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Waterfront home at Sun Valley Lake 1 hour 15 minutes south of Des Moines

Photo gallery for Waterfront home at Sun Valley Lake 1 hour 15 minutes south of Des Moines

Firepit next to the late
3 youth kayaks
2 adult kayaks and paddle board
view from the back deck of the yard and lake
View of the house from the water

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 8

Popular amenities

  • Onsite parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Air-conditioning
  • Barbecue grill
  • Deck or patio

Explore the area

View in a map
Ellston, IA
  • Place, Graceland University
    ‪35 min drive‬
  • Place, Lakeside Casino
    ‪42 min drive‬
  • Place, Osceola Country Club
    ‪43 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

2 Single Bunk Beds

Living Room

1 Double Futon

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 2

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Waterfront home at Sun Valley Lake 1 hour 15 minutes south of Des Moines

2 bedroom 2 bathroom waterfront home sleeps 8. Located just 1 hour and 15 minutes south of Des Moines in Ellston, IA. Full kitchen with breakfast bar has everything you need for a nice stay. Screened in porch to relax and large outdoor patio gives enough space for your family get away. Jump out on the lily pad, take a spin in one of the kayaks, or hop on the stand up paddle board. Enjoy the firepit with provided wood overlooking the lake after spending the day in the water and experience the dark sky full of stars that will take your breath away. There is a playground with beach area along with a 9 hole golf course just minutes away. The Clubhouse is open with a full menu and bar (check seasonal hours on their Facebook page).

We rent our home only when we cannot personally be there as our kids baseball and softball schedules keep us away a certain number of weekends during the summer. This is an older home, far from brand new, but lots of outdoor & deck area to enjoy a quick getaway to the lake without having to travel far. Very quiet in rural southern Iowa surrounded by farmland.

*No fishing per HOA Rules & no personal boats can be brought in. Renters will pay all fines if caught fishing. No usage of our pontoon boat located in our boat slip.

*No Pets-Unless service animals

*No Parties or Fireworks. Please respect our neighbors and lake rules. Must be 24 years old to rent.

*Check in at 4pm & Check out at 11am but will work with each guest if a change is needed. This is not always available
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.

Add dates for prices

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM

Minimum age to rent: 24

Check out before 11:00 AM

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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

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Events

No events allowed

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Pets

No pets allowed

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Smoking

Smoking allowed: in designated areas

Check-out instructions

The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:

Load and start the dishwasher

Strip any used beds and gather used towels

Remove personal items and take out the rubbish

Turn off the lights and lock the doors

Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.

No fishing per HOA rules. Boat usage is not allowed by renters. Can not bring your own water toys.

Important information

You need to know

Property # 2042337vb
This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Safety features at this property include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a first aid kit and a deadbolt lock

About the area

Ellston

Located in Ellston, Waterfront home at Sun Valley Lake 1 hour 15 minutes south of Des Moines is in a rural area and on the waterfront. Little River Recreation Area and Lamoni Golf & Country Club are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore West Lake Park and West Lake Wildlife Area. With kayaking and swimming nearby, you'll find plenty of adventures in the water.
Map
Ellston, IA

What's nearby

  • Graceland University - 35 min drive - 47.2 km
  • Foreman City Park - 35 min drive - 47.2 km
  • Lakeside Casino - 42 min drive - 68.9 km
  • Osceola Country Club - 43 min drive - 70.4 km
  • Nine Eagles State Park - 50 min drive - 78.3 km

Restaurants

  • ‪South Shore Bar & Grill - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Double D's - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Sun Valley Community Center - ‬9 min walk
  • ‪The Yellow Wagon ClubHouse - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Red Brick Winery - ‬4 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Waterfront home at Sun Valley Lake 1 hour 15 minutes south of Des Moines pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Waterfront home at Sun Valley Lake 1 hour 15 minutes south of Des Moines?

