Stephens Forest Campground

About

Stephens Forest Campground is the main camping area within Stephens State Forest, Iowa's largest state forest with over 15,000 acres dispersed across Lucas, Clarke, Monroe, Appanoose, and Davis counties. The campground sits in the Lucas and Whitebreast Units, offering a rustic camping experience without electricity but with essential amenities including pit toilets and water hydrants throughout. The campground accommodates various camping styles with 70 total sites: 41 equestrian-standard non-electric sites designed for campers with horses, 21 standard non-electric sites, 7 tent-only sites, and one youth group site. Sites can accommodate RVs up to 55 feet in length via back-in access. The forest contains two stocked ponds in each unit with bluegill, largemouth bass, and catfish. Recreational opportunities abound with 20 miles of multi-use trails in the Whitebreast Unit for horseback riding and mountain biking, plus five miles of trails in the Lucas Unit suitable for hiking, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing. Hunting is permitted in season. The Knoxville Raceway is approximately 30 minutes north for those seeking off-site entertainment.

Directions

From the junction of Highway 34 and Highway 65 at Lucas, go south 2 miles on Highway 65, then west 2 miles on 467th Street to reach Whitebreast Unit. Lucas Unit is accessible via an alternate 1-mile route north on 137th Trail.