4.59122 reviews
Select a month, then check for open campsites
Price
$6 - $12/night
Booking
Reservable
Sites
79 campsites
Season
Year-round
Cell
No Service
Pets
Very Pet Friendly
Select a month, then check for open campsites
Price
$6 - $12/night
Booking
Reservable
Sites
79 campsites
Season
Year-round
Cell
No Service
Pets
Very Pet Friendly
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Learn more about alerts →Yellow River State Forest
729 State Forest Road, Harpers Ferry, Iowa, 52146, United States
Hikers, backpackers, and trout anglers who can go fully off-grid will get the most out of this place. Fall is the standout season, with cool temps and hardwood color on the bluff-top overlooks. Horse campers with big rigs fit at Creekside and Frontier, which handle setups up to 1
No showers, no electric hookups, no cell service, and water only at a central tap near Big Paint mean this isn't comfortable camping for everyone. Generators reportedly run past 11 PM in primitive areas, and Memorial Day weekend crowds kill the solitude the rest of the year deliv
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Fall offers the most striking scenery and the most comfortable weather. Expect crisp days in the 45–65°F range and cool nights, perfect for hiking, biking, and photography among peak hardwood color from mid-September through October. Trails are drier and bugs are minimal, so wildlife viewing and bluff-top vistas are at their best, while trout streams remain scenic for riverside walks. Weekend crowds increase in peak color weeks but remain manageable on weekday visits. Be aware of deer hunting activity in the fall. Winter brings dry, crystalline conditions suited to snow sports. Spring warms gradually with rain, and summer delivers long days but also higher humidity and insect pressure.
Fall cited as most striking season with peak hardwood color and comfortable weather.
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Yellow River State Forest offers basic amenities suitable for primitive and equestrian campers. Visitors will find vault toilets at the campgrounds, and drinking water is available at the A-frame information center near Big Paint Campground, approximately four miles from Highway 76. The campgrounds include fire rings and picnic tables. There is no cell service or electricity, contributing to the off-grid experience.
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