The Backpack Trail

Hike Name: The Backpack Trail Location: northeast IA Length: 25 Submitted by: Randy Anderson Date Submitted: 0/0/00 Rating:	more Iowa trail reviews Iowa national parks Iowa state parks
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Description
The trail covers 25 miles of the most rugged land in Iowa. The total elevation change is only 300 to 400 feet but you will get plenty of exercise as you cover that 300 to 400 over and over again.
The terrain is very diverse. On the trail you will walk through heavily forested woods and open meadows as you pass cornfields and sandstone cliffs.
You can camp along the trail in four different places. Hefferns Hill and Browns Hollow are hike-in only campgrounds and are set-up with a couple of firepits at each campground. Big and Little Paint campgrounds are car campgrounds but are also located along the trail.
The trail is great for hikers of all skill and fitness levels as you can modify how far you want to hike based on where you park in the forest. There are many place to park where you can access the trail. This is especially attractive if you are hiking with young children as I often do.
The forest is mixed with both conifer and hardwood such as oak, hickory and maple.
The wildlife in the park consists of deer, fox, coyotes Squirrels,Owls,eagles, hawks and many other species.
This is a great hiking trail so get out and enjoy the 8000 acres of Yellow River State Forest and the Backpack Trail.Maps are located at the park or you can obtain them by contacting the forest ranger.

Directions to Hike
Nine miles north of Marquette, Iowa just off of Hwy 76. The trail is located in the Yellow River State Forest.

Contact Information
Yellow River State Forest
729 State Forest Rd.
Harpers Ferry, Ia 52146
(319)586-2254
(319)586-2548

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