Shimek Forest Campground

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.