Stephens State Forest provides the primary dispersed camping sites near Lucas, Iowa, offering backcountry opportunities across several distinct units. The forest contains over 15,000 acres of public land with elevation changes of 100-200 feet between ridges and valleys. Many campsites sit on wooded ridges or near small ponds, with temperatures ranging from below freezing in winter to humid 90°F days in summer.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At Mine Pond Campground, you can fish in the small pond despite its modest size. "Stayed two nights with my son and we absolutely loved it," reports camper T J., who specifically mentioned "great fishing" at this location.
Hiking trails: The Woodburn Unit in Stephens State Forest offers approximately 6 miles of trails connecting multiple backcountry sites. "The trails are wide and well graded and not too much up and down except for periodic creek crossings which necessitate a steep descent-ascent," notes Christopher S., who hiked the entire trail system.
Water recreation: Lake Ahquabi State Park Campground provides water-based activities beyond fishing. "There is fishing, boating, hiking, mountain biking, and many more things," explains Derrick W. The park also offers equipment rentals for those without their own gear. Jennifer M. adds, "They have rentals for paddle boards, kayaks, canoes, etc, for a decent price!"
What campers like
Wildlife encounters: Campers regularly report diverse wildlife sightings and sounds at Stephens State Forest. "About 1.5 mile hike to camp, nice moderate hike with wide trails. Listened to deer rutting all night and coyotes howling," shares Jeff K. about his experience at the Buck Stop Camp site.
Quiet atmosphere: Many campsites in the region offer peaceful surroundings away from crowds. At Hickory Hills Park, visitors appreciate the tranquility. "We stayed two night at this campground. Arrived late and just filled out the registration form... Quiet and had the place to ourselves," reports Aliyah B., who enjoyed the solitude.
Clean facilities: Red Haw State Park Campground maintains well-kept amenities. "Nice free showers. Quiet and clean," notes Mark P., who paid $10 per night for a non-hookup site. Rodger confirms this impression, calling it "a beautiful state park with a very nicely laid-out campground."
What you should know
Insect activity: Ticks and mosquitoes can be problematic in warmer months. At Woodburn Unit, one camper reported: "The ticks were everywhere! My wife and I had more issues than other members of our party, but we were near constantly plucking them off of us." Another visitor at Mine Pond faced similar issues: "The sheer volume of insects makes it impossible to walk anywhere."
Train noise: Some campgrounds experience railroad disruptions. Jim H. reported about his stay in Stephens State Forest: "Great spot by a small lake in Stephen's State Forest. Didn't have a soul around us for the night we camped here (late September)... Would have given 5 stars but you will hear train horns blowing all night at this location."
Variable site quality: At East Lake Co Park, campsites are still developing. "The campground was clean and quiet with water and electricity at each site... The trees at the campground were recently planted so no shade. The best part is that there is plenty of room between camp sites so your not camping on top of your neighbors," explains Daniel C.
Tips for camping with families
Beach access: Families often appreciate Lake Ahquabi's swimming opportunities. "They have a beautiful lake and a beach. The water has minimal seaweed and great temperature!" shares Jennifer M., who recommends the approximately 6-7 mile trail that loops around the entire lake as "a pretty easy hike, but definitely long."
Playground facilities: Multiple parks feature play equipment for children. Daniel C. noted that East Lake Co Park has a "playground and bathrooms on site," making it convenient for families with young children who need recreation options beyond nature exploration.
Spacious sites: Look for campgrounds with adequate room between sites. At Lake Ahquabi, Greg H. found "sites are spacious and at $16.00 per night a real bargain. Showers were always clean and it's a short drive or hike to the beach."
Tips from RVers
Level pads: At Lakeside Casino RV Park, concrete pads provide stable parking, though some maintenance issues exist. "The concrete in our site was in poor condition, it had crumbled leaving a dip in the pad," notes Renee H., though she found it "easy on and off to the interstate."
Hookup reliability: Most RV sites in the region offer standard hookups, but quality varies. Tom D. found Lakeside Casino RV Park provided "good hookups and level pad" while staying "overnight on our way down south. Very convenient off the free way."
Accessibility considerations: Some campgrounds accommodate mobility needs better than others. At Lakeside Casino RV Park, Vita M. reports, "I am in a wheelchair and this park allows me to move around freely," noting that "all spaces are paved" and offer "full hook up for water, electric and sewer."
