Explore Lucas County, Iowa

04/17/2025

Red Buds have started to Bloom in Red Haw! Don’t miss as they come into full bloom

11/04/2024

11/29/2023

Lucas County Christmas Tour Sunday December 3, 2023 1-5 pm. Get your tickets early at Chariton Area Chamber Main Street or message here. $8 per person.

07/19/2023

05/04/2023

This photo might look familiar if you've seen our Lucas County Tourism Guide!

Sharon Wilhite of Russell, IA snapped this photo at Red Haw State Park and it's featured in the April/May edition of Our Iowa magazine!

Our Iowa subscribers are encouraged to vote for Sharon's photo in the "Focus on Iowa Photo Contest" by emailing hotline@OurIowaMagazine with the subject line "Vote Iowa People" and "I vote for No. 5"! Subscribers can also mail their vote to: Focus on Iowa Photo Contest, Iowa People Category, Our Iowa, 1510 Buckeye Ave., Ames, IA 50010.

04/27/2023

Run the numbers to see what you could save by making Iowa your new home! (Hint: it's probably a lot.) thisisiowa.com/move/calculator

04/18/2023

Red buds are blooming at Red Haw State Park!! It’s the perfect time for a visit, whether you drive, stroll, jog, or spend some time enjoying the amenities the park has to offer!



📷: Jena Wiley

03/23/2023

If you ❤️ Lake Ellis and Lake Morris like we do, please come to the Clean-Up Day on Saturday, April 22 from 8am-12pm to help pick up rubbish, clear branches, and get the lakes ready for use this spring!

Please carpool and park at Lake Ellis!

7:30am: Coffee and donuts will be provided by First Interstate Bank
12:00pm: Lunch provided by Hy-Vee

Join us for Earth Day and help clean up the Chariton City Lakes on Saturday, April 22, 2023.

We had a great turn out last year and we are working on more areas of the trail on Lake Ellis and preparing for a new boat ramp at Lake Morris this upcoming year. All hands-on deck to help make the Chariton City Lakes a great place to enjoy all year long!

For more information about the event, please contact Laura Liegois, City Manager at 641-774-5991 or [email protected].

02/06/2023

Due to the loss of three inches of ice the past few days of warmer temperatures and winds, we do not feel it safe to have the ice fishing tournament on Saturday, February 11, 2023.

We will be planning more events in the future for the Chariton City Lakes with fishing and other activities.

12/29/2022

Take part in the First Day Hike Challenge with the Iowa State Park Passport! Red Haw State Park, Stephens State Forest - White Breast Unit, Stephens State Forest - Lucas Unit, Stephens State Forest - Woodburn Unit

Check into one of the 50+ participating state parks and forests (Red Haw & Stephens State Forest are on the list!) between Friday, December 30, 2022 through the end of Sunday, January 1, 2023. Every check-in is an entry for a free 2-night stay in a cabin at Pine Lake State Park!

Get your passport at

Start out your year with the Iowa DNR and first day hikes. Learn more below.