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Reviews for Shimek State Forest
(click on name for more information)
Farmington, IA

Overall TRAIL RATING with 6 votes:
Overall CAMP RATING with 4 votes:
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Individual Reviews

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Beautiful, beautiful place to ride. Would go back again in a heartbeat. River Valley Lodge is a wonderful campground. There's pens and high ties for the horses, two arenas, an obstacle course with a teeter totter, and they have their own trails. They offer cool events like drill team performances, cowboy church, and wedding events. The trails are amazing as well. There's all types of terrain to ride on, from dirt to rocks. There's lots of hills and flat land too. There are some steep gullies that can be a little intimidating for the novice rider, but they shouldn't be any trouble. There were no water crossings this last fall - they were all dried up. Somewhere in the Shimek Forest is a tree where people hang their bras and also a Lonesome Dove sign. If you want to eat out, you can also ride into Farmington for breakfast, lunch, or dinner and hitch your horses to one of the hitching posts in town. I can't wait to go back!
Reviewed by: Kelsey Litterer on 2/10/2014 8:05:37 PM
 Experience: Intermediate Ride Date: 10/20/2013 Hometown: Garner, Iowa,

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We had a fantastic time at River Valley Horse Camp!! The hosts were excellent and so were the accomadations. The shower house is unbelievable and well worth using even if you have your own shower....we did! Beautiful lodge with patio that you can sit in on the hottest of days and feel comfortable visiting with friends. The trails were great as well even though some were pretty wet and muddy you could easily avoid them if needed. The forest was beautiflly maintained. We spent 3 full days riding and one day rode 6 hours and were not on the same trail twice. All weather trail in forest was great for moving our horses out. The main forest trail is fine cinder and some tender footed horses may appreciate shoes but we certainly didn't need ours. Map can be a little difficult but once you ride for a day or two you will figure it out. I would highly recommend this ranch. We used the arena, roundpen and obstacle course which was nice as something fun to do in the evening after resting from our morning ride. It was well worth the 6-7 hour drive for us and we will go back again and again!!
Reviewed by: Pratt on 9/2/2013 3:20:58 PM
More reviews by Pratt 		Experience: Expert Ride Date: 7/1/2013 Hometown: Palmyra, NE

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Clean and beautiful timbers. There are single line trails and extra wide trails consisting of gorgeous trees, creeks, peaks and valleys. We camped there at Shimek's lower campsite. There is a water hydrant, individual horse "stalls" to keep your horses in, pit toilets and a fire ring/grill combo. Very nice set up. Nice weekend ride! Can't wait to go again!
Reviewed by: Jan on 11/2/2012 4:52:57 PM
 Experience: Intermediate Ride Date: 10/27/2012 Hometown: Riverside, IA

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We arrived on Sunday and spent a week riding the Shiemk trails, they were wonderful!! Nice hills and a lot of single track trails. We stayed at Rivervalley Campground and would go back anytime. I would go again in a heartbeat. Dani
Reviewed by: dani Boushon on 10/13/2012 6:41:22 PM
 Experience: Intermediate Ride Date: 10/6/2012 Hometown: Granton, WI

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Reviewed by: Anonymous on 7/23/2011 8:03:40 AM
 Experience: Intermediate Ride Date: 7/4/2010 Hometown: , Select State

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We stayed at the River Valley Lodge and Campground. The sites are wonderful and the owners very accomodating. Probably the nicest horse camp we have ever stayed in and we do alot of horse traveling. The trails at the Shimek State Forest are challenging and there are alot of them. The town of Farmington is horse friendly, they have hitching rails in town for you to tie up to so you can enjoy an ice cream or go to the grocery store. They provide you with a great map and the trails are well marked. The trails were somewhat wet but I would guess that later in the summer they would be drier. There are alot of creek crossings and hills you have to go up and down. Prepare for butt sliders!
Reviewed by: Terri Janssen on 4/17/2010 4:15:56 PM
 Experience: Expert Ride Date: 4/16/2010 Hometown: Pine City, MN