EQUESTRIAN TRAIL CLOSURE: Effective July 21, 2026 the Equestrian Trails have been closed due to wet conditions. This bulletin will be removed when the equestrian trails are reopened. (Posted July 21, 2026)
Restroom Closure: Due to the storm that came through on June 11, the forest received severe tree damage and the restroom in the Whitebreast Equestrian West Loop campground has been damaged and is not usable. The restrooms in the Whitebreast Equestrian Main and Overflow Loops are still open. (Posted June 11, 2026)
Campground Operations: This campground is 100 percent reservable and accepts reservations April 1 - October 31 until 10:00 pm CST the day of arrival.
Campground Closed: The campground is closed each year from November 1 - March 31.
Book a Campsite at Stephens Forest Campground, IA
Overview
Description
Stephens State Forest is administered by the Iowa DNR and is divided into seven units totaling over 15,000 acres. The forest is dispersed over five counties: Lucas, Clarke, Monroe, Appanoose and Davis.
Lucas, Whitebreast, and Woodburn Units
These units are contiguous and are located southwest of the town of Lucas, Iowa. Most of the recreational development on Stephens Forest has taken place on the Lucas and Whitebreast units. The Lucas and Whitebreast units each have two ponds that are stocked with bluegill, largemouth bass and catfish. Recreational activities include fishing, picnicking, camping, hunting, hiking, equestrian riding, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, mountain biking and wildlife watching.
The Whitebreast Unit is 3,517 acres in size and has two lakes, three equestrian campgrounds and one group-camp area. This unit is served by an all-weather road.
The Lucas Unit is 1,267 acres in size and has two small lakes and three campgrounds. This unit is located just southwest of the intersection of Highway 65 and Highway 34. The unit is served by an all-weather road.
The Woodburn Unit is 2,098 acres in size and has over six miles of backpacking trails and five pack-in sites. The pack-in sites are not on the reservation system. The unit has an all-weather road along its west side and through the middle ofthe unit.
Cedar Creek, Chariton, and Thousand Acres Units
These units do not have any developed recreational facilities such as picnic areas, campgrounds or designated trails. They are less well served by all-weather roads; however there are many dirt roads and access lanes. These units are well suited to hunting, hiking and wildlife watching.
Unionville Unit
The Unionville Unit is 2,470 acres in size and is comprised of 11 separate compartments in northeast Appanoose County and northwest Davis County. There are no developed recreational facilities such as picnic areas, campgrounds or trails. Several tracts are served by all-weather roads. The Unionville Unit provides good hiking hunting and wildlife watching opportunities.
Nearby Attractions:
Race fans can enjoy the Knoxville Raceway located 30 minutes north of Chariton
Booking Window
Wed Jul 22 2026 - Thu Oct 22 2026
Reservations can be made for today and can be made up to 3 Month(s) in advance.
Season Dates
Stephens Forest Campground:
Closed: January 1 - March 31
Off Peak: April 1 - April 30
Peak: May 1 - October 15
Off Peak: October 16 - October 31
Closed: November 1 - December 31
Season Schedule
Park Season
Start
End
Peak
Fri May 01 2026
Thu Oct 15 2026
Off Peak
Fri Oct 16 2026
Sat Oct 31 2026
Off Peak
Thu Apr 01 2027
Fri Apr 30 2027
Peak
Sat May 01 2027
Fri Oct 15 2027
Services and Amenities
Within Park
- Bicycling
- Bird Watching
- Hiking
- Horseback Riding
- Hunting
- Jogging/Running
- Mountain Biking
- Parking
- Picnic Area
- Picnicking
- Registration Building
- Restrooms
- Toilet, Pit/Vault
- Water Hydrants
- Wildflower Viewing
- Wildlife Viewing
Greater Than 10 Miles
- ATM/Cash Machine
- Church
- Fuel, Vehicles
- Grocery Store
- Hospital
- Maintenance, RV/Camper
- Maintenance, Vehicle
- Motel
- Retail, Firewood
- Town
Fees and Cancellation Policies
Click here to view the cancellation policy.
Facility Rates*
Park Season
Site Type
Nightly/Daily Rates
Peak Season
May 01 2026 -
Oct 15 2026
May 01 2026 -
Oct 15 2026
Youth Group Only
$15.00
Tent Only
$12.00
Standard Non-Electric
$12.00
Equestrian - Standard Non Electric
$16.00
Off Peak Season
Oct 16 2026 -
Oct 31 2026
Oct 16 2026 -
Oct 31 2026
Youth Group Only
$15.00
Tent Only
$10.00
Standard Non-Electric
$10.00
Equestrian - Standard Non Electric
$14.00
Off Peak Season
Apr 01 2027 -
Apr 30 2027
Apr 01 2027 -
Apr 30 2027
Youth Group Only
$15.00
Tent Only
$10.00
Standard Non-Electric
$10.00
Equestrian - Standard Non Electric
$14.00
Peak Season
May 01 2027 -
Oct 15 2027
May 01 2027 -
Oct 15 2027
Youth Group Only
$15.00
Tent Only
$12.00
Standard Non-Electric
$12.00
Equestrian - Standard Non Electric
$16.00
*Displayed rates do not reflect discounts, attribute fees (electrical hookups / water hookups), taxes or incremental charges
**Weekly rates may not be available for all sites
Getting There
GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude):
40.98556, -93.51278
40°59'8"N, 93°30'46"W
From the junction of Highway 34 and Highway 65 at Lucas, go south on Highway 65 for 2 miles, go west on 467th Street for 2 miles to enter the Whitebreast Unit of Stephens Forest.
To reach the Lucas Unit of Stephens Forest: from the same junction of Highway 34 and Highway 65 at Lucas, go south 2 miles on Highway 65, go west on 467th Street 1 mile, go north on 137th Trail 1 mile.
40.98556, -93.51278
40°59'8"N, 93°30'46"W
From the junction of Highway 34 and Highway 65 at Lucas, go south on Highway 65 for 2 miles, go west on 467th Street for 2 miles to enter the Whitebreast Unit of Stephens Forest.
To reach the Lucas Unit of Stephens Forest: from the same junction of Highway 34 and Highway 65 at Lucas, go south 2 miles on Highway 65, go west on 467th Street 1 mile, go north on 137th Trail 1 mile.
Nearby Parks
[12.22 miles*]
[21.36 miles*]
[29.64 miles*]
Visit
