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Iowa
52

Iowa State Parks

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USA Parks
Iowa
Northeast Region
Yellow River State Forest
Eastern Goldfinch © stateparks.com
Eastern Goldfinch
Eastern Goldfinch © stateparks.com
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YELLOW RIVER STATE FOREST
YELLOW RIVER STATE FOREST
YRSF, 729 State Forest Road
Harpers Ferry, Iowa   52146

Phone: 563-586-2254
Reservations: 877-427-2757
Email: park email button icon
The Yellow River State Forest, located in Iowa, is a nature lover's paradise encompassing over 8,500 acres of diverse landscapes. Nestled along the meandering Yellow River, this serene forest offers a picturesque haven with its rolling hills, flourishing forests, and sparkling streams. Within its boundaries, visitors can explore an extensive network of hiking trails that wind through stunning bluffs, lush valleys, and enchanting woodlands. Wildlife enthusiasts will be captivated by the abundant flora and fauna, including deer, wild turkeys, and various bird species. With its stunning natural beauty and tranquil ambiance, the Yellow River State Forest is a true escape from the hectic pace of everyday life. Whether you seek adventure, relaxation, or simply an opportunity to reconnect with nature, this forest is a haven worth exploring.
Nature of the Area
Fauna

Yellow River Forest is home to many species of wildlife who live in its various habitats. From a recreational standpoint, Yellow River Forest presents opportunities for hunters to take deer, squirrel, raccoon and various species of waterfowl and upland game birds; the trapper to harvest beaver, mink and other furbearers and the angler to take trout and other species of gamefish.

The forest has many good opportunities for bird watchers to pursue their interests. Many ducks, wading birds and other marsh dwelling birds occupy the marshes and beaver ponds on Little Paint Creek. Bald eagles may be seen at any time on the forest and surrounding environs. A threatened and endangered bird of the forest is the red-shouldered hawk.

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Flora

The major Yellow River Forest plant communities are maple-basswood, oak-hickory and bottomland hardwoods. Prairie species may be found on dry bluff tops, rock outcroppings and steep slopes that face south and west.

The maple-basswood forest type is commonly found on north and east facing slopes and is largely comprised of sugar maple, basswood, white ash and red and white elm.

The oak-hickory forest type occupies drier sites such as ridge tops and south and west facing slopes. Components include red and white oak, red and white elm, bur oak and hickory.

The bottomland hardwoods forest type includes red and white elm, green ash, cottonwood and several other bottomland species.

Prairie sites contain big and little bluestem, needle-and-thread grass, indiangrass, prickly pear and others. Jeweled shooting star (Dodecatheon amethystinum) is a state endangered species found on the forest.

Many acres have been planted to native hardwoods like black locust and English oak and several species of conifers. Species adaptation plots (trial plantings of conifers) have been established to test the practicability of planting the various species represented.
History of the Area
The first lands acquired for Yellow River State Forest were purchased in 1935 with funds that were appropriated to support the Civilian Conservation Corps (C.C.C.). The original purchase was adjacent to the Yellow River near its confluence with the Mississippi and the name "Yellow River Forest" was appropriate. In 1949, 1500 acres of the Forest was transferred to the National Park Service and became a part of Effigy Mounds National Monument. The larger units of the state forest are now located in the Paint Creek watershed, north of Yellow River. Subsequent land purchases consolidated scattered tracts and today the forest is 8,503 acres in size.

Because most land purchased was farmland and pasture, the early management of Yellow River Forest was concerned with protection from grazing, fire and soil erosion. Timber harvests provided material that the C.C.C. used for construction on state parks and other state areas.

During the 1940s, most of the open land was planted to trees. The plantations of large pines that can be seen on the forest today are the result of these efforts. The extensive system of fire lanes that provided protection to these plantations serves today as part of the recreational trail system for hiking, cross country skiing, horse riding and snowmobiling.

In 1947, a sawmill, which the Forestry Division continues to operate was moved to the Paint Creek Unit from Pikes Peak State Park. All the trees processed at the mill are harvested from state land and the lumber used on state parks and wildlife areas, other DNR areas, sold to other state agencies or sold to private individuals. About $20,000 worth of lumber is transferred each year to units of the DNR and another $10,000 worth of lumber is sold each year to other units of government.

During the 1950s and 1960s, outdoor recreation became more important on the forest. Camping and picnic areas were developed. Access to the area for hunters, fishers and other outdoor recreationists was improved. Trail systems were extended to accommodate horses and hikers. For a time, there was a trail ride concession where visitors could rent horses to ride.
Camping
1. Little Paint Campground: This campground is located near the Big and Little Paint Creeks, which are popular for trout fishing. It has 60 campsites with non-modern restroom facilities.

2. Frontier Equestrian Campground: For those who enjoy horseback riding, this campsite offers direct access to over 25 miles of marked equestrian trails within Yellow River State Forest.

