CampgroundsGlampingRV rentalsActivities
My trips
CampgroundsGlampingRV rentalsActivitiesMy tripsAbout

Your next chapter starts here

See you
out there

Find your next escape
Find your outside
  • Campgrounds
  • Glamping & cabins
  • RV rentals
  • Outdoor activities
  • RV rentals by state
Make it a trip
  • Explore destinations
  • Field Guides
  • My saved places
  • How it works
  • Photo credits
Say hello
  • Contact us
  • Partner with us
  • Common questions
AboutPrivacy policyTerms & conditions
© 2026 Basecamping

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Activities powered by Viator. Prices and availability come from each provider and are confirmed when you book with them.

  1. Home
  2. Iowa
  3. Shimek Forest Campground

Camping at Shimek Forest Campground near Farmington

State park · Farmington · 56 campsites

A forested campground near fishing, hiking, and mountain biking. RV fit varies by site.

About this campground

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.

No reviews listedBook on Iowa State Parks
View all 6 photos

At a glance

  • RV sites up to 74 ft

    Length limits vary by campsite.

  • Electric hookups
  • Pets not allowed
  • Vault toilets
OverviewCampsitesAmenities & locationPlan your stay

52 available sites

52 open of 56 sites
Site 007
TentHookups not listedFarmington Unit: Bitternut Campground
Available all 2 nights
$20 for 2 nights
$10/night · before taxes & fees
Site 020
Tent · Up to 59 ftElectricLick Creek Unit: Upper Equestrian Campground
Available all 2 nights
$28 for 2 nights
$14/night · before taxes & fees
Site 029
Tent · Up to 61 ftElectricLick Creek Unit: Upper Equestrian Campground
Available all 2 nights
$28 for 2 nights
$14/night · before taxes & fees
Site 001
TentHookups not listedFarmington Unit: Bitternut Campground
Available all 2 nights
$20 for 2 nights
$10/night · before taxes & fees
Site 002
TentHookups not listedFarmington Unit: Bitternut Campground
Available all 2 nights
$20 for 2 nights
$10/night · before taxes & fees
Site 003
TentHookups not listedFarmington Unit: Bitternut Campground
Available all 2 nights
$20 for 2 nights
$10/night · before taxes & fees
Site 004
TentHookups not listedFarmington Unit: Bitternut Campground
Available all 2 nights
$20 for 2 nights
$10/night · before taxes & fees
Site 005
TentHookups not listedFarmington Unit: Bitternut Campground
Available all 2 nights
$20 for 2 nights
$10/night · before taxes & fees

View full availability calendar · night-by-night from ReserveAmerica

Availability on ReserveAmerica. Showing 40 of 56 sites.

SiteFr
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
✓
From $20 for 2 nights
$10/night · Before taxes & fees
52 sites available for your entire stay

You book directly on Iowa State Parks. Rates and availability can change until reserved. Campground page on Iowa State Parks ↗

52 openSites from $10/night
Book on Iowa State Parks

Amenities & location

  • Ada Accessible
  • Drinking Water
  • Parking
  • Registration Building
  • Trash Cans
  • Vault Toilet
  • Atm Cash Machine
  • Church
  • Fuel Vehicles
  • Grocery Store
  • Handicap Access
  • Horse Rentals
Pets
Allowed (per listing)

Hookups (individual campsites): 37 electric individual sites.

Location

33653 Route J56
Open in Google Maps ↗

Shimek Forest Campground: questions answered

What is the maximum RV length at Shimek Forest Campground?
No RV sites listed (per the listing)
Does Shimek Forest Campground have RV hookups?
37 electric individual sites (per the listing)
How do I reserve a site at Shimek Forest Campground?
Reservable on ReserveAmerica (per the listing)
Are pets allowed at Shimek Forest Campground?
Allowed (per the listing)
Sources and details

At a glance

Official facts link to their source; “Listing” facts come from the ReserveAmerica listing. Anything we can't source says so.

Max rig length
Listing No RV sites listed
Hookups & power
Listing 37 electric individual sites
Pull-through / back-in
Listing 1 pull-through, 52 back-in
Pets
Listing Allowed
Water
Listing Drinking water listed
Shade
Listing 0 of 56 sites that report shade are listed as shaded
Booking
Listing Reservable on ReserveAmerica
Getting there
Listing 33653 Route J56 (map in Location below)
Road & site access · Generators · Quiet hours · Cell signal · Starlink / satellite · Price · Stay limits
Not listed — check with campground
Nearby

Campgrounds to compare

Prefer a roof?

Prefer a roof over your head

All glamping →
  • Camp Nauvoo16.7 mi · Nauvoo
  • Lacey-Keosauqua State Park17.2 mi · Keosauqua

Explore nearby

  • Campgrounds near Farmington
  • RV rentals near Farmington
  • Glamping & cabins near Farmington
  • RV rentals in Iowa
  • Glamping in Iowa

Guides for this trip

  • Camping with dogs
✓
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 nights1 site open for every night

Kahoka RV Park

13.2 mi from Shimek Forest Campground (straight-line)
Sites from $25/night
$50 total for Nov 13–15 · before taxes & fees
Rates & availability from Campspot · you book on their site
View Campsites
Available Nov 13–15 · 2 nights3 sites open for every night

Whitetail Tent Camping

13.8 mi from Shimek Forest Campground (straight-line)
Sites from $28/night
$56 total for Nov 13–15 · before taxes & fees
Rates & availability from Hipcamp · you book on their site
View Campsites
Available Nov 13–15 · 2 nights9 sites open for every night

Camp Nauvoo

16.7 mi from Shimek Forest Campground (straight-line)
Sites from $7/night
$14 total for Nov 13–15 · before taxes & fees
Rates & availability from Campspot · you book on their site
View Campsites
Ways to stay

Bring a tent or have an RV waiting

  • Tent camping here: 19 sites take tents. See open sites ↑

Need an RV for your stay?

Rentals 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.

“Beauty” 2015 Four Winds 22E
“Beauty” 2015 Four Winds 22E

Class C motorhome · 23 ft · sleeps 5 · 92 mi from campground

$200/night listed · Outdoorsy · Delivery may be available

View rental
2018 Forest River Sierra 387 MKOK
2018 Forest River Sierra 387 MKOK

Fifth wheel · 42 ft · sleeps 4 · 163 mi from campground

$120/night listed · Outdoorsy · Delivery may be available

View rental
20' V-Cross Vibe, EZ Pullin' Lux Tent on Wheels!
20' V-Cross Vibe, EZ Pullin' Lux Tent on Wheels!

Travel trailer · 20 ft · sleeps 4 · 176 mi from campground

$80/night listed · RVshare · Delivery may be available

View rental
Best time to go

Seasons, rates and how booked it gets

  • Off-peak Apr 1–Apr 30: per night
  • Peak season May 1–Oct 15: per night

Share 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.

MonthOpenBookedClosed
Nov 202698%2%0%
Dec 2026100%0%0%
Jan 2027100%0%0%
Feb 202725%0%0%
Mar 20270%0%0%
Apr 20270%0%0%
May 20270%0%0%
Compare site types

56 individual reservable campsites from Iowa State Parks, checked Nov 7. Rates are the listed nightly rates.

Equestrian - standard non electric

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

Tent only

19 sites · From $10/night

Loops: Donnellson Unit: White Oak Campground (11), Farmington Unit: Bitternut Campground (8)

19 open Nov 13–Nov 15