Yellow River State Forest offers prime equestrian camping near Calmar, Iowa with terrain that rises up to 400 feet above the Yellow River valley floor. The forest spans over 8,500 acres of diverse landscape including hardwood forests, limestone bluffs, and cold water streams. Winter temperatures can drop below 0°F while summer highs typically reach the mid-80s with moderate humidity levels.
What to do
Trout fishing spots: Yellow River State Forest has several well-stocked trout streams for anglers. "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," notes Tori L., who visited Big Paint Campground to learn more about Tenkara fly fishing.
Hiking trails: Miles of trails ranging from easy to difficult wind through the state forest area. "The extensive trail network winds through Yellow River State Forest, offering varied terrain and scenic overlooks," with many trails accessible directly from the campgrounds. Wyalusing State Park across the border in Wisconsin offers additional trail options. "There are miles of great hiking trails and two trails for mountain biking. While the trails to Big and Little Sand caves are lovely, they are also heavily trafficked," reports Josh F.
Historic sites: Visit nearby attractions like Effigy Mounds National Monument. "A very nice park located close to the Iowa border. Close to Effigy Mounds & Pikes Peak! It has great trails & campsites & lots of geocaching!" mentions Holly M. The area contains numerous Native American burial mounds and historic settlements worth exploring.
What campers like
Natural isolation: Lake Louise State Park offers peaceful camping about an hour from Calmar. "This campground is quiet - only a handful of sites in a loop. You aren't completely isolated from your neighbors, but it's also not completely wide open," says Lacey F. The feeling of seclusion is common throughout the region's campgrounds.
Wildlife viewing: The area supports diverse bird populations and woodland creatures. "Several species of birds I don't recognize kept us entertained the whole time," writes Benjamin about their stay at Lake Louise State Park. Deer are commonly spotted along trails throughout the region, especially during early morning and evening hours.
Changing seasons: Fall colors transform the landscape dramatically. "We come here every year, our favorite state park. Some sites are right on the bluff. Amazing views of the trees changing colors in the fall," shares angie S. about Wyalusing State Park. Spring brings wildflowers while summer offers full canopy coverage for shaded camping.
What you should know
Limited services: Many campgrounds in the area have basic amenities only. At Big Paint Campground, "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," reports Tamsyn K.
Cell service limitations: Reception can be spotty throughout the area. "We had no phone service," mentions Tori L. about Big Paint Campground. Most campgrounds in the region have limited or no cell coverage due to the hilly terrain, so plan communications accordingly.
Weather considerations: The region experiences significant seasonal temperature variations. "Took my 5 year old son camping here in early April of 2024 and it was fun... It was a colder night as we camped in 30 degree weather and freezing rain came into our campground. This along with the wind made our situation feel pretty cold," writes Connor M. about his spring camping experience.
Tips for camping with families
Beginner-friendly horseback options: Maple Springs Campground offers family-friendly equestrian camping sites near Calmar. "The sites have water and electric. There are high ties for the horses. The sites have a nice gravel pad with a picnic table and fire ring at each site," reports Jen M., who appreciates the campground's proximity to trail riding opportunities.
Group camping areas: Some parks offer designated sites for larger family gatherings. "Our group of 12 stayed at one of the two group sites at Lake Louise State Park. Our site holds up to 30 and the neighboring site holds up to 50. Our site was a beautiful spot with large shade trees, three picnic tables and two fire pits," shares Steph H.
Educational opportunities: Some parks offer nature programs for children. "The nature program was great for our son who was 2 at the time," notes Jennifer B. about her family's experience. Check with individual park offices for scheduled interpretive programs during your planned visit.
Tips from RVers
Electrical hookups: Backbone State Park offers suitable sites for RVs. "Great shady spots - register on line - clean bathrooms and showers - no full hook ups - must fill water tanks before parking and 30/50 power available," advises Edward B. Most campgrounds in the area offer electric sites but full hookups are limited.
Site selection considerations: Research specific site dimensions before booking. "I am a car camper with no interest in (E) electric sites, so I did not pay attention nor note good ones. I prefer the silence and relative darkness that non-E sites provide," explains Josh F. about his preferences at Wyalusing State Park.
Late season options: Some campgrounds remain open when others close. "Was very thankful to find a place to overnight in mid-November. Not a lot of free parking options in this part of Iowa," writes Stuart O. about Big Paint Campground, noting that sites there are available on a first-come, first-served basis from November through March.
