Yellow River State Forest

Paint Creek Unit is the largest at 5,237 acres and is located 15 miles north of Marquette on State Hwy 76. Look for the brown signs and turn right onto B25 (State Forest Road). This unit offers most of the outdoor recreation opportunities at Yellow River including several campgrounds, marked hiking trails, mountain biking and equestrian trails, trout streams and more.

Paint Rock Unit is 864 acres and located 3 miles south of Harpers Ferry on the west side of the Great River Road (Hwy 364). Parking is available here or continue another mile and turn left onto Paint Rock Road, with parking available on the right side. Paint Rock has 8 miles of hiking-only trails, along with a backpack camping area with three sites.

Explore more than 8,900 acres across the six units that comprise Yellow River State Forest. State forest trails and amenities are often less developed and provide a more rugged outdoor experience. Please take this into account and plan accordingly.

Luster Heights Unit is 770 acres and is 5 miles south of Harpers Ferry on the Great River Road (Hwy 364) on the east side of the road. Turn onto Luster Height Road; there is a parking lot 1 mile on the left. This unit has 3 miles of maintained hiking/mountain bike trails with two overlooks of the Mississippi River. In the winter time this trail system is groomed for cross country skiing.

Hike and mountain bike on more than 50 miles of multi-purpose trails throughout the forest. Named one of Outside magazine’s Top 50 hiking spots, Yellow River is a popular destination for hikers of all experience levels who want to explore scenic overlooks, mature timber and other natural wonders. More than 40 miles of trails are marked and maintained in the Paint Creek Unit for easier navigation. Trails are also accessible and well maintained for equestrian use. In the winter, trails are groomed at the Luster Heights unit. Snowmobiling is also a popular winter trail activity.

Yellow River Unit is 1,227 acres and located south of Hwy. 76, 10 miles north of Marquette. Take a left onto Ion Rd (gravel) and at the bottom of the hill before you go over the bridge turn right onto Old Mission Drive. Follow this road until it dead ends. This unit features a canoe launch and take out point on the Yellow River.

Mudhen Unit is 196 acres and consists of islands in the Mississippi River. This area is only accessible by boat.

Fish along seven miles of trout streams within the forest. Little Paint and Paint creeks wind along rugged rock outcrops and steep forested valleys. The creeks are stocked with rainbow and brook trout, and also support naturally producing brown trout. Anglers can also fish marshy areas for bass and panfish.