Big Paint Campground, near Harpers Ferry, Iowa, is a charming spot tucked away in the Yellow River State Forest, perfect for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle. This campground offers a mix of tent, RV, and cabin accommodations, making it a versatile choice for different camping styles.

The sites here are mostly grassy and come equipped with picnic tables and fire rings, ideal for evening gatherings. Visitors have noted the peaceful atmosphere, with quiet nights that allow for a true connection with nature. As one camper shared, “Everyone was very friendly. Helpful. Nights were quiet. Very relaxing.” 

For outdoor enthusiasts, the surrounding area boasts beautiful hiking trails and stunning lookout points that showcase the lush scenery. The nearby river provides opportunities for fishing and exploring, while the campground itself is a great base for adventures. Some campers have enjoyed the colorful bird life and the chance to hike to various lookouts, including Iowa's only fire tower.

While amenities are basic, with pit toilets and no showers, the charm of Big Paint lies in its simplicity and natural beauty. If you're looking for a peaceful retreat with access to outdoor activities, this campground is a solid choice. Just remember to bring your own drinking water and firewood, as those aren’t provided on-site.

Yellow River State Forest in northeast Iowa is home to stunning views, beautiful woodlands, and meandering trout streams. Nestled in Iowa’s driftless area in Allamakee County, Yellow River offers numerous outdoor recreation opportunities including camping, equestrian riding, hiking, mountain biking, fishing, hunting, and more. Yellow River State Forest was first established in 1935 by the Civilian Conservation Corp and is home to Iowa’s only fire tower, built in 1963. Today, the forest is managed for numerous natural resource benefits and recreational opportunities.

Big Paint campgrounds are non-modern with vault toilets. Drinking water is available near the office complex. Advance campsite reservations are recommended and can be made through the park reservation system, and one-quarter of the campsites are available for self-registration on a first-come first-served basis.

Big Paint Campground — Yellow River State Forest

Waterville, IA is a great camping destination for adventurers of all types. There's so much to see and do, from exhilarating hikes or bike rides to exploring the local dining and shopping. You're sure to find the perfect campground for your Waterville camping trip.

Waterville

The Best Camping Near Waterville, Iowa

Went here with extended family for a long weekend away and it was great.  The campground was pretty busy, but we felt comfortable with the seclusion of our sites. It is a primitive campground.  There were walk-in in campsites available too which we decided we would try if/when we come back again since they are a bit more secluded and private.  

big paint campground

Great weeknight/off-season spot

We stumbled across this campground when looking for a weekend getaway from Chicago, and wow, what a great find.  Hilly, much hillier than you'd expect in the midwest, with beautiful river views.  The campground was nice with private sites and clean bathrooms.  Great trails, and interesting cultural sites nearby (indian mounds, Field of Dreams, etc.)  Awesome weekend destination. 

Awesome campground, surprising gem not far from Chicago

This review is for Yellow River State Forest's Big Paint Campground which consists of sites 35 through 61\. Big Paint is a couple miles from Little Paint, a larger campground with 70+ sites. There are two equestrian campgrounds (Creekside and Little Frontier with sites numbered 1 through 34) as well as hike in campgrounds for backpackers. A photo of an area map is included.

**Why did we choose Big Paint instead of Little Paint?**

It's smaller and that's just our personal preference. There were only 4 sites occupied early Friday afternoon and a few more were reserved. We liked site 35, the first site on the left as you enter. This site is like being in a garden with trees and flowers surrounding the site. It had rained and more rain was coming, so the gravel parking pad on #35 was appealing. Most of the sites are completely on the grass.

**Activities**

Stocked trout streams are an attraction for fishermen; see photo of stocking calendar. We enjoyed hiking despite the mosquitoes and humidity in August and were able to make a 5+ mile loop leaving from the campground. You can also hike from Little Paint, and there are equestrian trails. This would also be a good area for X-country skiing and snowmobiling. A photo of the trail map is included. Caution: hunting is allowed in the non-campground area of the state forest.

**Amenities**

Each site has a picnic table and fire ring. Other than that, you can dispose of your trash and use a vault toilet. There's water at the information center (and a camp host site) outside the campground about 100 yards to the left.

**Cost**

You're not getting much (and that's not a bad thing) so the $9 fee seems fair. Pay up front at the entrance station, or make a reservation online at last 2 days ahead of time (and pay a reservation fee). There are 7 non-reservable sites at Big Paint. I doubt that Big Paint fills up; just check the reservation site to see if they get crowded.

https://iowastateparks.reserveamerica.com/camping/yellow-river-state-forest/r/campsiteSearch.do?search=site&amp;page=siteresult&amp;contractCode=IA&amp;parkId=610130

Small campground has nearby hiking and fishing

Many different trails for hiking, biking or equestrian. Camp sites are mostly grass. Beautiful park

Beautiful Park

This is a beautiful campground seated in a valley surrounded by amazing hills. There is minimal phone service. That means you get to absorb nature. 

Camping in a valley 

The campground name is called big paint. The location is very nice, right next to the river. I wouldn't exactly call it a river though. It's nice and quiet, and very nice trail runs through it as well. The only thing is the sites are very close together

Location

We stayed at the Big Paint Campground and had a nice time. The sites there are pretty spacious and level, but they don't feel very private because this campground is essentially just an open field with line of sight to all other campsites. Still, it was a lovely place with nice trails and great river access. There are also some breathtaking lookout points to see the countryside. 

We drove through Little Paint Campground and many of those sites were pretty small and crowded, but again, the river access and the views made it a pleasant stay. Nearby Harper's Ferry is a neat little town, so be sure to visit there!

Busy but beautiful 

Sites are primitive with tables, fire rings/grates, pit toilets, self registration, ice/wood available across road at visitors station. Cell service is possible at times .

Nice smaller primitive CG along Big Paint

Came to learn more about Tenkara fly fishing. Had a ball.
Visited the 3 lookouts including Iowa only Fire tower. 
Bird life is colorful. Lots of places to hike.
Scenery is lush. 
I had no phone service.
Campsites are well mown, have a picnic table and fire ring. 
Pit toilets.
Easy access to water.
Drink water and firewood are at the host A frame. There is no dump site.
Everyone was very friendly. Helpful. Nights were quiet. Very relaxing.



Dream stay.

Was very thankful to find a place to overnight in mid-November.  Not a lot of free parking options in this part of Iowa.  No water, electric, or dump station, so very much like a parking lot overnight from that perspective.  However, the park is situated on the valley bottom of the Yellow River Forest with beautiful tall trees, and there are fire rings.  Fee was $12.  First come first served basis from November through March. 

Good late season option for the self-contained camper

Going in knowing that there were pit toilets and no potable water, I did not have high expectations for this campsite. I was pleasantly surprised to find it very well maintained with spacious sites. 

Photos of Big Paint Campground — Yellow River State Forest

Real photos from real campers