White Pine Hollow State Forest

White Pine Hollow State Forest is a 944-acre woodland with limestone cliffs, deep valleys, and a network of natural paths winding through undeveloped terrain. The forest retains a wild character, with no marked trails or visitor facilities to alter its natural state.

The forest received National Natural Landmark status in 1967 and was designated an Iowa State Preserve in 1968, protecting it from future development. These designations recognized the ecological importance of its remaining old-growth woodland.

This forest represents a rare example of old-growth white pine that has largely disappeared from Iowa's landscape. Visiting here connects people to a type of woodland that shaped the region centuries ago and survives nowhere else in the state.

Bring your own water and navigation tools since the forest maintains its natural state without facilities or marked routes. The lack of developed infrastructure means visitors should be prepared for unstructured exploration.

The forest harbors more than 625 plant species and provides habitat for endangered animals including the Indiana bat and Iowa Pleistocene snail. This abundance of life reflects the health and rarity of this intact ecosystem.

Location: Dubuque County

Inception: 1934

Website: https://iowadnr.gov/Places-to-Go/State-Forests/Yellow-River-State-Forest

GPS coordinates: 42.62972,-91.11194

Latest update: December 8, 2025 21:08