The Farmington Unit contains Bitternut Lake, White Oak Lake and Black Oak Lake which has a handicapped accessible picnic area, fishing dock, parking area, and restrooms. The unit has 18.9 miles of hiking trails.
To access northern sections of the Farmington Unit, follow County Road W46 north out of the town of Farmington for 1.8 miles; turn left onto Bitternut Lake Road. You can also access part of the Farmington Unit of Shimek by turning right onto Coal Mine Hollow Drive from County Road W46. A small section of the Farmington Unit can also be accessed while traveling east on Hwy 2 out of Farmington; turn left at the first road (110th Avenue).
Forest; Pileated Woodpeckers readily seen and heard near Bitternut Lake.

Shimek State Forest consists of several non-contiguous units comprising about 10,000 acres in Lee and Van Buren Counties. The most significant of these from an ornithological standpoint is the main parcel of the Croton Unit, comprising about 1,100 acres.

From the town of Donnellson at the intersection of Highways 218 and 2 in central Lee County, travel south about 2 miles on 218 to its intersection with highway 394. Continue south on highway 394 about five miles to the unincorporated community of Argyle. Turn right (west) at the only intersection and go about 2.5 miles to a fork. Bear right. Continue on this road about 1 mile to a parking area on the right, just before a small bridge. You may also continue past this point to the next intersection. Taking the road to the right will take you past more of the Croton Unit of Shimek State Forest.