A forested campground near fishing, hiking, and mountain biking. RV fit varies by site.
Shimek State Forest is located in Lee and Van Buren Counties in southeast Iowa near the town of Farmington. Although the forest's original and most important function is to serve as an example of forest management for Iowas citizens, recreational opportunities abound in the forest.











Length limits vary by campsite.
Availability on ReserveAmerica. Showing 40 of 56 sites.
| Site | Fr 13 | Sa 14 | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 001 tent only | ✓ | ✓ | from $10 |
| 002 tent only | ✓ | ✓ | from $10 |
| 003 tent only | ✓ | ✓ | from $10 |
| 004 tent only | ✓ | ✓ | from $10 |
| 005 tent only | ✓ | ✓ | from $10 |
| 006 tent only | ✓ | ✓ | from $10 |
| 007 tent only | ✓ | ✓ | from $10 |
| 008 tent only | ✓ | ✓ | from $10 |
| 009 tent only | ✓ | ✓ | from $10 |
| 010 tent only | ✓ |
Hookups (individual campsites): 37 electric individual sites.
33653 Route J56
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Official facts link to their source; “Listing” facts come from the ReserveAmerica listing. Anything we can't source says so.
| ✓ |
| from $10 |
| 011 tent only | ✓ | ✓ | from $10 |
| 012 tent only | ✓ | ✓ | from $10 |
| 013 tent only | ✓ | ✓ | from $10 |
| 014 tent only | ✓ | ✓ | from $10 |
| 015 tent only | ✓ | ✓ | from $10 |
| 016 tent only | ✓ | ✓ | from $10 |
| 017 tent only | ✓ | ✓ | from $10 |
| 018 tent only | ✓ | ✓ | from $10 |
| 019 tent only | ✓ | ✓ | from $10 |
| 020 equestrian - standard non electric | ✓ | ✓ | from $14 |
| 021 equestrian - standard non electric | ✓ | ✓ | from $14 |
| 022 equestrian - standard non electric | ✓ | ✓ | from $14 |
| 023 equestrian - standard non electric | ✓ | ✓ | from $14 |
| 024 equestrian - standard non electric | ✓ | ✓ | from $14 |
| 025 equestrian - standard non electric | ✓ | ✓ | from $14 |
| 026 equestrian - standard non electric | ✓ | ✓ | from $14 |
| 027 equestrian - standard non electric | ✓ | ✓ | from $14 |
| 028 equestrian - standard non electric | ✓ | ✓ | from $14 |
| 29A equestrian - standard non electric | ✓ | ✓ | from $14 |
| 029 equestrian - standard non electric | ✓ | ✓ | from $14 |
| 030 equestrian - standard non electric | ✓ | ✓ | from $14 |
| 033 equestrian - standard non electric | ✓ | ✓ | from $14 |
| 035 equestrian - standard non electric | ✓ | ✓ | from $14 |
| 036 equestrian - standard non electric | ✓ | ✓ | from $14 |
| 037 equestrian - standard non electric | ✓ | ✓ | from $14 |
| 038 equestrian - standard non electric | ✓ | ✓ | from $14 |
| 039 equestrian - standard non electric | ✓ | ✓ | from $14 |
| 040 equestrian - standard non electric | ✓ | ✓ | from $14 |
| 041 equestrian - standard non electric | ✓ | ✓ | from $14 |
| 042 equestrian - standard non electric | ✓ | ✓ | from $14 |
✓ available · R reserved · X not available · C closed · W first come, first served · N not yet released
Available Nov 13–15 · 2 nights3 sites open for every night
Available Nov 13–15 · 2 nights9 sites open for every nightRentals that may deliver here and whose listed length fits sites up to 74 ft. Delivery may be available — confirm fees and dates with the owner before you book.

Class C motorhome · 23 ft · sleeps 5 · 92 mi from campground
$200/night listed · Outdoorsy · Delivery may be available
View rental
Fifth wheel · 42 ft · sleeps 4 · 163 mi from campground
$120/night listed · Outdoorsy · Delivery may be available
View rental
Travel trailer · 20 ft · sleeps 4 · 176 mi from campground
$80/night listed · RVshare · Delivery may be available
View rentalShare of site-nights open, booked and closed on Iowa State Parks for the next months, checked Nov 7. Months further out may not be released for booking yet.
| Month | Open | Booked | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2026 | 98% | 2% | 0% |
| Dec 2026 | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Jan 2027 | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Feb 2027 | 25% | 0% | 0% |
| Mar 2027 | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Apr 2027 | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| May 2027 | 0% | 0% | 0% |
56 individual reservable campsites from Iowa State Parks, checked Nov 7. Rates are the listed nightly rates.
37 sites · From $14/night
Loops: Lick Creek Unit: Lower Equestrian Campground (25), Lick Creek Unit: Upper Equestrian Campground (12)
33 open Nov 13–Nov 15
19 sites · From $10/night
Loops: Donnellson Unit: White Oak Campground (11), Farmington Unit: Bitternut Campground (8)
19 open Nov 13–Nov 15