COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (IA)

Overview COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND IS CLOSED FOR THE 2025 RECREATION SEASON The Cottonwood 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 The Cottonwood Campground offers 11 non-electric walk-to tent campsites. Amenities include a modern restroom and shower facility located at the main parking lot. The campground fee booth is located in the West Overlook Campground.

The dump station, drinking water, trash and recycling receptacles are located just outside of the West Overlook Campground. Natural Features Coralville Lake is located in the Iowa River Valley, just north of Iowa City. The Cottonwood Campground lies among a heavily wooded forest of mixed hardwood species on the west side of the dam.

Wildlife is abundant throughout the project.