How much does camping cost at West Overlook Campground?

Camping fees at West Overlook Campground range from $22-$28/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is West Overlook Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

West Overlook Campground accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at West Overlook Campground before I book?

Yes! West Overlook Campground has 6 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit West Overlook Campground?

West Overlook Campground is open May 01 to October 17. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at West Overlook Campground?

Yes, West Overlook Campground has shower facilities available for campers. Check the amenities section for details on hours and any fees.

How many campsites does West Overlook Campground have?

West Overlook Campground has 89 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at West Overlook Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at West Overlook Campground. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at West Overlook Campground?

West Overlook Campground offers: Restrooms, Showers, Potable Water, Dump Station, Electrical Hookups, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at West Overlook Campground?

Popular activities at West Overlook Campground include Hiking, Fishing, Swimming, Biking, Boating, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

West Overlook Campground

4.55

500 reviews

2850 Prairie Du Chien Rd NE, IOWA CITY, IA, 52240-7820, USA

Summer Destination

Featured in:Swimming Camping Iowa#1 Boating Camping Iowa#3 Spring Camping Iowa#3 +9 more

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

791 ft

Price

$22 - $28/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

89 campsites

Season

Open Season: May 1, ...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

ElectricShowers

Book on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

791 ft

Price

$22 - $28/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

89 campsites

Season

Open Season: May 1, ...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

ElectricShowers

Book on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Official Website

Get Directions

West Overlook Campground

$22.00 - $28.00 / night

Campsite Fees

CONCRETE SITE: 30 Amp: $24.00; CONCRETE SITE: 50 Amp & Water: $28.00; GRAVEL SITE: 30 Amp: $22.00; GRAVEL SITE: 50 Amp & Water: $26.00. Plus...

No paid fee categories listed.

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Share this campground

Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

May 1 - October 31: 319-338-3685; November 1 - April 30: 319-338-3543 X.6300coralville.lake@usace.army.mil

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

2850 Prairie Du Chien Rd NE, IOWA CITY, IA, 52240-7820, USA

West Overlook Campground

2850 Prairie Du Chien Rd NE, IOWA CITY, IA, 52240-7820, USA

Nearby places

Iowa City (3 miles, ~10 minutes), Coralville (2 miles, ~7 minutes), Cedar Rapids (~25 miles, ~30 minutes), West Branch (~15 miles, ~20 minutes), Amana Colonies (~23 miles, ~30 minutes).

Driving directionsFrom 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.

Weather at West Overlook Campground

Best Time to Camp at West Overlook Campground

Best season: fall. Early fall offers crisp, comfortable weather (daytime highs typically 50–70°F, nights cooling into the 40s) and the strongest combination of foliage, wildlife activity, and low visitor density. Trails and lake viewpoints are at their most scenic as mixed hardwoods turn color, and boating/fishing remain excellent through early October before the campground closes for the season. Expect smaller crowds on weekdays and pleasantly cool evenings perfect for campfires and stargazing. Peak months: September, October, May, June Avoid: November, December, January, February

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.5 / 5

Early fall cited as best: mild temps, peak foliage and excellent lake views per reviews.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: May 01 to October 17. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open Season: May 1, 2025 - October 18, 2025. Closed outside these dates.

About West Overlook Campground

West Overlook Campground sits on Coralville Lake near Iowa City, operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This large seasonal campground offers electric hookups, showers, and a dump station alongside spacious sites with lake views. Campers fish, boat, hike, and bike the surrounding trails, with fall bringing peak foliage and active wildlife viewing before the season closes.

West Overlook Campground offers standard electric campsites catering to RVs and tents. No explicit mention of group camping, cabin lodging, or luxury camping options.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: fall. Early fall offers crisp, comfortable weather (daytime highs typically 50–70°F, nights cooling into the 40s) and the strongest combination of foliage, wildlife activity, and low visitor density. Trails and lake viewpoints are at their most scenic as mixed hardwoods turn color, and boating/fishing remain excellent through early October before the campground closes for the season. Expect smaller crowds on weekdays and pleasantly cool evenings perfect for campfires and stargazing. Peak months: September, October, May, June Avoid: November, December, January, February

Elevation791 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryMixed hardwood forests cover the hills surrounding the lake, creating substantial shade in wooded loops. The campground sits at 791 feet elevation where the reservoir meets forested terrain. Wildlife sightings include whitetail deer, wild turkeys, and waterfowl along the lake edges. Fall brings notable color change in the hardwoods. Lake views are best from sites closer to the water, while interior loops feel more enclosed by forest canopy.

