Equestrian AlertsCheck DNR Website for Trail Closure Status
Equestrian trails may be closed for a period of time when rainfall or other natural events have created conditions that will cause the trails to degrade if further use is allowed. Once conditions improve, the trails will be re-opened. We cannot guarantee the status of the equestrian trails when a camping reservation is made and we cannot guarantee the status of the equestrian trails on your scheduled arrival date.
For current trail status information, campers should check the Alerts and Closures tab on the Iowa DNR website
or on the park office answering machine when making a last minute reservation or before leaving for the park for their camping stay.
Equestrian Trail Closure Policy for Campers with Reservations ONLY:
If trails have not yet closed, it is the responsibility of the camper to check the local weather forecast as well as current trail conditions and decide if they would like to camp, cancel, or change their reservation prior to trails closing.
The following options are for when trails are OPEN:
To cancel your reservation, you must do so 2 days prior to arrival.
(Cancel fees apply, see cancellation policy below)
To change your reservation, you must do so 4 days prior to arrival.
(Change fees apply, see change policy below)
The following options are for when trails are CLOSED:
When staff close the equestrian trails on the day of your arrival or the following day, here are your options:
You can go ahead and camp. Some parks have gravel trail options or roadways to ride, and if the forecast looks okay, the trails may reopen over your stay. Check with park staff at your destination.
You may cancel your reservation per the standard cancellation policy (including forfeiture of 1 or 2 nights camping fees, see the cancellation policy below).
You may change your reservation to a different arrival date AND different park, or you may change your arrival date for the same park as your original reservation. The 4 day window will be disregarded and there will only be a change fee of $6.50 (see change policy below). Only equestrian campers will be allowed to change the day of arrival or the following day, when the trails are closed on those days.
YOU WILL BE CONTACTED IF YOUR RESERVATION IS AFFECTED BY TRAIL CLOSURES AND GIVEN OPTIONS AS MENTIONED ABOVE.
The standard cancellation policy applies to ALL reservations, including equestrian campers.
Generator Use: Yellow River State Forest campgrounds are sought out for their quiet and solitude. To maintain this atmosphere, all sites are non-electric and generators are only allowed from 6:00 am to 10:30 pm. Generators must be turned off at 10:30 p.m. when quiet hours begin. Visitors should be aware that there is no exception for CPAP machines. Visitors who rely on CPAP machines should bring alternate means of power such as a portable power station, lithium-ion portable battery, solar power, or a travel CPAP machine. Units can also be powered by an inverter, Dewalt currently markets an inverter powered by a 20 volt battery and is readily available.
If these alternatives are not acceptable, then we ask you to please camp at another location that provides electricity. Campgrounds in the vicinity with electric sites include Pikes Peak State Park and Volga River State Recreation Area.
Check DNR Website for Trail Closure Status
Equestrian trails may be closed for a period of time when rainfall or other natural events have created conditions that will cause the trails to degrade if further use is allowed. Once conditions improve, the trails will be re-opened. We cannot guarantee the status of the equestrian trails when a camping reservation is made and we cannot guarantee the status of the equestrian trails on your scheduled arrival date.
For current trail status information, campers should check the Alerts and Closures tab on theIowa DNR website
or on the park office answering machine when making a last minute reservation or before leaving for the park for their camping stay.
Equestrian Trail Closure Policy for Campers with Reservations ONLY:
If trails have not yet closed, it is the responsibility of the camper to check the local weather forecast as well as current trail conditions and decide if they would like to camp, cancel, or change their reservation prior to trails closing.
The following options are for when trails are OPEN:
To cancel your reservation, you must do so 2 days prior to arrival.
(Cancel fees apply, see cancellation policy below)
To change your reservation, you must do so 4 days prior to arrival.
(Change fees apply, see change policy below)
The following options are for when trails are CLOSED:
When staff close the equestrian trails on the day of your arrival or the following day, here are your options:
You can go ahead and camp. Some parks have gravel trail options or roadways to ride, and if the forecast looks okay, the trails may reopen over your stay. Check with park staff at your destination.
You may cancel your reservation per the standard cancellation policy (including forfeiture of 1 or 2 nights camping fees, see the cancellation policy below).
You may change your reservation to a different arrival date AND different park, or you may change your arrival date for the same park as your original reservation. The 4 day window will be disregarded and there will only be a change fee of $6.50 (see change policy below). Only equestrian campers will be allowed to change the day of arrival or the following day, when the trails are closed on those days.
