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Established Camping

Mine Pond Campground — Stephens State Forest

3 Reviews

Warning 1 Alert is In Effect

There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!

Effective October 6, 2025 the Equestrian Trails have been closed due to wet conditions. This bulletin will be removed when the equestrian trails are reopened. (Posted October 6, 2025)

CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Mine Pond Campground in Stephens State Forest is located near Lucas, Iowa. The area features rolling hills and dense woodlands, providing a natural setting for camping. Temperatures range from 20°F in winter to 85°F in summer, and nearby attractions include Stephens State Forest trails and Lake Ahquabi State Park.

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Location

Mine Pond Campground — Stephens State Forest is located in Iowa

Detail location of campground

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

41.013049913414534 N
93.48102319354413 W

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Connectivity

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  • signal strength bars
    T-MobileLTE
    Some Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 2 users

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Detours Nearby

LOCAL FAVORITES PRESENTED BYToyota Trucks
Whitebreast Camp

Whitebreast Camp

48 min away

Nature Haven at Red Rock Lake

Nature Haven at Red Rock Lake

51 min away

Drive Time

Presented byToyota Trucks

Connectivity

Presented byT-Mobile SatelliteT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-MobileLTE
    Some Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 2 users

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)

Features

For Campers

  • Picnic Table
  • Reservable
  • Electric Hookups
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Sewer Hookups
  • Water Hookups
  • 30 Amp Hookups
  • 50 Amp Hookups

FREE established camping

Enjoy camping on government land. Limited or no services at this camping area.

PERMIT might be REQUIRED

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Reviews

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3.0

out of 5

3 Reviews

RThe Dyrt PRO User
Reviewed Jul. 4, 2025

Way too many insects, and $10 a night. No amenities.

This place charges 10 bucks a night. You don't get a water station. You don't get a gray water dump. You do get trash cans on site. The sheer volume of insects makes it impossible to walk anywhere. Unfortunately, I have a dog and I have to go walk three times a fucking day. And this is the closest place to where my folks and I agreed to meet in about a week.

At $10 a night, you'd think they'd at least have water, a gray dump, and some kind of insect control. But no, they don't. They do have maintenance coming around regularly, but nothing seems to get rid of the insects. It used to be $6 a night at one point. So I guess it went up. I don't see why. It's just like any other insect infested place to park.

If it wasn't for the cost, I guess I'd give it three stars, but that'd be generous. I didn't give it one star because I can at least drive around on it with my bus.

Site3
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Mine Pond Campground — Stephens State Forest by Rick M., July 4, 2025
  • Review photo of Mine Pond Campground — Stephens State Forest by Rick M., July 4, 2025
  • Review photo of Mine Pond Campground — Stephens State Forest by Rick M., July 4, 2025
  • (9) View All
Jacob W.The Dyrt PRO User
Reviewed Jul. 7, 2022

Vibrant Iowa forest in summer

I tent camped at “Mine Pond Campground” in Stephen’s State Forest in July 2022. I arrived about 8:15pm and had about 45 minutes of daylight to pitch camp. The campground feels deep in a vibrant Iowa forest surrounded by lush greenery. That said, mosquitoes swarmed me instantly. And “Mine Pond” is a small muddy pond without the most remote possibility of swimming. The pond kind of seems too small to fish but maybe. A storm blew in around dark and it rained much of the night. The frogs sang loudly deep into the night (see my video for the audio), which I enjoyed. A pair of barred owls hooted and laughed in the dark trees. I departed early while it was still dark. I don’t think I’ll return to this place.

Site3
Month of VisitJuly
  • The sounds of the night
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Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the designated camping areas in Stephens State Forest?

Mine Pond Campground is the primary designated camping area within Stephens State Forest. It's nestled deep in a vibrant Iowa forest surrounded by lush greenery. The campground offers a peaceful woodland setting, though it's somewhat isolated. Visitors should be prepared for a true forest camping experience with limited development but natural beauty throughout the surrounding state forest.

What amenities are available at Stephens State Forest campsites?

Stephens State Forest's Mine Pond Campground offers basic amenities. The sites include trash cans, but do not provide water stations or gray water dump facilities. The campground maintains a rustic, primitive camping experience at an affordable rate of $10 per night. Facilities are minimal, so campers should come prepared with all necessary water and supplies for their stay.

Do I need permits for camping in Stephens State Forest?

No formal permits are required for camping at Mine Pond Campground in Stephens State Forest. The campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis with a $10 per night fee. There's no advance reservation system in place. Simply select an available site upon arrival and be prepared to pay the camping fee. It's advisable to contact the Iowa Department of Natural Resources for any seasonal regulations or changes to this policy.

What outdoor activities can I enjoy while camping at Stephens State Forest?

Stephens State Forest offers various outdoor activities for campers. Hiking through the lush forest is popular, with trails winding through the vibrant Iowa woodland. Wildlife observation is excellent due to the rich natural environment. Be aware that insect activity is substantial, particularly mosquitoes, which may impact outdoor enjoyment during certain seasons. The forest setting provides opportunities for nature photography, bird watching, and peaceful woodland exploration, making it ideal for those seeking a genuine forest immersion experience.

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