Tailwater East Campground
Open for the 2026 season from May 1 through October 31. Reservations available through Recreation.gov. The dump station is located just outside West Overlook Campground, a short drive away within the Dam Complex.
Flash Flood Warning issued September 20 at 3:08AM CDT until September 20 at 8:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
At 308 AM CDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between 1 and 2 inches of rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly. HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor drainage and low-lying areas. Some locations that will experience flash flooding include... Cedar Rapids, Anamosa, Vinton, Marengo, Mechanicsville, Stanwood, Marion, Hiawatha, Mount Vernon, Robins, Belle Plaine, Center Point, Lisbon, Fairfax, Solon, Ely, Atkins, Walford, Springville and Palo. This includes Interstate 380 between mile markers 8 and 36.
Flash Flood Warning issued September 20 at 1:45AM CDT until September 20 at 6:15AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
At 145 AM CDT, Trained weather spotters reported the creek in Kalona, Iowa is out of its banks and still rising. Between 1 and 2 inches of rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches are possible in the warned area as additional storms move through the area. HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms. SOURCE...Trained spotters reported. IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor drainage and low-lying areas. Some locations that will experience flash flooding include... Iowa City, Muscatine, Washington, Tipton, Marengo, West Branch, Sigourney, Columbus Junction, Durant, Coralville, North Liberty, West Liberty, Williamsburg, Wilton, Kalona, Tiffin, Wellman, Lone Tree and University Heights. This includes the following highways... Interstate 80 in Iowa between mile markers 205 and 277. Interstate 380 between mile markers 1 and 7.
Flood Watch issued September 20 at 1:44AM CDT until September 20 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
* WHAT...Flooding and flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible. * WHERE...Portions of Illinois, including the following areas, Bureau, Carroll, Henry IL, Jo Daviess, Mercer, Putnam, Rock Island, Stephenson and Whiteside and Iowa, including the following areas, Benton, Buchanan, Cedar, Clinton, Delaware, Dubuque, Iowa, Jackson, Johnson, Jones, Keokuk, Linn, Louisa, Muscatine, Scott and Washington. * WHEN...Until 1 PM CDT this afternoon. * IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - Widespread showers and storms will continue to move across the watch area through at least late Sunday morning. These storms will be capable of rainfall rates between 1 to 2 inches per hour. Rainfall totals of 1 to 3 inches are likely in the hardest hit areas, with the potential for localized areas of 4 to 5 inches.
About
Tailwater East Campground is located within the Dam Complex at the Coralville Lake Project, operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The campground occupies a scenic, heavily wooded site on the east bank of the Iowa River, immediately downstream of the dam. With 28 campsites ranging from full hookup to standard electric to non-electric walk-to tent sites, it accommodates a variety of camping styles. Sites feature fire pits, picnic tables, and paved driveways up to 50 feet long. The campground provides a modern restroom and shower facility with flush toilets and hot water, a fish cleaning station, and a boat ramp for direct Iowa River access. The tailwaters below the dam offer excellent fishing for largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappie, walleye, and catfish. Several trails originate nearby, including Squire Point, Woodpecker Trail, Tailwater Riverwalk, and the barrier-free Veterans Trail. Just below the dam lies the Devonian Fossil Gorge, where visitors can explore a 375-million-year-old exposed sea floor with fossil remains of ancient marine life. The Turkey Creek Disc Golf Course offers a 9-hole layout in the Dam Complex. Iowa City and Coralville are minutes away, providing restaurants, shops, and the University of Iowa campus.
Directions
From Interstate 80 (Iowa City), 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 1.1 miles and at the second stop sign, turn right onto Prairie Du Chien Rd. NE. Travel east 0.7 miles across the Coralville Lake Dam. The campground entrance is on the right.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | — |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | Yes |
| Electric Hookups | Yes |
| Water Hookups | Yes |
| Sewer Hookups | Yes |
| Camp Store | — |
| Price | $24 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | 50ft |
| Max Trailer Length | 50ft |
| Big Rig Friendly | Yes |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| coralville.lake@usace.army.mil | |
| Phone | +1 (319) 338-3685 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | Yes |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | Yes |
Availability
Photos
Community Posts
No posts yet. Be the first to share your experience!