How close is the house to Iowa State University?

About a 10-minute drive. It makes an easy base for game days, campus visits, and move-in weekends.

What is there to do nearby?

Ada Hayden Heritage Park and Lake is about a 5-minute walk away, with a lake loop, biking, and fishing. Stores and restaurants are about 5 minutes by car.

How many people can stay?

Up to 6 guests, across three king bedrooms plus a sofa bed in the loft.

Is the home secluded?

Yes. It sits on a wooded acreage off Riverside Road, set apart in its own little world, while still being in town.

How does check-in work?

Self check-in with a smart lock, any time after 3:00 PM. The exact address and door code are shared with booked guests through Airbnb.

No pets, and no smoking or vaping in the home.

What makes this A-frame different from other places to stay in Ames?

It is a true mid-century A-frame on a wooded acre: sloped ceilings, locally sourced red oak, long decks, an upper balcony, and a private hot tub under an open sky. That mix of distinctive architecture and privacy, a few minutes from town and Iowa State, is hard to find among standard rentals in Ames.

Is it a good place to stay for an Iowa State football weekend?

Yes. It sleeps six across three king bedrooms, sits about ten minutes from Iowa State and Jack Trice Stadium, and uses self check-in, which makes game-weekend arrivals easy. It also works well for campus visits, move-in, and family trips.

Will we have any visitors?

Possibly Sota and Kota, the friendly neighbor cats. They like to stop by the patio, lounge in the furniture, and collect attention from guests.

The green A-frame with a long deck, a covered gazebo strung with lights, and a private hot tub, surrounded by trees.

Ames, Iowa

An A-frame tucked into the trees

A warm, private stay with wooded decks, locally sourced red oak, and a hot tub under the stars.

Explore the house

The House

Set apart, five minutes from town

Our A-frame sits on a wooded acreage off Riverside Road, on the edge of Ames but tucked into its own little world. You get the trees, the quiet, and a wide-open view of the sky, without giving up a quick drive to everything in town.

The house has a little drama to it: bold green siding, a balcony over long wood decks, and locally sourced red oak running through the inside. It is comfortable and a bit quirky, made for slowing down rather than showing off.

It works for a lot of trips. A game weekend, a campus visit, a family stay, or just a weekend when you want somewhere with more character than the usual place to sleep in Ames.

— Matt & Kala Sullivan, Owners

A few things that make it worth the drive

Private hot tub
Soak on the deck with a wide-open view of the night sky.
Sleeps six
Three bedrooms, each with a king bed, plus a sofa bed in the loft.
Classic A-frame
Sloped ceilings, built-ins, and architecture you won't find in any other Ames short-term rental.
Decks and a balcony
Long decks, a covered patio, and an upper balcony for morning coffee.
Wooded acreage
An acre of trees that puts the house in its own small world.
Close to everything
A short walk to Ada Hayden and about ten minutes to Iowa State.

A-frame living room with a sloped ceiling, exposed wood beams, warm red oak finishes, a gray sofa, olive velvet armchairs, and a large window facing the trees.

Inside

The A-frame experience

Sloped ceilings follow the roofline down to the windows, so the living room feels open and framed at the same time. Red oak accents, exposed beams, and built-in shelving give the space warmth and a few unexpected corners.

Big windows pull the trees inside. Mid-century furniture, a cable-railed staircase, and glowing pendant lights keep it relaxed rather than formal. It is the kind of character that is hard to reproduce in an ordinary house.

The green A-frame at dusk with a long wood deck, a covered gazebo strung with lights, and a private hot tub, surrounded by trees.

Outside

Room to step outside

Long wood decks wrap the house, with a covered patio and an upper balcony that looks out over the yard. Mornings are for coffee outside; evenings are for staying out a little longer than you planned.

The hot tub sits alongside a covered gazebo strung with lights, with the trees closing in around it. After dark, the sky opens up and it becomes the best seat on the property.

Aerial view of the A-frame from above, showing its roof, deck, and hot tub surrounded by an acre of green wooded grounds.

Nearby

Close to Ames, but set apart

Ada Hayden Heritage Park and Lake is about a five-minute walk from the front door. Walk the lake loop, bring bikes, or fish for a while without needing to drive anywhere first.

When you do get in the car, stores and restaurants are about five minutes away and Iowa State is about ten. It makes an easy base for football weekends, campus visits, move-in, and family trips.

A look around

Reviews

What guests are saying

5.0Guest favorite · 6 reviews

Cleanliness: 5.0
Accuracy: 5.0
Check-in: 5.0
Communication: 5.0
Location: 5.0
Value: 5.0

Guests often mention

Hot tub
Cleanliness
Hospitality
Kitchen
Comfort
Location

This A-frame tucked away in the woods on a private lot was the perfect relaxing getaway. The fully stocked kitchen made it easy to cook our own meals, and the hot tub was incredibly relaxing and clearly well maintained. Every detail of the home felt high quality, and the furnishings and beds were exceptionally comfortable. A truly unique stay that we'd happily book again!

Jeremy · July 2026

Read all 6 reviews on Airbnb

Location

Where you'll be

The house sits on a wooded acreage off Riverside Road, on the north edge of Ames. You are set apart in the trees, but still a few minutes from stores, restaurants, and campus.

One of the best parts of the location is Ada Hayden Heritage Park and Lake, close enough to walk to for the lake loop, biking, or fishing.

Ada Hayden Heritage Park & Lake
About a 5-minute walk to the lake loop, biking, and fishing.
Stores & restaurants
About 5 minutes away by car.
Iowa State University
About 10 minutes away by car.

The map shows the general area. For guest privacy, the exact address is shared with booked guests before check-in.

Get directions

Google Maps Apple Maps View a larger map

The practical details

Sleeping: Three bedrooms, each with a king bed, plus a sofa bed in the loft. Sleeps up to 6.
Bathrooms: 2.5 bathrooms, including a bathtub.
Check-in: Self check-in with a smart lock. Check-in after 3:00 PM, checkout by 10:00 AM.
Kitchen: Full kitchen with dishwasher, oven, microwave, cooking basics, coffee, and a dining table.
Parking: Free parking on the property.
Wi-Fi: Wifi throughout the house.
Hot tub: Private hot tub on the deck with a clear view of the night sky.
Outdoor spaces: Long decks, a covered patio, an upper balcony, and an acre of wooded backyard with outdoor dining.
Comforts: Central and radiant heat, air conditioning, washer and dryer, TV, Bluetooth sound, board games, and a travel crib.
House expectations: No pets. No smoking or vaping. Quiet hours 10 PM to 7 AM. One exterior camera faces the driveway at the front of the home.

Anything else? The full listing on Airbnb covers the rest.

Good to know

Come stay under the trees

Whether you're visiting Ames for a weekend, spending time near campus, or simply looking for a house with a little more character, the A-frame is ready for you.