Tailwater West Day Use Area
Tailwater West Day Use Area is a day-use facility located along the tailwaters of the Coralville Lake Dam. Coralville Lake is a multiple use project providing benefits in flood control and low flow augmentation, as well as 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.
The day-use location offers a large group picnic area with drinking water and electric. Amenities include flush toilets, playground, accessible fishing pier and accessible hiking trail.
Need to Know
- If shelters are not reserved, they are available free of charge on a first-come, first-serve basis.
- Playground and restrooms near the shelters are open to the public.
The shelters and surrounding area must be cleaned and vacated by sunset.
- No parking on the grass, roads, or shoulders.
- Pets must be penned, on a leash under 6 feet in length, or otherwise physically restrained.
- A Special Event permit is required to allow extra-large tents, chairs, inflatable toys, amplified music, etc., near the shelter.
- A Special Event permit is required for larger groups or special events at the shelter(s).
- A Special Event permit must be obtained at least two weeks prior to your reservation date. Please contract the Coralville Lake Project Office at (319) 338-3543 x.6300
- All of the following items are prohibited: loaded firearms, explosives, ammunition, bow or other projectine-firing devices, fireworks, and chinese lanterns.
- Do not attach anything to trees.
Natural Features
Coralville Lake is located in the Iowa River Valley, just north of Iowa City. Tailwater West Day Use lies among a heavily wooded forest of mixed hardwood species on the west side of the dam. Wildlife is abundant throughout the project. White-tailed deer, turkeys, pheasants, waterfowl, song birds and other species roam the lands around the lake.
Recreation
Visitors enjoy Coralville Lake for 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. Turkey Creek Disc Golf Course is located in the Dam Complex and offers nine partially wooden and open holes.
Contact Information
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2850 Prairie Du Chien Rd. NE Iowa City IA 52240-7820
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: CORALVILLE LAKE PROJECT OFFICE (319) 338-3543 X.6300
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving 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 Day Use Area 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. 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 Day Use Area will be located on the right side of the road.