3. Big Paint Creek Campgrounds: Located in a beautiful wooded area along the banks of its namesake creek, it features primitive camping sites that offer an authentic outdoor experience.

4. Creekside Equestrian Camping Area: Another option for riders bringing their horses on vacation; however unlike Frontier's open layout these spots have more privacy due to trees separating each site.

5. White Pine Hollow Backpacking Site: A remote backpacker's paradise offering solitude amidst nature away from other populated areas.

6. Fire Tower Backcountry Sites: These secluded backcountry sites provide hikers with a unique wilderness experience deep inside the forest close by fire tower trail.

7. Red Oak Backpacking Site: Perfect spot if you're looking forward hiking through scenic landscapes while carrying everything needed on your back.

8. Six Pines Horse Riders' Day Use Area: Although not technically overnight accommodation,this day use only picnic facility provides amenities like hitch rails & water troughs making it perfect stopover point during long rides across park.

9. The Primitive Group Youth Tent Areas at both Little paint and big paint can be reserved ahead time providing ample space large groups or scout troops wanting stay together under stars.
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Location
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Trails
Backpacking:

Yellow River's backpacking trails were featured in an article which appeared in the April 1996 edition of ?Outside? magazine entitled ?America?s Top 50 Hikes--The Finest in Every State?. The best hike in Iowa was chosen to be the Backpack Trail at Yellow River State Forest. We are honored to have been given this distinctive endorsement, and anticipate lots of usage on the backpack trails as a result.

Incidentally, if you haven?t had the opportunity to hike our trails, they are open year ?round. Degree of difficulty ranges from relatively easy to moderate. If you have a scout or other youth group looking for a backpacking experience, or if you are planning a ?real? backpacking trip out west and need some place to train, this is for you.

There are over 25 miles of marked & maintained trails in the Paint Creek Unit alone. There is no charge or registration required for the use of our backpack trail facilities. We have two camp areas along the trail which are not accessible by vehicles so you can really ?get away from it all?. If you are looking for something in particular in a day hike or an overnighter, give us a call and we?ll be happy to give you some ideas and places to go.

Our backpack areas are large enough to support a large group or several small groups. They are not organized areas so you can spread out if you arrive to find a group or individuals already at the site. On nice weekends, slight but not overwhelming traffic can be expected. Our backpack trail is also part of our equestrian trail for some of its length, so horses may be encountered. On weekdays, you will seldom encounter other users.

We have a public water supply at our sawmill/headquarters areas. Water from springs or streams should be suitable for bathing but not for drinking or brushing teeth.

Camp fires are permitted. Please practice fire safety and be sure your fire is dead before leaving the site. Do not use a camp fire during extremely dry conditions.

No reservations are necessary, nor do we accept them. Facilities at the forest are on a first come basis.

You may wish to try other backpack opportunities at Stephens, Shimek or Loess Hills State Forests.

Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews
April 29 great park by the dog lady of harpers ferry
park review stars; one to five We have stayed in Little Paint campground and it is wonderful. No Elec or water but always clean.
March 24 Horseback Haven by Hadherway girls
park review stars; one to five Yellow River forest has great horse trails, and a very clean camp. Rilen (The DNR) is a great! He is respectful, and easy on the eyes. We always have a great time there!
May 28 My favorite camping place by Corely Washburn
park review stars; one to five I really love this park for camping, you can put your tent near enough to the creek to be lulled to sleep by the water rushing,there is plenty of wildlife to enjoy and lots of trout in the creek. If you really like to rough it this is the place for you. There is not any electical hook ups or water hook ups and most cell phones do not have signal in Little Paint Creek camping area!
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Area Campgrounds
Red Barn Resort & Campground
2609 Main Street Hwy 9 West
Lansing, IA
Area Accommodations (over 20 miles away)
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Hotels/Motels
You will feel right at home when you reach Carroll County, our corner of beautiful Northwest Illinois. The magnificent Mississippi River and outdoor spaces will refresh your spirit and touch our soul.
89.2 miles from park*

Directions
The Yellow River State Forest is located in northeastern Iowa, near the town of Harpers Ferry. To get there from Des Moines, follow I-35 N and take exit 194 for US-20 E toward Fort Dodge/Waterloo. Continue on US-20 E until you reach Exit 252B to merge onto IA-13 N/US Hwy 52 N towards Elkader/Marquette.

Follow IA-13 N/US Hwy 52N for approximately 50 miles until you reach Marquette. In Marquette, turn left onto Main Street and continue straight as it turns into Great River Road (IA Highway Dr). Follow this road along the Mississippi River for about six miles before turning right onto County Rd X56/Sugar Creek Drive.

Continue on Sugar Creek Drive for around eight miles before taking a slight left to stay on Sugar Creek Drive/Yellow Schoolhouse Road. After another two-mile drive, turn right at the sign indicating entrance into Yellow River State Forest.

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Iowa
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Iowa State Parks

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