Yellowwood State Forest

Yellowwood State Forest is a state forest in Brown County that spans thousands of acres of woodland with mixed tree species including pines, black locust, and walnut trees. The area features several lakes and a network of hiking trails winding through forest sections.

The forest started as a federal land project in the 1940s when the government worked to develop the area and later transferred ownership to the state of Indiana. Public works programs during that era built several artificial lakes and structures that still define the landscape today.

The Civilian Conservation Corps and Works Project Administration built three lakes, a shelter house, and multiple structures that remain operational today.

The forest can be accessed from two main directions: via Highway 45 from the north and Highway 46 from the south, with local roads connecting to the main forest areas. Visitors should be prepared for unpaved roads and uneven terrain when exploring the trails and lake areas.

Large sandstone boulders have been discovered sitting high in the canopies of three separate trees throughout the forest, a phenomenon that puzzles visitors and researchers alike. These geological oddities offer a reminder that nature sometimes creates surprising formations that defy easy explanation.

Location: Brown County

GPS coordinates: 39.33190,-86.55720

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:43