Where in Iowa are these tiny house communities located?

The Des Moines metro area includes River Oaks RV Park in Hartford and the planned Joppa Village on Maury Street in Des Moines. Central Iowa includes Timberwolf Valley in Marshalltown. Eastern Iowa includes Buffalo Creek Bluffs in Coggon and Country Estates in Long Grove near the Quad Cities. Match your job, health care, and daily errands to the region before you pick a long-term lease.

Top 5 Tiny House Communities in Iowa

Find tiny house communities across Iowa, from Des Moines metro RV parks to wooded creek campgrounds in eastern Iowa. Discover monthly lot leases, winterized hookups, and the planned Joppa Village project in the Hawkeye State. Explore 5 communities across Iowa.

Iowa tiny house community with small homes, shared amenities, and scenic landscape

Little Houses For SaleJun 28, 2026

ByLittle Houses For SaleUpdatedJune 28, 2026

TLDR

Iowa Tiny House Communities

5 established communities across Iowa

Iowa placement today is mostly year-round RV parks with monthly lot leases, not standalone tiny home villages
Timberwolf Valley in Marshalltown lists monthly RV lots around $510 with water, sewer, trash, and lawn care included
River Oaks RV Park near Hartford offers winterized long-term sites starting around $795 per month on the Des Moines River
Country Estates in Long Grove lists monthly RV sites at $490 with water, sewer, and trash included
Buffalo Creek Bluffs near Coggon has seven full-hookup sites for RVs and approved tiny homes on 35 forested acres
Joppa Village in Des Moines is a planned 54-unit supportive housing project with move-ins targeted for 2027

Community availability, pricing, and policies change frequently. Always contact communities directly to confirm current details, lot availability, and requirements before planning a move.

Why Choose Iowa for Tiny Living?

Iowa tiny house communities spread across rolling farmland, Mississippi River bluffs, and college-town character. From monthly RV lots near Des Moines and Marshalltown to wooded creek sites in eastern Iowa and planned supportive villages in the capital, the Hawkeye State offers affordable compact options across the heartland. Low lot rent, four-season farmland scenery, and statewide ADU allowances make Iowa attractive for families and workers seeking Midwest affordability.

Before joining a community, make sure you understand Iowa tiny house zoning laws so you know what to expect. Most communities handle the legal side for you, but it helps to know the rules. If you prefer to build your own tiny house instead of buying one already in the community, check out our directory of Iowa builders who can create a custom home that fits community requirements.

Des Moines Metro Area

HartfordYear-Round RV Park with Long-Term Sites

River Oaks RV Park

22905 Buchanan Trail, Hartford, IA 50118

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.

Lots / sites: 103 sites; long-term winterized full-hookup RV sites
Bring your own: Yes
Pricing: Long-term monthly rates start around $795. Short-term and cabin rates vary by season. Call (515) 989-0574 for current pricing.
Amenities: open year-round · winterized long-term full-hookup sites (30/50 amp, water, septic) · pull-through and back-in sites · modern bathhouse with private showers · laundry facilities · free high-speed Wi-Fi · clubhouse · playground · stocked fishing pond · Des Moines River access · hiking and biking trails · winter RV storage available · A-frame cabin rentals

Gravel access road for about two miles. Call the office for accurate driving directions. 2026 seasonal and long-term reservations open.

Visit website

Des MoinesPlanned Supportive Housing Village

Joppa Village (Planned)

2501 Maury Street, Des Moines, IA

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.

Lots / sites: 54 planned units (singles, duplexes, and triplexes)
Bring your own: No
Pricing: Planned monthly rent $300 to $700 plus utilities. Not open for general lot rental.
Amenities: planned 54 supportive housing units · homes about 192 to 384 square feet · bedroom, bathroom, and kitchenette in each unit · planned community center at historic Chesterfield School · on-site staff and volunteer housing (4 units) · supportive services for chronically homeless adults · planned monthly rent $300 to $700 · privately funded project · groundbreaking targeted 2026 · first move-ins targeted 2027

Planned supportive housing for chronically homeless adults. Not a private lot rental or bring-your-own-home park. Resident selection and program rules will apply at opening.

councildocs.dsm.city joppa.org

Eastern Iowa

Long GroveMobile Home & RV Park

Country Estates Mobile Home & RV Park

30980 Scott Park Road, Long Grove, IA 52756

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.

