they decide to ditch the rush of Omaha life and head for the country.

They started with raising alpacas, and when you visit the farm now, you can meet the five in their herd. Well, you can meet them AND you can feed them carrot snacks. Mateo is an alpaca you won’t forget – he’s a hungry guy! 

Amy and Marcel added to their farm crew little by little, and now their farm is home to five ducks, two gorgeous large and loveable pups, a few barn cats, and an ever-changing lineup of birds passing through the area. 

So if you love animals (like my family), this is a dream location for a quick getaway. Amy and Marcel provide the snacks for you to feed the animals, which includes lettuce for the ducks. Just ask!

And if you are more of an active outdoorsy kind of family, overnight stays include the use of kayaks and a paddle boat. They provide life jackets for kids and adults (kids must wear them, adults are highly encouraged to). 

There are two trails to hike on the property. One leads you to a swing, both give you a good taste of the Loess Hills. It takes about 45 minutes to hike both. There’s also an observation tower overlooking the lake and a swing. 

The wagons are situated away from the farm and animals. It’s not too far away if you need dog cuddles, but far enough away that you won’t have four-legged guests popping in to visit you.

The two wagons are far enough apart on a hill to make you feel like you’re there alone with your family. But, they’re close enough that I could see two families reserving both and having a fun weekend together. 

I’ve gone glamping a few times in the Midwest, and what’s different about Best Nest Farm is the location, for sure. It’s picturesque with a lot of amenities, like the glamping cabins at Platte River State Park, but you have none of the state park crowds. 

What to expect: Accommodations & Amenities

You wouldn’t expect a covered wagon to be so…luxurious. But, here we are. These wagons at Best Nest Farm are amazing. Each has air-conditioning and heating, and is outfitted with a queen bed and a set of bunk beds. For a family of four, it worked out just fine. If you have more than four people, though, you will want to reserve both wagons.

Tip: Since this farm has several working animals, pets are not allowed.

There’s a small table with two chairs, as well as a little breakfast area with a keurig coffee maker, a large selection of coffee and tea to choose from (plus hot chocolate because…kids), a microwave, and a small refrigerator. 

I liked that there are dishes, utensils, and mugs also available. Next time, I won’t pack plastic cups and paper plates for our meals. 

But the real standout amenity for glamping is that the wagon has a bathroom. We’re talking toilet, sink AND shower. With hot water. And nice hair products. It’s really like an AirBnB but for outdoorsy people.

Outside of the wagon, you’ll find a patio with a firepit, four adirondack chairs, and a picnic table. There’s a propane grill at each site, too. There’s wood available, and other camping necessities stored in a department under the wagon. 

When night falls, the solar lights provide just enough light to move around, but not enough to disturb the stargazing. And our timing was great for stargazing. We were there in mid-August, near the peak time of the Perseid Meteor Shower. 

You can get add-ons to your overnight stay, like a s’mores kit or charcuterie board. There’s some room for items in the refrigerator, but you’d be smart to bring a cooler large enough to contain larger items that need to stay cool.

Beyond the Farm: Nearby Attractions

Don’t miss a visit to Glenwood, it’s only a few minutes-drive from Best Nest Farm. There’s a small movie theater, and cute shops around the main square. I particularly like Simply Unique Gift Shop, Mitzi Mo’s, and Juniper Metal Works.

We came across a lily farm near Best Nest Farm called Hillsdale Lily Garden. If you love gardening, you will be impressed with the varieties of flowers they have there. Otherwise, check out the Indoor Garden right next to Mitzi Mo’s.

For food, check out the bar & grill, Buck Snort, or grab pizza from Adriano’s Brick Oven. For dessert, there’s no better place than The Sugar Makery. My daughter was particularly enamored with the shop! They serve ice cream, handmade chocolate treats, and a ton of sugary goodies. 

If you like beer, you can’t miss a stop at Keg Creek Brewing. I love their Brick Red Ale, if you’re looking for a recommendation. They usually have a large selection to choose from, including seasonal offerings. 

Want more ideas? Check out this post with 23 things to do in Glenwood.

Practical Information & Tips

While Best Nest Farm is remote, it’s pretty easy to find. GPS won’t steer you wrong. The address to the farm is 25978 Pathfield Road, Glenwood, Iowa.

Timing your visit is really based on your preference for seasons. I think the fall would be a spectacular time to visit. The lake is surrounded by trees and I can imagine the colors of the leaves reflecting off the water’s surface – beautiful! We visited in summer, and up near the wagons, it got a bit hot. Which, that’s not unexpected for Iowa in August. 

What I recommend you bring:

• Food (snacks obviously, plus breakfast, and something to grill)
• Water 
• Beverages
• A cooler with ice.
• Clothing appropriate to the season (opt for pants if you want to hike)
• Comfy shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty
• Sunscreen
• Bug spray/tick repellent
• Flashlights
• Games
• Fishing gear (you can rent equipment from the farm when you make a reservation)

The magic of glamping at Best Nest Farm lies in its ability to bridge two worlds: The untamed beauty of nature and the luxurious comforts that we often associate with premium resorts. In Glenwood, a night on the farm consists of up-close encounters with animals, water activities, and a serene night in a luxury covered wagon. So, if the idea of a restful night under a canopy of stars with a menagerie of alpacas and dogs awaits, it’s time to consider glamping in Glenwood – where nature’s embrace meets luxury’s touch.