Within the Army Corps of Engineers' Coralville Recreation Area, Sugar Bottom Campground spreads across multiple loops with sites ranging from primitive tent spots to full hookups. The 300 loop provides full hookups, while sites near the boat launch offer electric-only and tent camping options. Emma N. stayed in site 103 and found "what a beautiful view we had" right by the water.
The campground operates as a popular local destination that fills up on weekends but maintains availability during weekdays. Sites vary considerably in privacy and spacing, with some backing to tree lines while others sit closer together than typical Corps of Engineers properties. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grate on grassy ground, though leveling blocks may be needed for RVs on certain sites.
Water access defines much of the camping experience here. Waterfront and water-view sites provide direct lake access for fishing, while a designated swimming beach features floating rope boundaries and connects to a boat dock and sand volleyball court. The campground includes multiple shower houses with individual stall bathrooms and free hot showers, plus a double-hole dump station accessible from both directions.
Cell service runs limited with Verizon showing two bars in some areas, though Starlink satellite internet works for those who bring it. The facility requires reservations through the standard Corps system, with no on-site reservation capability. Road access handles large RVs well, with adequate maneuvering space for backing into sites.
Beyond the immediate campground, Macbride Nature Recreation Area sits nearby for additional outdoor options. Shana D. notes the property as "huge" with "lots of different sites to choose from." The combination of water activities, varied site types, and Corps management creates a reliable base for exploring Iowa's lake country.
Description
Overview
The Sugar Bottom Campground is located on the shores of Coralville Lake. The Coralville Lake Project is a multipule use project providing primary benefits in flood control and low flow augmentation, and secondary benefits in recreation, fish and wildlife management and forest management. Coralville Lake provides many recreational opportunities, including boating, camping, hiking, mountain biking, lake and river fishing, swimming, water activities, picnicking, and hunting.
Recreation
Visitors enjoy Coralville Lake for boating, fishing, swimming and water activities. Anglers will find large and smallmouth bass, crappie, walleye and catfish. Hiking and mountain biking are popular activities in Sugar Bottom. Several trails are within Sugar Bottom, including the Cedar Valley Nature Trail, Sugar Bottom Mountain Bike Trail, and a barrier-free asphalt trail.The Sugar Bottom Disc Golf Course is located in the Sugar Bottom Day Use Area and offers 18 partially wooded and open holes. The Sugar Bottom Mountain Bike Trail is located in the Sugar Bottom Day Use Area and offers beginner to expert trails.
Facilities
The Sugar Bottom Campground offers 232 campsites to include full hook-up campsites, 50 amp electric and water hookup campsites, standard 30 amp electric campsites, and non-electric walk-to tent campsites. Amenities include modern restroom and shower facilities, vault toilets, dump station, drinking water supply, entrance station, beach, and boat ramp.
Natural Features
Coralville Lake is located in the Iowa River Valley, just north of Iowa City. The Sugar Bottom Campground lies among a heavily wooded forest of mixed hardwood species on the east side of the lake. Wildlife is abundant throughout the project. Whitetail deer, turkeys, pheasants, waterfowl, song birds and other species roam the lands around the lake.
Nearby Attractions
The Devonian Fossil Gorge is 10 miles away, just below the Coralville Dam. It offers a unique opportunity to explore a 375-million-year-old sea floor and discover fossil remains of sea life that once inhabited this tropical marine environment. Twenty Discovery Points can be found throughout the site. Iowa City/Coralville offers the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, University of Iowa campus, hospital and clinics, numerous restaurants and shops as well as Coral Ridge Mall. Cedar Rapids has wonderful cultural, historic and ethnic attractions such as The National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library and is the home of the Kernels Professional Baseball Club. West Branch boasts the Herbert Hoover National Historic Site and Presidential Library/Museum. At Amana Colonies visit seven quaint villages with outstanding restaurants, wineries, historic sites and specialty shops. Kalona is known as the ?????Quilt Capital of Iowa__????? and is home to an Old Order Amish and Mennonite Community.
Warning 1 Alert is In Effect
There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!
Warning 1 Alert is In Effect
There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!
Reservations are currently unavailable for the Sugar Bottom Campground during the month of May due to ongoing construction. Please check back at a later date. Reservations will be available as soon as the construction is complete.
RV Road Trip Guides
Location
Public CampgroundSugar Bottom Campground is located in Iowa
Directions
From Interstate 380 (North Liberty, Iowa), take Exit 4 towards North Liberty. Travel east on W. Penn St. for 2.2 miles. At the four way stop sign, turn left onto N. Front St./Mehaffey Bridge Rd. NE. Continue traveling on Mehaffey Bridge Rd. NE for 2.9 miles. Right after crossing the Mehaffey Bridge, take a right hand turn onto the Sugar Bottom Campground Access Rd. Continue on the Sugar Bottom Campground Access Rd. for 1.1 miles. The entrance to the Sugar Bottom Campground is straight ahead. From Highway 1 (Solon, IA), turn west onto 180th St. NE/E 5th St. Travel west on 180th St. NE for 2.3 miles, the road will then become Mehaffey Bridge Rd. NE. Continue traveling on Mehaffey Bridge Rd. NE for 2.4 miles. Right before the Mehaffey Bridge, take a left hand turn onto the Sugar Bottom Campground Access Rd. Continue on the Sugar Bottom Campground Access Rd. for 1.1 miles. The entrance to the Sugar Bottom Campground is straight ahead.
Address
2192 Mehaffey Bridge Rd NE
Solon, IA 52333
Coordinates
41.7563889 N
91.5591667 W
Connectivity
- T-MobileLTESome CoverageVerified by 6 usersLast on 3/18/26
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 8 usersLast on 3/18/26
- AT&TLTESome Coverage
Connectivity
- T-MobileLTESome CoverageVerified by 6 usersLast on 3/18/26
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 8 usersLast on 3/18/26
- AT&TLTESome Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Sewer Hookups
- Water Hookups
- 30 Amp Hookups
Contact
General Info
Reservations
Drive Time
- 15 min from Iowa City, IA
- 20 min from Cedar Rapids, IA
- 1 hr 2 min from Davenport, IA
- 1 hr 8 min from Waterloo, IA





































