Tailwater East Campground
Closed
— Closed for the season. Operates May 1 through October 31. Reservations available through Recreation.gov.
About
Tailwater East Campground is located within the Coralville Lake Dam Complex on the east bank of the Iowa River below the dam. Managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, this 28-site campground sits among heavily wooded mixed hardwood forest and provides a variety of camping options including full hookup sites, standard electric sites, and non-electric walk-to tent sites.
The campground features modern restroom and shower facilities, a fish cleaning station, and a boat ramp for accessing the Iowa River. Anglers can fish for large and smallmouth bass, crappie, walleye, and catfish. The Dam Complex offers several trails including Squire Point, Woodpecker Trail, Tailwater Riverwalk, and the barrier-free Veterans Trail. The nearby Devonian Fossil Gorge provides a unique opportunity to explore a 375-million-year-old sea floor with fossil remains. The Turkey Creek Disc Golf Course offers nine holes within the complex.
Whitetail deer, turkeys, pheasants, waterfowl, and songbirds are abundant throughout the area. The campground is convenient to Iowa City and Coralville, offering access to the University of Iowa campus, restaurants, and shopping. Regional attractions include the Herbert Hoover National Historic Site in West Branch, the Amana Colonies, and Cedar Rapids cultural attractions.
Directions
From I-80 at 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, then at the second stop sign turn right onto Prairie Du Chien Rd. NE. Travel 0.7 miles across the Coralville Lake Dam. The campground entrance is on the right.
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