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Campground Day Use Calendar
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Cottonwood Campground (IA)
COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND IS CLOSED FOR THE 2025 RECREATION SEASON
The Cottonwood 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 Cottonwood Campground offers 11 non-electric walk-to tent campsites. Amenities include a modern restroom and shower facility located at the main parking lot. The campground fee booth is located in the West Overlook Campground. The dump station, drinking water, trash and recycling receptacles are located just outside of the West Overlook Campground.
Need to Know
Three tents are permitted per site.
- Up to 6 occupants are permitted per site.
- 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: bouncy houses, swimming pools, chinese lanterns, loaded firearms, explosives, ammunition, bow or other projectile-firing devices, and fireworks.
- 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.
- The dump station, drinking water, trash and recycling receptacles are located just outside of the West Overlook Campground.
Natural Features
Coralville Lake is located in the Iowa River Valley, just north of Iowa City. The Cottonwood Campground lies among a heavily wooded forest of mixed hardwood species on the west 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 and Slovak Museum and 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
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2850 Prairie Du Chien Rd NE Iowa City IA
Physical
4089 Prairie Du Chien Rd NE Iowa City IA 52240
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: MAY 1 - OCTOBER 31 CAMPGROUND ENTRANCE STATION: (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 east on Prairie Du Chien Rd. NE for 0.1 miles. The entrance to the Cottonwood 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. Travel on West Overlook Rd. NE 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 0.1 miles. The entrance to the Cottonwood Campground will be located on the right side of the road.
Available Campsites
- Site C02, Loop COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (IA), Type Walk To
- Site C03, Loop COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (IA), Type Walk To
- Site C07, Loop COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (IA), Type Walk To
- Site C01, Loop COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (IA), Type Walk To
- Site C09, Loop COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (IA), Type Walk To
- Site C05, Loop COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (IA), Type Walk To
- Site C04, Loop COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (IA), Type Walk To
- Site C11, Loop COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (IA), Type Walk To
- Site C10, Loop COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (IA), Type Walk To
- Site C08, Loop COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (IA), Type Walk To
- Site C06, Loop COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (IA), Type Walk To
