If You See Purple Paint in the Iowa Woods, Leave Immediately

Summer 2025 has arrived, and while hiking remains a fun and free way to enjoy the outdoors, it’s important to stay alert—especially for the color purple. This and other colors can carry important meanings and warnings you shouldn’t ignore.

I am sure you've heard about the purple paint before, but if you want to learn more.. here it is short and simple.

The Purple Paint Law In Iowa

The shortest answer is that these markings can, and do represent a "no trespassing" sign. Iowa laws with this. According to Iowa.Gov,

Senate File 2101 makes changes to Iowa’s trespassing law. If a property owner living in an unincorporated area places purple paint around their property on trees or fence posts, entering the property is forbidden and constitutes trespassing, effective July 1, 2019. The Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources must conduct an information campaign to educate the public and property owners about this change.

The Purple Paint Law gives landowners the option of marking trees or posts to prevent trespassing. This makes it easier for property owners s to stop trespassers.

Crossing This Paint Is Trespassing, And The Same Laws Apply

While signs are still used by plenty of landowners in Iowa, it is important to remember that if you walk past purple paint then you are trespassing, it's important to stay aware of your surroundings as you're having fun with friends and loved ones this spring.

Yes you can get in trouble for passing these markers. Stay safe out there!