Big Paint Campground

This is our favorite campground in Yellow River. It is smaller and quieter and Big Paint creek runs directly behind it for great fishing access. There are two pit toilets in this campground and they are kept very clean and don't even smell that bad. The whole camp is surrounded by large pine trees and plenty of shade trees. There is a trail access near the entrance as well. Most of these trails are equestrian accessible as well so watch for horse poo. There is a picnic table and fire ring with grate provided. at each campsite. There is no electric or water line, but there is a place right outside the entrance of Big Paint to fill up your water/drinking water. Dogs must be leashed at all times. Also, even when the weather is warmer, it can get pretty cool down here at night, so bring extra blankets and hoodies! Another thing to note, is if you have a larger camper, the incline upon exiting is pretty steep and sharp curve out, so prepare for that.

I stayed at Big Paint for 2 nights with my family, its much less crowded than the Little Paint Campground. Our site was pretty far from everyone else, but near the entrance. It allowed us to pretend no one else was around for most of the time which was great. I managed to get cell service a couple times - extended and one bar only - but no one else in my group managed that. I would caution those with giant campers about Big Paint, there are three stream crossings where you go down into the stream. It seemed to me like it would be easy for someone pulling a large camper to get stuck in those v-shaped creek crossings. Only downside was the vault toilets but they're about as clean as those can be. Great area, I would definitely return another time.