Cottonwood Campground
The campground was closed for the entire 2025 recreation season and remains closed as of late May 2026. Normal operating season is May 1 through October 31. Reservations are handled through Recreation.gov when open.
Extreme Heat Warning issued July 1 at 2:27PM CDT until July 2 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
* WHAT...Dangerously hot and humid conditions with multiple days of heat index values of 100 to 110 expected, along with nighttime lows not falling below the mid to upper 70s. * WHERE...Portions of northwest and west central Illinois, east central and southeast Iowa, and northeast Missouri. * WHEN...Until 10 PM CDT Thursday. * IMPACTS...Heat related illnesses increase significantly during extreme heat and high humidity events.
About
Cottonwood Campground offers a primitive tent camping experience within the Dam Complex at Coralville Lake, just north of Iowa City. The 11 walk-to sites accommodate up to 6 people and 3 tents each, set among a heavily wooded forest of mixed hardwood species. This is tent-only camping with no vehicle access to sites and no electric hookups. Modern amenities are available at the main parking lot, including a restroom and shower facility. Drinking water and a dump station are located outside the nearby West Overlook Campground. Trash and recycling receptacles are provided on-site. Coralville Lake provides excellent recreational opportunities including boating, fishing for largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappie, walleye, and catfish, swimming, and water skiing. The nearby Devonian Fossil Gorge offers a unique chance to explore a 375-million-year-old sea floor. Several trails are accessible from the Dam Complex, including the barrier-free Veterans Trail.
Directions
From I-80 in Iowa City, take Exit 244 toward Dubuque St./North Liberty. Travel north on Dubuque St. for 3 miles and turn right onto West Overlook Rd. NE. Travel 1.1 miles to the second stop sign, turn right onto Prairie Du Chien Rd. NE. The campground entrance is 0.1 miles on the right.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | — |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | Yes |
| Wifi | — |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | Yes |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | — |
| Price | $14 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| coralville.lake@usace.army.mil | |
| Phone | +1 (319) 338-3543 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | Yes |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | None |
Availability
Photos
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