Camp Observer
MapCampingWatchesHelp
Coralville Lake
/
Tailwater East Campground
1 of 6 photos

Tailwater East Campground

Overview

The Tailwater East 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 skiing, 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 East Campground is located on the east bank of the Iowa River below the Coralville Lake Dam. The campground offers 28 campsites to include full hook-up campsites, standard electric campsites, and non-electric walk-to tent campsites. Amenities include a modern restroom and shower facility, fish cleaning station, and a boat ramp for accessing the Iowa River. The campground fee booth is located in the West Overlook Campground.

Natural Features

Coralville Lake is located in the Iowa River Valley, just north of Iowa City. The Tailwater East Campground lies among a heavily wooded forest of mixed hardwood species on the east 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 & 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.

Camp site features

Across 22 camp sites:

  • Electric hookups: all 22 sites
  • Picnic table: all 22 sites
  • Pets allowed: all 22 sites
  • Longest rig: 68 ft
  • Largest party: 6 people
  • Power up to 50 amps
  • Equipment: CARAVAN/CAMPER VAN, FIFTH WHEEL, PICKUP CAMPER, POP UP, RV, Tent, Trailer

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.

Stay Limit

Check in from 2 PM, check out by 12 PM.

Reviews

Ratings (124)
5 stars
73
4 stars
33
3 stars
10
2 stars
5
1 stars
3
John M
Loop:Tailwater East Campground
Site:E06
Reviewed 4 days ago
Easy access and very nice campground
Teresa Y
Loop:Tailwater East Campground
Site:E17
Reviewed 20 days ago
Great experience, as usual!
Bethanie C
Loop:Tailwater East Campground
Site:E15
Reviewed 20 days ago
We love this area of the Coralville lake! There are just enough spots to make it feel comfortable and not over crowded. Lots of area to walk your dogs and/or put a kayak in. The one thing, and it is a really little thing is that it would be nice to have more spots to set your soap and shampoo in the showers. Otherwise everything is very clean and well taken care of!
Ratanak A
Loop:Tailwater East Campground
Site:E22
Reviewed 22 days ago
Very well kept campground. My family and I enjoyed our camping.
Harriet H
Loop:Tailwater East Campground
Site:E17
Reviewed 25 days ago
First time at TWE. Loved site right on the river. A lot less traffic than at TWW. Quiet campground. Nice hiking trail. I would camp here again.
Kadhum A
Loop:Tailwater East Campground
Site:E19
Reviewed a month ago
quite and nice view
nicole s
Loop:Tailwater East Campground
Site:E14
Reviewed a month ago
This campground is great and peaceful. But all of the campsites need a fresh load of gravel. It gets very muddy when it rains.
Cecilia P
Loop:Tailwater East Campground
Site:E14
Reviewed a month ago
Campground was neat, quiet, and bathrooms were clean. Volunteers at the check-in booth were helpful and friendly. We would definitely one back, and recommend to friends.
Jayson E
Loop:Tailwater East Campground
Site:E24
Reviewed a month ago
Campground was nice. Small number of sites. The restrooms/ showers were dated, but adequate. We enjoyed walking around dam, to west side & down short trail. It was pleasant to fall asleep hearing the spillway rapids race by our RV site.
Amanda R
Loop:Tailwater East Campground
Site:E24
Reviewed a month ago
David R
Loop:Tailwater East Campground
Site:E12
Reviewed 2 months ago
The sites are paved-we like that. The showers were clean. Easy reservations with recreation.gov
Joseph H
Loop:Tailwater East Campground
Site:E27
Reviewed 2 months ago
The campground was near the river and a bit downstream from the dam and spillway. All sites were occupied so it was important that we had reserved as site in advance. We had to back into our site but it was oriented such that this was not too challenging.
Amanda H
Loop:Tailwater East Campground
Site:E06
Reviewed 2 months ago
Clean, quiet, unbothered, great fishing & it was overall a peaceful campground.