Programs & ActivitiesEducational opportunities at the Devonian Fossil Gorge include an audio tour and discovery points showcasing a 375-million-year-old sea floor.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Maximum Consecutive Stay: 14 nights during a visit at the campground.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Up to 6 occupants are permitted per site.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations available via Recreation.gov online, mobile app, and contact center.

AccessibilityCampground offers concrete pads at some campsites, which are helpful for walkers. No other explicit accessibility features mentioned.

Site SizeCampsites are described as spacious and accommodating for larger RVs, though some sites are noted as being closely packed.

PrivacyPrivacy varies by site; some loops are described as quiet and secluded, while others have campsites closer together.

Total Campsites89 campsites

Recommended SitesSites near the beach (like W77) may attract disturbances from beach visitors. Sites W38 and W39 are quieter and further from main loops.

Best CampsitesSite 69 gets specific praise for its quality and proximity to the boat ramp. Avoid sites near the beach area. W77 faced disturbances from beach visitors during peak times. Choose sites away from streetlights if you're sensitive to ambient light at night. Interior loops offer more seclusion, though lakefront sites trade privacy for water views.

Need help booking West Overlook Campground?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

The West Overlook Campground offers a range of amenities that cater to diverse camping needs. The campground includes modern restroom and shower facilities, a boat ramp, playgrounds, horseshoes, and a dump station. Additionally, potable water is accessible just outside the campground. The day-use area provides a beach, picnic sites, picnic shelter, volleyball courts, and additional playgrounds.

Showers

Potable water

Electricity hookups

Flush toilets

Dump station

Fire rings

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

A broad range of recreational activities is available, including hiking, fishing, swimming, boating, biking, wildlife viewing, beach activities, and cultural/educational experiences like fossil hunting at the Devonian Fossil Gorge.

Hiking

Fishing

Swimming

Biking

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

Rate West Overlook Campground

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From Booking Sources

4.6

500 reviews

Top-Rated

West Overlook Campground is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews

Reviews emphasize cleanliness, friendly staff, and beautiful views. Complaints often focus on noisy neighbors, outdated facilities, and beach closures.

Review Summaries

Based on 500 reviews

Best sites at a glance

Pulled from per-site mentions in 500 reviews.

Site W69Mentioned
Site W69 received positive remarks about proximity to trails and the beach.
Site W77Mentioned
Site W77 was criticized for lack of privacy and disruptions from beach visitors.

What Campers Love

Clean facilities, spacious campsites, excellent views of Coralville Lake, and proximity to hiking and biking trails. Hosts are frequently described as accommodating and friendly.

Based on 500 reviews

Common Concerns

Outdated bathroom facilities, occasional noisy campers, lack of water hookups at sites, and some areas being crowded during peak seasons.

Based on 500 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Bring extra water since water hookups are unavailable. Utilize the public boat ramp during high traffic times. Choose sites away from streetlights for better sleep.

Based on 500 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Spring and fall are preferred for milder weather and fewer bugs. Summer reviews often mention high heat and occasional flooding at the beach.

Based on 500 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'Beautiful campground with spacious spots and clean facilities.' - User review 2. 'Beach needs more patrolling; inappropriate music and language deters family visits.' - User review 3. 'Best ACOE...

Based on 500 reviews

Accessibility Features

Concrete pads at some sites were appreciated for accessibility. No further explicit accessibility reviews provided.

Based on 500 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are permitted but must be leashed or physically restrained. Reviewers noted occasional disturbances from barking dogs.

Based on 500 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Go if

You want lakefront access near Iowa City with electric hookups and trails for hiking and biking.

Skip if

You need 50-amp service or prefer campgrounds with recently renovated facilities.

Nearby Campgrounds

Less Visited

3.9

(40)

Cottonwood Campground (Ia)

2850 Prairie Du Chien Rd NE

Cottonwood Campground sits on the shores of Coralville Lake near Iowa City, operated by the US Army Corps of Engineers. This small, wooded campground offers tent and primitive camping with flush toilets, hot showers, and a dump station. Visitors come for lakeside access, shaded sites under tall trees, and a quiet setting during the week.