As of 26 May 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Waterfront home at Sun Valley Lake 1 hour 15 minutes south of Des Moines on 31 May 2026 start from £148, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking at Waterfront home at Sun Valley Lake 1 hour 15 minutes south of Des Moines?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Waterfront home at Sun Valley Lake 1 hour 15 minutes south of Des Moines?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Waterfront home at Sun Valley Lake 1 hour 15 minutes south of Des Moines?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 22 out of 26 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 26 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 26 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 26 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 26 reviews

9.2/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.4/10

Location

9.6/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Stacy W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fabulous place

Love the screened in porch and the kitchen set up great place to hang by the lake
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jenny M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This is the perfect spot for a small group of friends or family. The house is well kept and the host is very responsive to any questions we had. Lake access is just steps away from the back door. We had so much fun and will definitely reserve again!!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Rebecca T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Everything we could need

They had everything you could need to enjoy your stay!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Stacy H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

High recommended

Very nice place with lots to do right there.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024
Verified

8/10 Good

Heidi P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lake Getaway

It was a lovely stay...Courtney was very communicative and helpful. We enjoyed our time
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Marcy C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great location!

This property was perfect for our stay! Being on the water with access to the lily pad, fire pit snd dock was just what we were looking for! The beds were super comfortable with plenty of room for everyone, and three season porch was great for relaxing. Thanks Courtney!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Melinda V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect weekend at the lake

Couldn’t have asked for a better way to spend the weekend. Grilled out. Plenty of fun on the water and perfect fires at night.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Gail S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Mom and me break

This was a great place for a bit relaxation and a visit with my mom. Very accessible for her.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Dawn C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Place

We had the best time at this place. It was neat and clean. So much stuff to do. Kids had a great time. The owners were really good at responding if necessary.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

stacy w.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fabulous house and location

The outdoor area and screened in porch make like time that much more enjoyable. The kitchen was great for cooking and feeding the group. It was fabulous
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Ryan L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great place to stay

The house was great for us. We were out and doing things during the day as we were with someone else who has a property at the lake. But, the house provided a fantastic place to hangout at night, and had plenty of space for everyone to get their own bed to sleep in. Overall, happy with our stay in this house.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Rosemary P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Very neat and clean

overall nice place but sewer smell in the back porches was pretty overwhelming.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jenny M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Cutest little lake property. Perfect for a quick weekend getaway

Loved the property, setup, accommodations, price, everything about this VBRO was accurate. We went for a quick getaway with a group of moms. The beds were all comfy, clean and cozy. Our fav part was the back screened in porch with the table and lights. We played games and laughed all night. Check this place out for a family, friends or girls getaway. You won’t be disappointed 🙌
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Abbie K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Summer getaway

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay. The house was well appointed with everything we needed (and more!) and the lake toys were a huge hit. Between the lily pad and kayaks, something was always in use. We appreciated having so many towels and were impressed by the amount of hot water (with 8 of us showering!) We enjoyed the fire pit each evening and were stunned by how peaceful and quiet the lake was. Communication with the host was easy and prompt. We can’t wait to stay again in the future!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Diane D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Charlie&Diane

We absolutely fell in love with this well-kept secret in Iowa. The only disappointment was we were not able to at least rent a pontoon boat for our stay or even fish. And being so remote, there was not a lot of choices for restaurants. The beach was a little bit out of the way and not much of a beach. Other than that, we enjoyed our stay.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2023
Verified

8/10 Good

Wayne V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Nice place with a few issues

We used this as a place to shower, sleep, and eat breakfast in the morning, spending the majority of our day at another lake property with relatives. We enjoyed our limited time there. The sun porch was a great place to leisurely eat our breakfast and enjoy a cup of coffee. The issues: 1. No working smoke detector was evident. The hallway mounted ceiling base where one was once mounted was empty. 2. Hallway floor has multiple soft spots indicating problems with the subfloor. 3. Some of us are old school and would like a bed with a top sheet between us and the comforter. We looked around and could not find one. Would be nice if one was available.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023
Verified

2/10 Terrible

Cathy C.

