Directions
Coon Rapids lies between
Des Moines and Omaha, between Minneapolis and Kansas City in west
central Iowa. It is centrally located on a good highway. A large
sign marks the entrance to the Home Farm Headquarters.
Omaha: 100 miles, 2 Hours
Take I80 east to the Atlantic/Audubon exit. North on Highway 71,
then east on Highway 141, through Coon Rapids. The Garst Home Farm
is 1/2 mile east of Coon Rapids on the south side of Highway 141.
Des Moines: 70 miles,
1 1/4 Hours
Take the Highway 141 Exit off of Interstate I35/80 on the northwest
corner of Des Moines, towards Perry. Stay on Highway 141 through
Perry, Bagley, and Bayard. The Garst Home Farm is 6 1/2 miles west
of Bayard, just west of the Raccoon River bridge.
Ames: 70 miles, 1 1/4
Hours
Take Highway 30 west to Scranton. Turn south onto Highway 25 to
Bayard. Turn west onto Highway 141. The Garst Home Farm is 6 1/2
miles west of Bayard, just west of the Raccoon River Bridge.
Flying?
The Garst Home Farm is approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes from
the Des Moines International Airport and 2 hours from the Omaha
Airport. The Des Moines airport is closer, but flights into Omaha
are sometimes less expensive.
Getting Around the Resort
Whiterock Resort spreads over 4500 acres, and our facilities are
scattered. The Home Farm Headquarters (and Hollyhock Cottage) are
located right on Highway 141, just east of Coon Rapids. Most of
our other facilities are located off Fig Avenue, a gravel road.
Fig Avenue extends south from Highway 141, and it is located 1.7
miles east of the Home Farm Headquarters, 2.2 miles east of Coon
Rapids or 4.5 miles west of Bayard.
Astronomy House
Take Fig Avenue south from Highway 141 for 3.2 miles, driving past
the River House. Turn east (left) onto 140th Street. (Note: 140th
jogs as it crosses Fig ... you will see 140th West BEFORE you come
to the Astronomy road, 140th East.). Drive east on 140th (past the
Riding Stable) for 9/10s of a mile. (Note: The Astronomy House is
not well-marked and it has no lights, so it is worthwhile carefully
marking the mileage from the Fig/140th corner.) Look for a farm
house and a garage (close to the road) on the north side of 140th.
The Astronomer will meet you in the driveway.
Oak Ridge Farm House
Take Fig Avenue south from Highway 141 for 1.5 miles, then turn
east (left) onto 125th Street. Drive 1/2 mile on 125th, and look
for the farmhouse in the oak grove on the south side of the road.
Woodland Carriage House
and River House and Main Campground
Take Fig Avenue south from Highway 141 for 2.2 miles. The River
House is located just before the river bridge, at the bottom of
a steep winding road. Turn right into the River House driveway,
which is marked with a sign.
The Main Campground is
located directly across from the River House driveway ... turn left
off of Fig Avenue into the Campground at the River House sign. You
may have to open a gate before entering the campground.
Riding Stable
Take Fig Avenue south from Highway 141 for 3.2 miles, driving past
the River House. Turn east (left) onto 140th Street. Look for the
stable on the south side, as soon as you make the turn. (Note: 140th
jogs as it crosses Fig ... you will see 140th west BEFORE you come
to the Stable road, 140th east.)
805 River and Turkey
Ridge Campground
These campsites are off any roadway and hard to find. When you make
your reservation, you will be asked for a time of arrival, and Resort
Staff will meet you at either the Home Farm or the River House to
escort you to your campsite.
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