Tailwater West Pond
Tailwater West Fall
Iowa River adjacent to Tailwater West Campground
Devonian Fossil Gorge
Tailwater West

Featured amenities

Pet Friendly Pet Friendly
Showers Showers

About Tailwater West Campground

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.

Available sites

22 total sites

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently closed

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Pet friendly Pet friendly
Showers Showers
Water and Hygiene

Water and Hygiene

  • Potable Water
  • Showers
Pets and Policies

Pets and Policies

  • Pet friendly
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.

22 Sites Available

Site
Price
🚐 T01, Loop: Tailwater West RV
Pet Friendly · 58 × 20 ft · Paved
🚐 T02, Loop: Tailwater West RV
Pet Friendly · 63 × 20 ft · Paved
🚐 T03, Loop: Tailwater West RV
Pet Friendly · Full hookups · 40 × 20 ft
🚐 T04, Loop: Tailwater West RV
Pet Friendly · 62 × 20 ft · Paved
🚐 T05, Loop: Tailwater West RV
Pet Friendly · Full hookups · 40 × 20 ft
🚐 T06, Loop: Tailwater West RV
Pet Friendly · 69 × 20 ft · Paved
🚐 T07, Loop: Tailwater West RV
Pet Friendly · Full hookups · 46 × 20 ft
🚐 T08, Loop: Tailwater West RV
Pet Friendly · 58 × 20 ft · Paved
🚐 T09, Loop: Tailwater West RV
Pet Friendly · 65 × 20 ft · Paved
🚐 T10, Loop: Tailwater West RV
Pet Friendly · 69 × 20 ft · Paved
🚐 T11, Loop: Tailwater West RV
Pet Friendly · 66 × 20 ft · Paved
🚐 T12, Loop: Tailwater West RV
Pet Friendly · 69 × 20 ft · Paved
🚐 T13, Loop: Tailwater West RV
Pet Friendly · Full hookups · 13 × 20 ft
🚐 T14, Loop: Tailwater West RV
Pet Friendly · 62 × 20 ft · Paved
🚐 T15, Loop: Tailwater West RV
Pet Friendly · 62 × 20 ft · Paved
🚐 T16, Loop: Tailwater West RV
Pet Friendly · Full hookups · 48 × 20 ft
🚐 T17, Loop: Tailwater West RV
Pet Friendly · 51 × 20 ft · Paved
🚐 T18, Loop: Tailwater West RV
Pet Friendly · Full hookups · 50 × 20 ft
🚐 T19, Loop: Tailwater West RV
Pet Friendly · Full hookups · 60 × 20 ft
🚐 T20, Loop: Tailwater West RV
Pet Friendly · Full hookups · 50 × 20 ft
⛺ T21, Loop: Tailwater West Tent
Pet Friendly · Yes shade
⛺ T22, Loop: Tailwater West Tent
Pet Friendly · Yes shade

Reviews

353 reviews

Summary

AI generated

Tailwater West Campground is highly praised for its cleanliness, well-maintained facilities, and beautiful surroundings, making it a favorite spot for many campers. The campground offers spacious sites, full hookups, and convenient access to fishing and nearby attractions, contributing to enjoyable stays. Some concerns were raised about noise from fellow campers and check-in confusion, but overall, visitors expressed a strong desire to return and appreciated the friendly staff and peaceful atmosphere.

Based on guest feedback

4.7

Overall rating

Based on 353 reviews

Write a review
5 stars 79.0% (279)
4 stars 15.6% (55)
3 stars 2.0% (7)
2 stars 2.3% (8)
1 star 1.1% (4)

Showing 353 reviews

David H

Verified

October 5, 2026 Stayed at: T14, Loop: Tailwater West

Clean park and sites are spacious. Enjoyed the river view. The river walking path had a fallen tree on it, but was removed in a timely manner.

Helpful

Scott S

Verified

October 5, 2026 Stayed at: T02, Loop: Tailwater West

Very clean and quiet. Nice level sites with concrete pads. Outer sites have just water/electric. Inner sites have sewer hookups as well. Park ranger and staff present throughout the park. You can tell that they are constantly working on keeping things in good condition. Lots of shore fishing right there and a very nice fish cleaning station. Close to Coralville and Iowa City for restaurants and shopping. Great camping spot and we will be back!

