The Inn at Motor Mill

Motor Mill Historic Site | Clayton County, IA

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  • Renter agrees to rental contract agreement as well as the cancelation policy.

Rental Contract Agreement

By your agreement with these terms and conditions, you represent that you are 21 years or older and that you are authorized to make the reservation on behalf of the reservation party you have listed. You further agree to assume full responsibility for the acts, negligence, or omissions of the members of your group while utilizing said facilities.

Additionally, you agree that you have read and understand the CANCELLATION and REFUND POLICIES concerning this reservation and have also read and understand the FACILITY CONTRACT information.

You are reserving a facility in a Clayton County Conservation Board Park. ALL COUNTY PARK RULES AND STATE LAWS ARE ENFORCED. Click on the RULES & REGULATIONS link on the Home page to view a full listing of regulations for the Clayton County Conservation Board. Contact the Conservation Office on your reservation confirmation email if you have any questions about park rules, policies, or special requests.

A $200 deposit check is required for reservations and must be mailed or dropped off to the conservation office prior to your reservation date. If the Clayton County Conservation Board determines that regulations were not followed, the deposit may be forfeited. Following your stay and after passing an inspection, the deposit check will be shredded. It is the responsibility of the renter on the agreement form to follow all guidelines of the rental facility. Mail deposit check to: Clayton County Conservation, 29862 Osborne Rd., Elkader IA 52043

Failure to clean up the facility or surrounding area as outlined, or failure to comply with park rules or state laws may result in enforcement action. Clayton County Conservation may take any legal action necessary to recover damages to county property beyond the deposit amount.

CHECK-IN TIME: After 3:00 PM on your day of arrival
CHECK-OUT TIME: Before 11:00 AM on day of departure

GETTING INTO THE MOTOR MILL INN
Follow the sidewalk to the back door entrance of the 2nd floor. A door code will be provided to you prior to your arrival. If you have any questions or trouble opening the door, please contact the office 563-245-1516 during business hours 8-4:30.

CLEAN-UP
You are required to clean up the rental unit and surrounding area – returning them to the condition you received them. Plan to have the site cleaned and people departed prior to the scheduled checkout time of 11:00AM.

VISITORS
All visitors (other than registered members of your party) must depart the area by 10:30 PM closing time.

PARKING
All Motor vehicles must be licensed, and the operator must have a valid driver’s license. Vehicles are not allowed off the roadway and/or parking lot, except in designated areas.

BEER AND WINE
Only beer with an alcohol content of 5% or less by weight and wine with an alcohol content of 17% or less by weight may be consumed in county parks. Drinking of these beverages is not permitted on roads or in parking areas. Hard liquor and wine with alcohol content in excess of 17% by weight or other alcoholic liquors are NOT to be consumed in county parks or rental facilities. Kegs are prohibited.

SMOKING AND ILLEGAL SUBSTANCES
Smoking of any kind is strictly prohibited in the Motor Mill Inn. The use of any device that produces a smoke or vapor is also prohibited inside the Inn, regardless of conveyance of consumption or legality of substance being consumed. Illegal substances of any kind or means of consumption, are prohibited.

MUSIC / NOISE
It shall be unlawful to operate or use any radio, television, stereo, musical instrument, electric generating plants, power saws, or any similar equipment in or on any area in such a manner as to create excessive noise and/or disturb other persons. Quiet hours are observed between the hours of 10:30 PM and 6:00 AM.

REFUSE
All refuse must be placed in the containers provided. Please recycle redeemable cans in the containers provided.

PETS
All pets are prohibited in the Motor Mill Inn.

FIRES

All fires must be built in places provided by the county. The cutting of trees, dead or alive, is absolutely prohibited. Firewood may be purchased in the campground area.

 

OTHER
All interior furniture must remain inside the Motor Inn. Do not decorate or attach items in a way that will cause damage (tape, glue, screws, nails, etc.) Free standing decorations are allowed. The Clayton County Conservation Board is not responsible for personal items that are lost, stolen, or become damaged.

Cancellation Policy

No Refunds - Per the CCCB rules and regulations if you need to cancel a reservation, you will forfeit 100% of all reservation fees paid. Notify the office of all cancellations, at least 7 days before the reservation and you will be able to change the reservation dates (limited to one time for the Inn only). 
Please understand that at the time of booking your reservation you immediately prohibit other people from reserving and utilizing this facility. 
Should you choose to cancel a reservation, you will forfeit 100% of all reservation fees paid. Cancellations cannot be done online. They must be made by calling the Conservation Office at 563-245-1516.

Refund Policy

We will observe a Non-Refundable reservation fee policy with the following exception:

  • We are unable to provide your facility in operable condition for the date of your reservation. 
  • The river is in flood-stage over the road to the Inn.

Hidden in the Turkey River valley, the Motor Mill Historic Site is a peaceful natural area that features a six-story limestone flouring mill and four related stone buildings dating from the late 1860’s. One of these four structures is the newly restored, three-story Motor Mill Inn. While the main floor is used as a visitor center, gift shop, public restroom and foundation office the remaining upper two floors can be rented for lodging up to 12 people. While the historic nature of the building was kept, modern amenities make this a comfortable place to rest your head after a long day of touring the historic site, shopping in the nearby towns, or kayaking down the Turkey River. Whatever your reason is for visiting Clayton County the Motor Mill Inn is a perfect place to stay. 

