Description

Yellow River State Forest is a perfect place to explore some of Iowa's best hiking trails. Located in northeast Iowa in Allamakee County, the forest is part of the "driftless area" that escaped the glaciers during the most recent ice age. The forest consists of 8,900 acres of hardwood and coniferous forest and is comprised of 6 units.
The Paint Creek Unit is of primary interest to the recreationist, with well-kept camping areas, equestrian accommodations, fishing, hunting, and over 45 miles of trails for hiking, equestrian riding, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling.

Recreation:

Trails
The entire forest is open to hiking and cross-country skiing. However, the designated hiking trails are maintained only in the Paint Creek Unit and the designated cross-country ski trails are maintained only in the Luster Heights Unit. There are equestrian trails and snowmobile trails in the forest and several scenic overlooks in the Paint Creek Unit that are accessible by horseback, foot or auto.
The trails are open year-round and the degree of difficulty ranges from relatively easy to moderate. Although there is no charge, you are required to register in the parking lot of Area Headquarters if you plan on spending the night at one of the four backpacking campsites. All four of the backpacking campsites accommodate multiple small groups of campers.

Fishing
Try your luck at catching dinner in the seven miles of trout stream, which is stocked April to October, or in the marsh where bass and panfish may be taken. A trout stamp is required.

Picnicking
There are several picnic areas in the Paint Creek Unit that give you the chance to enjoy a quiet lunch in peaceful surroundings.

Facilities:

Camping
Campers can enjoy spending the night under the stars in one of the campgrounds in the Paint Creek Unit. Reservable campsites can be found in all four campgrounds. The Big Paint and Little Paint campgrounds are non-modern and have nonelectric campsites and vault toilets. The Little Paint campground also has two sites which are for use only by chaperoned organized youth groups. The Creekside and Frontier equestrian campgrounds are non-modern and have non-electric sites with hitching rails and vault toilets. In the two equestrian campgrounds, portable stalls/pens and electric fences are not permitted. There is no drinking water located in the campgrounds at Yellow River State Forest but it is available at the A-frame information center located on State Forest Road near Big Paint Campground approximately four miles off Highway 76.
Cabins
One rustic camping cabin is available to rent from April 15th through October 31st of each year. There is a minimum stay requirement of 2 nights for this cabin. This rustic cabin has electricity, microwave, a full sized refrigerator, and two porches, where one of them is screened in. Visitors must provide their own bedding, towels, cooking utensils and other essential items. The cabin is located near the back pack registration parking lot and the forestry office.

Nearby Attractions:

Be sure to take a scenic drive along the Mississippi River on the Great River Road when visiting Yellow River State Forest, which is only 5 miles from the river. Effigy Mounds National Monument is located between Waukon Junction and Marquette and has a visitor center and trails that take you around the figural mounds created by cultures native to the area in the past.

Nearby Towns
Harpers Ferry is 7.5 miles away, Marquette is 13 miles away and Waukon, IA and Prairie du Chien, WI are both 15 miles away.

Season Schedule

• General Rules