Liked: Check-in
Disliked: Cleanliness, location, listing accuracy

Disappointed

When we drove up to the property it was a doublewide trailer. We thought we were renting a house. Once we got in the temperature was77 degrees. Took all night to catch up. The place is very old. Could use a good cleaning. No top sheet on beds. Bunkbeds were very unsafe and wobbly. Not enough plug ins. We both have a C-Pap. Bathtub could use some scrubbing. Also in bad shape. The turn cupboard was jammed and couldn't get it opened. The coffee pot was really dirty. I had to really clean it before we used it. Also the dryer vent was not cleaned out. We came to relax , not clean. Oven is very dirty. The washing machine lid didn't stay open, so I hurt my fingers twice. The blinds in kitchen are dirty. Meat thermometer doesn't work. The air conditioner was so loud we couldn't hear the TV. The lily pad needs to be replaced. They bought a new patio set and we couldn't even sit on the cushions. They were full of dog hair. They neglected to tell us they had dogs. Some people are allergic to pets. The beds were comfortable and the grandkids enjoyed the outside toys on lake. We would never recommend this place. Also they need to write in the book where the office is. Had trouble finding it. Hard to go get the parking pass when check-in is at 4pm and the office closes at 4pm. I don't know who is cleaning this place, but terrible job. Very old and run down. I don't know how people are giving this a 10 rating and saying its clean.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kristin P.

Liked: Cleanliness, communication, location, listing accuracy

Cute lake house

Quite quite lake house with nice views of the lake. Overall a nice place
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Valerie K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Family Fun!

Our entire family had such a great time! This is such a fun stay for kids of all ages! Everything is very well laid out and clear how to get the lifejackets and find all the toys. My kids all agreed that we should come back again!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Nichole P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Activity Filled Property

The house was cute and clean. The screened in patio was a great hang out space. The property had plenty of yard and water activities to keep us entertained. This space is great for family or small group of friends.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022
Verified

8/10 Good

Laurie C.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Sun Valley Lake home

This property met all our needs. It was a lovely home with very comfortable beds. We really enjoyed the fire pit. The dock was very nice, but the water was a little dirty because of the dredging process. Out on the lake with my cousins, the lake was just beautiful! Crystal clear! If I could give any recommendation it would be step up a little on the cleanliness of the home.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sara S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great time

We enjoyed our trip! Lots of outdoor fun and memories made😊
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Patti B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Super clean, kid friendly

Great communication with host. Very clean, there were games for us adults and plenty of toys for my grandson. We LOVED playing off the dock. Paddle board, kayak, and peddle boat were our favorite activities. Family lives close, will definitely look into renting this lake home on our next vacation from Alaska
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Emilie H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

We had a great girls weekend!

The house had everything we needed! We loved having access to the dock and Lily pad! We would definitely return again!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Linzi V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Weekend stay

This little lake house was very cute and perfect for our family this past weekend. I absolutely loved using the paddle board and hanging out on the Lilly pad. I was a little sad about the dredging process as I think it makes the water a little dirtier, but I’ve swam in worse. We couldn’t find directions to the beach, but drove around for a bit and eventually found it on the far side of the lake. Sitting by the fire at night and in the sun porch in the morning we’re so relaxing. The house was clean and easy to find, although I almost missed the driveway. Inside we found board games and enjoyed having access to Netflix and other steaming networks on the tv. The only two things that I wished were different was the dredging and the bath tub drained slowly and there wasn’t a plug for my daughter to take a bath (which are hardly even issues and we made due). There aren’t many places near to get food or things, but we brought our own and used the nice grill on the property. We thoroughly enjoyed our weekend here and would definitely consider future trips to sun valley lake.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2021

About the host

Hosted by Courtney Lewis

Host profile image

We purchased this home in July of 2020 after visiting the lake for several years. We love it and the memories we make together with every trip down. Our kids are 9 and 11 and love being at the lake! Great opportunity to unplug, unwind, and make memories that will last a lifetime. While we want to be down as much as we can our kids schedules (baseball and softball in the summer) will keep us away at times so we plan to make certain weekends available for those to rent our little piece of paradise.

Why they chose this property

What makes this property unique

While our lake home association does not allow renters to fish, you are still able to enjoy the lake by swimming, kayaking, and paddle boarding at our property. Rental property does not include a boat and no personal boats can be bought into the lake. Please respect all of our neighbors along with the lake while you are here. Older home, but most of your time will be spend enjoying the lake and lots of sunshine or hanging out on the deck or screened in porch.

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English

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