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Emma Big Bear Suite at Elkader JailHouse Inn

Elkader vacation home with kitchen

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Photo gallery for Emma Big Bear Suite at Elkader JailHouse Inn

A hallway with a wooden staircase, grey walls, and framed pictures on the wall.
Property video
A covered porch with a table and chairs, overlooking a residential area.
A stone with "Elkader Jail Inn" and "EST. 2008" engraved, a two-story house with a porch, and a grassy lawn.
A room with a brown leather sofa, a wooden coffee table, a colorful rug, a pool table, and a TV mounted on the wall.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

2 bedrooms1 bathroom

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Air conditioning
  • Parking available

Explore the area

View in a map
Elkader, IA
  • Place, Carter House Museum
    ‪5 min walk‬
  • Place, Keystone Bridge
    ‪6 min walk‬
  • Place, Field of Dreams
    ‪56 min drive‬

Room options

About the neighborhood

Elkader

In Elkader .You'll be within half a mile (1 km) of Carter House Museum and 16 miles (25 km) of Froelich Foundation Museum. Spook Cave is within 16 miles (25 km) and World's Largest Strawberry is within 20 miles (32 km).
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What's nearby

  • Carter House Museum - 5 min walk - 0.3 miles
  • Keystone Bridge - 6 min walk - 0.4 miles
  • Pikes Peak State Park - 21 min drive - 24.2 miles
  • Spook Cave - 22 min drive - 20.0 miles
  • Field of Dreams - 56 min drive - 58.6 miles

Restaurants

  • ‪Johnson's Restaurant - ‬2 min drive
  • ‪St Olaf Tavern - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪The Treats On Bridge Street - ‬10 min walk
  • ‪The Brim Coffee House - ‬10 min walk
  • ‪St Joseph's Catholic Church - ‬15 min walk

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Emma Big Bear Suite at Elkader JailHouse Inn

Perfect for larger groups, the Emma Big Bear Suite features two connected rooms that can comfortably sleep up to five guests (queen, double, and twin beds). The suite is named after Emma Big Bear, a frequent guest of the Inn when it was still the jailhouse. The last of her tribe, Emma was known for her beautiful jewelry and tapestries. Coming from a humble background, she sometimes enjoyed a drink to stay warm and enjoy a hot meal. While your stay will be far more comfortable, you can enjoy the same cozy respite in her namesake suite. The bathroom is conveniently located just across the hall.

Historic Jailhouse Experience

Serve your “sentence” at the historic Elkader Jailhouse Inn! Built 150 years ago to house Clayton County’s most dangerous criminals, this recently renovated limestone mansion spans over 5,000 sq. ft. and sits on a 3-acre bluff overlooking the rolling hills of Elkader, Iowa.

Choose from one of four spacious suites, each with luxurious beds, spa-like bathrooms, and overflowing historic charm. Guests enjoy access to the gourmet kitchen, scenic patio, and the property’s most iconic feature: the original cell block. Authentic jail cells, historical evidence, and memorabilia make this a stay you won’t soon forget. Don’t forget to take your mugshot!

Traveling with a large group? Rent the entire Jailhouse for up to 20 guests—perfect for weddings, family gatherings, or weekend getaways. It should be a crime not to stay here!

Amenities & Guest Access
Private suite with access to kitchen and Cell Block
Cell Block features a large flat-screen TV, shuffleboard, and board games
Off-site hosts available 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM, 24/7 for emergencies
Location

Overlooking the charming town of Elkader, Iowa, the Jailhouse is just blocks from Main Street restaurants, boutiques, and the Turkey River. Explore nearby attractions including Pike’s Peak, Backbone State Park, Effigy Mounds, Yellow River State Forest, trout fishing, concerts at the Opera House, local golf courses, and scenic river floats. The historic charm and natural beauty will make you a repeat offender!

House Rules
No loud noise after 10 P.M.
No smoking
No parties or events
Only registered guests

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Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in the house: WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Refrigerator
  • Stovetop

Bedrooms

  • 2 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 1 bathroom
  • Hair dryer

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony

Laundry

  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoking not allowed

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Safety features

  • No carbon monoxide detector or gas appliances (host has indicated there are no carbon monoxide detectors or gas appliances on the property)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)

Policies

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Rules

No loud noise after 10 P.M. No smoking No parties or events No pets/Pets allowed No unregistered guests

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.

Events

No events allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

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
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there are no carbon monoxide detectors or gas appliances on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession. This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children. If you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room. Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited. For guests' safety, the property includes a smoke detector in each accommodation.

Property is also known as

347401

Frequently asked questions

Does Emma Big Bear Suite at Elkader JailHouse Inn have an airport shuttle?

Airport shuttle services are not available at this vacation home.

How much does it cost to stay at Emma Big Bear Suite at Elkader JailHouse Inn?

As of Aug 26, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Emma Big Bear Suite at Elkader JailHouse Inn on Aug 27, 2026 start from $174, 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.

Does Emma Big Bear Suite at Elkader JailHouse Inn offer free breakfast?

This vacation home does not offer free breakfast.

Is there a casino at Emma Big Bear Suite at Elkader JailHouse Inn?

No, there is no casino at this vacation home, but Casino Queen (26-min drive) is nearby.

Is there free parking at Emma Big Bear Suite at Elkader JailHouse Inn?

Free parking is not available at this vacation home.

Does Emma Big Bear Suite at Elkader JailHouse Inn have a pool?

This vacation home does not have a pool.

Does Emma Big Bear Suite at Elkader JailHouse Inn have a spa?

There are no spa services available at this vacation home.

How close is Emma Big Bear Suite at Elkader JailHouse Inn to downtown Elkader?

This vacation home is 0.4 mi away from Elkader.

Emma Big Bear Suite at Elkader JailHouse Inn Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 1 out of 1 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 1 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 1 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 1 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 1 reviews

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Christopher

Stayed 1 night in Jul 2026

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