Tailwater West Campground
4.63310 reviews2850 Prairie Du Chien Rd NE
Fishing
Quick Facts
682 ftPrice
$14 - $30/night
Booking
Reservable
Sites
22 campsites
Season
Open May 1 through O...
Cell
Has Service
Pets
Very Pet Friendly
RV FriendlyElectricShowers
Get DirectionsQuick Facts
682 ftPrice
$14 - $30/night
Booking
Reservable
Sites
22 campsites
Season
Open May 1 through O...
Cell
Has Service
Pets
Very Pet Friendly
RV FriendlyElectricShowers
Get DirectionsTailwater West Campground
$14.00 - $30.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Fees range from $14 for walk-to tent sites to $30 for premium standard electric sites during peak season. Prices do not reflect discounts, taxes, or...
Show more
Standard Site Fee$28.00
Hookup Site Fee$30.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$14.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00
Get Notified When Available
We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.
Free with account · Checks every 2 minutes
150,000+ sites monitored · Email, SMS, or in-app notifications
Share this campground
Recreation Dot Gov
Provider319-338-3543coralville.lake@usace.army.mil
Help improve this page
See something outdated or incorrect? Let us know!
Advertisement
What Campers Say
4.63
Top-Rated
Based on 310 reviews
143 Google reviews
Most mentioned
cleanstafffriendlyhookups
Some mention
noise
"User reviews consistently highlight Tailwater West Campground as clean, quiet, and well-maintained, with particular praise for its spacious sites and proximity to recreational activities like fishing and hiking. However, some users noted issues with cell phone reception and occasional maintenance concerns regarding the fish cleaning station and dumpsters."
Campground Map
2850 Prairie Du Chien Rd NE
Tailwater West Campground
2850 Prairie Du Chien Rd NE
Driving directionsFrom Interstate 80 (Iowa City, Iowa), 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 second stop sign, turn right onto Prairie Du Chien Rd. NE. Travel east on Prairie Du Chien Rd. NE for 0.2 miles. The entrance to the Tailwater West Campground will be located on the right side of the road. 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 1.9 miles. Turn left onto West Overlook Rd. NE and travel east for 1.1 miles. At the second stop sign, turn right onto Prairie Du Chien Rd. NE. Travel east on Prairie Du Chien Rd. NE for 0.2 miles. The entrance to the Tailwater West Campground will be located on the right side of the road.
The campground is easily accessible from Interstate 80 and Interstate 380. Roads leading to the campground are paved and well-maintained. Seasonal closures or challenging terrain are not indicated.Nearby places
Iowa City (approximately 5 miles, 15 minutes), Coralville (approximately 4 miles, 10 minutes), Cedar Rapids (approximately 25 miles, 30 minutes)
Nearby supplies
Groceries, camping supplies, fuel, and other essentials can be found in Iowa City and Coralville, approximately 10-15 minutes from the campground.
Best Time to Camp at Tailwater West Campground
From May through October, gentle breezes and warm sunshine create perfect camping conditions, with occasional refreshing rain showers that bring out the earthy scents of the forest. Summer days invite leisurely exploration, while crisp autumn mornings wrap the campground in a blanket of mist rising from the river. The campground rests peacefully through winter's snow and cold, awaiting spring's return.
Summer(Jun-Aug)
4.0 / 5
Peak season (May–Oct) with warm days, active fishing, boating and hiking highlighted in summer reviews.
Fall(Sep-Nov)
4.0 / 5
Fall reviews note cool weather and scenic beauty; hardwoods imply good fall color viewing.
Best
Spring(Mar-May)
4.0 / 5
Spring reviews cite cool weather, wildlife viewing and good early-season fishing/hiking opportunities.
Winter(Dec-Feb)
Not recommended
Campground closed to reservations Nov–Apr; winter use is limited and not a primary season.
Planning Tips
- Peak Season: May 1 - October 18. Book 2-3 months ahead.
- Operating Season: Open May 1 through October 18 annually for reservations.
About Tailwater West Campground
Nestled below the impressive Coralville Lake Dam, Tailwater West Campground offers an intimate escape with 22 thoughtfully designed campsites. From fully-equipped RV spots to secluded walk-to tent sites, this modern facility serves as your gateway to exceptional fishing waters, scenic hiking trails, and the fascinating Devonian Fossil Gorge. Whether you're casting a line in the tailwaters or exploring 375-million-year-old sea floors, every stay promises discovery.
