Data Disclaimer: Water level data is provided by USGS and NOAA for informational purposes only. Verify conditions on-site before any water activities. Learn more
Access Site IA

Sandy Beach

Iowa River

Source: iowa_department_of_natural_resources Updated 1 year ago

City: Solon, IA
County: Johnson County
Type: Boat Ramp
Location: 41.81398928, -91.59254782
Air Temp: --
Location
Nearby Gauge Conditions
About This Access Site
Sandy Beach offers a well-developed boat launch facility on the northern shore of Coralville Lake, an Army Corps of Engineers reservoir on the Iowa River north of Iowa City. The day-use area features a dedicated boat ramp, making it accessible for kayakers, canoeists, and motorboats. Additional amenities include picnic areas, a large group shelter, fish cleaning station, and vault restroom facilities. The site is located in Solon, Johnson County, easily accessed via I-380 and Curtis Bridge Road from the Shueyville area.

The lake provides a calm-water paddling environment suitable for recreational boaters and paddlers of varying skill levels. Sandy Beach Campground is available for overnight stays during the May-September season, with nearby alternatives including Sugar Bottom and Linder Point campgrounds within 10 miles. For current information about seasonal operations, amenities, or reservoir conditions, contact the Sandy Beach Campground (May-September: 319-848-4400) or the Coralville Lake Project Office (October-April: 319-338-3543 ext. 6300).
Federal Facility Information
1 - Free Access Reservations Available

Overview
The Sandy Beach Cammpground is located on the northern shores of Coralville Lake. The Coralville Lake Project is a multiple use project providing primary benefits in flood control and low flow augmentation, and secondary benefits in recreations, fish and wildlife management, and forest management. Coralville Lake provides many recreational opportinities, including boating,, camping,...

Overview
The Sandy Beach Cammpground is located on the northern shores of Coralville Lake. The Coralville Lake Project is a multiple use project providing primary benefits in flood control and low flow augmentation, and secondary benefits in recreations, fish and wildlife management, and forest management. Coralville Lake provides many recreational opportinities, 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 small mouth bass, crappie, walleye, and catfish.
Facilities
The Sandy Beach Campground offers 58 campsites to include full hook-up campsites, standard electric campsites, and non-electric walk- to tent campsites. Amenities include modern restroom and shower facilities, playground, dump station, drinking water, and entrance station. The Sandy Beach Day Use Area offers picnic sites, a large group picnic shelter, boat ramp, fish cleaning station, vault restroom, and lake access.Natural Features
Coralville Lake is located in the Iowa River Valley, just north of Iowa City. The Sandy Beach Campground lies among a heavily wooded forest of mixed hardwood species on the northern reaches of Coralville 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 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.

The Lake MacBride Golf Course is nearby, offering nine holes among rolling hills. Several additional golf courses are scattered around the lake.
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.

Read More Read Less
Nearby Campgrounds (7 within 10 miles)
SUGAR BOTTOM CAMPGROUND
On-site Reservable
LINDER POINT CAMPGROUND
On-site Reservable
SANDY BEACH CAMP
On-site Reservable
TAILWATER EAST CAMPGROUND
On-site Reservable
West Overlook Campground
On-site Reservable
COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (IA)
On-site Reservable
TAILWATER WEST CAMPGROUND
On-site Reservable
Nearby Recreation Areas
Coralville Lake Located within