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Red Haw State Park
No matter the season, the trees make Red Haw a beautiful place to visit.  The 420 acre park contains a 72 acre lake that has a sandy beach for swimming.  The lake is known for its clear water and large bluegills.  The campground that overlooks the lake has a new modern shower building and a playground for children.  There are 80 campsites, 60 of which offer electrical hookups.   The park is known for beautiful red bud trees that bloom in early spring..  During the summer months, visits can enjoy swimming, camping and boating.  In winter, ice skating, sledding, skiing and snowmobiling.  Hiking trails wind throughout the park and around the lake.

 
 
 

 
Stephens State Forest
A majority of Iowa's largest forest is located in Lucas County with over 7300 acres, providing a forest wilderness experience as well as recreational opportunities.  There are 31 miles of equestrian trails, rustic campgrounds, four stocked ponds and the entire area is open for public hunting.
 

  
   
Cinder Path
With the purchase of the abandoned railroad right-of-way from the Burlington Northern Railroad Company in 1974, the Cinder Path became the first "Rails-To-Trails" area in the State of Iowa.  Beginning on the western edge of Chariton and ending in Humeston, the trail meanders for 13.5 miles through river, woodland, prairie habitats and over a covered bridge.  Open to the public year round, the smooth cinder surface and even grade make the Cinder Path ideal for hikers, bikers and snowmobilers.

 
 
 
 
  Pin Oak Marsh 

  		 In 1994, construction of a 160 acre wetlands was completed along Highway 14 south of Chariton.  The addition of this wetland to already existing woodland and riverine habitats made Pin Oak Marsh a nature enthusiast's dream.  Each year during the spring and fall migrations, you can see numerous ducks, geese, shorebirds and songbirds.  Also with the abundance of vegetation around the wetland, you can catch a glimpse of beavers, muskrats, mink and river otters.  Recreational opportunities are so available such as hiking, birding, nature photography and hunting. 
 
Johnson Auditorium / Chariton Community Center
12,100 square foot multi-purpose gymnasium used for basketball, volleyball and tennis.  Features walking track around the outside of the courts.  The 500 seat auditorium is used extensively by the community for various school and community-sponsored events and performances.  Home of the Chariton Concert Association. 
 

 

 
Chariton City Parks
Nine city parks totaling over 60 acres provide enjoyment and recreational opportunities.  These parks offer a swimming pool, tennis courts and provide facilities for Little League and Babe Ruth baseball, girl's softball, as well as adult softball.  The Twin Lakes Reservoir Trail offers three quarters of a mile handicap accessible scenic walking.
 

  
 

 

Lakeview Golf and Country Club
Offering fine dining at the Crystal Lake Restaurant, you can over look the nine-hole golf course and West Lake where beautiful homes outline the shore. 

 

 

Chariton Public Library
In 1903, Chariton Free Public Library received funds from Andrew Carnegie for a new building.  A new addition in 1992 was financed by community donations and blended well with the original architecture.  It's 8500 square feet houses 35,000 plus materials, music room and genealogy rooms.
 
  Vredenburg-Chariton Family Aquatic Center 

  		   With more than 13,400 square feet of water surface area, the 372,000 gallon pool has dozens of family-friendly features.  A 134 foot open flume water slide tops the list of attractions.  A zero depth entry makes the pool friendly to disabled swimmers and children of all ages.  The very young children enjoy a shallow water fire truck slide, rain drop fountain and various water sprays, deck sprays and other play features.  A six-lane 25-meter lap lane area is ideal for serious swimmers.  The underwater lighting makes diving especially fun during the evening.  The sandy play area and toys provide the raw materials for hours of creative play and castle building.
  
 

 


Mormon Trail
Between 1846 and 1848, thousands of pioneers trekked across the region on the Mormon Trail, a majority following the easier northern Mormon Trace route.  A boulder with a brass plate marks the site of Chariton Point - one and one-half miles southeast of Chariton - where approximately 30 Mormons spent the winter of 1846.  Wagon wheel ruts and campfire rocks can still be seen today.  Another commemorative boulder in addition to and interpretive panel can be found on the Chariton square.  An additional interpretive panel is located near the east Highway 34 entrance to Chariton.  Further information concerning the Mormon Trace can be found at these sites.
 

 
   

Museums

 
Lucas County Historical Society Museum
The A. J. Stephens House, a 1900's home decorated with turn of the century items, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  The museum complex features a one-room schoolhouse, a country church, barn, log cabin and the John L. Lewis Building containing memorabilia from early mining days in Lucas County. 
  		 
 

 

   

John L. Lewis Mining and Labor Museum
Located in the small community of Lucas, this museum features a life-size bronze statue of John L. Lewis, a 40-seat theater and library depicting the history of mining in addition to old mining tools, photographs, documents and labor artifacts.  A "retired" Burlington Northern caboose has been placed in a park near the museum.  Lucas is the birth place of John L. Lewis. 

 
           
   
 

 

      
 


Amish

As you enter Lucas County on either U.S. Highway 34 or Iowa Highway 14, the road that stretches ahead looks the same as the miles you left behind.  If you look really close; however, you will see that different cultures abound and live harmoniously side by side.  

Nestled in the heart of rural Lucas County resides an Old Order Amish community.   This community believes in the traditional, peaceful and simple side of live.  Since 1993, this Amish community has branched out into 30 to 40 family settlements, small businesses and two schools.  Most families live in converted houses where electric lines running to the house are still visible, but obviously not in use.  They are farmers, carpenters, quilters, bakers and most of all families.  Their beliefs seem strange to us but if we think back and remember stories from our families we realize our past relatives once lived as they do.