Stephens State Forest

State Forest in south-central Iowa is Iowa’s largest state forest, with seven units totaling more than 15,500 acres in five counties. The forest’s primary function is to provide an example of forest management for Iowa woodland species. 

First established in the 1930s with tree plantings by the Civilian Conservation Corp, Stephens State Forest is also a backcountry destination for outdoor enthusiasts interested in hiking, horseback riding, camping and hunting.

• Stephens State Forest Management Plan

Contact Information
Stephens State Forest
1111 N 8th St.
Chariton, IA 50049

Plan Your Visit

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.

• 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.
• 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.

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 booked through the parks Reservation System. One third of the campsites are available for self registration on a first-come, first-serve basis. 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.

Things to Do & See

• 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.
• Hunt on more than 15,000 acres of public land. The diverse habitat is especially good for deer and turkey hunting.

History & Ecology

Stephens State Forest Maps

• Cedar Creek Map
• Stephens State Forest Campground Map
• Cedar Creek Topographic Map
• Chariton Map
• Chariton Topographic Map
• Lucas Map
• Lucas Topographic Map
• Lucas Trail Map
• Thousand Acres Map
• Thousand Acres Topographic Map
• Unionville Map
• Unionville Topographic Map
• Whitebreast Map
• Whitebreast Topographic Map
• Whitebreast Trail Map
• Woodburn Map
• Woodburn Topographic Map
• Woodburn Trail Map

Aerial maps provide information regarding boundary lines and trails.