Lots / sites: Monthly RV sites and manufactured home lots
Bring your own: Yes
Pricing: Monthly RV site $490 with water, sewer, and trash included. Manufactured home pricing varies. Call (563) 412-5370 for current rates.
Amenities: monthly RV sites with 100-amp service · manufactured home lots · water, sewer, and trash included in RV lot rent · on-site management · pet-friendly all-ages community · about 15 miles north of Quad Cities metro · near Mississippi and Wapsipinicon river recreation · near shopping, dining, casinos, and county parks

All ages welcome. Pets allowed. Rates and availability can change. Contact the office before visiting.

Visit website

CoggonTiny-Friendly Private Campground

Buffalo Creek Bluffs

5201 Highway 13, Coggon, IA 52218

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.

Lots / sites: Seven full-hookup sites; max 21 guests on property
Bring your own: Yes
Pricing: Nightly, weekly, monthly, and seasonal rates available. Contact (563) 822-0042 or buffalocreekbluffs@gmail.com for current pricing.
Amenities: seven full-hookup sites (30 and 50 amp, water, septic) · RVs, tiny homes, and approved campers welcome · about 35 mostly forested acres · max occupancy 21 people · large shaded sites with fire pits and picnic tables · catch-and-release fishing pond · Buffalo Creek access for floating and kayaking · over 2.5 miles of forest trails · dog exercise area · horseshoe courts and frisbee golf · tool and toy shed (kayaks, games, grills, basic tools) · on-site 24-hour manager · free firewood when available · shared chicken coop · less than one hour from Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, and Waterloo

Small private campground with a cap of 15 total sites including seasonal campers. Quiet hours apply with designated late-night gathering areas. Contact the manager for site approval before bringing a tiny home.

buffalocreekbluffs.com buffalocreekbluffs.com

Central Iowa

MarshalltownYear-Round RV & Mobile Home Park

Timberwolf Valley Year Round RV & Mobile Home Park

2552 Smith Avenue, Marshalltown, IA 50158

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.

Lots / sites: Spacious year-round RV lots; mobile home sites also available
Bring your own: Yes
Pricing: Monthly RV lot about $510 (water, sewer, trash, and lawn care included). Daily about $40, weekly about $200. Mobile home rents vary by unit. Call for current availability.
Amenities: year-round RV spots (winter-capable) · spacious lots · water included · sewer included · garbage and trash collection included · lawn care included · mobile homes available on site · rural setting near Marshalltown · dog park and playground (per property listings) · on-site management

Year-round operation. Minimum lease terms may apply for some lots. Confirm RV size limits and current rules with the office.

twv2014.wixsite.com roverpass.com

FAQs About Tiny House Communities in Iowa

Yes, but rules are local. Iowa does not have one statewide tiny house law. Cities and counties set zoning and building codes. Iowa uses the 2015 International Residential Code, which treats small homes like other dwellings rather than listing a separate tiny home category. Tiny homes on wheels are often classified as RVs or park models and placed in licensed RV or mobile home parks for long-term stays. Iowa law also requires cities and counties to allow at least one accessory dwelling unit on qualifying single-family lots. Always call your local planning office before you buy land or move a home.

Costs depend on the property. Timberwolf Valley in Marshalltown lists monthly RV lots around $510 with water, sewer, trash, and lawn care included. Country Estates in Long Grove lists monthly RV sites at $490 with water, sewer, and trash included. River Oaks RV Park near Hartford lists long-term monthly rates starting around $795. Buffalo Creek Bluffs near Coggon offers nightly, weekly, monthly, and seasonal rates; call for current pricing. Joppa Village in Des Moines plans rents from $300 to $700 per month for supportive housing units, but that project is not open yet.

Most parks in this directory accept bring-your-own RVs or tiny homes on wheels. Timberwolf Valley, River Oaks, Country Estates, and Buffalo Creek Bluffs all welcome guests who bring their own rig. Buffalo Creek Bluffs asks you to contact the on-site manager before bringing a tiny home so they can approve the unit. Joppa Village is a planned supportive housing project, not a bring-your-own lot. Confirm RVIA or NOAH certification, hookup requirements, and winter insulation needs before you sign a lease.