Sugar Bottom Day Use Area
Closed — Closed for the winter season. Typically reopens in spring around May and operates through September.
Cold Weather Advisory issued January 19 at 3:02AM CST until January 19 at 12:00PM CST by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
* WHAT...Very cold wind chills as low as 25 to 30 below. * WHERE...Portions of east central and northeast Iowa. * WHEN...Until noon CST today. * IMPACTS...The dangerously cold wind chills as low as 30 below zero could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes. Frostbite and hypothermia will occur if unprotected skin is exposed to these temperatures.
About
Sugar Bottom Day Use Area is located on the eastern shore of Coralville Lake in a heavily wooded forest of mixed hardwood species. This U.S. Army Corps of Engineers facility provides day-use recreation opportunities including an 18-hole disc golf course and mountain bike trails ranging from beginner to expert difficulty. The area includes access to the Cedar Valley Nature Trail and a barrier-free asphalt trail. Visitors enjoy Coralville Lake for boating, fishing, swimming and water sports. The lake supports populations of largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappie, walleye, and catfish. Nearby Devonian Fossil Gorge, located just below the dam, offers a rare opportunity to explore a 375-million-year-old sea floor with fossil remains from an ancient tropical marine environment. The area sits in the Iowa River Valley just north of Iowa City, surrounded by abundant wildlife including white-tailed deer, turkeys, pheasants, waterfowl, and songbirds. Facilities include beach access, boat ramp, and restroom facilities. Note that this is a day-use area only; overnight camping is available at the nearby Sugar Bottom Campground.
Directions
From Interstate 380 (North Liberty), take Exit 4 towards North Liberty. Travel east on W. Penn St. for 2.2 miles. At the four-way stop, turn left onto N. Front St./Mehaffey Bridge Road NE. Continue on Mehaffey Bridge Rd. NE for 2.9 miles. After crossing Mehaffey Bridge, turn right onto Sugar Bottom Campground Access Rd. Continue for 1.1 miles; entrance to Sugar Bottom Day Use Area is on the left.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | — |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $50 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | — |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (319) 338-3543 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | Yes |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | None |
Availability
Photos
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