
89
Total Campsites
Campground
89
Reservable Sites
Check by phone
1
Accessible
ADA-compliant sites
—
Organization
Managing agency
Overview
About West Overlook Campground
Overview The West Overlook 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 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. Natural Features Coralville Lake is located in the Iowa River Valley, just north of Iowa City. The West Overlook Campground lies among a heavily wooded forest of mixed hardwood species on the west 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 and Slovak Museum and 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.
- 89 total campsites listed.
- 1 accessible campsite listed.
- Most common site type: standard electric (89).
- Map coordinates are available for trip planning.


Our Take
What makes West Overlook Campground special
Perched above the Coralville Lake Dam Complex just north of Iowa City, West Overlook Campground commands sweeping views of one of eastern Iowa's most popular recreation areas. The lake, created by damming the Iowa River for flood control, has grown into a beloved destination for boaters, anglers, swimmers, and hikers drawn to its wooded shores and open prairie bluffs. The campground's elevated position gives many sites panoramic vistas of the reservoir and surrounding countryside, a feature that sets it apart from lower-lying lakeside camps. Sunsets here are genuinely spectacular, painting the water and rolling hills in shifting shades of amber and violet. Down at the lake, fishing for walleye, channel catfish, and white bass keeps rods bending through the season, while the nearby Coralville Lake trails offer miles of hiking and mountain biking through oak savanna and riverside bottomlands. Late spring through mid-autumn is the ideal window, with summer weekends drawing the biggest crowds and fall delivering quieter days, cooler air, and vibrant foliage. West Overlook Campground is a natural choice for University of Iowa families, road-trippers on the I-80 corridor, and outdoor enthusiasts looking for a versatile base camp close to the cultural amenities of Iowa City. The rare combination of scenic overlooks, reliable water recreation, and a college-town community nearby makes this campground a standout in the Iowa reservoir system.
Campsite Inventory
89 sites to choose from
STANDARD ELECTRIC
89
Reservable
1
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
Double Driveway
Yes
Driveway entry
Back-In, Parallel
Driveway length (ft)
32, 35, 43, 44
Driveway surface
Gravel, Paved
Electricity Hookup
20/30, 20/30/50
GRILLS
Yes
Grills/Fire Ring
Grills/Fire Ring
Max guests
6
Max vehicle length (ft)
32, 35, 43, 44
Minimum guests
2
Pets allowed
Yes
Picnic Table
Picnic Table, Yes
Shade
No, Yes
Reservations & Contact
Plan your stay
Phone
MAY 1 - OCTOBER 31: WEST OVERLOOK CAMPGROUND 319-338-3685 NOVEMBER 1 - APRIL 30: CORALVILLE LAKE PROJECT OFFICE 319-338-3543 X.6300
coralville.lake@usace.army.mil
Getting There
From Interstate 80 (Iowa City, IA) 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 stop sign take a slight left turn. The entrance to the West Overlook Campground will be located straight ahead. From Interstate 380 (North Liberty, IA) take Exit 4 towards North Liberty. Travel east on W. Penn St. for 2 miles and turn right onto N Dubuque St. Travel south on 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 1.8 miles. Turn left onto West Overlook Rd. NE and travel east for 1.1 miles. At the stop sign take a slight left turn. The entrance to the West Overlook Campground will be located straight ahead.
FAQ
Common questions
Everything you need to know before your trip to West Overlook Campground.
How do reservations work for West Overlook Campground?
Reservation availability for West Overlook Campground can vary by season and campsite type. Check the contact and access section before booking.
What campsite types are available at West Overlook Campground?
West Overlook Campground currently lists STANDARD ELECTRIC (89).
Where is West Overlook Campground located?
West Overlook Campground is in Iowa near Iowa City. Coordinates: 41.7253, -91.5356.
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