Tailwater West Campground
Open for the 2026 season. The campground operates May 1 through October 31. Reservations available via Recreation.gov. Check-in is 2:00 PM, check-out is 12:00 PM. Quiet hours are 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM.
Flood Warning issued September 20 at 10:10AM CDT until September 22 at 11:34PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
...Forecast flooding changed from Moderate to Major severity and increased in duration for the following rivers in Iowa... English River at Kalona affecting Washington and Johnson Counties. .Additional rainfall from today through Monday night is expected to be considerably lighter than what fell Thursday through Saturday night. This helps provide higher confidence in these river forecasts. * WHAT...Moderate flooding is occurring and major flooding is forecast. * WHERE...English River at Kalona. * WHEN...Until Tuesday evening. * IMPACTS...At 18.0 feet, water has overtopped roads causing closures. This includes 130th St, Kiwi Ave, Orange Ave and Poplar Ave. Extensive agricultural land near the river is flooded. Water begins backing into town on the north side of the river. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - At 9:00 AM CDT Sunday the stage was 17.6 feet and slowly rising. - Forecast...The river is expected to rise to a crest of 18.1 feet this evening. It will then fall below flood stage Tuesday afternoon. - Flood stage is 14.0 feet.
Flood Warning issued September 20 at 10:02AM CDT until September 23 at 6:25PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
...The Flood Warning is extended for the following rivers in Iowa... Iowa River near Lone Tree affecting Louisa, Washington and Johnson Counties. * WHAT...Minor flooding is forecast. * WHERE...Iowa River near Lone Tree. * WHEN...Until Wednesday evening. * IMPACTS...At 18.0 feet, Sand Road closes south of 520th Street to the Highway 22 intersection. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - At 9:00 AM CDT Sunday the stage was 15.7 feet and rising. - Forecast...The river will rise above flood stage this afternoon to 16.8 feet this evening. It may fall briefly, but likely to rise again Monday night into Tuesday to 17.5 feet. It will then fall below flood stage Wednesday. - Flood stage is 16.0 feet.
Flood Watch issued September 20 at 9:24AM CDT until September 20 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
* WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall overnight continues to be 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...Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas. Area creeks and streams are running high and could flood with more heavy rain. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - Heavy rains have ended over the area, but many area creeks are running high and in some cases, are flooding this morning. This areal flooding will continue this morning, with additional rainfall amounts under one quarter inch.
About
Tailwater West Campground is part of the Dam Complex at the Coralville Lake Project, operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Johnson County, Iowa. The campground lies in a heavily wooded setting of mixed hardwoods on the west bank of the Iowa River, directly below the dam. Twenty sites offer electric and water hookups with 20/30/50 amp service, while two additional walk-to sites accommodate tent campers seeking a more primitive experience. Amenities include a modern restroom with shower facilities, a fish cleaning station, and potable water. The dump station and additional drinking water are located just outside the adjacent West Overlook Campground. Each site features a picnic table, fire ring, and paved back-in driveway accommodating vehicles up to 62 feet. Recreation opportunities abound in the Dam Complex. Several trails depart from the area, including Squire Point, Woodpecker Trail, Tailwater Riverwalk, and the barrier-free Veterans Trail. The Devonian Fossil Gorge below the dam exposes a 375-million-year-old seafloor with fossil remains. A nine-hole disc golf course at Turkey Creek rounds out the offerings. Anglers target largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappie, walleye, and catfish in the river and lake.
Directions
From Interstate 80 near 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. Continue 1.1 miles, then turn right at the second stop sign onto Prairie Du Chien Rd. NE. The campground entrance is 0.2 miles ahead on the right.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | Yes |
| Wifi | — |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | Yes |
| Electric Hookups | Yes |
| Water Hookups | Yes |
| Sewer Hookups | No |
| Camp Store | — |
| Price | $14 - $30 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | Yes |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| coralville.lake@usace.army.mil | |
| Phone | +1 (319) 338-3543 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | Yes |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | Yes |
Availability
Photos
Community Posts
No posts yet. Be the first to share your experience!