Entry No. 43 — the Des Moines file — filed under: outdoor-amphitheater
Briar Patch Amphitheater
A Deadhead who followed the Grateful Dead through 80+ shows came home to rural Iowa and carved a natural-bowl amphitheater into an oak-hickory forested hillside — that's Briar Patch, tucked between wetlands and prairie just outside the tiny town of Bevington. Owner Bob Rice built it himself starting in 2000, and the programming reads like his music diary: annual "Jerry Daze" Grateful Dead tribute weekends, Bevington Bluegrass Festival, and now a 750-cap deep-dubstep blowout called Wubstock running a Void Acoustics rig. Axios Des Moines' own headline called it "Des Moines' hidden rural music venue," and that's underselling it — most locals have never heard of it. On-site forest camping seals the deal.
The story
After logging more than 80 Grateful Dead shows, Bob Rice returned home to Warren County and started hauling dirt. In 2000, he took a shovel and equipment to his private homestead near Bevington and began shaping a natural amphitheater into an oak-hickory hillside. Pinched between wetlands and prairie, the result was Briar Patch: a lawnmower-carved, DIY sanctuary that most Des Moines locals still don't know exists.
The stage booking reads like Rice's private record collection. Long-running folk and jamband traditions like the annual Jerry Daze tribute weekend and the Bevington Bluegrass Festival set the baseline. But the venue also pivots hard to heavy bass for Wubstock, a 750-capacity gathering that hauls massive Void Acoustics sound rigs directly into the timber. There are no corporate banners or asphalt walkways—just sound bouncing off native trees on a private patch of dirt.
What it's like
Turning onto Warren Avenue feels like you're trespassing on someone's rural homestead, mostly because you are. You park in the grass, haul your tent into primitive forest campsites under the oak canopy, and set up your chair on the grassy bowl facing the stage. Bring cash, pack out every scrap of waste you generate, and respect the quiet gravel road on your way in. Keep an eye out for event-specific oddities, like half-price gate admission if you ride a bicycle down from Des Moines on designated weekend rides.
The move: Grab a tent, make the 25-minute drive south on I-35, and catch one of the summer festivals — Wubstock (July 17–19, 2026) or Bevington Bluegrass (June 19–20, 2026) — then camp the night in the woods with 749 strangers who all found the same secret.
📍 Before you go It's a private homestead carved into the woods off I-35 south of Des Moines, near Bevington (some listings say Prole) — lean on GPS to the Warren Avenue address and watch for the rural turnoff, because there's no marquee and you'll feel like you're driving onto someone's land, because you basically are; be respectful of the property and the quiet country road in. Plan for summer: this is an open-air, festival-season place built around sunsets, campfires, and stargazing, not winter visits. On-site forest camping is the whole point, with primitive tent sites typically bundled into a festival pass and RVs costing more, so come prepared for rustic, pack-it-in conditions and bring cash, a camp chair, and your own supplies. The drive itself pairs well with the Middle River countryside, so make a full day of it from the city.
- 📍 Bevington (25 min south of Des Moines)
- 💸 Free
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Outdoors
Where: 2103 Warren Ave, Bevington, IA 50033
Hours: Added 2026-06-09 — confirm current hours before you go.
⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.
Pair it with
- Clark Tower — A 1926 limestone castle tower down a winding gravel road in Winterset that matches Briar Patch's isolated, home-built outdoor energy.
- Harmon Tunnel at Pammel State Park — Iowa's only drivable hand-dug tunnel sits just west in Madison County and makes a solid historical detour before setting up camp.
- Annett Nature Center observation tower — A 30-foot dark-sky observation tower nearby in Warren County that offers wide open stargazing over the same prairie terrain.
Good to know
How do I spot the venue from the road?
Set your GPS to 2103 Warren Ave, Bevington (some listings say Prole). There is no permanent marquee or flashy signage—just a rural drive off I-35, so look for modest gate markers on event days.
Is camping included with ticket purchase?
Primitive forest tent camping is usually bundled directly into weekend festival passes. RV spots and vehicle setups generally cost extra, and the site is strictly rustically equipped, so bring your own water, chairs, and supplies.
Can I visit Briar Patch anytime?
No. Briar Patch is a private homestead that only opens to the public during scheduled summer festival weekends like Wubstock, Bevington Bluegrass, and Jerry Daze.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Axios · songkick.com · lowhighpresents.com · Official site · Facebook
last checked: 2026-06-09