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Sugar Bottom Campground permits pets while providing electric hookups, water access, and fires at lakeside sites. West Overlook Campground and Linder Point Campground both welcome dogs with spacious sites that keep pets comfortable during extended stays. Overnight accommodations include both tent and RV options at all locations, with some campgrounds offering pet-friendly cabins. Beyonder Getaway at Sleepy Hollow features pet-allowed cabin camping alongside traditional camping options. The natural setting with plenty of trees at Linder Point creates a peaceful environment for camping with animals. Modern bathroom facilities with clean showers are available at most locations, making longer stays with pets more comfortable.
Hiking trails near Coralville Lake offer excellent exercise opportunities for dogs, with many campers noting their pets enjoyed exploring the Devonian Fossil Gorge paths. Lake Macbride State Park provides pet-accessible shoreline areas where dogs can cool off during summer months. Campers should be prepared for varying seasonal conditions that affect pet comfort - summer heat requires shade and water access while fall camping provides comfortable temperatures for active dogs. The paved roads throughout West Overlook make for easy walking with pets, and the campground's location near water provides cooling opportunities during hot weather. Pet owners should note that wildlife encounters are possible in these natural settings, requiring proper leash management on all trails and in campground areas.
"Very nice COE campground north of Iowa City in the Lake Coralville area. Beautiful setting, lots of options for sites."
"Located on Coralville reservoir, has nice beaches."
from $14 - $260 / night
Check Availability"The reservoir behind the dam creates both the Coralville Lake alongside Lake MacBride which is a state park in a side bay."
"CG is spread out along pines, forest, and open areas including shoreline to Coralville Lake. Sites include electric or primitive."
from $22 - $28 / night
Check Availability"We stayed during an Iowa Football weekend, attended the game in nearby Iowa City, and then enjoyed the rest of our weekend exploring the ponds and trails in the park."
"It is the perfect camping destination between Amana colonies and Iowa City."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"My niece who lives nearby recommended this place to stay when we went to visit her since was a short drive from where she lives. "
"Close access to boating and town"
from $26 - $38 / night
Check Availability"You may also be able to take the dam trail with a bike, but I'm not totally sure about that."
"This is for the primitive southern camp site at lake macbride, iowa. Their is a modern campsite on the north side as well. This one is spacious, beautiful and peaceful."
from $14 - $25 / night
Check Availability"Given its proximity to a busy interstate highway, this campground scores high on the convenience factor, but it is just far enough away where you will feel as though you have escaped the busy hustle and"
"Given its proximity to the busy interstate highway, this campground scores high on the convenience factor being EZ on- and off-, but it is just far enough away where you will feel as though you have escaped"
from $45 - $65 / night
Check Availability"This is one of around 4 campgrounds near/around Lake Coralville."
"Natural setting with plenty of trees and located near Coralville Reservoir. Paved roads and sites. Ample roam for big rigs, but no pull through sites."
from $26 - $30 / night
Check Availability"Iowa River runs alongside offering fishing. Trails, play area and Visitor Center just a 2 minute drive or hike away. Firewood available at check station."
"Very short walk to the overflow of the dam. People are friendly facilities are clean."
from $14 - $30 / night
Check Availability"The couple downfalls is the shower and bath house is outdated and there's no swimming area on this side of the lake. Other than that I had a blast."
"Just looking for a layover spot after a long day of driving. Couldn't figure out where to register so we walked into the bar/restaurant, Bobber's Grill. The owner was at the bar."
"This is our second one night stay while visiting a patient at University of Iowa Hospital which is just 15 minutes away. Site 10e both stays. Flat paved electric spot for only $20."
LegendThis overnight access is a small town in itself. This site offers not only the basic communities and needs of fuel, including EV, charging stations, but auto parts, showers, dentist, Chiropractic, care, gifts, dog park, and is right next to the I 80 trucking museum. Good lighting in the overnight spots which has room for long RVs.
LegendThis campground is maintained by the Army Corps of Engineers as part of an outdoor recreation complex around a large dam on the Iowa River. The reservoir behind the dam creates both the Coralville Lake alongside Lake MacBride which is a state park in a side bay. The 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.