YOU WILL BE CONTACTED IF YOUR RESERVATION IS AFFECTED BY TRAIL CLOSURES AND GIVEN OPTIONS AS MENTIONED ABOVE.
The standard cancellation policy applies to ALL reservations, including equestrian campers.
Vacating Campsite: By making a reservation, you are agreeing to vacate the site and remove all of your property prior to the end of your reservation. You understand and agree that failure to do so may result in your vehicle being towed and impounded at any time after your reservation has ended so that other guests may enjoy the site.
Firewood is available for purchase near the sawmill area. Campers may also collect dead and downed wood in the forest for campfires by hand and/or folding saws. Chainsaws are strictly prohibited for gathering wood for campfires.
Check DNR Website for Trail Closure Status
Equestrian trails may be closed for a period of time when rainfall or other natural events have created conditions that will cause the trails to degrade if further use is allowed. Once conditions improve, the trails will be re-opened. We cannot guarantee the status of the equestrian trails when a camping reservation is made and we cannot guarantee the status of the equestrian trails on your scheduled arrival date.
For current trail status information, campers should check the Alerts and Closures tab on the Iowa DNR website
or on the park office answering machine when making a last minute reservation or before leaving for the park for their camping stay.
Equestrian Trail Closure Policy for Campers with Reservations ONLY:
If trails have not yet closed, it is the responsibility of the camper to check the local weather forecast as well as current trail conditions and decide if they would like to camp, cancel, or change their reservation prior to trails closing.
The following options are for when trails are OPEN:
To cancel your reservation, you must do so 2 days prior to arrival.
(Cancel fees apply, see cancellation policy below)
To change your reservation, you must do so 4 days prior to arrival.
(Change fees apply, see change policy below)
The following options are for when trails are CLOSED:
When staff close the equestrian trails on the day of your arrival or the following day, here are your options:
You can go ahead and camp. Some parks have gravel trail options or roadways to ride, and if the forecast looks okay, the trails may reopen over your stay. Check with park staff at your destination.
You may cancel your reservation per the standard cancellation policy (including forfeiture of 1 or 2 nights camping fees, see the cancellation policy below).
You may change your reservation to a different arrival date AND different park, or you may change your arrival date for the same park as your original reservation. The 4 day window will be disregarded and there will only be a change fee of $5 (see change policy below). Only equestrian campers will be allowed to change the day of arrival or the following day, when the trails are closed on those days.
YOU WILL BE CONTACTED IF YOUR RESERVATION IS AFFECTED BY TRAIL CLOSURES AND GIVEN OPTIONS AS MENTIONED ABOVE.
The standard cancellation policy applies to ALL reservations, including equestrian campers.
Emerald ash borer (EAB) has been confirmed in a number of counties throughout Iowa. As a result, the entire state of Iowa is now under state and federal firewood transport quarantines. It is in direct violation of the federal quarantine to transport firewood from a quarantined area into a non-quarantined area. Park visitors are cautioned not to transport firewood across county lines in Iowa or across state lines since the movement of firewood throughout Iowa or to other states poses the greatest threat to quickly spread EAB even further. Do your part to help prevent the spread of EAB and other woodland pests. Please consider buying firewood locally near the park you are visiting and burn it all during your stay. For more information about EAB and the federal firewood transport quarantine, visit: Iowa DNR website.
Cancellation Policy: Cancellation fee of $6 for online cancellations or $7 for call center cancellations applies for all cancellations. Cancellations the day before arrival will result in a forfeiture of one night's camping fee plus the cancellation fee. Cancellations on the arrival date will result in a forfeiture of two night's camping plus the cancellation fee.
Note: The arrival date cannot be changed to a later date without losing the entire reservation when the departure date remains the same. However, the arrival date can be changed to an earlier date If the arrival and departure dates of the entire reservation change, that is allowed.
Change Policy: A fee of $5 for each reservation changed online and $6.50 for each reservation changed through the call center. The last day to change a reservation is 4 days prior to arrival if paying by credit/debit card and 21 days prior to arrival if paying by check.
Reservation Fee Policy: A nonrefundable reservation fee is charged for each reservation. The reservation fee is $4.50 for online or $6 for call center reservations.
Rates subject to change; if reservation changes are made, new rates will apply.
Reservation Website: iowastateparks.reserveamerica.com
Reservation Call Center: 1-877-427-2757
Footnotes: (applicable only where specifically marked above)
** Arrival dates earlier than the online-reservation-window may also be available at the campground.
Some sites may be available only from the campground on a first-come-first-served basis.