Shimek

Shimek State Forest is Iowa's largest contiguous block of state-owned forestland, encompassing 9,148 acres across Lee and Van Buren counties in the southeastern corner of the state. Named in honor of Dr. Bohumil Shimek, a pioneering Iowa conservationist and University of Iowa botany professor who championed the preservation of Iowa's vanishing forests in the early 20th century, the forest represents one of the most significant remaining examples of native oak-hickory woodland in the state. Established in 1950, the forest offers extensive recreational opportunities including hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, camping, hunting, and fishing across its rolling wooded terrain. With nearly 60 miles of trails and multiple camping areas, Shimek provides a wilderness-like experience increasingly rare in Iowa's predominantly agricultural landscape. The forest's multiple units, including the large Lick Creek Unit, offer diverse recreational experiences from equestrian camping to quiet woodland hiking.

Shimek State Forest supports some of Iowa's most diverse wildlife populations, benefiting from the large contiguous forest habitat that is increasingly rare in the state's agricultural landscape. The forest is particularly noted for its wild turkey population, which was successfully reintroduced here during the winter of 1965-1966 as part of a statewide restoration effort. By the early 1970s, turkey flocks of 50 birds had established themselves, and today the forest provides excellent turkey hunting during designated seasons. White-tailed deer thrive in the forest's mix of woodland and openings, with deer hunting being one of the primary recreational activities. Squirrels, rabbits, quail, and various other small game species provide additional hunting opportunities. The forest's numerous small lakes and streams support populations of largemouth bass, channel catfish, and various panfish. Forest-interior birds including wood thrushes, scarlet tanagers, and various woodpecker species benefit from the extensive unbroken woodland habitat.

Shimek State Forest contains one of Iowa's finest examples of native oak-hickory forest, with nearly 9,000 acres of mature woodland dominated by white oak, red oak, and various hickory species. On the more productive sites, white and red oak form the dominant canopy, while less fertile areas support stands of black oak, bur oak, and shingle oak mixed with hickory. Approximately 1,000 acres of planted pine, established during the Civilian Conservation Corps era, add evergreen diversity to the predominantly deciduous forest. The understory includes dogwood, sassafras, and various shrub species, while the forest floor supports spring wildflowers including bloodroot, hepatica, trillium, and wild geranium. The hardwood bottomlands along streams feature elm, cottonwood, silver maple, black walnut, and hackberry. Native prairie plants including prairie cordgrass, switchgrass, and purple coneflower persist in openings and forest edges. The forest's diverse vegetation communities provide seasonal interest from spring wildflowers through fall foliage.

Shimek State Forest occupies the rugged, dissected landscape of the Southern Iowa Drift Plain, characterized by deeply eroded hills and valleys carved from ancient glacial deposits over hundreds of thousands of years. The underlying geology consists of glacial till deposited during multiple Pre-Illinoian glacial episodes between 2.2 million and 500,000 years ago, overlain by windblown loess deposited during the dry, windy periods that followed glaciation. Extensive erosion has carved deep valleys into these deposits, creating the steeply rolling terrain that characterizes the forest today. The bedrock beneath the glacial deposits consists of Pennsylvanian and Mississippian-age limestones and shales, occasionally exposed in stream valleys where erosion has cut through the overlying glacial materials. The varied topography creates diverse growing conditions, with moisture-loving species occupying the valley bottoms while drought-tolerant oaks dominate the ridgetops. This geological history has produced the dissected landscape that made the land marginal for agriculture but ideal for forest growth.

Shimek State Forest experiences the humid continental climate of southeastern Iowa, with hot, humid summers and cold winters that support the deciduous forest ecosystem. Summer temperatures reach the upper 80s to low 90s Fahrenheit, with high humidity making the forest feel warmer, while winter temperatures drop into the low 20s on average with periodic cold snaps bringing single-digit readings. Annual precipitation averages approximately 38 inches, more than areas further north in the state, with the majority falling as rain during the growing season. The abundant moisture supports the lush forest growth that distinguishes this part of Iowa from the drier prairie regions to the north and west. Severe thunderstorms can develop during spring and summer months, occasionally producing damaging winds that create forest openings. Winter snowfall averages 20-25 inches, less than northern Iowa due to the southern location. The extended growing season of approximately 160 frost-free days promotes vigorous forest growth and supports the diverse plant and animal communities.

