Shimek State Forest Campground
Community Reviews
Been here? Share the conditions.
Reviews, ratings & photos are added in the free Snoflo iOS app — rate a spot, tag the conditions, and your visit is verified by location. Add or manage your reviews from the app.
Shimek State Forest
The campground amenities include a shower house, restrooms, and picnic tables. There are 15 campsites available on a first-come, first-serve basis. An interesting fact about the area is that a portion of the forest was once a Native American village.
The best time to visit Shimek State Forest Camping Area is during the spring and fall when temperatures are mild, averaging in the 60s and 70s. However, visitors can also enjoy the campground during the summer months when temperatures can reach up to the mid-80s. The area transforms into a stunning autumn landscape in the fall, making it an ideal time to camp and explore the forest.
What's on-site at Shimek State Forest
Key facilities Snoflo tracks for this campground. Confirm with the operator before booking -- amenities can change seasonally.
Plan your trip down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max so trends jump out at a glance.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks. Hover any point for the full breakdown.
Other campgrounds in the area
Snoflo-tracked campsites within driving distance of Shimek State Forest, with reservations status.
| Campground | Reservations | Toilets | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teal Lake Campground | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Teal Lake Group Site | ✓ | ✗ | → |
| Teal Lake | ✗ | ✓ | → |
| Grizzly Creek | ✗ | ✓ | → |
| Grizzly Guard Station Recreation Rental | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Summit Lake | ✗ | ✓ | → |
Nearby streamflow
USGS streamgauges within reach of Shimek State Forest -- pulled live from the National Water Information System.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Fish Cr At Upper Sta Nr Steamboat Springs | 12 cfs | → |
| Yampa River At Steamboat Springs | 74 cfs | → |
| Walton Creek Near Steamboat Springs | 10 cfs | → |
| Elk River Near Milner | 83 cfs | → |
| Michigan River At Walden | 6 cfs | → |
| Yampa River Below Stagecoach Reservoir | 46 cfs | → |
Nearby snow depths
NRCS SNOTEL stations within reach of Shimek State Forest -- relevant when planning a shoulder-season or alpine trip.
| SNOTEL station | Snowpack | 24h Snowfall | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Donnellson | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Fort Madison | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| New London 1.5 Sw | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Dallas City 3.0 Sse | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Fairfield | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Lock And Dam-Mississippi River | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest parks, lakes, boat launches, and paddle runs so a camping night can grow into a full weekend.
Parks
- Wilderness Mount Zirkel
- Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge
- Iron Springs Park
- Emerald Field
- Pearl Lake State Park
- Steamboat Lake State Park
Boat launches
- Teal Lake Boating Site
- Delaney Butte Lakes State Wildlife Area
- Seymour Lake State Wildlife Area
- Lake John State Wildlife Area
Fishing spots
Points of interest
- Pioneer Historical Museum
- Des Moines River Lock Number 5
- Nauvoo Illinois Temple
- Nauvoo Martyrdom Museum
- Weld House Museum
- Cb&Q Depot
Paddle runs
- Roaring Fork (West Section Line Sec 28 T9n, R82w); Red Canyon (Nw1/4 Sec 5, T8n, R82w) To East Section Line Sec 34, T9n, R82w
- Headwaters Of North, Middle And South Forks To Confluence Of South Fork With Encampment River
- Lower Fish Creek
- Pumphouse To Double Bridges
- Wy-Co State Line To Encampment River Wilderness Boundary
- Headwaters (Continental Divide) And Its West Fork (From West Fork Lake) To North Section Line, Sec 21, T12n, R84w
Camping essentials & Leave No Trace
- Pack it in, pack it out
- Take all trash, food scraps, and gear back with you to keep campsites clean and protect wildlife.
- Respect wildlife
- Observe animals from a distance, store food securely, and never feed wildlife to maintain natural behavior and safety.
- Know before you go
- Check weather, fire restrictions, trail conditions, and permit requirements to ensure a safe and well-planned trip.
- Minimize campfire impact
- Use established fire rings, keep fires small, fully extinguish them, or opt for a camp stove when fires are restricted.
- Leave what you find
- Preserve natural and cultural features by avoiding removal of plants, rocks, artifacts, or other elements of the environment.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Shimek State Forest as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, snowpack, freezing temperatures), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
About Shimek State Forest
Can I make reservations at Shimek State Forest?
Yes -- this campground accepts reservations. Snoflo recommends booking early for peak season; check the operator (Recreation.gov / state park system / private operator) for the booking window and cancellation policy.
How fresh is the weather data on this page?
The hourly forecast updates throughout the day from the NOAA / yr.no public feeds. Streamflow data is pulled live from USGS streamgauges and snowpack from the NRCS SNOTEL network.
What's the best time of year to visit?
Use the 15-day temperature & precipitation outlook on this page to plan -- pick a window with comfortable temperatures and low precipitation. For longer trips, the 5-day hourly meteogram shows snow + rain accumulation hour-by-hour.
How do I get to Shimek State Forest?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions in Google Maps, or Open in map to center the Snoflo interactive map on the campground.
Can I get alerts when conditions change?
Yes -- alerts are managed through the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this campground, set a threshold (temperature, snowpack, precipitation), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.
Other campgrounds near here
Snoflo-tracked campgrounds within driving distance of Shimek State Forest.