Stephens State Forest
- Status
- Open (per official listing)
- Entrance fee
- Not posted
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Statewide rule — see below
- Camping
- Yes
- Official site
- iowadnr.gov(641) 774-4559
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Current alerts 1
Partial closure Stephens State Forest: Restroom ClosureRestroom Closure: Due to the storm that came through on June 11, the forest received severe tree damage and the restroom in the Whitebreast… (more)
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)
Posted by the park 2026-06-11. Official alert
Overview
Covering about 15,336 acres, Stephens State Forest lies in Lucas County, about 16 miles east of Osceola.
The official site lists about 20 miles of trails.
Pets
Privately owned animals must be on a leash of max six feet or confined; pets may not be left unattended in campgrounds; most cabins/yurts are pet-free.
Statewide rule from Iowa's park system (source). This park’s page doesn’t state its own pet rules, so check for local restrictions.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Camping
- Required
- Booking system
- Iowa State Parks reservation system (ReserveAmerica)
- Phone
- 1-877-427-2757
The campgrounds are 100% reservable and a reservation is required.
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Camping
Lucas, Whitebreast, and Woodburn Units are located southwest of the town of Lucas, Iowa. Most recreational development can be found in this area, including fishing ponds, picnicking, camping, hunting, hiking, equestrian riding, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, mountain biking, and wildlife watching.
The Lucas Unit has two small ponds and three campgrounds. Five miles of trails are ideal for hiking, snowmobiling, and cross country skiing.
The Whitebreast Unit has two stocked ponds, three equestrian campgrounds, and one group-camp area. This unit also has 20 miles of multi-use trails for hiking, mountain biking, cross country skiing, and equestrian riding.
The Woodburn Unit has more than six miles of backpacking trails and five pack-in (backcountry) campsites. Parking and trailhead for the backpack trail system is on 330th Avenue in Clarke County.
Read more from the park
Camp year-round in the forest’s non-modern campgrounds in the Lucas and Whitebreast Units. The campgrounds do not have electricity, but do have pit toilets either in the campground or in the vicinity; several sites are set up for equestrian use. Advance campsite reservations can be made through the online reservation system for Stephens State Forest . The campgrounds are 100% reservable and a reservation is required. Additionally, five backcountry pack-in campsites in the Woodburn Unit have picnic tables and fire rings at each campsite, along with a water hydrant available at the trailhead. There is no fee for these pack-in sites and they are first-come, first-serve. They do not have modern restroom facilities or electricity.
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Things to do
Trails
Explore the seven units within Stephens State Forest, offering diverse recreational opportunities. State forest trails and amenities are often less developed and provide a more rugged outdoor experience. Please take this into account and plan accordingly.
Cedar Creek, Chariton and Thousand Acres Units do not have developed facilities, but are well suited for hunting, backcountry hiking and wildlife watching. Roads in these units are not all-weather roads. The Cedar Creek unit is about five miles southeast of Williamson, Iowa; Chariton Unit is six miles east of Williamson; Thousand Acres is northeast and contiguous to the Chariton Unit.
Unionville Unit comprises 11 separate parcels in northeast Appanoose County and northwest Davis County. There are no developed recreational facilities. Several tracts are served by all-weather roads. This unit offers backcountry hiking, hunting, and wildlife watching opportunities.
Read more from the park
Hike, ride horses and mountain bike on more than 30 miles of roads and trails throughout the various forest units. Many of the trails travel deep into the woods with excellent wildlife watching opportunities and few other people. Snowmobiling is popular in winter on designated trails throughout the forest.
Getting there
- Address
- 48546 137th Trail
Lucas, IA 50151 - Nearest town
- Osceola — about 16 mi east (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 41.0219, -93.4818
- Phone
- (641) 774-4559
- stephens_forest@dnr.iowa.gov
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- Iowa State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026
- Iowa DNR 'All Parks' directory (Drupal view, ?page=0..3) — state parks, recreation areas, a state preserve and state forests
- USGS PAD-US 4.1 (boundary and acreage)
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology