Fishing and hiking opportunities draw campers to this free campground within Shimek State Forest's forested terrain. The Farmington Unit provides electric, water, and sewer hookups at no cost, with picnic tables and campfire rings at each site. Reservations are available through the Iowa DNR.
The campground sits near a lake with open terrain mixed throughout the wooded setting. Pets are welcome on leash, and the forest's trail system connects directly from the camping area. For those wanting equestrian facilities, Lick Creek Unit - Upper Equestrian Campground — Shimek State Forest offers horse camping within the same forest system.
Description
Bitternut Lake Campground in the Farmington 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).
Warning 2 Alerts are In Effect
There are 2 alerts for this campground. Camp safely!
Warning 2 Alerts are In Effect
There are 2 alerts for this campground. Camp safely!
The campground is closed each year from November 1 - March 31.
This campground is 100 percent reservable and accepts reservations April 1 - October 31 until 10:00 pm CST the day of arrival.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsFarmington Unit is located in Iowa near Farmington
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
Connectivity
T-MobileLTESome Coverage- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 7/11/26
AT&TNo Coverage
Connectivity
- T-MobileLTESome Coverage
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 7/11/26
- AT&TNo Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
Features
For Campers
- Picnic Table
- Reservable
- Electric Hookups
- 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.
Drive Time
- 1 hr 9 min from Iowa City, IA
- 1 hr 29 min from Cedar Rapids, IA
- 1 hr 58 min from Davenport, IA
- 2 hrs 4 min from Peoria, IL
