Yellow River Park — Attraction in Mountain Park

A local park that has made excellent use of its area, and has something for everybody. There is a nice playground with equipment that will be enjoyed by kids of all ages. A pavilion offers a large number of picnic tables, grills, and plentiful garbage cans. The bathrooms here are well kept and almost always clean and well supplied. There is a paved path suitable for walking or running, as well as trails made for walking, mountain biking, as well as some for riding horses. There are a few open field areas suitable for frisbee, sunbathing, or just reading in the sunshine. There is a nice area suitable for wading in the river as well.

There are a few things to be aware of, that don't really detract from the park. First, the wilderness trails are used by both walkers, runners, and mountain bikers, and all of these groups need to be aware and alert to avoid incidents with their faster-moving counterparts. Additionally, the trails themselves are not always well maintained, so you need ot be careful about washouts and gullies from erosion. The county does what it can, but there are a lot of trails here, and the steep slopes and rocky soils can make them hard to always keep in good condition. Some of the trails are also not well marked, so it is easy to lose track of where you are, but you're never really all that far from a road if you need it.

The horse and mountain bike trails cross over a bit as well, so it can sometimes be hard to figure out which one of those you're on, so it always pays to be alert.

In short, there is a lot of fun to be had here, but you need ot be alerts for active people doing...

A large park with trails for horses, bikes and humans. From the bicycle parking area, there are many trails leading down to and along the river. The system of trail markers, directionals and blazes leaves something to be desired, but don't worry - pretty much all of the trails circle back to the parking lot. Just take a picture of the trail map over by the bathrooms and use your Google maps to figure out roughly where you are, should you get a little turned around. Nobody's been lost for good in there ... that we know of anyway.

Speaking of blazes and directional signs, this might be an excellent Eagle Scout project - I'm looking at you Troop 580. ; )

From the multi-use parking area, there's a very nice paved walking loop that goes along the river and out into fields - great for getting your steps in or finding a place to dangle your feet in the water.

As with all parks, take a few minutes to stop, find some flowers and watch. You'll see a whole other world going on that you would have totally missed otherwise. Bees, butterflies, wasps, spiders and other bugs that have no interest in you - just doing the pollination thing. Or if bugs gross you out, that's fine. Just be quiet and listen to the birds for a few minutes and connect to nature a little. It's...

Yellow River Park offers a diverse and engaging outdoor experience with its array of woody and challenging trails, as well as simpler, flatter paths for all skill levels. The AllTrails app is a handy companion for navigating the various trails. Whether you're into biking, hiking, or horseback riding, there's something for everyone, with additional trails available on the other side of Juhan Road. The park boasts ample amenities, including open park areas, river access, playgrounds, covered barbecue spots, and public restrooms, catering to families and outdoor enthusiasts alike. While weekdays offer tranquility, weekends and holidays can get busy, with parking occasionally feeling limited. Despite this, the park hosts few events, making it a wonderful destination for those seeking outdoor adventure...