Lick Creek Unit - Lower Campground in Shimek State Forest is surrounded by forested terrain. The area experiences temperatures ranging from the low 20s in winter to the mid-80s in summer. Nearby attractions include Shimek State Forest trails and the Croton Unit, offering opportunities for hiking and wildlife observation.
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 4 Alerts are In Effect
There are 4 alerts for this campground. Camp safely!
Warning 4 Alerts are In Effect
There are 4 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.
Minimal snow removal will occur on the forest roads this winter. Use caution when traveling in the Forest. (Posted 12/15/25)
The dirt trails are closed for equestrian use, the Wet Weather Trail is open. This alert will be removed when trail status has changed. (Posted 12/15/2025)
Starting in April of 2026, all campsites will become 100 percent reservable and will be accepting same-day reservations. As part of this process, the campground will close on January 1, 2026.
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 2/26/26
AT&TNo Coverage
Connectivity
- T-MobileLTESome Coverage
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 2/26/26
- 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
