Equestrian enthusiasts will find full hookups and horse-friendly facilities at this forested campground within Shimek State Forest. The Lower Equestrian Campground provides electric, water, and sewer connections for $14 per night, along with picnic tables and campfire rings at each site.
Located near Lick Creek with access to hiking trails and fishing opportunities, the campground serves riders exploring the forest's trail system. Pets are welcome, and reservations are available through Iowa DNR. The drive-in access accommodates RVs needing full utility connections in a wooded setting that combines open terrain with creek proximity.
Description
The Lick Creek Unit contains two nonmodern equestrian campgrounds with nonelectric campsites. Facilities include pit toilets, fire rings, picnic tables, gravel parking pads, water hydrants, hitching rails and shade for horses. There are also stalls for overnight stabling.
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 3 Alerts are In Effect
There are 3 alerts for this campground. Camp safely!
Warning 3 Alerts are In Effect
There are 3 alerts for this campground. Camp safely!
This campground is 100 percent reservable and accepts reservations April 1 - October 31 until 10:00 pm CST the day of arrival.
The dirt trails are closed for equestrian use, the Wet Weather Trail is open. This alert will be removed when trail status has changed. (Updated 3/17/2026)
The campground is closed each year from November 1 - March 31.
RV Road Trip Guides
Location
Public CampgroundLick Creek Unit - Lower Equestrian 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
Connectivity
T-MobileLTESome Coverage- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 4/15/26
AT&TNo Coverage
Connectivity
- T-MobileLTESome Coverage
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 4/15/26
- AT&TNo Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Equestrian
Features
For Campers
- Picnic Table
- Reservable
- Electric Hookups
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sewer Hookups
- Water Hookups
- 30 Amp Hookups
- 50 Amp Hookups
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
