Yellowwood State Forest

From golden rocks to lemon-colored leaves, Yellowwood State Forest's name is super appropriate. Dubbed for a tree that can found in the area, but is more common in the mid-south, Yellowwood offers visitors the chance to strike it rich with gold panning opportunities! You’ll feel like you’ve hit the jackpot with stunning scenery, rich historical features, and tons of recreation activities. The more than 2,000 once-abandoned and eroded acres were adopted by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s and planted with various types of pine, black locust, black walnut, white and red oak, transforming it into the thriving forest you’ll see today.

Sleep beneath the trees in primitive campsites that are scattered throughout the forest as well as in designated campgrounds. Picnicking near and fishing on Yellowwood Lake, Bear Lake, and Crooked Creek Lake are popular pastimes. And if you like a little whodunit with your vacation, just look up! Humongous sandstone boulders have been found in the tops of three of the forest’s trees: an 80-foot-tall chestnut oak and two towering American sycamores. Guesses as to how they got up there run the gamut from tornadoes to pranksters to aliens.