Celebrate the New Year with a First Day Hike at Yellow River State Forest January 1

Join the park staff and the newly formed organization Friends of Yellow River State Forest on a free, guided hike New Year’s Day, January 1, 2019. Hikers can meet at 9:30 a.m. at the cabin in the park for a two-mile moderate hike led by park staff. The hike will begin at 10 a.m. and will travel through hardwood and coniferous stands of timber.

“We hope people will join us for a couple hours and explore the Driftless area,” says Park Ranger Rylan Retallick. “Hot chocolate, coffee and a warm fire inside the cabin are free.” Those attending are encouraged to bring adequate clothing and good footwear for traction to best enjoy the hike.

Those who have any questions may call the park office at 563-586-2254. In the case of inclement weather, cancellation information will be made available on the Friends online presence or on a message at that phone number.

Friends of Yellow River State Forest will be hosting the hike along with park staff. The newly formed Friends group will be holding its first public meeting at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 3 at the Ethel Robinson Meehan Community Building in Harpers Ferry. More details about that meeting will be released closer to the event. Information about the organization, the First Day Hike event and that first meeting are available at facebook.com/FriendsofYellowRiverStateForest.

“This is the eighth year the DNR is hosting First Day Hikes as part of an effort to get people outdoors and into our state parks,” says Todd Coffelt, chief of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) State Parks Bureau. “These hikes are a great way to get outside, exercise, enjoy nature and welcome the New Year with friends and family.”

Yellow River State Forest is located 16 miles from Waukon, 15 miles from Marquette or 16 miles from Lansing. The cabin at Yellow River State Forest is located at Park Headquarters, 729 State Forest Road, Harpers Ferry.

For details about First Day Hikes in Iowa’s State Parks, visit www.iowadnr.gov/firstdayhikes. Participants are encouraged to share their adventures on social media with #FirstDayHikes and #iowastateparks.