Wanderlust World Wanderlust World Just across the state line in northeastern Iowa, Harvest Farm Campground Resort (harvestfarmcampground.com) is 7 miles south-southwest of Harmony. The resort sits atop bluffs overlooking the Upper Iowa River. Open from early April until late October, the campground has more than 100 sites and can accommodate both RV and tent campers. More than half its sites have electric hookups; some sites are reserved for group or pairs camping. No camping gear? No problem, as the resort also has a number of rental cabins, hand-built by local Amish craftsmen. Other amenities include a general store, gift shop, recreation room, unisex salon and spa, playground, volleyball court, horseshoe pits, restrooms, showers and a dump station. Campers also can fish and canoe on the river that borders Harvest Farm.
Valley View Campground (valleyviewcampground.net) in nearby Preston is 9 miles north-northwest of Harmony. Open from mid-April until mid-October, the campground has roughly six dozen RV sites, all with water and electricity, as well as a number of primitive sites for tent camping. Each site has its own picnic table, and barbecue grills are scattered throughout the camping area. Other facilities include a bathhouse with restrooms and showers, playground, wading pool, Wi-Fi and horseshoe pits.
The small town of Lanesboro (lanesboro.com), 14 miles north of Harmony, is in the heart of the Root River Valley and has a trailhead on the Root River State Trail. The town has two municipal campgrounds -- Sylvan Park and Riverview -- that are open year-round on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations are not accepted. Together, the two campgrounds have more than 100 campsites, roughly four dozen with electricity and water. Both campgrounds have bathhouses with flush toilets and hot showers, as well as dump stations. Recreational facilities available to campers include tennis courts, playgrounds, hiking and biking trails in summer and groomed cross-country skiing trails in winter.
The Old Barn Resort (barnresort.com) sits along the banks of the Root River, 15 miles north of Harmony. More than just a campground, the 200-acre complex also includes a 38-bed bunkhouse, 18-hole golf course and a restaurant/lounge. Its proximity to the river and the Root River State Trail offers a variety of recreational activities, including fishing and canoeing on the river and hiking and biking on the trail. The resort’s campground, open from early April until early November, has more than 170 campsites, ranging from primitive sites for tents to RV sites with full hookups. Scattered throughout the camping area are three bathhouses with flush toilets and showers. Other on-site facilities include a heated indoor swimming pool, sports courts, horseshoe pits and game room.
Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park (dnr.state.mn.us), 25 miles northwest of Harmony, holds both geologic and historic interest for visitors. Within the park is the restored 19th century village of Forestville and the labyrinthine passages of an underground cave system. The park also has a semi-modern campground that is open year-round; several sites have electric hookups. However, most of its facilities, including electric hookups, showers, flush toilets and drinking water, are available only from mid-April until mid-October. The park also has facilities for group and equestrian camping.