Tailwater West Campground accommodates a range of camping styles with 22 campsites featuring full hookups, standard electric, and walk-to tent sites.
Advertisement
Best Campsites
Curated by campers, for campers
Reveal picks
Reserving a campsite
Check-in
2:00 PM
Check-out
12:00 PM
Stay Limit
You may stay up to 14 nights total at this campground within rolling 30 days.
Amenities available
Showers
Potable water
Electricity hookups
Flush toilets
Dump station
Fire rings
Activities you can enjoy
Tailwater West Campground offers diverse recreational activities, including fishing, hiking, boating, and wildlife viewing. Specific trails like the Veterans Trail and Tailwater Riverwalk are popular among visitors. The fishing opportunities are particularly highlighted, with species like bass and catfish available.
HikingMultiple trails, such as Veterans Trail and Tailwater Riverwalk, are accessible from the campground. These trails are well-maintained and cater to a variety of skill levels.
FishingFishing is a major draw with species like bass, crappie, walleye, and catfish. The ADA-accessible fishing piers are appreciated, though one user mentioned occasional fishing challenges, stating, 'Fishing has been really bad all year for us.'
BikingBiking trails are available within the Coralville Lake Project. Specific details on trail difficulty or terrain are not provided.
BoatingBoating is a recommended activity. Visitors enjoy access to Coralville Lake and the Iowa River.
Wildlife viewingAbundant wildlife including whitetail deer, turkeys, and songbirds. Winter visitors can watch bald eagles near the dam. One review noted, 'In January and February, this area is a great place to see bald eagles.'
Winter Activities
Advertisement
Policies & Safety
Hazards & AlertsUsers have mentioned poor sewer hookups at some sites. Proximity to the dam may affect cell phone reception. Wildlife like deer and groundhogs are common.
Weather at Tailwater West Campground
Reviews
4.6
310 reviews
Tailwater West Campground is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews
User reviews consistently highlight Tailwater West Campground as clean, quiet, and well-maintained, with particular praise for its spacious sites and proximity to recreational activities like fishing and hiking. However, some users noted issues with cell phone reception and occasional maintenance concerns regarding the fish cleaning station and dumpsters.
Review Summaries
Based on 310 reviews
What Campers Love
Many users praised the campground's cleanliness, 'large level concrete pads,' and 'friendly and helpful staff.' The availability of full hookups and proximity to attractions like the Fossil Gorge...
Based on 310 reviewsShow more
Common Concerns
Common concerns include poor cell phone reception, maintenance issues at the fish cleaning station, and challenges checking in due to unclear directions or limited onsite staff access.
Based on 310 reviewsPro Tips & Recommendations
Users recommend arriving during staffed hours to avoid check-in confusion and highlight the importance of securing reservations in advance due to high demand on weekends. They also suggest bringing...
Based on 310 reviewsShow more
Seasonal Insights
Winter visitors appreciated eagle-watching opportunities, while summer reviews emphasized fishing and hiking. Spring and fall reviews noted the cool weather and scenic beauty.
Based on 310 reviewsCamper Quotes
'Tailwater West is absolutely one of the best campgrounds in the Coralville Reservoir area.' - Nathan C. 'Very clean site with lots of room.' - Steve M. 'The campground is well-maintained, with large...
Based on 310 reviewsShow more
Site-Specific Reviews
Specific site reviews include T07, which is noted for full hookups and a level pad. T19 is described as spacious and scenic, and T10 received praise for its proximity to the Iowa River.
Based on 310 reviewsAccessibility Features
Reviews highlight ADA-accessible fishing piers, but some users mention that the campground could benefit from more pull-through spots and better accessibility in some areas.
Based on 310 reviewsPet-Friendly Features
Pets are allowed, but no specific pet-related amenities are mentioned. One user noted, 'Our dog loves trying to scare the groundhogs that hang out just at the edge of the trees.'
Based on 310 reviews0
0 review
1
2
3
4
5
Add your voice to the Outdoorithm community
Been to Tailwater West Campground? Your review helps fellow campers discover what makes this place special—and what to expect.
Last updated January 13, 2026
Advertisement