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Access Site IA

Trailwater East

Iowa River

Source: iowa_department_of_natural_resources Updated 1 year ago

City: Iowa City, IA
County: Johnson County
Type: Boat Ramp
Location: 41.72088859, -91.52870779
Air Temp: --
Location
Nearby Gauge Conditions
About This Access Site
Tailwater East is a public boat ramp facility located on the Iowa River in Iowa City, providing access to this popular paddling and fishing destination. The ramp is situated within the Coralville Lake Dam Complex, approximately 13 minutes north of downtown Iowa City via Dubuque Street and West Overlook Road. This location makes it convenient for kayakers and canoeists looking to explore the Iowa River Water Trail, which features over 1,500 miles of developed waterways throughout Iowa.

The facility offers a boat ramp along with primitive camping on the river banks. The adjacent Tailwater East Campground operates seasonally from May through October and offers 22 campsites with electric hookups, shower facilities, and a dump station for those planning extended paddling trips. The area is known for good fishing opportunities as well. For current information about fees, reservations, and seasonal operations, contact the campground fee booth at (319) 338-3685 (May 1–October 31) or the Coralville Lake Project Office at (319) 338-3543 ext. 6300 (November 1–April 30).
Federal Facility Information
1 - Free Access Reservations Available

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,...

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.

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Nearby Campgrounds (7 within 10 miles)
LINDER POINT CAMPGROUND
On-site Reservable
SUGAR BOTTOM 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
Herbert Hoover National Historic Site Located within
Amenities
restrooms