State: Iowa
Address 1: 1111 N. 8th Street
City: Chariton
Zip: 50049
Phone: 641- 774-4559
Open all Year: Yes
Number of Sites: 86
Camp URL: http://www.iowadnr.gov/forestry/stephens.html
Full Hook: Yes
Stephens State Forest is located in south-central Iowa and is divided into seven units totaling over 15,000 acres. The forest is dispersed over five counties: Lucas, Clarke, Monroe, Appanoose and Davis.
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 North Pond in the Whitebreast Unit is currently under construction and is drained. In the spring of 2009, improvements will be made to the dam, entrance road and aquatic habitat. Improvements are expected to be complete by winter of 2009.
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 Hwy 65 and Hwy 34. This 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 campsites. This unit has an all-weather road along its west side and through the middle of the unit. Parking and trail heads for the backpack trails is on 330th Avenue in Clarke County. These sites are primitive; there is no electricity, no modern restroom facilities, and no water available. There is a picnic table and fire ring at each site.