Coralville Lake camping areas sit within Johnson County, Iowa at approximately 680 feet elevation. The reservoir spans 5,300 acres with water levels fluctuating 10-15 feet between spring and late summer. Most campgrounds remain open from April through October with a few sites available year-round, though winter camping requires preparation for temperatures that frequently drop below freezing.
What to do
Trail exploration: F.W. Kent Park offers extensive hiking opportunities with a two-mile trail circling the park's lake. "Beautiful park, spacious campsite, $20 for electric hookups. Love this park!!" notes a camper at F. W. Kent Park.
Fossil hunting: The Devonian Fossil Gorge near several Coralville Lake campgrounds provides unique geological exploration. "This recreation area also includes campgrounds and river recreation downstream of the dam, including a gorge of geologic interest that is filled with Devonian fossils exposed in the flood of 1993," explains a visitor at West Overlook Campground.
Kayak launching: The Primitive South Campground offers direct water access for paddlers. "Clean sites right on the lake. Peaceful nights with other friends & other campers. Good place to launch kayaks from," shares a camper at Primitive South Campground.
Wildlife viewing: Multiple habitats support diverse animal populations. "Very nice COE campground north of Iowa City in the Lake Coralville area. Beautiful setting, lots of options for sites. It was very quiet, lots of wildlife and amenities like a boat ramp, beach, playground, walking trails," comments a visitor at Sugar Bottom.
What campers like
Budget-friendly options: Many Coralville Lake campgrounds offer affordable rates, especially with discount passes. "This is a COE Park so you also can get a discount with your Senior Pass," notes a camper at Sugar Bottom Campground.
Off-season solitude: Visiting during spring and fall provides a quieter experience. "We stayed in campsite W44, a very level site with a great view of the lake," writes a visitor to West Overlook Campground during autumn.
Shower facilities: Modern campgrounds provide convenient amenities. "Great campground, cheap sites with electric and water even for tent campers. Fantastic amenities including hot showers and nice bathrooms and a cleaning station with sink basin for camping dishes," reports a camper at Sugar Bottom Campground.
Fall colors: Autumn brings spectacular foliage around the lake. "We enjoy the peace and quiet especially with the views of the lake and the fall colors," shares a visitor to West Overlook.
What you should know
Site variations: Campgrounds around Coralville Lake offer dramatically different experiences. "Lake MacBride State Park is divided into two areas, and you need a car (or boat) to get between the two sections. One side is called the 'modern campground' and has spots for RV camping and tent camping, and this campground has toilets, playground, beach, and shower house. The other side is the 'non-modern campground' and has RV and tent sites, playground, boat access to the lake, modern bathroom and pit latrine, but NO shower house," explains a visitor to Primitive South Campground.
Limited winter access: Most facilities reduce services during colder months. "Park offers lots of amenities and recreation opportunities. Situated along the Cedar river, fishing and paddling can be done. Lots of trails, CG and cabins closed for winter season for improvements and online reservations," notes a visitor at Palisades-Kepler State Park.
Terrain challenges: Many campgrounds feature uneven sites. "Not a flat campground! Beautiful trails, stone gazebo. Nice hike along the Cedar River," reports a camper at Palisades-Kepler State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Playground options: Multiple campgrounds offer play areas for children. "This campground has many beautiful spots to camp. There were also a few playgrounds that my grandkids loved. We were there on a lovely night and had a great campfire," shares a visitor at F.W. Kent Park.
Swimming beaches: Several areas provide designated swimming zones. "Great campground, cheap sites with electric and water even for tent campers. Great beach swimming area. Fun for all," notes a visitor to Sugar Bottom Campground.
Educational opportunities: Conservation centers offer learning experiences for children. "Plenty of campsite offerings with good amenities. Paddling, fishing, hiking, swimming, to name a few. Firewood available. Conservation education center open seasonally with programs offered," explains a camper at F.W. Kent Park.
Tips from RVers
Site levelness: Many campsites require additional equipment for stabilization. "We arrived at back-in site 61 with water and electric (50/30/20 AMP). We were one and done on what we thought might be a more difficult back-in, but there was enough level ditch in front to allow an easy swing. Our site was somewhat level, but we did have to put blocks under the passenger-side tires," reports an RV camper at West Overlook Campground.
Dump station access: Waste disposal is available at most developed campgrounds. "They have a double-hole dump station that can be accessed in both directions. This large COE has a variety of sites, with the 300 loop being full hook-ups," notes an RVer at West Overlook.
Site spacing: Some areas offer more privacy than others. "Compared to other COEs we've stayed at, the sites here are closer together. The CG wasn't full during the week but filled up on the weekend while we were there," observes a visitor to Sugar Bottom Campground.