This review is for the West Overlook campground located on the lakeside upstream of the dam. This is one of the larger campgrounds at Coralville Lake, and is popular due to the large sandy beach, the modern boatlaunch area, and options for a variety of kinds of campsites in separate loops. Some of the loops are close to the lake or in various heights overlooking the lake, some loops are tucked into beautiful shady woods further inland. As a tent camper I chose one of the loops in the woods as the sites are larger and quieter and more spacious. All of the loops seem family friendly and pretty quiet even though pretty full. There are new modern bath houses with showers, and hiking trails all around. There is easy access to a nearby mountain bike trail complex, the state park, fishing, and boating. This seems to be a camping destination for a lot of folks in the area, but is also an easy stopover right off Interstate 80 for folks on road trips. It is also a nice and inexpensive basecamp for folks visiting Iowa City or the University of Iowa, only about a 15-20 minute drive away. My most recent time camping here was this month, May 2025, but I have camped here many times in the past as far back as 1964, and the campground improvements and recreation opportunities have just gotten better and better over the years. Its a popular location, so Spring camping is quieter; fall camping is also quiet, and the fall leaves are beautiful then.
LegendI suggest this site only if you need to get off the road for an overnight stay. Very few amenities, all but a few spots appear to be full-time RV living onsite, has nice playground, gazebo, dog park (small), lake is small but appears well kept, electric/water/septic onsite.
LegendWhile it was our first time camping in Iowa, we were extremely lucky to land upon this slightly hidden fresh water centered campground just a 20 minute drive south of Route 80 near Montezuma, wherein one needs only follow Road#63, before coming across Diamond Lake County Park. With the fall colors being in full bloom when we visited, the entire campground was awash in bright yellows, reds and oranges from the changing colors of the leaves. Also, as we were visiting in mid-October, versus some of the other reviews here, we found that we had the place mostly to ourselves, which made for a rather peaceful sublime respite we were searching for.
As for the campground itself, what we enjoyed most was how this location is, for the most part, very well organized in keeping the RV'ers and 5th Wheeler crowds together, while preserving a nice slice of verdant lakeside pasture for us primitive camper types. Each of the sites for camping come equipped with (in most cases) fairly new aluminum picnic tables, fire ring with folding BBQ grill. While we didn’t stay in the RV areas, given our tent-pitching persuasion, what we did see was fairly impressive and looked altogether rather brand new with freshly poured concrete slots and fairly mint-looking RV hook-ups (50 amp electric and water) and this same area also boasted a brand new restroom facilities.
Obviously, the main attraction here is Diamond Lake itself, with its more than 90 acres of fresh water, albeit murky fresh water, was certainly a hit with this camping family. We enjoyed being able to get out on the lake with our kayaks and canoes as well as go for very long walks around the circumference of the lake itself, with which you will find simply splendid trails. And if that’s not enough exploration for you, then head further inland and away from the lake to explore this parks other 660 acres of grassy prairieland.
From an amenities standpoint, there’s a decent amount, including: three shower houses, four shelters, 2 dump stations, three his / her latrines (some much more dated than others), boat ramp and fishing dock, a dedicated fish cleaning station and what looked to be a fairly new kids playground. In all there’s a total of 120 sites to choose from, with 80 designated for RVs / 5th Wheelers and 40 earmarked for primitive camping, which do not come with any electric, which was on one hand the biggest bummer, but on the other hand, offered up front-row access to lakeside camping bliss as many of these primitive campsites are located right on the water’s edge.
Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) Check-in is self-registration and is done onsite, so net-net, this place is first-come, first served as no online or advanced registration is taken. While we didn’t mind this, and given that we arrived right around noon as folks were actually checking out, we got the ‘pick of the litter’ of campsites. Electric sites are $20 / night and non-electric are $10, so this place is incredibly affordable; (2) If you are looking for some grub nearby after growing weary of another meal of franks & beans, then there’s really just a few nearby options: Subway, Sauced Pizza & Pub, Casey’s and Yolanda’s Tacos over in the little town of Montezuma; (3) While there are actually few different campgrounds here at Diamond Lake, for primitive campers, the best sites IMHO are located as far southwest as you can possible go around the lake, where there’s more than a dozen or so sites that sit right in front of the water and present a completely isolated surrounding.
Happy Camping!
LegendTent area among trees includes fire rings. Showers/restrooms onsite, walk in sites too, firewood available at West Overlook permit station, beach nearby, Iowa River and Coralville Lake nearby (good fishing).
TravelerVery nice COE campground north of Iowa City in the Lake Coralville area. Beautiful setting, lots of options for sites. A recent wind storm had the area shut down for two weeks but they did a great job cleaning up downed trees and broken limbs. It was very quiet, lots of wildlife and amenities like a boat ramp, beach, playground, walking trails, recycling (!) and an amphitheater (!). Daughter lives close by so we will definitely return.
