Free Camping Collection
Established Camping
Donnelson Unit - White Oak Campground — Shimek State Forest
Warning 1 Alert is In Effect
There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!
Warning 1 Alert is In Effect
There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!
The dirt trails are closed due to wet conditions. The wet weather trail is open. (Posted August 12, 2025)
Donnelson Unit - White Oak Campground is located in Shimek State Forest near the southeastern region of Iowa. The terrain consists of forested areas with a mix of flat and gently rolling landscapes. Campers can explore nearby attractions such as the Shimek State Forest trails and the Croton Unit, offering opportunities for hiking and wildlife observation.
Description
The White Oak Campground located in the Donnellson Unit is not available for reservations. All camping is on a first-come, first-serve basis. (11 sites or less) and nonmodern.
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. Visitors come from a wide area to hunt, fish, hike, ride the equestrian trails, mountain bike, camp, picnic, study nature and enjoy the outdoors. Visitors can expect to find oak-hickory forests and bottomland hardwood timber forests but will also find several areas where native prairie plants can be found and about 1,000 acres which have been planted to conifers. In this extremely varied habitat wildlife is abundant. Bring your camera or spotting scope! The forest is managed by the Iowa DNR Forestry Bureau and is comprised of five separate units with a total of 9,148 acres. The forest headquarters is located about one mile northeast of Farmington on county road J56. The four lakes in the Farmington and Donnellson Units are stocked with bass, channel catfish and panfish. There are no designated swimming areas. The entire forest is open to hiking and hunting (except in the camping areas).
Location
Donnelson Unit - White Oak Campground — Shimek State Forest is located in Iowa
Directions
To find the Lick Creek equestrian campgrounds. From Farmington: Travel 4 miles east on Hwy 2 until the Lick Creek Unit road. Turn south go 1 mile. From Donnellson: Travel 6 miles west on Hwy 2 until the Lick Creek Unit road. Turn south go 1 mile.
Address
33653 Route J56
Farmington, IA 52626
Coordinates
40.6120525 N
91.6855434 W
Detours Nearby
Indian Lake Park
5 min away
Lower Augusta Skunk River Access
32 min away
Drive Time
- 1 hr 9 min from Iowa City
- 1 hr 29 min from Cedar Rapids
- 1 hr 58 min from Davenport
- 2 hrs 4 min from Peoria
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Connectivity
T-MobileLTESome Coverage- VerizonLTESome Coverage
AT&TNo Coverage
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Dispersed
Features
For Campers
- Picnic Table
- Reservable
- Electric Hookups
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sewer Hookups
- Water Hookups
- 30 Amp Hookups
- 50 Amp Hookups
FREE established camping
Enjoy camping on government land. Limited or no services at this camping area.
