Fishing draws a steady crowd to Tailwater West Campground, situated at the base of the Coralville Dam where the Iowa River runs directly alongside the sites. The water here moves fast. Reviewers note the current coming off the dam overflow is rough, which makes for active fishing conditions rather than calm flatwater. A fish cleaning station on-site keeps things practical for anglers, and firewood is available at the check station.
The campground sits within the Coralville Recreation Area, managed by the Army Corps of Engineers, and provides full hookup sites for RVs up to 69 feet alongside standard electric and water sites and tent sites with tables and fire rings. Restrooms and showers are available on-site. Sites are close together with limited privacy, and RVs are well represented here, so campers expecting seclusion may want to adjust expectations. Cell service is limited, with at least one visitor reporting a single bar on Verizon and no usable data.
Facilities are consistently described as clean and well maintained. "Very nice and clean," notes Nick B., who also flagged the backwater side of the campground as a spot to look for fossils among the rocks. A visitor center, trails, and a play area are accessible within a short walk or drive. Nearby options like West Overlook Campground provide alternatives for those who want more separation from the dam. Tailwater West works best for RV travelers and anglers who prioritize hookups, river access, and maintained facilities over privacy.
Description
Overview
The Tailwater West Campground is located within the Dam Complex at the Coralville Lake Project. The Coralville Lake Project is a multiple 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 camping, boating, fishing, swimming and water activities. Anglers will find large and smallmouth bass, crappie, walleye and catfish. Several trails are within the Dam Complex, including Squire Point, Woodpecker Trail, Tailwater Riverwalk and barrier-free Veterans Trail. The Devonian Fossil Gorge is just below the dam, offering 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 along with a cell phone audio tour. The Turkey Creek Disc Golf Course is located in the Dam Complex and offers nine partially wooden and open holes.
Facilities
The Tailwater West Campground is located on the west bank of the Iowa River below the Coralville Lake Dam. The campground offers 22 campsites to include full hook-up campsites, standard electric campsites, and non-electric walk-to tent campsites. Amenities include a modern restroom with shower facility, and fish cleaning station. The Tailwater Day Use Area offers a playground, hiking trail and ADA accessible fishing piers. The campground fee booth is located in the West Overlook Campground and the dump station and drinking water is located just outside of the West Overlook Campground.
Natural Features
Coralville Lake is located in the Iowa River Valley, just north of Iowa City. The Tailwater West Campground lies among a heavily wooded forest of mixed hardwood species on the west side of the dam. Wildlife is abundant throughout the project. Whitetail deer, turkeys, pheasants, waterfowl, song birds and other species roam the lands around the lake.
Nearby Attractions
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 and Slovak Museum and 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!
Air Quality at this campground may currently be unhealthy. Please check with the campground before making a reservation.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsTailwater West Campground is located in Iowa near Coralville
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 east on Prairie Du Chien Rd. NE for 0.2 miles. The entrance to the Tailwater West Campground will be located on the right side of the road. From Interstate 380 (North Liberty, IA) 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 0.2 miles. The entrance to the Tailwater West Campground will be located on the right side of the road.
Address
4103 Prairie Du Chien Rd NE
Iowa city, IA 52240
Coordinates
41.7227444 N
91.5323028 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile5GGood CoverageVerified by 6 usersLast on 7/19/26- Verizon5GGood CoverageVerified by 6 usersLast on 7/19/26
- AT&T5GGood CoverageVerified by 5 usersLast on 7/19/26
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GGood CoverageVerified by 6 usersLast on 7/19/26
- Verizon5GGood CoverageVerified by 6 usersLast on 7/19/26
- AT&T5GGood CoverageVerified by 5 usersLast on 7/19/26
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
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Sewer Hookups
- Water Hookups
- Big Rig Friendly
Contact
General Info
Reservations
Drive Time
- 13 min from Iowa City, IA
- 24 min from Cedar Rapids, IA
- 52 min from Davenport, IA
- 1 hr 25 min from Dubuque, IA
