Uploaded November 2022 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Join Miyagi and Trips as they explore Yellow River State Forest. Learn about the most beautiful area of Iowa to backpack along the bluffs of the Mississippi River. Stunning clifftop views, plus a visit to the little-known ancient American Indian effigy burial mounds within the park.
Learn More about Yellow River State Forest - iowadnr.gov/places-to-go/state-forests/yellow-river-state-forest
🔸🔸UNIT HIKING MAPS🔸🔸
✅ Paint Rock Unit - iowadnr.gov/portals/idnr/uploads/forests/maps/PaintRockUnitTrailMap.pdf
✅ Paint Creek Unit - iowadnr.gov/portals/idnr/uploads/forests/maps/PaintCreekUnitHikingTrails.pdf
✅ Luster Heights Unit - iowadnr.gov/portals/idnr/uploads/forests/maps/LusterHts.pdf
✅ Yellow River Unit - iowadnr.gov/Portals/idnr/uploads/forestry/YRSF/YRSFMap.pdf
✅ Yellow River State Forest Road Map - iowadnr.gov/Portals/idnr/uploads/forests/maps/YRSFRoadMap.pdf
✅ Campground Maps - iowadnr.gov/portals/idnr/uploads/parks/campgroundmaps/yellowrivercg.pdf?ver=mxJx_W4nsbtRvvjGmaYtnw%3d%3d.pdf
✏️ 📝 PLAN YOUR OWN ADVENTURE INTO THE BACKCOUNTRY 📝 ✏️
LEARN MORE ABOUT IOWA WITH THESE GREAT BOOKS & MAPS
THE AFFILIATE LINKS HELP SUPPORT THE CHANNEL
💗THANK YOU EVERYONE!💗
🔸🔸 IOWA HIKING BOOKS 🔸🔸
📗 Hiking Iowa - A Guide to Iowa's Greatest Hiking Adventures
amzn.to/3FXrIcx
📗 RAIL-TRAILS IOWA & MISSOURI: THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO THE STATE'S TOP MULTIUSE TRAILS
amzn.to/3lzCKbx
🥾🥾🥾 EQUIPMENT CORNER 🥾🥾🥾
Here are some links to excellent equipment that Trips and I use to explore the backcountry.
If you've got questions, leave them in the comments below and I'll be sure to get back to you quick.
✅ MIYAGI'S FAMOUS SHORTS
👖 Pudolla Running Shorts with Zippered Pockets - amzn.to/3NFQTSG
✅ LIGHTING
🔦 Headlamp Nitecore NU25 360 Lumen (White, Red, High CRI) Rechargeable - amzn.to/2OiXpBq
✅ HYDRATION
💧Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter - amzn.to/2tnEM87
💧Evernew Water Bag - amzn.to/2Swxsk8
💧Water Purification Tablets AquaTab - amzn.to/2GLuUrA
✅ FOOTWEAR / SOCKS / GAITERS / SNOWSHOES / MICROSPIKES / CRAMPONS
❄️ MSR Lightning Ascent Snowshoes (top rated 2019) - amzn.to/31iczfn
❄️ Chinook Trekker Snowshoes (best budget 2019) - amzn.to/31iVIsH
🧦 Alpaca Socks Made in USA - amzn.to/3ahHxdJ
🧦 Darn Tough Socks - amzn.to/2uYpEOI
🧦 Injinji 2.0 Outdoor Midweight Crew Nuwool Socks - amzn.to/2ScnHpV
🥾 Outdoor Research Men's Crocodile Gaiters - amzn.to/2SeNnSG
🥾 KEEN Men's Summit County Mid Calf Boot (comfortable to -10F) - amzn.to/2GLD5Er
🥾 Kahtoola MICROspikes Boot Traction System - amzn.to/2UkObIK
✅ ACTIVE LAYERING CLOTHES
👕 Mid-Layer Top, Microgrid Polartec Fleece Hoodie (active layering system) - amzn.to/2vED9U8
👕 Mid-Layer Top, Longsleeve Shirt Merino Wool (active layering system) - amzn.to/2tm48TI
👕 Base Layer Top - Merino Wool T-Shirt - amzn.to/3UfEaZ9
👖 Pants, Outdoor Research Trailbreaker II - amzn.to/31no19t
👖 Leggings Merino Wool - amzn.to/3hki1uk
