Stephens State Forest manages Boy Scout Camp as a drive-in campground with full hookups, including electric, water, and sewer connections, set in forested terrain near a creek and lake. The site runs $12 to $15 per night. Access is noted as rough, so drivers with low-clearance vehicles should plan accordingly. Reservations are available, pets are allowed, and picnic tables and toilets are on-site. Hikers have trail access directly from camp. For camping near Lucas, this is one of the few hookup-equipped options in the Stephens State Forest corridor, alongside nearby sites like Whitebreast Equestrian — Stephens State Forest just 0.4 miles east.
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.
Attention Equestrian Riders: State regulations require horses, mules and donkeys being transported interstate (from one state to another) must have a current Certification of Veterinary Inspection (health certificate) and a negative Coggin's test (EIA). This paperwork must accompany the animal into the State of Iowa. Please refer to www.iowaagriculture.gov/animalindustry/horseadmissionregs.asp for more information. This law applies to equestrian camping, day-use and trail riding in any State owned Park or Forest.
Motor vehicle operation is permitted only on roads. ATVS are not permitted anywhere on the forest, trails or roads. Snowmobiles are allowed on designated routes only.
Equestrian riding is only allowed on designated trails, roads and campgrounds.
Mountain bikes are allowed on equestrian trails.
There are no designated swimming areas.
Warning 3 Alerts are In Effect
There are 3 alerts for this campground. Camp safely!
Warning 3 Alerts are In Effect
There are 3 alerts for this campground. Camp safely!
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)
The campground is closed each year from November 1 - March 31.
This campground is 100 percent reservable and accepts reservations April 1 - October 31 until 10:00 pm CST the day of arrival.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsBoy Scout Camp is located in Iowa near Lucas
Directions
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.
Address
24550 US Highway 30
Chariton, IA 50049
Coordinates
40.98556 N
93.51278 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile5GGood Coverage
VerizonLTESome Coverage- AT&TLTESome Coverage
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GGood Coverage
- VerizonLTESome Coverage
- AT&TLTESome Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Picnic Table
- Reservable
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sewer Hookups
- Water Hookups
- 30 Amp Hookups
- 50 Amp Hookups
Drive Time
- 1 hr 2 min from Des Moines, IA
- 1 hr 29 min from Ames, IA
- 2 hrs 7 min from St. Joseph, MO
- 2 hrs 29 min from Iowa City, IA
