See all properties
Entire home

Emma Big Bear Suite at Elkader JailHouse Inn

Choose dates to view prices

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

This vacation home places you within a 10-minute walk of Carter House Museum. The vacation home includes a kitchen, a balcony, and a refrigerator.
View more Vacation Homes in ElkaderOpens in a new window

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
  • Wyalusing State Park - 40 min drive - 40.6 miles
  • Field of Dreams - 56 min drive - 58.6 miles

Restaurants

  • ‪TD’s Sports Bar & Grill - ‬11 min walk
  • ‪Johnson's Restaurant - ‬2 min drive
  • ‪Gear Elkader - ‬11 min walk
  • ‪St Olaf Tavern - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪Fennellys' Irish Pub - ‬11 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
The vacation home is air-conditioned and features a kitchen and a balcony, and there's space to spread out with 2 bedrooms. Other standard amenities include a washing machine, a coffee maker, and an ironing board.

Similar properties

Indoor pool
Boarders Inn & Suites by Cobblestone Hotels - Fayette
Fayette
  • Pool
  • Hot tub
  • Breakfast included
  • Parking included
9.0 out of 10, Wonderful, 607 reviews
$109 nightly
The price is $122
Sep 13 - Sep 14
Total with taxes and fees
Boarders Inn & Suites by Cobblestone Hotels - Fayette

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

  • This property doesn't allow pets

Children and extra beds

Children allowed: ages 0-17

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

We should mention

Details about charges, deposits, or other important information:

  • 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.
  • Charges for extra guests may apply and vary depending on the property's policy.
  • A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges, as well as a government-issued photo ID, may be required at check-in.
  • Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in and can't be guaranteed. Certain requests may come with additional charges.
  • Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited.
  • Onsite safety features include a smoke detector.

Property is also known as

347401

Frequently asked questions

What can I see close to this vacation home?

This vacation home is located in Elkader within a short 8-minute walk of Carter House Museum.

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

As of Sep 10, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Emma Big Bear Suite at Elkader JailHouse Inn on Sep 13, 2026 start from $173, 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.

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

No, there isn't parking at this vacation home.

Is this vacation home adjacent to a casino?

No, this vacation home is not connected to a casino.

Will I find an indoor pool at this vacation home?

No, there is no indoor pool at this vacation home.

What do couples enjoy most about Emma Big Bear Suite at Elkader JailHouse Inn?

Amenities at this vacation home that appeal to couples include a kitchen in each house with a kitchen in some.

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

No, this vacation home doesn't have a spa tub.

Does this vacation home provide breakfast?

No, this vacation home doesn't offer breakfast.

Will this vacation home allow pets to stay for free?

No, pets aren't allowed at this vacation home.

Does Emma Big Bear Suite at Elkader JailHouse Inn have connecting rooms available?

No, this vacation home doesn't feature connecting guestrooms.

Are there rooms with balconies at Emma Big Bear Suite at Elkader JailHouse Inn?

Yes, every house at Emma Big Bear Suite at Elkader JailHouse Inn comes with a balcony.

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