👖 Underwear (mens), 100% Merino Wool - amzn.to/3fI56lq
👖 Underwear (womens) - amzn.to/3UyRurr
❄️ Merino Wool Neck Gaiter - amzn.to/3t9aaSQ
❄️ Balaclava Face Mask 100% Merino - amzn.to/3UdvQcz
✅ CAMP AND SLEEP CLOTHES
🧦 Sleep Socks, New Zealand Possumdown & Merino Wool Mix - amzn.to/2Ujadv7
🧤 Sleep Gloves, New Zealand Possumdown & Merino Wool Mix - amzn.to/36SbhJh
👕 Base Layer Top, Minus33 100% Merino Wool 705 MidWeight Crew Neck (sleep system) - amzn.to/383dt1G
👖 Base Layer Bottom, Minus33 100% Merino Wool 705 Midweight (sleep system) - amzn.to/2OlkNOp
✅ COOKING & COFFEE
☕️ GSI Outdoors Ultralight Java Drip Coffee - amzn.to/3aYUbg5
☕️ GSI Outdoors Infinity Backpacker Mug - amzn.to/2uSAFRV
🍳 TOAKS Light Titanium 550ml Pot (Ultralight Version) - amzn.to/2UjqjVS
🔥 TOAKS Titanium Wind Screen - amzn.to/2Sa0lBn
🔥 BRS-3000T Ultra-Light Titanium Gas Canister Stove (cheaper stove option) - amzn.to/2GNh1ti
🥄 TOAKS Titanium Long Handle Spoon - amzn.to/2ROsajC
🔥 Mini Bic Lighter (5-pack) - amzn.to/31j5Hyh
✅ CAMPFIRE TOOLS & ACCESSORIES
🔥 Epiphany Pocket Fire Bellows - amzn.to/2GJ2HSv
🪓 Hults Bruk Almike Small All Purpose Hatchet - amzn.to/390wPVl
🪓 Silky GomBoy Curve Professional Folding Saw 300mm amzn.to/37eK6eC
🪓 Agawa Canyon BOREAL21 Folding Bow Saw - amzn.to/2OoCDjQ
🔥 Fire Starter - amzn.to/2tq9OMC
🪑 Camp Chair (premium) - amzn.to/3b2Jzg4
🪑 Camp Chair (budget) - amzn.to/2uaTSOs
🪑 Seat Cushion / Insulator Thermarest Z-Seat - amzn.to/2OmrjEO
Join Miyagi and Trips as they explore Yellow River State Forest. Learn about the most beautiful area of Iowa to backpack along the bluffs of the Mississippi River. Stunning clifftop views, plus a visit to the little-known ancient American Indian effigy burial mounds within the park.
Learn More about Yellow River State Forest - iowadnr.gov/places-to-go/state-forests/yellow-river-state-forest
🔸🔸UNIT HIKING MAPS🔸🔸
✅ Paint Rock Unit - iowadnr.gov/portals/idnr/uploads/forests/maps/PaintRockUnitTrailMap.pdf
✅ Paint Creek Unit - iowadnr.gov/portals/idnr/uploads/forests/maps/PaintCreekUnitHikingTrails.pdf
✅ Luster Heights Unit - iowadnr.gov/portals/idnr/uploads/forests/maps/LusterHts.pdf
✅ Yellow River Unit - iowadnr.gov/Portals/idnr/uploads/forestry/YRSF/YRSFMap.pdf
✅ Yellow River State Forest Road Map - iowadnr.gov/Portals/idnr/uploads/forests/maps/YRSFRoadMap.pdf
✅ Campground Maps - iowadnr.gov/portals/idnr/uploads/parks/campgroundmaps/yellowrivercg.pdf?ver=mxJx_W4nsbtRvvjGmaYtnw%3d%3d.pdf
✏️ 📝 PLAN YOUR OWN ADVENTURE INTO THE BACKCOUNTRY 📝 ✏️
LEARN MORE ABOUT IOWA WITH THESE GREAT BOOKS & MAPS
THE AFFILIATE LINKS HELP SUPPORT THE CHANNEL
💗THANK YOU EVERYONE!💗
🔸🔸 IOWA HIKING BOOKS 🔸🔸
📗 Hiking Iowa - A Guide to Iowa's Greatest Hiking Adventures
amzn.to/3FXrIcx
📗 RAIL-TRAILS IOWA & MISSOURI: THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO THE STATE'S TOP MULTIUSE TRAILS
amzn.to/3lzCKbx
🥾🥾🥾 EQUIPMENT CORNER 🥾🥾🥾
Here are some links to excellent equipment that Trips and I use to explore the backcountry.
