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Little Paint Campground — Yellow River State Forest

4 ReviewsAdd Review

Trout fishing enthusiasts will find direct access to stocked waters at Little Paint Campground, where sites line the banks of Little Paint Creek within Yellow River State Forest. The campground operates as a primitive facility with pit toilets and fire rings, though the posted water sources are marked as non-potable. Most sites accommodate RVs despite the lack of electric hookups, with ample spacing between neighboring spots.

The creek runs cold year-round and draws both fly fishermen and spinner anglers to its accessible pools, including one handicap-accessible fishing area. Kerry M. notes the stream "is excellent for beginners" and "is stocked." Weekend visits tend to be busier, particularly when the fish stocking truck arrives. The valley location provides natural cooling, with shaded sites offering relief during summer months.

Cell phone coverage requires driving uphill toward the small church outside the forest boundaries. Campers can explore hiking and equestrian trails throughout the state forest, with the nearby effigy mounds adding historical interest to the area. For broader exploration, campsites near Yellow River State Forest include additional primitive and equestrian options. Self-registration operates on-site, with some sites accepting reservations through the state forest system.

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Warning 4 Alerts are In Effect

There are 4 alerts for this campground. Camp safely!

The Big Paint, Creekside, and Frontier campgrounds and campsites 93 - 118 in the Little Paint campground will be closed starting the Friday after Thanksgiving - March 31.

All four campgrounds are 100 percent reservable and accepts reservations April 1 - October 31 until 10 pm CST the day of arrival. Exception: Little Paint Campground sites 60 - 92 are open year round.

If you are unable to reserve a cabin online because the reservation window has closed, you must call the park office at 563-586-2254 regarding cabin availability. All last minute cabin rentals must be a minimum of 2 nights, are handled by park staff and must be done prior to arriving at the park.

Effective, May 8 and 9, 2026, The Friends of YRSF, will be hosting their annual Trail Run Series. The trails will be used on May 8, from 5:00pm to 8:00 pm. On May 9, the trails will be used from 7:00am to 11:00am, and the 1/2 marathon will pass through Creekside Campground.

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Location

Public Campground

Little Paint Campground — Yellow River State Forest is located in Iowa

Detail location of campground

Directions

The entrance to Yellow River State Forest is located on Hwy 76. The forest is located 15 miles north of Marquette on Hwy. 76. The entrance will be on the right side of the road. This road is called State Forest Road or B25. If traveling from the north the entrance is located 10 miles south of Waukon on Hwy 76. The entrance of the forest from Waukon will be on the left. There is also an alternative entrance located west of Harpers Ferry approximately. 2 miles from town on county road X42, again look for State Forest Road or B25 on the left side of X42. DO NOT TAKE THE DONAHUE ROAD ENTRANCE THIS ROAD IS A LEVEL B ROAD.

Address

729 State Forest Road
Harpers Ferry, IA 52146

Coordinates

43.18123343731314 N
91.2327423345058 W

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Connectivity

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    Last on 5/3/26
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Connectivity

Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoors
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon
    No Coverage
    Verified by 1 user
    Last on 5/3/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T
    No Coverage

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Group

Features

For Campers

  • Picnic Table
  • Reservable
  • Electric Hookups
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Sewer Hookups
  • Water Hookups
  • 30 Amp Hookups
  • 50 Amp Hookups

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out of 5

4 Reviews

Many campers appreciated the spacious, shaded sites and excellent trout fishing access at this primitive campground. Basic facilities and $9 pricing provide good value, though expect no electric hookups and limited cell service in the valley location.

James M.The Dyrt PRO User
Reviewed Jul. 26, 2022

Great State Forest CG with trout streams

Stayed in 2 primitive tent sites: table, fire ring, shaded. Great sites for hat are all within walking to stocked trout streams! CG is in valley, cooled air, shaded, cold water streams to cool off. Pit toilets, trash bins, self registration with some sites reservable.

Site111 & 76
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Little Paint Campground — Yellow River State Forest by James M., July 26, 2022
  • Review photo of Little Paint Campground — Yellow River State Forest by James M., July 26, 2022
  • Review photo of Little Paint Campground — Yellow River State Forest by James M., July 26, 2022
  • (19) View All
Kerry M.
Reviewed Aug. 20, 2021

Nice state forest with trout fishing

Iowa only has a few state forests and this one has something the others do not... trout fishing.

There are actually three campgrounds in YRSF... one on Little Paint Creek, one equestrian campground on Little Paint Creek, and a campground on Paint Creek. I have stayed at both non-equestrian campgrounds multiple times. All of them, including the equestrian, have easy access to trout fishing. All are primitive - non-electric.

