Henderson County Conservation Area, which includes Gladstone Lake, offers a variety of recreational facilities. The 27-acre lake has a shoreline of 1.5 miles and a maximum depth of 25 feet. The area, about 20 miles southwest of Monmouth and five miles east of the Mississippi River, has a total of 87 acres.

Henderson County Conservation Area was purchased by the state in 1961 from the C. B. & Q. Railroad. The railroad used the area to dredge sand and gravel for use in its railroad maintenance. The lake water was used for filling the train?s steam engine.

Tent and trailer sites are available. All campers must obtain a camping permit from the park personnel. Group camping is permitted; all groups of more than 25 persons need advance permission to enter the area.