Yellow River State Forest covers 8,503 acres in northeast Iowa. Unlike most of Iowa, the area was not formed by glaciation; erosion created the rocky outcrops, narrow valleys and slopes of shale and limestone bedrock. Bald eagles and the endangered red-shouldered hawk soar overhead, and marsh birds float on the forest’s lakes and ponds. The Paint Rock unit of the forest, named for Native American paintings on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi, covers 864 acres. Paint Creek is the most developed of the state forest’s units, with campgrounds, hiking and equestrian trails, and groomed cross-country ski trails. The only other development in the forest is the cross-country ski trail system in the Luster Heights unit.
The Paint Creek unit of Yellow River State Forest has two primitive campgrounds and two equestrian campgrounds with a total of 141 grassy, shaded sites. Neither campground has hookups for RVs or modern bathhouses, nor does either have potable water. Water is available at the state forest information center, so campers should either bring their own or carry jugs to fill. Big Paint and Little Paint campgrounds have sites for RVs and tents, and two areas at Little Paint are available for youth groups. Creekside and Frontier equestrian campgrounds have hitching rails. Reservations can be made online, but some sites are always available on a first-come, first-served basis in this underused forest.
Yellow River State Forest’s 25 miles of hiking trails, open year round, cover a diverse terrain that includes steep hills, deep forest, grassy clearings and marshy areas. Hikers should expect to encounter equestrians and mountain bikers on some sections of trail. There are two primitive, designated camping areas in the backcountry, but neither has potable water. Springs and streams along the route provide water for bathing, but campers should carry a water treatment system for drinking water and not use detergent or soap in the springs and streams. Campfires are allowed in the backcountry, but forest rangers request campers not build fires in extremely dry conditions. Backcountry camping is free, and campers do not need to register for a permit.
Iowa’s Great River Road National Scenic Byway hugs the banks of the Mississippi River east of Yellow River State Forest. Limestone bluffs provide dramatic views of the working tugboats and commercial fishermen on the river. Effigy Mounds National Monument, about seven miles north of the forest, contains more than 200 Native American animal-shaped mounds as well as conical and rectangular mounds. Out of respect for the sacred nature of the place, there are no driving roads in the 2,526-acre site. All mounds and a spectacular Mississippi River overlook are reached on foot.