Helpful

allan b

Verified

October 1, 2026 Stayed at: T13, Loop: Tailwater West

Camping was great except we didn’t have very nice weather, lot of rain but that can’t be helped

Helpful

Tammy C

Verified

October 1, 2026 Stayed at: T15, Loop: Tailwater West

Tailwater is a gem. The approach had us wondering where we were going for a minute, but the roads are good and easy to navigate. We were in a level, concrete pad long enough for our rig and tow vehicle (50 ft plus). It was a short walk to a clean restroom/shower building. It was quiet. There were fisherman and access to fishing nearby at the spillway of the dam. The forecast for severe storms while we there made me think about the dam right behind us but the attendee checking us in said they would blast sirens if there was a potential problem. We camped in site T15. We would stay here again.

Helpful

Mike P

Verified

September 29, 2026 Stayed at: T01, Loop: Tailwater West

Tailwater West is a great, well maintained campground. All of the Coralville Reservoir complex is worth a visit!

Helpful

Dave M

Verified

September 28, 2026 Stayed at: T04, Loop: Tailwater West

Everyone is very nice and facilities are nice also. I know I like fishing and camping at tailwater west

Helpful

Allen C

Verified

September 22, 2026 Stayed at: T04, Loop: Tailwater West

My only complaint is related to checking in. My reservation was in the Tail Water West campground. Check-in was to be done at the entrance to a different campground. I suspect many people miss the check-in location. Instructions tell you to check in before setting up at the campsite. Hauling a large camper back to the check in location is silly. I setup on my site and then, unhitched, I went and checked in.

Helpful

Dewayne Z

Verified

September 18, 2026 Stayed at: T06, Loop: Tailwater West

Needs to be something to help with the internet to help streaming due to the over the air tv channels are hard to pick up.

Helpful

Phillip S

Verified

September 18, 2026 Stayed at: T20, Loop: Tailwater West

Beautiful location. Nice lots. Bathrooms could be a lot cleaner with better water drainages.

Helpful

Mike P

Verified

September 18, 2026 Stayed at: T04, Loop: Tailwater West

Crew does an excellent job of taking care of bathrooms and showers! Camp hosts are great as well. The one issue we have is that the water is very brown at times at the campsites. Not sure why and it did not used to be this way and we have camped here for years.

Helpful

Location & Directions for Tailwater West Campground

4103 Prairie Du Chien Rd Ne, Iowa City, IA 52240 United States

Elevation: 207 ft

Getting There

From Interstate 80 (Iowa City, Iowa), take Exit 244 towards Dubuque St./North Liberty. Travel north on Dubuque St. for 3 mi and turn right onto West Overlook Rd. NE. Travel on West Overlook Rd. NE for 1.1 mi. At the second stop sign, turn right on...

Nearest town

Iowa City, IA - 5.8 mi

About 13 min to downtown

Policies & Rules

General

  • Three camping units are permitted per campsite: one RV and two tent, or three tents.
  • Up to six occupants are permitted per site.
  • Quiet Hours are;
  • Visitors shall register for their campsite at the West Overlook Campground Fee Booth prior to setting up on the campsite.
  • Check-Out Time:;
  • Check-In Time:;
  • Do not attach anything to trees.
  • Pets must be penned, on a leash under 6 feet in length, or otherwise physically restrained.
  • No parking on grass, roads, shoulders or empty campsites. No UTVs or golf carts within the campground.
  • All of the following items are prohibited: bouncy houses, swimming pools, chinese lanterns, loaded firearms, explosive devices, ammunition, bow or other projectile-firing device, and fireworks.
  • All boats shall be removed from the lake/river each day. Boats are not permitted to be moored on the shoreline overnight.
  • No-Shows: If a customer does not arrive and register for their campsite by 3:00 P.M. the day after original arrival date, the customer will be assessed a $20.00 service fee and forfeit the first night use fee.
  • Cancellation: If a customer cancels a reservation they will be charged a $10.00 service fee. If a customer cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival they will be charged a $10.00 service fee and will also forfeit the first night's use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation).
  • Don't Move Firewood: Protect your forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. Visit Dontmovefirewood.org for further information.
  • The dump station and drinking water is located just outside of the West Overlook Campground.

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations


Last updated: October 7, 2026

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