Camp Glen Wendel Primitive Backcountry — Yellow River State Forest

Yellow River State Forest is in northeast Iowa in Allamakee County, near Harpers Ferry. The forest headquarters and recreation facilities are on County Highway B25, about 4 miles southeast of Waterville or 3 miles west of Harpers Ferry.

The forest offers camping, equestrian riding, hiking, mountain biking, fishing, hunting, kayaking, cross-country skiing in winter, and snowmobiling.

Camping is available in the Paint Creek Unit at Little Paint campground, Big Paint campground, Creekside equestrian campground, and Frontier equestrian campground. The forest also has five back-packing areas and a primitive Ridgetop campsite for paddlers.

The main campgrounds are non-modern and have vault toilets, with drinking water available near the office complex. The rustic camping cabin has electricity, heating, appliances, porches, and a nearby outdoor water hydrant and vault toilet, but no running water or modern restrooms. Some primitive sites do not have restroom facilities.

The forest is managed as a more rugged outdoor area, so visitors should plan accordingly. Chainsaws are prohibited, firewood may be gathered only if it is down and dead using hand saws, and felling trees is not allowed. Backpacking sites are carry-in, carry-out.