244
Total Campsites
Campground
235
Reservable Sites
Mixed (reservable + first-come)
4
Accessible
ADA-compliant sites
—
Organization
Managing agency
Overview
About SUGAR BOTTOM CAMPGROUND
Overview The Sugar Bottom Campground is located on the shores of Coralville Lake. The Coralville Lake Project is a multipule 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. Recreation Visitors enjoy Coralville Lake for boating, fishing, swimming and water activities. Anglers will find large and smallmouth bass, crappie, walleye and catfish. Hiking and mountain biking are popular activities in Sugar Bottom. Several trails are within Sugar Bottom, including the Cedar Valley Nature Trail, Sugar Bottom Mountain Bike Trail, and a barrier-free asphalt trail.The Sugar Bottom Disc Golf Course is located in the Sugar Bottom Day Use Area and offers 18 partially wooded and open holes. The Sugar Bottom Mountain Bike Trail is located in the Sugar Bottom Day Use Area and offers beginner to expert trails. Facilities Visitors enjoy Coralville Lake for boating, fishing, swimming and water activities. Anglers will find large and smallmouth bass, crappie, walleye and catfish. Hiking and mountain biking are popular activities in Sugar Bottom. Several trails are within Sugar Bottom, including the Cedar Valley Nature Trail, Sugar Bottom Mountain Bike Trail, and a barrier-free asphalt trail.The Sugar Bottom Disc Golf Course is located in the Sugar Bottom Day Use Area and offers 18 partially wooded and open holes. The Sugar Bottom Mountain Bike Trail is located in the Sugar Bottom Day Use Area and offers beginner to expert trails. Natural Features Coralville Lake is located in the Iowa River Valley, just north of Iowa City. The Sugar Bottom Campground lies among a heavily wooded forest of mixed hardwood species on the east side of the 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 10 miles away, just below the Coralville Dam. It offers 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. 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.
- 244 total campsites listed.
- 235 reservable sites plus first-come options.
- 4 accessible campsites listed.
- Most common site type: standard electric (220).
- Map coordinates are available for trip planning.
Our Take
What makes SUGAR BOTTOM CAMPGROUND special
Perched on the wooded shores of Coralville Lake just minutes from Iowa City, Sugar Bottom Campground is eastern Iowa's go-to destination for lakeside camping that never feels far from civilization. With 244 sites spread across shaded loops of mature hardwoods, the campground delivers a satisfying blend of natural beauty and modern convenience. Coralville Lake stretches across thousands of acres, offering exceptional sailing, waterskiing, kayaking, and fishing for walleye, white bass, and channel catfish. What sets Sugar Bottom apart is its extensive trail network, including mountain biking trails considered among the best in the Midwest, drawing riders from several states for flowy singletrack through rolling terrain. The adjacent Sugar Bottom Recreation Area adds a swimming beach, disc golf course, and equestrian trails to an already impressive roster of activities. Located near the university town of Solon and a short drive from Iowa City, campers enjoy easy access to restaurants, craft breweries, and cultural events without sacrificing the peace of a lakeside evening. The campground operates from spring through fall, with electric and non-electric sites available. Summer weekends and holiday periods book out well in advance, so early reservations are recommended. Late September and October bring stunning fall color along the lake bluffs and far fewer crowds.
Campsite Inventory
244 sites to choose from
STANDARD ELECTRIC
220
Reservable
4
Accessible
WALK TO
14
Reservable
0
Accessible
MANAGEMENT
0
Reservable
0
Accessible
GROUP STANDARD AREA ELECTRIC
1
Reservable
0
Accessible
Amenities & Details
Everything you need to know
Accessibility
Yes
Campfire Allowed
Yes
Site capacity
Single
Check-in time
2:00 PM
Check-out time
12:00 PM
Condition Rating
Prime
Double Driveway
No, Yes
Driveway entry
Back-In, Parallel, Pull-through
Driveway length (ft)
36, 39, 40, 42
Driveway surface
Gravel, Paved
ELECTRIC HOOKUPS
Electric Hookups
Electricity Hookup
20/30, 20/30/50, 30 amp, 30 amp/20/30
Full Hookup
50
GRILLS
Grills, Yes
Grills/Fire Ring
Grills/Fire Ring
Max guests
6, 60
Max vehicle length (ft)
36, 39, 40, 42
Minimum guests
2, 20
Reservations & Contact
Plan your stay
Phone
MAY 1 - SEPTEMBER 30 CAMPGROUND ENTRANCE STATION: (319) 624-2102 OCTOBER 1 - APRIL 30 CORALVILLE LAKE PROJECT OFFICE: (319) 338-3543 X.6300
kathryn.s.atkinson@usace.army.mil
Getting There
From Interstate 380 (North Liberty, Iowa), take Exit 4 towards North Liberty. Travel east on W. Penn St. for 2.2 miles. At the four way stop sign, turn left onto N. Front St./Mehaffey Bridge Rd. NE. Continue traveling on Mehaffey Bridge Rd. NE for 2.9 miles. Right after crossing the Mehaffey Bridge, take a right hand turn onto the Sugar Bottom Campground Access Rd. Continue on the Sugar Bottom Campground Access Rd. for 1.1 miles. The entrance to the Sugar Bottom Campground is straight ahead. From Highway 1 (Solon, IA), turn west onto 180th St. NE/E 5th St. Travel west on 180th St. NE for 2.3 miles, the road will then become Mehaffey Bridge Rd. NE. Continue traveling on Mehaffey Bridge Rd. NE for 2.4 miles. Right before the Mehaffey Bridge, take a left hand turn onto the Sugar Bottom Campground Access Rd. Continue on the Sugar Bottom Campground Access Rd. for 1.1 miles. The entrance to the Sugar Bottom Campground is straight ahead.
FAQ
Common questions
Everything you need to know before your trip to SUGAR BOTTOM CAMPGROUND.
How do reservations work for SUGAR BOTTOM CAMPGROUND?
Reservation availability for SUGAR BOTTOM CAMPGROUND can vary by season and campsite type. Check the contact and access section before booking.
What campsite types are available at SUGAR BOTTOM CAMPGROUND?
SUGAR BOTTOM CAMPGROUND currently lists STANDARD ELECTRIC (220), WALK TO (14), MANAGEMENT (9), GROUP STANDARD AREA ELECTRIC (1).
Where is SUGAR BOTTOM CAMPGROUND located?
SUGAR BOTTOM CAMPGROUND is in Iowa near SOLON. Coordinates: 41.7564, -91.5592.
Keep Exploring