Little Paint Creek:

This is the larger of the two non-equestrian campgrounds. While there are no electric sites, there are many sites suitable for a small to large RV or camper. I generally camp in a tent here. Most of the sites are large with plenty of space between adjacent sites. Many are right next to the trout stream. This trout stream is excellent for beginners. It is stocked, and there are multiple pools that are easily accessible with one that is handicap accessible. The stream can get busy when the stock truck arrives. It is popular with fly fisherman as well as spinners and power-bait. The campsite itself is usually pretty quiet. There are several pit toilets available.

Paint Creek:

This is my favorite of the two sites and I have camped many nights here, mostly in a tent but once in a small camper. The trout stream is bigger than Little Paint and offers more challenging fishing. Fly fishing seems to be most successful but I catch most of my trout on an ultralight spinner rig. The campsite itself is usually pretty quiet and not very busy, but it can get more busy during Iowa deer season. There are two pit toilets available.

I have stayed in these campsites in spring and autumn months.

Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Little Paint Campground — Yellow River State Forest by Kerry M., August 20, 2021
  • Review photo of Little Paint Campground — Yellow River State Forest by Kerry M., August 20, 2021
  • Review photo of Little Paint Campground — Yellow River State Forest by Kerry M., August 20, 2021
  • (4) View All
Judy B.The Dyrt PRO User
Reviewed May. 21, 2021

A nice surprise in NE Iowa

This was a quick stopover so I can't comment on the park overall.  It is nestled in the woods not far from the Indian Mounds area in Iowa.  I stayed at Little Paint Campground.  There are pit toilets, but the water said not for drinking.  A small river runs by the camp.  The park has hiking and equestrian trails.  There wasn't cellphone service at the campground, I had to drive out of the park and up the hill by the small church to get reception.  Water is available as you enter the park on the right side by the information stand.

Site#85
Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Little Paint Campground — Yellow River State Forest by Judy B., May 21, 2021
  • Review photo of Little Paint Campground — Yellow River State Forest by Judy B., May 21, 2021
  • Review photo of Little Paint Campground — Yellow River State Forest by Judy B., May 21, 2021
T
Reviewed Jul. 2, 2016

Little paint

The campground runs next to a trout stream and can be busy on weekends but with fishing, hiking, horse trails, the only setback is its primitive but being in the valley and near effigy mounds it's a winner at 9$ a night.

Showing results 1-4 of 4 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there hiking trails near Little Paint Campground?

Yes, there are excellent hiking trails near Little Paint Campground in Yellow River State Forest. The forest offers an extensive network of trails that wind through the scenic wooded areas. These paths provide various difficulty levels and distances for both casual walkers and serious hikers. The trails offer beautiful views of the forest landscape and opportunities to explore the natural environment. The campground's location in a valley makes it an ideal starting point for hiking adventures, with many trails accessible directly from the camping area.

How do I find Little Paint Campground in Yellow River State Forest?

Little Paint Campground is located in Yellow River State Forest near Harpers Ferry, Iowa. The campground is situated in a valley within the forest, not far from the Effigy Mounds National Monument area. It's one of three campgrounds in the state forest, specifically located along Little Paint Creek. When navigating to the campground, look for signs directing you to Yellow River State Forest and then follow the indicators for Little Paint Campground. The location offers a secluded forest setting while still being relatively accessible from nearby towns.

Does Yellow River State Forest offer cabin rentals near Little Paint Campground?

Yellow River State Forest does not offer cabin rentals near Little Paint Campground. The camping options in the forest are primarily primitive tent sites and basic campgrounds. The forest contains three main camping areas: Little Paint Campground, an equestrian campground on Little Paint Creek, and a campground on Paint Creek. If you're seeking accommodations beyond tent camping, you'll need to look outside the state forest boundaries. For those wanting to experience this beautiful area while having more amenities, consider nearby towns for alternative lodging options.

What amenities are available at Little Paint Campground in Yellow River State Forest?

Little Paint Campground is a primitive camping area that offers basic amenities including picnic tables, fire rings, and pit toilets. The campground provides trash bins and self-registration for campsites. While there is water available, it's not designated for drinking purposes, so campers should bring their own potable water. The campground is nestled in a shaded area along a creek, offering a cool environment even during warmer months. At approximately $9 per night, this affordable primitive campground is ideal for those seeking a more rustic outdoor experience with essential facilities.

Is Little Paint Creek good for fishing near the campground?

Little Paint Creek is excellent for fishing and runs right next to the campground, making it exceptionally convenient for anglers. The creek is stocked with trout, offering prime trout fishing opportunities that are relatively rare in Iowa. This feature makes Yellow River State Forest particularly special among Iowa's state forests. The cold water streams provide an ideal habitat for fish and can also serve as a refreshing spot to cool off during warm weather. For fishing enthusiasts, the immediate access to a stocked trout stream directly from the campground is a significant attraction.

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