Thomas P
Loop:Tailwater East Campground
Site:E24
Reviewed 2 months ago
Sand in the water. Otherwise great!
Melisa P
Loop:Tailwater East Campground
Site:E15
Reviewed 3 months ago
We really enjoyed our campsite and the area! It was quiet and the views were great! We are already planning to return and hopefully to this same campsite!
Stephen H
Loop:Tailwater East Campground
Site:E12
Reviewed 7 months ago
Great campground and area….very clean and great amenities!
Chris S
Loop:Tailwater East Campground
Site:E27
Reviewed 7 months ago
We camp there all the time.
Russ A
Loop:Tailwater East Campground
Site:E27
Reviewed 9 months ago
Nice campground
Linda G
Loop:Tailwater East Campground
Site:E10
Reviewed 9 months ago
Nice campground just outside of Iowa City. Perfect for attending a Hawkeyes football game. Just electric hookups on the east side. Nice flat camping spots most backed up to the water. Very lovely!
Sofie A
Loop:Tailwater East Campground
Site:E10
Reviewed 9 months ago
The facilities were very clean, the scenery was beautiful, and it was a great spot to gather around a campfire with family.
Mary Beth K
Loop:Tailwater East Campground
Site:E20
Reviewed 9 months ago
We always love coming to this campground. The bathrooms and showers are clean and the campsite always seems level and with a great setting. Camping here is effortless. We will be back again and again!
Derrek B
Loop:Tailwater East Campground
Site:E06
Reviewed 10 months ago
Dumpster smells like it could be power washed but overall it was okay
Paul K
Loop:Tailwater East Campground
Site:E12
Reviewed 10 months ago
There was no power the second night. The only solution presented was to move to a different part of the camp grounds about a mile away. The worst part about it is that the Ranger new the power had gone out on several campsites next to ours and did not check to see what sites had power or not. I had to contact the Ranger through the County Sheriff Department as there is no after hours emergency number. Once I spoke with the Ranger, he offered the different site, but did not mention at all that they were aware of the problem of no electricity in our section of the Campgrounds. The campsite was nice along the river and shower/bath house was clean and well kept.
cathy w
Loop:Tailwater East Campground
Site:E10
Reviewed 10 months ago
Came back to our site after being gone all day. It was in the mid 90°s that day. Found out the power had gone out in ours & several other's sites. Our neighbor helped us run extension cords over to the mens bathroom to get through the night. Not good on our camper to run it on 210 outlet.
David R
Loop:Tailwater East Campground
Site:E13
Reviewed 10 months ago
Nice campground. Clean and quiet. We enjoyed exploring the Devonian Fossil Beds. Easy access to town.
Russ A
Loop:Tailwater East Campground
Site:E23
Reviewed a year ago
Nice campground
Thomas C
Loop:Tailwater East Campground
Site:E20
Reviewed a year ago
Beautiful little campground on the river. Was wonderful!
Stephen H
Loop:Tailwater East Campground
Site:E15
Reviewed a year ago
Clean campground, friendly staff!
Francis J
Loop:Tailwater East Campground
Site:E17
Reviewed a year ago
nice
John Y
Loop:Tailwater East Campground
Site:E19
Reviewed a year ago
Campgrounds are very clean and beautiful. The view over the river is amazing. Fishing is great.
Teresa Y
Loop:Tailwater East Campground
Site:E16
Reviewed a year ago
Beautiful area on the Iowa River! Quiet site.
Bud J
Loop:Tailwater East Campground
Site:E10
Reviewed a year ago
Nice place to go for peace and quiet. Fishing is not good. The trees along the roads and in some spots need trimmed. The shower house is ok but could use a good deep clean top to bottom or updated. Too many campers with dogs running off leash.
Tim N
Loop:Tailwater East Campground
Site:E19
Reviewed a year ago
Beautifull campground. POLLUTED RIVER.
Chris A
Loop:Tailwater East Campground
Site:E06
Reviewed a year ago
