Yellow River State Forest manages a handful of backcountry camps along its trail network, and Camp Glen Wendel sits roughly a mile in from the Paint Creek area headquarters, reached via a hike-in approach that keeps drive-up traffic out entirely. The forest here is dense, with James M. noting "wonderful stands of coniferous trees" and a small pond adjacent to the second site in the cluster. Sites include fire rings and benches, though spacing and size vary from one to the next.
The terrain runs through forested hollows and up to higher ridgelines, and campers who push onto the upper trails find open sightlines across the surrounding hills. Wildlife is consistent throughout the warmer months. One reviewer documented hundreds of Hackberry Emperor butterflies on a July morning, while others have spotted oyster mushrooms growing along the route. The low-lying areas near creek drainages can soften quickly after rain, so site selection matters when storms are in the forecast.
Crowd patterns here lean light. Multiple visitors report going entire trips without encountering other parties, though the low nightly fee has historically drawn enough interest that sites can fill during peak weekends. Potable water is available at the headquarters near the registration kiosk, not at the camp itself, so arriving with a full supply is worth planning for. Campfires are permitted, and dogs are welcome on the trails and at camp.
Hunters use the forest during applicable seasons, which is worth noting for fall trip planning. The trail network also connects to other campgrounds around Yellow River State Forest, including Big Paint Campground — Yellow River State Forest and Fire Tower Cabin — Yellow River State Forest, giving backpackers the option to string together multi-night loops across the area. Campers who want to use Glen Wendel as a gear-testing ground before a longer trip will find the distance and terrain a reasonable warmup.
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.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsCamp Glen Wendel Primitive Backcountry is located in Iowa near Waterville
Public CampgroundCoordinates
43.16566159980247 N
91.259792376559 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo Coverage
VerizonLTESome Coverage- AT&TNo Coverage
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonLTESome Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Access
- Hike-InBackcountry sites.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Pets
- Fires
Contact
General Info
Reservations
Drive Time
- 1 hr 8 min from La Crosse, WI
- 1 hr 23 min from Dubuque, IA
- 1 hr 45 min from Rochester, MN
- 1 hr 47 min from Waterloo, IA
