Camper submitted image from Tailwater East Campground - 1

View Photos

Camper submitted image from Tailwater East Campground - 2
Nature
Camper submitted image from Tailwater East Campground - 3
Water
Camper submitted image from Tailwater East Campground - 4
Roads
Camper submitted image from Tailwater East Campground - 5
Buildings
Unlock Planning Tools in App

Established Camping

Tailwater East Campground

CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Tailwater East Campground is located near Iowa City, close to Coralville Lake. The terrain consists of flat, open spaces with nearby wooded areas. Campers can explore Coralville Lake and the Devonian Fossil Gorge, both offering unique natural attractions.

Suggest an Edit

Location

Tailwater East Campground is located in Iowa

Detail location of campground

Directions

From Interstate 80 (Iowa City, Iowa), take Exit 244 towards Dubuque St./North Liberty. Travel north on Dubuque St. for 3 miles and turn right onto West Overlook Rd. NE. Travel on West Overlook Rd. NE for 1.1 miles. At the second stop sign, turn right onto Prairie Du Chien Rd. NE. Travel est on Prairie Du Chien Rd. NE for 0.7 miles, across the Coralville Lake Dam. The entrance to the Tailwater East Campground will be located on the right side of the road. From Interstate 380 (North Liberty, Iowa), take Exit 4 towards North Liberty. Travel east on W. Penn St. for 2 miles and turn right onto N. Dubuque St. Travel south on N. Dubuque St. for 1.9 miles, at the traffic circle, continue straight onto Dubuque St. NE. Continue traveling south on Dubuque St. NE for 1.9 miles. Turn left onto West Overlook Rd. NE and travel east for 1.1 miles. At the second stop sign, turn right onto Prairie Du Chien Rd. NE. Travel east on Prairie Du Chien Rd. NE for 0.7 miles, across the Coralville Lake Dam. The entrance to the Tailwater East Campground will be located on the right side of the road.

Address

2850 PRAIRIE DU CHIEN RD NE
Iowa city, IA 52240

Coordinates

41.7243806 N
91.5260639 W

Open in Google Maps

Connectivity

Presented byT-Mobile SatelliteT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Good Coverage
    Verified by 1 user
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T5G
    Excellent Coverage

Is Tailwater East Campground sold out?

Quickly grab cancellations!

Learn More

Drive Time

Presented byToyota Trucks

Connectivity

Presented byT-Mobile SatelliteT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Good Coverage
    Verified by 1 user
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T5G
    Excellent Coverage

Access

Have you camped here? Help us improve this campground page.

Add Access Type

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)

Features

For Campers

  • Picnic Table
  • Reservable
  • Electric Hookups
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Sewer Hookups
  • Water Hookups
  • Big Rig Friendly

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Reviews

Add Review

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

34%
34%
34%
0%
0%

4.0

out of 5

3 Reviews

Reviewed Sep. 16, 2023

The east campground is small and quiet.

Small but lots of fishing! Hot showers, very clean bathrooms, fish cleaning stations, some concrete pads, some gravel Site #1 is right next to the boat ramp with a very bright security light, FYI. Great Veterans Memorial walk in

Site1
Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Tailwater East Campground by juliana , September 16, 2023
  • Review photo of Tailwater East Campground by juliana , September 16, 2023
Reviewed Sep. 5, 2021

Nice campground along Iowa River

CG has sites along Iowa River for good fishing and paddling. Shower house, boat ramp, fish cleaning station, recycling, dump station, primitive and electric sites, trails, wood availability at West Overlook across dam in complex. Nature center nearby.

SiteE01
Month of VisitSeptember
Reviewed Jun. 22, 2021

Great until the morning

Generally nice with spots on the river and even flush toilets and showers. Note this and Tailwater West seem to mostly by RV spots with one or two tent walk in sites. The walk in sites are WAY better (read actually separated) at East.

Nice and peaceful until 7:30am when the loudest grass mowing started with drive bys right by my tent. Had to seek refuge in my car just to get away from the noise! I could see the same thing happening at the Tailwater West site. Absurd.

Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Tailwater East Campground by Kayla M., June 22, 2021

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at Tailwater East Campground?

Tailwater East Campground offers a variety of amenities for a comfortable camping experience. The facilities include flush toilets and hot showers with clean bathrooms. For fishing enthusiasts, there are fish cleaning stations available. The campground features both primitive and electric sites, with some concrete pads and some gravel surfaces. Additional amenities include a boat ramp for river access, recycling facilities, and a dump station. Nearby, you'll find hiking trails, a Veterans Memorial walk, and a nature center. Firewood is available at the West Overlook area across the dam in the same complex.

Do I need reservations for Tailwater East Campground?

While specific reservation details aren't outlined, Tailwater East Campground appears to operate primarily as an RV campground with one or two tent walk-in sites. The walk-in sites at East are notably better separated than those at Tailwater West. Given the limited number of tent sites and the campground's popularity for fishing and river activities, making reservations in advance is advisable, especially during peak seasons. Contact the managing agency directly to confirm the reservation process and availability before your trip.

Where is Tailwater East Campground located and how do I get there?

Tailwater East Campground is situated along the Iowa River, positioned below the dam. It's part of a larger recreational complex that includes Tailwater West and West Overlook areas. The campground offers beautiful riverside sites with access to the water for fishing and paddling activities. To reach the campground, follow directions to the dam area, where signage will guide you to the Tailwater East section. The campground is conveniently located near a nature center, making it a great destination for both water recreation and nature exploration.