Tailwater East Campground
Coralville Lake
The Tailwater East Campground is located within the Dam Complex at the Coralville Lake Project. The Coralville Lake Project is a multiple use project providing primary benefits in flood control and low flow augmentation, and secondary benefits in recreation, fish and wildlife management and forest management. Coralville Lake provides many recreational opportunities, including boating, camping, hiking, mountain biking, lake and river fishing, swimming, water skiing, picnicking and hunting.
The Tailwater East Campground is located on the east bank of the Iowa River below the Coralville Lake Dam. The campground offers 28 campsites to include full hook-up campsites, standard electric campsites, and non-electric walk-to tent campsites. Amenities include a modern restroom and shower facility, fish cleaning station, and a boat ramp for accessing the Iowa River. The campground fee booth is located in the West Overlook Campground.
Need to Know
Three camping units are permitted per campsite: One RV and two tent, or three tents.
- Up to six occupants are permitted per campsite.
- Quiet hours are from 10:00 p.m. - 6:00 a.m.
- Visitors shall register for their campsite at the West Overlook Campground Fee Booth prior to setting up on the campsite.
Check-Out Time: 12:00 P.M.
Check-In Time: 2:00 P.M.
- Do not attach anything to trees.
- Pets must be penned, on a leash under 6 feet in length, or otherwise physically restrained.
No parking on grass, roads, shoulders or empty campsites.
No UTVs or golf carts within the campground.
- All of the following items are prohibited: loaded firearms, explosives, ammunition, bow or other projectile-firing devices, and fireworks.
- All of the following items are prohibited: bouncy houses, swimming pools, and Chinese lanterns.
- No-Shows: If a customer does not arrive and register for their campsite by check-out time the day after original arrival date, the customer will be assessed a $20.00 service fee and forfeit the first night use fee.
Cancellation: If a customer cancels a reservation they will be charged a $10.00 service fee. If a customer cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival they will be charged a $10.00 service fee and will also forfeit the first night's use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation).
- Don't Move Firewood: Protect your forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. Visit Dontmovefirewood.org for further information.
- All boats shall be removed from the lake/river each day. Boats are not permitted to be moored on the shoreline overnight.
Natural Features
Coralville Lake is located in the Iowa River Valley, just north of Iowa City. The Tailwater East Campground lies among a heavily wooded forest of mixed hardwood species on the east side of the dam. Wildlife is abundant throughout the project. Whitetail deer, turkeys, pheasants, waterfowl, song birds and other species roam the lands around the lake.
Nearby Attractions
Iowa City/Coralville offers the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, University of Iowa campus, hospital and clinics, numerous restaurants and shops as well as Coral Ridge Mall. Cedar Rapids has wonderful cultural, historic and ethnic attractions such as The National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library and is the home of the Kernels Professional Baseball Club. West Branch boasts the Herbert Hoover National Historic Site and Presidential Library/Museum. At Amana Colonies visit seven quaint villages with outstanding restaurants, wineries, historic sites and specialty shops. Kalona is known as the "Quilt Capital of Iowa" and is home to an Old Order Amish and Mennonite Community.
Recreation
Visitors enjoy Coralville Lake for camping, boating, fishing, swimming and water activities. Anglers will find large and smallmouth bass, crappie, walleye and catfish. Several trails are within the Dam Complex, including Squire Point, Woodpecker Trail, Tailwater Riverwalk and barrier-free Veterans Trail. The Devonian Fossil Gorge is just below the dam, offering a unique opportunity to explore a 375-million-year old sea floor and discover fossil remains of sea life that once inhabited this tropical marine environment. Twenty discovery points can be found throughout the site along with a cell phone audio tour.
The Turkey Creek Disc Golf Course is located in the Dam Complex and offers nine partially wooden and open holes.
Contact Information
2850 PRAIRIE DU CHIEN RD NE IOWA CITY IOWA 52240
Mailing
2850 Prairie Du Chien Rd NE Iowa City IA 52240
Physical
2829 Prairie Du Chien Rd NE Iowa City IA 52240
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: MAY 1 - OCTOBER 31 CAMPGROUND FEE BOOTH (319) 338-3685 NOVEMBER 1 - APRIL 30 CORALVILLE LAKE PROJECT OFFICE (319) 338-3543 X.6300
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
From Interstate 80 (Iowa City, Iowa), take Exit 244 towards Dubuque St./North Liberty. Travel north on Dubuque St. for 3 miles and turn right onto West Overlook Rd. NE. Travel on West Overlook Rd. NE for 1.1 miles. At the second stop sign, turn right onto Prairie Du Chien Rd. NE. Travel est on Prairie Du Chien Rd. NE for 0.7 miles, across the Coralville Lake Dam. The entrance to the Tailwater East Campground will be located on the right side of the road.
From Interstate 380 (North Liberty, Iowa), take Exit 4 towards North Liberty. Travel east on W. Penn St. for 2 miles and turn right onto N. Dubuque St. Travel south on N. Dubuque St. for 1.9 miles, at the traffic circle, continue straight onto Dubuque St. NE. Continue traveling south on Dubuque St. NE for 1.9 miles. Turn left onto West Overlook Rd. NE and travel east for 1.1 miles. At the second stop sign, turn right onto Prairie Du Chien Rd. NE. Travel east on Prairie Du Chien Rd. NE for 0.7 miles, across the Coralville Lake Dam. The entrance to the Tailwater East Campground will be located on the right side of the road.
Available Campsites
- Site E06, Loop TAILWATER EAST CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Electric
- Site E21, Loop TAILWATER EAST CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Electric
- Site E24, Loop TAILWATER EAST CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Electric
- Site E20, Loop TAILWATER EAST CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Electric
- Site E14, Loop TAILWATER EAST CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Electric
- Site E26, Loop TAILWATER EAST CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Electric
- Site E17, Loop TAILWATER EAST CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Electric
- Site E28, Loop TAILWATER EAST CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Electric
- Site E15, Loop TAILWATER EAST CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Electric
- Site E10, Loop TAILWATER EAST CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Electric
- Site E07, Loop TAILWATER EAST CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Electric
- Site E12, Loop TAILWATER EAST CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Electric
- Site E18, Loop TAILWATER EAST CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Electric
- Site E08, Loop TAILWATER EAST CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Electric
- Site E13, Loop TAILWATER EAST CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Electric
- Site E23, Loop TAILWATER EAST CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Electric
- Site E25, Loop TAILWATER EAST CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Electric
- Site E22, Loop TAILWATER EAST CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Electric
- Site E19, Loop TAILWATER EAST CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Electric
- Site E09, Loop TAILWATER EAST CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Electric
- Site E16, Loop TAILWATER EAST CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Electric
- Site E27, Loop TAILWATER EAST CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Electric
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