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.
Extreme Heat Warning issued July 1 at 9:06PM CDT until July 2 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
* WHAT...Dangerously hot and humid conditions with multiple days of heat index values of 100 to 110 expected, along with nighttime lows not falling below the mid to upper 70s. * WHERE...Portions of northwest and west central Illinois, east central and southeast Iowa, and northeast Missouri. * WHEN...Until 10 PM CDT Thursday. * IMPACTS...Heat related illnesses increase significantly during extreme heat and high humidity events. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...The extreme heat may persist through late week, but thunderstorms and associated clouds may interrupt the heat at times Thursday and Friday.
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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