The forested hills of what is now Shimek State Forest have attracted human inhabitants for thousands of years. Native American peoples including the Illini, Meskwaki (Fox), and Sauk utilized the region's forests for hunting, gathering nuts and wild foods, and obtaining wood for tools and fuel. The abundance of game in these wooded hills made them valuable hunting territory. European-American settlement arrived in the mid-1800s, and settlers cleared much of the forest for farmland, particularly the more level upland areas. However, the steep, dissected terrain proved marginal for agriculture, and decades of farming depleted the thin soils. By the early 20th century, many farms in this area had been abandoned as farmers moved to more productive land elsewhere. Dr. Bohumil Shimek, a University of Iowa botany professor, recognized the opportunity to preserve and restore the vanishing forests of southeastern Iowa. His advocacy led to state acquisition of abandoned farms and remaining forestland in Lee and Van Buren counties during the 1930s.

Shimek State Forest was officially established in 1950 and named in honor of Dr. Bohumil Shimek, who had died in 1937 after decades of advocating for forest preservation in Iowa. The land acquisition that created the forest began during the 1930s when Shimek convinced the state to purchase abandoned farms and remaining forestland in southeastern Iowa. The Civilian Conservation Corps established operations in the area during the Depression, constructing facilities and completing demonstration plantings of both hardwoods and conifers. CCC workers planted many acres of pine on eroded hillsides, creating the pine plantations that now provide evergreen diversity within the predominantly hardwood forest. A pivotal moment in the forest's wildlife history came during the winter of 1965-1966 when the state selected Shimek as a site for wild turkey reintroduction. The successful establishment of turkey populations here helped restore this native game bird across Iowa. Today, the forest is managed for multiple uses including timber production, wildlife habitat, recreation, and watershed protection.

Shimek State Forest offers nearly 60 miles of trails for hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking, distributed across its multiple units. The Lick Creek Unit, the largest at 2,866 acres, serves as the primary recreational hub with extensive equestrian trails, two equestrian campgrounds, and hiking trails that traverse the forested hills and valleys. Riders can explore miles of trails through mature oak-hickory forest, crossing streams and climbing ridges with views across the wooded landscape. Hikers can choose from trails ranging from short nature walks to extended backcountry routes through some of Iowa's most extensive forest cover. Mountain biking trails provide technical riding opportunities on varied terrain. Fishing opportunities exist at numerous small lakes scattered throughout the forest, where anglers can pursue largemouth bass, channel catfish, and panfish. Hunting remains one of the primary recreational activities, with deer, turkey, squirrel, and small game drawing hunters during designated seasons. The forest's wild character and extensive trail system provide outdoor experiences rare in Iowa's predominantly agricultural landscape.

Shimek State Forest provides facilities oriented toward extended outdoor recreation and camping in a natural setting. Two equestrian campgrounds in the Lick Creek Unit offer sites designed for horse campers, with access to extensive equestrian trails. Additional primitive camping opportunities exist in various units throughout the forest. Unlike state parks with developed facilities, the state forest offers a more rustic experience suited to self-sufficient visitors. Vault toilets are available at major trailheads and camping areas. The forest's multiple units are accessed via county roads from nearby communities. The Lick Creek Unit is located approximately 3 miles east of Farmington on Highway 2. The city of Keokuk, on the Mississippi River, and Fort Madison are the nearest larger communities with lodging, dining, and services. The forest's southeastern Iowa location places it about 2 hours from Des Moines and provides access to Mississippi River attractions and historic communities in Lee and Van Buren counties.

Shimek State Forest exemplifies Iowa's approach to sustainable forestry and conservation on state lands, balancing multiple uses including timber production, wildlife habitat, recreation, and watershed protection. The forest is managed according to the Iowa DNR Forest Ecosystem Management Guide, which emphasizes sustained yield timber production while maintaining ecological values. Forestry demonstrations within Shimek showcase various practices including timber stand improvement, thinning, and sustainable harvesting with emphasis on regenerating the dominant oak-hickory forest type. Wildlife management receives significant attention, with habitat maintained for game species including deer, turkey, and small game. The successful wild turkey reintroduction demonstrated the value of large, connected forest habitat for species restoration. Conservation of native plant communities, control of invasive species, and protection of water quality in the forest's streams and small lakes contribute to ecosystem health. Educational opportunities help visitors understand sustainable forestry practices and the role of managed forests in Iowa's conservation landscape.