West Overlook Campground

Star4.58
500 reviews
2850 Prairie Du Chien Rd NE, IOWA CITY, IA, 52240-7820, USA
Scenic ViewsSummer Destination

Quick Facts

791 ft

Price

$22 - $28/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

89 campsites

Season

Open Season: May 1, ...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV FriendlyElectricShowers

Opens U.S. Army Corps of Engineers site

Official Website
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Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026
West Overlook Campground
$22.00 - $28.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Fees for standard electric sites range from $22 to $28 depending on location and season. Additional reservation fees apply, including an $8 fee for...
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Standard Site Fee$22.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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

4.58

Top-Rated

Based on 500 reviews

89 Google reviews

Most mentioned

viewscleanspacioushiking

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 Complaints often focus on noisy neighbors, outdated facilities, and beach closures."

Read all reviews

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

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.
The campground is accessible via paved roads. Driving routes use major highways like Interstate 80 and Interstate 380. Roads leading to the campground are well-maintained, making access relatively easy.
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).
Nearby supplies
Coral Ridge Mall (groceries, supplies, restaurants) ~5 miles. Fuel stations and camping supplies available in Coralville (~2 miles).

Best Time to Camp at West Overlook Campground

Experience the best of Iowa's temperate climate, where summer brings endless blue skies perfect for stargazing and warm days ideal for lake adventures. The camping season unfolds with comfortable temperatures that invite you to spend your days exploring and your evenings gathered around the campfire. While occasional refreshing rains keep the forest lush and green, most days offer clear weather that showcases spectacular sunsets over the lake. Pack layers for cool mornings that give way to pleasant afternoons, creating the perfect conditions for any outdoor pursuit.

Summer(Jun-Aug)
4.0 / 5

Open and busy in summer with excellent lake activities; heat and crowds noted as downsides.

Best
Fall(Sep-Nov)
4.5 / 5
Top 15% in IA

Spring/fall preferred for milder weather, fewer bugs and great foliage/wildlife viewing.

Spring(Mar-May)
4.0 / 5

Spring offers milder weather and is a preferred season; early season conditions can vary.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
Not recommended

Campground is closed outside May 1–Oct 18; winter camping not available.

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: May 01, 2025 - October 18, 2025.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: Open Season: May 1, 2025 - October 18, 2025. Closed outside these dates.
  • Current Alerts: Beach closures due to flooding have occurred during some seasons.

About West Overlook Campground

Perched above the sprawling waters of Coralville Lake, West Overlook Campground offers adventurers a perfect basecamp within the vibrant Dam Complex recreation area. This multi-faceted destination seamlessly blends outdoor adventure with environmental stewardship, where flood control meets forest conservation in perfect harmony. Whether you're casting a line at dawn, navigating scenic hiking trails, or discovering ancient secrets in the nearby Devonian Fossil Gorge, every day brings new possibilities for exploration. From peaceful morning paddles to exhilarating bike rides through wooded paths, West Overlook serves as your gateway to Iowa's most diverse outdoor playground.
West Overlook Campground offers standard electric campsites catering to RVs and tents. No explicit mention of group camping, cabin lodging, or luxury camping options.
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Reserving a campsite

Check-in
Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.
Check-out
Check-out is by 4:00 PM.
Stay Limit
Maximum Consecutive Stay: 14 nights during a visit at the campground.

Amenities available

Showers
Potable water
Electricity hookups
Flush toilets
Dump station
Fire rings

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.
HikingSeveral trails are accessible within the Dam Complex, including Squire Point, Woodpecker Trail, Tailwater Riverwalk, and the Veterans Trail. Trails offer varying levels of difficulty and scenic views.
FishingFishing is popular, with species like bass, crappie, walleye, and catfish available. However, one reviewer noted catching smaller-sized fish during their visit.
SwimmingThe beach area has sand and is described as well-maintained. Reviews suggest it is suitable for families with children.
BikingBiking trails offer manageable terrain and connect to nearby areas such as North Liberty and Iowa City. Some trails feature hills of varying difficulty.
BoatingBoating is facilitated with a nearby boat ramp. However, users suggest utilizing the public ramp during busy lake traffic due to wave issues at the campground dock.
Wildlife viewingAbundant wildlife includes deer, turkeys, pheasants, waterfowl, and songbirds. One reviewer spotted a mink during their stay.
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Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsPotential safety concern with wildlife interactions. Some reviews mention issues like loud campers, beach visitors cutting across campsites, and vehicle headlights disrupting sleep.
Active AlertsBeach closures due to flooding have occurred during some seasons.

Weather at West Overlook Campground

Reviews

4.6
500 reviews
Top-Rated
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

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...
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Based on 500 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

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

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Last updated January 13, 2026
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