If you've got questions, leave them in the comments below and I'll be sure to get back to you quick.
✅ MIYAGI'S FAMOUS SHORTS
👖 Pudolla Running Shorts with Zippered Pockets - amzn.to/3NFQTSG
✅ LIGHTING
🔦 Headlamp Nitecore NU25 360 Lumen (White, Red, High CRI) Rechargeable - amzn.to/2OiXpBq
✅ HYDRATION
💧Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter - amzn.to/2tnEM87
💧Evernew Water Bag - amzn.to/2Swxsk8
💧Water Purification Tablets AquaTab - amzn.to/2GLuUrA
✅ FOOTWEAR / SOCKS / GAITERS / SNOWSHOES / MICROSPIKES / CRAMPONS
❄️ MSR Lightning Ascent Snowshoes (top rated 2019) - amzn.to/31iczfn
❄️ Chinook Trekker Snowshoes (best budget 2019) - amzn.to/31iVIsH
🧦 Alpaca Socks Made in USA - amzn.to/3ahHxdJ
🧦 Darn Tough Socks - amzn.to/2uYpEOI
🧦 Injinji 2.0 Outdoor Midweight Crew Nuwool Socks - amzn.to/2ScnHpV
🥾 Outdoor Research Men's Crocodile Gaiters - amzn.to/2SeNnSG
🥾 KEEN Men's Summit County Mid Calf Boot (comfortable to -10F) - amzn.to/2GLD5Er
🥾 Kahtoola MICROspikes Boot Traction System - amzn.to/2UkObIK
✅ ACTIVE LAYERING CLOTHES
👕 Mid-Layer Top, Microgrid Polartec Fleece Hoodie (active layering system) - amzn.to/2vED9U8
👕 Mid-Layer Top, Longsleeve Shirt Merino Wool (active layering system) - amzn.to/2tm48TI
👕 Base Layer Top - Merino Wool T-Shirt - amzn.to/3UfEaZ9
👖 Pants, Outdoor Research Trailbreaker II - amzn.to/31no19t
👖 Leggings Merino Wool - amzn.to/3hki1uk
👖 Underwear (mens), 100% Merino Wool - amzn.to/3fI56lq
👖 Underwear (womens) - amzn.to/3UyRurr
❄️ Merino Wool Neck Gaiter - amzn.to/3t9aaSQ
❄️ Balaclava Face Mask 100% Merino - amzn.to/3UdvQcz
✅ CAMP AND SLEEP CLOTHES
🧦 Sleep Socks, New Zealand Possumdown & Merino Wool Mix - amzn.to/2Ujadv7
🧤 Sleep Gloves, New Zealand Possumdown & Merino Wool Mix - amzn.to/36SbhJh
👕 Base Layer Top, Minus33 100% Merino Wool 705 MidWeight Crew Neck (sleep system) - amzn.to/383dt1G
👖 Base Layer Bottom, Minus33 100% Merino Wool 705 Midweight (sleep system) - amzn.to/2OlkNOp
✅ COOKING & COFFEE
☕️ GSI Outdoors Ultralight Java Drip Coffee - amzn.to/3aYUbg5
☕️ GSI Outdoors Infinity Backpacker Mug - amzn.to/2uSAFRV
🍳 TOAKS Light Titanium 550ml Pot (Ultralight Version) - amzn.to/2UjqjVS
🔥 TOAKS Titanium Wind Screen - amzn.to/2Sa0lBn
🔥 BRS-3000T Ultra-Light Titanium Gas Canister Stove (cheaper stove option) - amzn.to/2GNh1ti
🥄 TOAKS Titanium Long Handle Spoon - amzn.to/2ROsajC
🔥 Mini Bic Lighter (5-pack) - amzn.to/31j5Hyh
✅ CAMPFIRE TOOLS & ACCESSORIES
🔥 Epiphany Pocket Fire Bellows - amzn.to/2GJ2HSv
🪓 Hults Bruk Almike Small All Purpose Hatchet - amzn.to/390wPVl
🪓 Silky GomBoy Curve Professional Folding Saw 300mm amzn.to/37eK6eC
🪓 Agawa Canyon BOREAL21 Folding Bow Saw - amzn.to/2OoCDjQ
🔥 Fire Starter - amzn.to/2tq9OMC
🪑 Camp Chair (premium) - amzn.to/3b2Jzg4
🪑 Camp Chair (budget) - amzn.to/2uaTSOs
🪑 Seat Cushion / Insulator Thermarest Z-Seat - amzn.to/2OmrjEO
