Yellowwood State Forest A
~story and photos by Jeff Tryon
lthough sometimes overshadowed by the nearby Brown County State Park and often overlooked by visitors seeking to enjoy the natural beauty of Brown County, Yellowwood State Forest is a family-friendly park filled with opportunities for outdoor fun for people of all ages and interests. Hiking, camping, boating, and fishing are among the many available activities. You can bring your horse, kayak, or mountain bike. You can have a cookout, picnic al fresco, or just plop yourself down beside the pristine 133-acre lake and enjoy the epic view. Hikers can enjoy any of six trails, ranging in difficulty from easy to rugged, and in length from half a mile to four-anda-half miles. There are great flat trails suitable for the whole family. You can also hike on any of five marked horse trails.
56 Our Brown County • July/August 2019
The most popular hiking trail is the 4.5 mile loop around Yellowwood Lake, which offers a variety of scenic views down into ravines and across the lake. Stop by the kiosk for the scavenger hunt pamphlet, which points out things to look for around the lake. The 4.7 mile Scarce O’ Fat Loop ascends High King Hill, almost 200 feet above the Lake, then follows the ridge. The 42-mile Techumseh Trail also passes through Yellowwood, borrowing parts of the Yellowwood Lake Trail and Scarce O’ Fat Ridge Trail. It begins near the head of Panther Creek and ends 42 miles later at the Morgan-Monroe State Forest office. Don’t forget your binoculars! There are over 400 species of birds in Indiana, according to the state Audubon Society, ranging from the state bird, the common cardinal, to his rarer cousin, the black-headed grosbeak, which is among the 125 Indiana bird species classified as rare. And it’s not just birds. Yellowwood State Forest is one of the largest and most undisturbed interior forests remaining in Indiana, with a rich diversity of flora and fauna. A recent survey by scientists from 13 Indiana colleges and universities cataloged more than 3,100 species there. The 30-foot deep lake is noted for its excellent fishing. A valid Indiana fishing license is required. Bring your own kayak or canoe, or rent a rowboat there for only five dollars per hour or $20 for the entire day. There is a boat launch at the south end of the lake, but only electric trolling motors are allowed.
