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Emma Big Bear Suite at Elkader JailHouse Inn

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. - Emma Big Bear Suite at Elkader JailHouse Inn (Elkader)
Property video
A kitchen with wooden cabinets, stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, and hanging pots. - Emma Big Bear Suite at Elkader JailHouse Inn (Elkader)
A covered porch with a table and chairs, overlooking a residential area. - Emma Big Bear Suite at Elkader JailHouse Inn (Elkader)
A room with a brown leather sofa, a wooden coffee table, a colorful rug, a pool table, and a TV mounted on the wall. - Emma Big Bear Suite at Elkader JailHouse Inn (Elkader)
Emma Big Bear Suite at Elkader JailHouse Inn provides everything you need. Guests can connect to in-room WiFi.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

2 bedrooms1 bathroom

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Air conditioning
  • Parking available
The current price is AED 278
AED 644 total
includes taxes & fees
3 Sep - 4 Sep

Add dates for prices

About this property

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

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)

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includes taxes & fees
3 Sep - 4 Sep
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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

Pets not 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

About the neighborhood

Elkader is home to this vacation home. Charles Wacouta Aquatic Park and Fort Fun Park are local attractions and those in the mood for shopping can visit Riverside Square and Blackhawk Junction. Visit our Elkader travel guide
View more Vacation Homes in Elkader
Map
Elkader, IA

What's nearby

  • A waterfall cascading over a rocky cliff with green vegetation at the base.
    Pikes Peak State Park
    21 min drive - 38.9 km
  • A large white house with a grey roof, surrounded by a white picket fence and green bushes.
    Field of Dreams
    56 min drive - 94.2 km
  • Carter House Museum
    5 min walk - 0.4 km
  • Keystone Bridge
    6 min walk - 0.6 km
  • Wyalusing State Park
    40 min drive - 65.3 km

Restaurants

  • TD’s Sports Bar & Grill
    11 min walk
  • Johnson's Restaurant
    2 min drive
  • St Olaf Tavern
    11 min drive
  • Gear Elkader
    11 min walk
  • Fennellys' Irish Pub
    11 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Emma Big Bear Suite at Elkader JailHouse Inn pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

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

As of 2 September 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Emma Big Bear Suite at Elkader JailHouse Inn on 3 September 2026 start from AED 278, excluding 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.

How much is parking?

Onsite parking is available at the property.

Where is Emma Big Bear Suite at Elkader JailHouse Inn located?

Situated in Elkader, this vacation home is 0.3 mi (0.5 km) from Carter House Museum and within 16 mi (25 km) of Froelich Foundation Museum and Spook Cave. World's Largest Strawberry and Bloody Run Creek Wildlife Management Area are also within 20 mi (32 km).

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Emma Big Bear Suite at Elkader JailHouse Inn Reviews