Yellow River is approximately fifty miles long with an average gradient of 7.4 feet per mile.

There are three main access points on the river:

Volney to Sixteen: 5 river miles.

Sixteen to Ion: 8 river miles.

Ion to The Mississippi: 8 river miles.

Volney to Sixteen - This is the shortest stretch with easy access. It is a good run for fishing or enjoying the meadows, woods and limestone cliffs. The river drops over some small ledges. At sixteen you will come to a deep pool with cliffs and a rope swing at the Sixteen Bridge.

Sixteen to Ion - This is the most challenging part of the river with short rapids and tricky turns. The river runs through pristeen territory with 200 feet scenic bluffs.

Ion to The Mississippi - The river enters the Yellow River State Forest as it widens to sixty feet. The river becomes sluggish as it nears Highway 76 by Effigy Mounds National Monument. It opens to the wide valley of the Mississippi.