LegendCG is spread out along pines, forest, and open areas including shoreline to Coralville Lake. Sites include electric or primitive. Multiple shower/restrooms, firewood available, recycling, beach and boat ramp, COE Visitor Center near by, ice cream shop just down road, trails, well maintained grounds. Good fishing in reservoir and Iowa River across dam.
ScoutWas looking forward to camping there until I found out they do not allow pets at tent sites. Apparently they don’t feel responsible pet owners use tents. Not happy will never stay there
GuideThis is a solid campground with a lot of close by activities. Heavily used by locals and connected to the Coralville Dam. Boat ramp playgrounds fossils and disc golf all within walking distance. Make sure to grab a bite to eat at FunCrest.
Camping near Coralville, Iowa features diverse terrain along the Iowa River watershed at approximately 700 feet above sea level. The Coralville Reservoir, created by the Army Corps of Engineers dam, provides the backdrop for numerous camping opportunities, with most campgrounds situated within 15 minutes of Interstate 80. Water levels fluctuate seasonally, affecting shoreline access and creating different camping conditions throughout the year.
Fossil hunting at Devonian Fossil Gorge: Located near Cottonwood Campground, this unique geological site exposes 375-million-year-old seafloor. "There is an interpretive trail winding through the limestone gorge that will help you spot fossils. There is also a nice river walk trail," notes a camper at Cottonwood Campground.
Kayaking and canoeing: Multiple launch points provide access to Coralville Lake. "Paddling, fishing, hiking, swimming to name a few," mentions a reviewer at F. W. Kent Park, which offers additional paddling opportunities on its smaller lake.
Hiking local trail networks: Trails connect many campgrounds to natural areas. "We enjoyed the peace and quiet especially with the views of the lake and the fall colors," reports a camper at West Overlook Campground, where multiple hiking options are available.
Off-season tranquility: Fall and spring camping offers quieter experiences. "My favorite time is spring and fall. The weather is nice during the day, and cool at night. The crowds are also relatively low, and it mostly consisted of quiet, kind folks in RVs," describes a visitor to Modern North Campground at Lake Macbride State Park.
Budget-friendly options: Several campgrounds offer affordable rates. At the Primitive South Campground, one camper noted: "Clean sites right on the lake... Peaceful nights with other friends & other campers... Free firewood for campers was a plus!!! $9.00/night!!!"
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Natural settings support diverse wildlife. "Natural setting with plenty of trees and located near Coralville Reservoir," explains a camper at Linder Point Campground, while another visitor to Lake Macbride mentions, "saw wild turkeys and dear almost ever day walking the camp grounds."
Water access varies by location: Not all campgrounds offer direct water access. "This campground is one of many around Coralville Lake. Reservations are a must. This campground is close to the dam and the Devonian Fossil Gorge," reports a camper at West Overlook.
Seasonal crowds affect experience: Summer weekends get busy at most locations. "This would be a good stopover campground if you were on your way somewhere else. It's clean and well cared for, but the sites are very close together and there's very little privacy," notes a visitor to Tailwater West.
Site levelness issues: Many campgrounds have sloped sites. At Beyonder Getaway at Sleepy Hollow, one camper advises: "Bring a lot of leveling blocks. Most sites are slanted in both planes."
Playground options: Several campgrounds offer kid-friendly facilities. "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 camper at F. W. Kent Park.
Beach swimming areas: Select locations feature designated swimming spots. "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. Great beach swimming area. Fun for all," reports a camper at Sugar Bottom Campground.
Educational opportunities: Nature centers provide family learning activities. "Conservation education center open seasonally with programs offered. Forest, prairie, wetland habitats," notes a visitor to F. W. Kent Park about their environmental education options.
Hookup availability varies: Check specific campground utilities before booking. "We spent a night in a tent area in our van. Many RV's appeared to be seasonal campers. We arrived late and left early, so did not use the amenities. The bathroom/shower room was large and clean," mentions an RVer staying at Beyonder Getaway.
Dump station access: Plan for waste management needs. "They have a double-hole dump station that can be accessed in both directions," notes a reviewer at Sugar Bottom Campground, adding practical information about RV facilities.
Site spacing considerations: Some areas offer more privacy than others. "Very nice COE campground north of Iowa City in the Lake Coralville area. Beautiful setting, lots of options for sites," explains a camper at Sugar Bottom, highlighting the importance of site selection for pet-friendly camping near Coralville.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Coralville, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Coralville, IA is Sugar Bottom Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 24 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Coralville, IA?
TheDyrt.com has all 96 dog-friendly camping locations near Coralville, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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