The Inn at Motor Mill can serve as an idyllic retreat destination for small groups such as quilting clubs, artisans, and small business. Wi-Fi connectivity means that hosting a meeting and hosting a virtual guest speaker is possible. Remote learning and remote working can be accomplished from the Inn. Getting married? The Motor Mill Historic site offers the perfect backdrop for wedding photos and the Inn would be an amazing spot to host your wedding party and/or guests.

Check-In / Out Availability Check-in is after 03:00 PM and check-out is before 11:00 AM.

Location

The Inn is located within the Motor Mill Historic District just NW of the Mill. This is about 8 miles south of Elkader, 12 miles SW of Garnavillo, or 17 miles NE of Strawberry Point. 
28814 Galaxy Rd.
Elkader, IA 52043

Amenities

  • Campground
  • Cooking / eating utensils
  • Electricity
  • Firewood available
  • Handicap Accessible
  • Heating
  • Kitchenette
  • Microwave
  • Pets prohibited
  • Picnic Table
  • Pressurized water
  • Refuse cans
  • Restroom
  • Sewer Connection
  • Shower facilities
  • Table with chairs
  • Wi-Fi

The rental of the Inn includes the entire 2nd and 3rd floors. The ground floor is a visitor center and only open 8-5 on Saturdays (May-Oct) to the public.
The Inn sleeps a maximum of 12 guests.
Although historic preservation was important in the rehab of the Inn you will have the modern comforts of air conditioning/heat, indoor plumbing, and electricity.
Bed and bath linens and toilet paper are included with the rental fee as well as broom, dustpan and cleaning supplies.
Renters will need to bring - toiletries, food, beverage, laundry detergent, lawn chairs (no Inn furniture allowed outside), and gas for camp grill 

2nd Floor:

  • Handicap accessible by sidewalk
  • Kitchen - fridge, electric stove/oven, microwave, coffee maker, crockpot, tableware for 12, cookware, and counter space.
  • Dining room - large table with seating for 12 as well as a sleeper sofa (queen)
  • Klink Bedroom with king bed, seating, and dresser
  • handicap accessible bathroom with shower, toilet, and sink
  • Outside kitchen there is an outdoor patio with gas camp grill (must provide a gas canister)

3rd Floor:

  • Bedroom 1 has 3 twins and 1 full in addition to a dresser
  • Bedroom 2 has 2 queens as well as seating and a dresser
  • Bathroom with toilet and sink
  • Laundry - washer and dryer (must provide your own laundry detergent)

Guided tours of historic Motor Mill are offered each Saturday (May 27-Sept 2, Sept 16, Sept 30, and Oct 14-15) from noon-5pm. These guided tours include the 1860's Mill, four related outbuildings, and the Motor town site. Tours have no cost but free will donations are encouraged and appreciated to help with various restoration projects. Tours range in time depending on your touring interests and desires. For more information visit the Historic Motor Mill website

The Turkey River Water Trail flows right past the Motor Mill Historic District. The park has a river access (located next to the campground) to enter or exit the river with your vessel of choice. Kayaks are available to rent in Elkader from Turkey River Outfitters 563-245-3802

Motor Mill Historic Site has over 4 miles of trails throughout this 155 acre park.  With trails on both the north and south sides of the river, one can hike through forests, prairies, and savanna to find breathtaking views from the blufftops and abundant wildlife. The south trail system also provides equestrian use and limited hunting by permit during the hunting season. 

Fees

$336/night includes statewide and county Hotel/Motel Consumer's Use Tax  

  • $200 deposit check is required for reservations and must be mailed to the conservation office prior to your reservation date. If the Clayton County Conservation Board (CCCB) determines that regulations were not followed, the deposit may be forfeited. Following your stay and after passing an inspection, the deposit check will be shredded. It is the responsibility of the renter on the agreement form to follow all guidelines of the rental facility.
    Mail deposit check to: Clayton County Conservation, 29862 Osborne Rd., Elkader IA 52043
  • Online reservations must be made a minimum of 3 days prior to arrival and can be made up to two years in advance. For example, a reservation for Friday must be made by the Tuesday prior. 
  • No Refunds - Per the CCCB rules and regulations if you need to cancel a reservation, you will forfeit 100% of all reservation fees paid. Notify the office of all cancellations, at least 7 days before the reservation and you will be able to change the reservation dates (limited to one time).

Hours of Operation & Seasons

The Motor Mill Inn is available to rent year-round.
Registrations must be made online at least 3 days in advance.
All registered visitors can check-in at 3:00pm and must check-out by 11:00am. 
Parks are open to the public from 6:00am-10:30pm. 

Call for Availability

563-245-1516

Address

28814 Galaxy Rd

Elkader, IA 52043

Closures

The park is closed to non-registered visitors from 10:30pm-6:00am.
Temporary closures may result when the Turkey River is in or near flood stage.
Check the Clayton County Conservation website and Clayton County Conservation Facebook page for updates

Permits

All laws of the State of Iowa are in effect.
All Clayton County Conservation Board rules and regulations apply. 
No Refunds for cancellations, read the Rental Agreement Rules.
Person renting the Inn must be 21 years or older.
Keg beer is prohibited
Smoking is prohibited
Pets are prohibited inside the Inn.
Furniture must remain inside the Inn. 

Related Item

Availability

Clayton County

Clayton County Conservation is located in NE Iowa along the east coast of Iowa.  We manage 17 individual park areas that total almost 1400 acres, including the Osborne Conservation Center- a Welcome Center of Iowa, where the Conservation Department's offices are located. Have a camping question? Check out our FAQ section, if you are unable to find an answer give our office a call! 

BE AWARE OSBORNE VISITORS: HWY 13 ROAD CONSTRUCTION SUMMER 2023

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