Camp Coyote Update

Our story is that the Tiny House Blog inspired my wife and I to build a farm campground using small (all acquired for free) farm outbuildings. Camp Coyote is opening for overnight stays in July and we thought we would announce it here.

The camp is seven small structures set on our farm pasture in Iowa. Six of the structures – an 8’ x 18’ bunkhouse, a 10’ x 16’ bicycle shop, two 12’ x 14’ tent platforms, a 9’ x 9’ playhouse, and a 10’ x 12’ shelter house were remodeled almost entirely from recycled materials. The seventh is a small grain bin re-purposed to house a pool inside.

The Bunkhouse was an old granary

The camp is on our farm place surrounded by acres of trees, pasture grass, and fields of Iowa crops. If things on “Tiny House Blog” strike at your core, you like to bicycle (Central Iowa’s Raccoon River Valley Trail is a 5 minute drive away), like peaceful environments, or just want a unique camping experience we think you just might like it here.

Tent platforms built from wood grain bin materials

You only need to bring a change of clothes. We provide everything else. Our website is www.farmhouselife.com or our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rippey-IA/Farmhouse-Life/197224381896?v=wall&ref=sgm.

Milk House before restoration.
The Bike Shop
Camp Alley

11 thoughts on “Camp Coyote Update”

  1. This is so cool! I’m adding your site to my file for when I’m able to tour again. I love the look of the bunkhouse, did you do all the remodel work yourselves?

    Reply
  2. Pretty neat idea, seems kind of pricey, all things considered. What I find really interesting is that this is only six miles from me! I never would have known. In fact, when that new portion of the bike trail is completed, it will pass within a mile of our family’s farm.

    Reply
    • Josh,
      Hello neighbor. The North Loop of the RRVT will be a great asset for the area when completed. We think the pricing is reasonable and the people who have already made reservations agree. It’s a different experience.

      Reply
  3. How does one go about getting these buildings free??? Most farmers I know understand the worth of old wood and buildings and wouldn’t give you a thing without $ being involved.

    Reply
    • Martin,

      My experience has been that small, older buildings aren’t seen to be worth much to farmers. I usually try to find a way to honor the farm or family as part of the “deal”. For example, with the camp supply shed I added three dentil blocks in the frame of the door to honor the three sisters that gave me the building.

      Reply

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