Shimek Forest Campground
Open for camping April 1 through October 31. Reservations required for all sites and can be made up to 3 months in advance through the Iowa State Parks reservation system. Closed November 1 through March 31.
Flood Warning issued September 23 at 9:13PM CDT until September 25 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
...The Flood Warning continues for the following rivers in Iowa... Illinois...Missouri... Mississippi River at Gladstone LD18 affecting Henderson and Des Moines Counties. Mississippi River at Burlington affecting Henderson, Des Moines, Hancock and Lee Counties. Mississippi River at Gregory Landing affecting Clark and Hancock Counties. * WHAT...Minor flooding is forecast. * WHERE...Mississippi River at Burlington. * WHEN...From Thursday morning to Friday evening. * IMPACTS...At 15.0 feet, Agricultural flooding occurs. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - At 8:00 PM CDT Wednesday the stage was 14.8 feet. - Forecast...The river is expected to rise to a crest of 15.0 feet tomorrow morning. It will then fall below flood stage early Friday morning. - Flood stage is 15.0 feet.
About
Shimek State Forest is Iowa's largest state forest, offering primitive camping in the rolling hardwood hills of southeast Iowa. The forest consists of five separate units totaling 9,148 acres, with camping concentrated in the Farmington, Donnellson, and Lick Creek units. Tent campers can choose between Bitternut Lake Campground (8 sites) in the Farmington Unit or White Oak Campground (11 sites, including one hike-in site) in the Donnellson Unit, both offering access to fishing lakes. Equestrian campers have access to 37 sites across the Lower and Upper Lick Creek campgrounds, featuring open-air stalls for overnight horse stabling, hitching posts, gravel parking areas, and horse shade structures. Over 25 miles of equestrian trails wind through the Lick Creek Unit. All campgrounds provide basic amenities including fire rings, picnic tables, water hydrants, pit toilets, and trash dumpsters. There are no showers, hookups, or modern restrooms. The forest offers excellent hunting, fishing at multiple lakes with boat ramps, hiking, mountain biking, and wildlife viewing opportunities.
Directions
From Farmington: Travel 4 miles east on Highway 2 to Lick Creek Unit road, turn south 1 mile. Forest headquarters located approximately 1 mile northeast of Farmington on county road J56.
Nearby Campgrounds
Location
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $12 - $16 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | 83ft |
| Max Trailer Length | 76ft |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | Yes |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (319) 878-3811 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Availability
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