Relax and observe wildlife at this tranquil riverfront getaway on 5 in-town acres. Take a morning paddle in a double kayak. Enjoy the unique parklike setting along with the convenience of being in the midst of Iowa Falls - the Scenic City.
This is a comfortable well laid out home with 3 bedrooms upstairs. Two rooms are equal rooms with queen beds, closet and built-ins. The 3rd bedroom has twin beds that can be converted to a king with a conversion kit and both types of bedding. Upstairs is the main bathroom with new tub and rainhead shower that will make even tall people happy. This bath has twin sinks and lots of storage. The basement bath has a shower, but this is part of the laundry room and so this is a functional, but not luxurious amenity and you must be able to climb stairs to access the laundry/bath.
This home built in the 1950s is a carefully restored vintage gem. It has rustic charm combined with a modern vibe and amenities. It's not a cookie cutter home and it's carefully curated to respect the original bones of the home and this special park setting.
For your outdoor enjoyment, we have a deck, screened porch, sunporch, fire pit with Adirondack chairs, gardens and woods to investigate and yard games and sporting gear to enjoy it all. You may wander the front garden area to see the monarch butterfly garden, check out what perennials are blooming and wander into the "prairie" where the solar panels are located and where the deer bed down at night.
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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
Long-term renters welcome
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room
Frequently asked questions
Is River Retreat in Mid-Modern Home in Park Setting pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at River Retreat in Mid-Modern Home in Park Setting?
As of 4 Apr, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at River Retreat in Mid-Modern Home in Park Setting on 12 Apr, 2026 start from S$296, 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 River Retreat in Mid-Modern Home in Park Setting?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at River Retreat in Mid-Modern Home in Park Setting?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at River Retreat in Mid-Modern Home in Park Setting?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is River Retreat in Mid-Modern Home in Park Setting located?
This family-friendly Iowa Falls holiday home is located on the waterfront, within 1 mi (2 km) of Ellsworth Community College, Pat Clark Art Collection and Iowa Falls Swinging Bridge. Assembly Park and Metropolitan Opera House are also within 2 miles (3 km).
Reviews
9.6
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
We enjoyed our stay. The house layout was very good for family style gatherings with lots of space to spread out.
Allan S.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 19 Dec, 2022
We appreciate you choosing the River Retreat and so pleased to hear your family had a comfortable stay! You were great guests and great communicators and we hope you'll be back soon!!
We had a great time. The house is roomy and the outdoors is so inviting. The surrounding grounds had flowers in bloom and were lovely.
Vicki M.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 31 May, 2023
Thank you for staying, Vicki! You were a great guest. It seems that something is always in bloom at the River Retreat right up until falls thanks to copious wildflowers and the original owner’s green thumb. Come back soon!
Had a great time with girlfriends while showing horses at the equestrian center! Great spacious layout, amenities and beautifully scenery. We will be back!
Jennifer K.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 23 Oct, 2023
Thanks, Jennifer! As a fellow equestrian, this warms my heart and makes me so happy to hear y'all had fun!!
The house was great, felt very secluded yet we were still in town. The 1st morning we were there we were greeted by 13 deer roaming the property. The 2nd morning we woke to a doe and 2 fawns bedded down within 20 feet of the house. We cant wait to return in warmer weather to make more use of the outside amentities.
Dale O.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 29 Jan, 2024
Oh, deer! I forgot to tell you who really hosts the River Retreat! I'm glad you enjoyed your stay, Dale, and pleased that you and your family enjoyed being hosted by the Deer family. It's just as much fun to see them down on the riverbanks in the summer enjoying a sip of water while they wade - this is the same place where you also can launch the house kayaks.
Plenty of room for our children and the grand kids. Lots of towels. 5 beds. Could use some updating, so could we. It was home nice location for us all.
Richard V.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 29 Jul, 2024
Thank you, Richard! You were great guests and I know you had the inconvenience of the alarm going off on our water pump, so thank you for the communication on that issue while we got it resolved. We hope you'll stay again sometime!
We had a great time! The House is definitely large enough to host all 8 of us with plenty of room! We used the 3 kayaks and tubes on the river. Such a great time! The location is perfect for outdoor activities. Very large yard with tree swing. This was exactly what we were looking for.
There were a few things that could have been better such as the fire pit was full of weeds (we found a weed cutter and cut them down so we could use the fire pit). The kitchen lacked a few essentials such as salt/pepper. We contacted the host, Sara, and she was excellent! She gave us $100 off due to the weeds, etc.
Jenn M.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 14 Jun, 2024
Glad y’all had fun. Sorry about the missing salt & pepper. We’ll add a check for that to our cleaning/stocking process as we usually have salt, pepper, olive oil and all the spices.
We very much enjoyed the location, with the view of the river through the windows. Deer wandered through the yard frequently and fat orange squirrels entertained us while they were raiding the bird feeders. The house is large, and could accommodate quite a few people with the spare bedrooms in the basement in addition to what we used on the main floor. The home decor is a combination of somewhat dated, reminding me of my parents' home after they retired some years ago, but also with some great updates in the bathroom, kitchen and living areas. Since we needed a couple of bedrooms for our trip to visit family, we could choose between two rooms at a local motel or a home like this for about the same cost--so for the privacy and setting it's an easy decision. No complaints, no real need to be in touch with the owners, so we were left alone and that was just fine.
Kent B.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2023
About the host
Hosted by Sara Schramm
I grew up in Iowa Falls on the banks of the Iowa River. I played in Foster and Assembly parks. I skated on the river in the winter after my dad would use the snowblower to clear the snow for a ice skating rink. I learned to cross country ski here and that's one of my favorite ways to enjoy to quiet of the snowy river when it's properly frozen. I alternately fished, swam, jumped off cliffs and swung and jumped off ropes over the river. I rode my pony bareback through the River Retreat grounds. I climbed on the backs of other skiers to make a human pyramid as part of the 4th of July ski show. My parents moved away when I turned 18 and as I got older, I wanted a way to return to this wild and beautiful place for more than just a day and so I bought the River Retreat. I hope you'll enjoy this second home I've curated to soak up the peace that the river provides.
Why they chose this property
I don't know of another home on a more beautiful 5 acres of in-town land anywhere. You have the best of both worlds - woodsy wild area and vibrant downtown offerings. You can roam the woods and investigate the river banks. You have a private trail to Foster Park for kids to play or for you to take a walk or a jog on a paved trail with river views. It's a nice walk downtown to a coffee shop, brew pub or restaurant. We have a beautiful historic theatre for new movies played in a beautifully restored old opera house. There are small, but interesting collections of art around town and Ellsworth college contributes sporting events including horse shows at the Ellsworth Equestrian Center.
What makes this property unique
Sustainability note: this home is largely powered by a large solar panel and has many energy conservation features. Although this doesn't impact you in any way because you can use the energy you need when you need it, it's cool to know that when the sun shines this property contributes clean energy!