Turkey Creek Day Use Area

About

Turkey Creek Day Use Area is a day-use facility located on the east side of Coralville Lake Dam in Johnson County, Iowa. The area sits among mixed hardwood forest and provides access to several recreational amenities within the dam complex. Facilities include a large group picnic shelter equipped with electricity and drinking water, flush toilets, and a playground. The Turkey Creek Disc Golf Course offers nine holes through partially wooded terrain. Several trails originate nearby, 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 tropical sea floor with 20 marked discovery points and a cell phone audio tour. This is not a campground. Overnight camping is not permitted, and all shelters must be cleaned and vacated by sunset. The picnic shelters are available free on a first-come, first-served basis when not reserved. Special event permits are required for large groups or amplified music.

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. Continue 1.1 miles, turn right at the second stop sign onto Prairie Du Chien Rd. NE. Travel east 0.9 miles across Coralville Lake Dam; entrance is on the right.