This is our favorite campground to book. The sites are great, and the facilities are well kept. I recommend this campground whenever I can!
Daniel S
Loop:Tailwater East Campground
Site:E12
Reviewed 2 years ago
The reservation confirmation doesn’t tell you that the checkin station is nowhere near this campground. There are several campgrounds clustered together, and without knowing about where to check in, you’ve either got an extremely long walk ahead of you, or hope one of the volunteers comes by.
Alan S
Loop:Tailwater East Campground
Site:E28
Reviewed 2 years ago
Nice park
Catherine K
Loop:Tailwater East Campground
Site:E10
Reviewed 2 years ago
We only stayed for one night but could easily have stayed for a week or more!
Aubrey B
Loop:Tailwater East Campground
Site:E23
Reviewed 2 years ago
This is not a full service facility-no water or sewer hook-ups. We were very disappointed when I googled it it stated that it was. The bathhouse shower heads were awful and all of my dry cloths got wet and the water was just warm. The camp host came around before we got settled in and then they were no where to be found after that.
David S
Loop:Tailwater East Campground
Site:E10
Reviewed 2 years ago
The engineers sites are always quite nice.
Robert Wayne J
Loop:Tailwater East Campground
Site:E12
Reviewed 2 years ago
Relaxing, clean, great sites n quite.
Bud J
Loop:Tailwater East Campground
Site:E19
Reviewed 2 years ago
Quiet campground.
Matt B
Loop:Tailwater East Campground
Site:E12
Reviewed 2 years ago
Level sites, easy to back into. Would definitely recommend.
TOM E
Loop:Tailwater East Campground
Site:E16
Reviewed 3 years ago
Very hard to find this campground and don't ever try after dark. The right turn into the campground is not lighted and you will drive right by it if you're not carefull, or know exactly where you're going.
Laurie W
Loop:Tailwater East Campground
Site:E16
Reviewed 3 years ago
Nice place
Shain S
Loop:Tailwater East Campground
Site:E23
Reviewed 3 years ago
Had a great stay!
Craig F
Loop:Tailwater East Campground
Site:E13
Reviewed 3 years ago
It was fun camping close to the river. The sites are very tight together with very little space for kids or vehicle parking. We got by for a couple of days but it was just us 2 adults.
Danny C
Loop:Tailwater East Campground
Site:E19
Reviewed 3 years ago
All good. We would recommend.
Ann H
Loop:Tailwater East Campground
Site:E18
Reviewed 3 years ago
Well-kept restrooms with showers, easy to access dump station and paved sites. The sites are a bit closer together than it appears on the website map.
Sherry M
Loop:Tailwater East Campground
Site:E24
Reviewed 3 years ago
Every campsite has been clean and nice!!!
William T
Loop:Tailwater East Campground
Site:E14
Reviewed 3 years ago
Nice view of the water. Kinda tight to get into. Nice concrete pad, too bad it was not level side to side. Had to go 3 blocks high one side. You would think the engineering Corp could figure out level.
Popularity

Busy · 60%

Busiest in July, when about 60% of sites are booked. Based on 6 years of reservations.

Availability

See the Camp Sites section below to find detailed booking availability.

ReserveWatch
Location
2850 PRAIRIE DU CHIEN RD NE
IOWA CITY, IA 52240
Show on map

Camp Sites

Nearby Campgrounds

Facility image

East Overlook Day Use Area

0 miles away

No camp sites

Facility image

Turkey Creek Day Use Area

0.2 miles away

No camp sites

Facility image

Tailwater West Campground

0.3 miles away

22 camp sites

Facility image

Tailwater West Day Use Area

0.3 miles away

No camp sites

Facility image

Cottonwood Campground (Ia)

0.5 miles away

11 camp sites

Facility image

West Overlook Campground

0.5 miles away

89 camp sites

Facility image

Linder Point Campground

0.9 miles away

14 camp sites

Facility image

Sugar Bottom Campground

2.8 miles away

234 camp sites

Facility image

Sugar Bottom Day Use Area

3.3 miles away

No camp sites

Facility image

Sandy Beach Camp

7.1 miles away

56 camp sites

Copyright ©2026 Modernovation, LLC
Camping
·
Terms of Service
·
Privacy Policy