Top 5 Tiny House Communities in Iowa

River Oaks RV Park

River Oaks RV Park is at 22905 Buchanan Trail, Hartford, IA 50118, along the Des Moines River in central Iowa. The park has 103 sites and stays open year-round. Long-term sites are winterized with 30 and 50 amp electric, water, and septic hookups. Pull-through and back-in sites fit a range of RV sizes. Amenities include a modern bathhouse with private showers, laundry, free high-speed Wi-Fi, a clubhouse, a playground, a stocked one-acre fishing pond, Des Moines River access, hiking and biking trails, and winter RV storage. Long-term monthly rates start around $795. The park is reached by a gravel road about two miles off the main highway. Call (515) 989-0574 for reservations and directions.

Amenities

Joppa Village (Planned)

Joppa Village is a planned permanent supportive housing project at 2501 Maury Street, Des Moines, IA, on the former Chesterfield School site on the city's east side. Joppa, a Des Moines nonprofit, received city approval to build 54 small homes for chronically homeless adults. Homes will range from about 192 to 384 square feet with a bedroom, bathroom, and kitchenette. Monthly rent is planned at $300 to $700 depending on unit size. Four units are set aside for on-site staff and volunteers. The historic Chesterfield School building is planned as a community center with shared spaces. The project is modeled after Community First! Village in Austin, Texas, and is privately funded. City rezoning and lease agreements were part of the approval process. Groundbreaking is targeted for 2026 with first residents expected in 2027. This is not an open RV park or bring-your-own lot. It is a planned supportive housing village with a specific resident population and application process.

Amenities

Country Estates Mobile Home & RV Park

Country Estates Mobile Home & RV Park is at 30980 Scott Park Road, Long Grove, IA 52756. The community welcomes all ages and pets. Monthly RV sites offer 100-amp service and fit RVs of all sizes. Water, sewer, and trash are included in the listed $490 monthly rate. Manufactured home lots are also available if you want to place your own home. On-site management handles day-to-day questions. The park sits about 15 miles north of the Quad Cities metro, near the Mississippi and Wapsipinicon rivers for boating, fishing, and eagle watching. Shopping, dining, casinos, and county parks are close by. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call (563) 412-5370 or email countryestates@boavidamhp.com.

Amenities

Buffalo Creek Bluffs

Buffalo Creek Bluffs is at 5201 Highway 13, Coggon, IA 52218, directly across Highway 13 from Casey's in Coggon. The property has seven full-hookup sites (30 and 50 amp, water, and septic) for RVs, tiny homes, and other approved campers on about 35 mostly forested acres. Maximum occupancy is 21 people. Each site is large, shaded, and includes a fire pit and picnic table. Guests share about 28 acres of forest along Buffalo Creek, a catch-and-release fishing pond, nearly half a mile of creek for floating and kayaking, over 2.5 miles of trails, a dog exercise area, horseshoe courts, and a tool and toy shed with kayaks, lawn games, and basic tools. An on-site manager lives on the property. Nightly, weekly, monthly, and seasonal stays are available. Call or text (563) 822-0042 or email buffalocreekbluffs@gmail.com.

Amenities

Timberwolf Valley Year Round RV & Mobile Home Park

Timberwolf Valley is at 2552 Smith Avenue, Marshalltown, IA 50158. The park stays open all year and offers winter-capable RV spots on large lots. Listed monthly RV lot rent is about $510 with water, sewer, garbage pickup, and lawn care included. Daily stays run about $40 and weekly stays about $200. Mobile homes are also available on site for rent or purchase. The property sits in a rural area a few minutes from Marshalltown gas stations, restaurants, and stores.

Amenities