US Army Corps of Engineers
Rock Island District Website

Recreation Area Status Information

All campground reservations must be made online, in advance at www.Recreation.gov.

For up-to-date information on specific recreation areas, click the links below. 

Saylorville Lake  |    Lake Red Rock    |     Coralville Lake    |     Mississippi River   |     Illinois Waterway

Recreation

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is the largest provider of water-based outdoor recreation in the nation. The Rock Island District operates and maintains 97 recreation areas in five states. Visitors of all ages can enjoy traditional activities like hiking, biking, fishing, camping and hunting, and for those slightly more adventurous there is windsurfing, disc golf, mountain biking and geocaching. Regardless of your favorite activity one thing is certain, recreation enriches people's lives. A visit to an Army Corps of Engineers' recreation area can strengthen family ties and friendships; create unforgettable memories and connect people to nature that will last a lifetime.

Did you know?

  • The Army Corps of Engineers hosts 250 million visits annually to its recreation areas.
  • Corps-managed waters provide 18 percent of all U.S. freshwater fishing.
  • 45,104 volunteers work 1.56 million hours annually at Corps projects-- providing more than $37.5 million in value of service.
  • Seven of the top 10 migratory bird flyways in the U.S. crossover Corps-managed waters.
  • The Corps manages 12 million acres of public lands and waters in 43 states.
  • A visitor to Corps recreation areas can find 55,390 milies of shoreline; 7,892 miles of trails; 93,101 campsites and 3,748 boat launch ramps nationally.

Recreation Photos

Sunset at South Overlook boat ramp
The newly constructed shower building at North Overlook Beach at Lake Red Rock.
The old shower building in the North Overlook Campground at Lake Red Rock. The campground will be closed from May 16-August 31, 2021, to replace this facility.
North Tailwater Recreation Area Now Open to the Public
Coralville Dam and Lake located in Coralville, Iowa.
North Overlook Picnic Shelter
North Overlook Picnic Shelter
A new walkway in the North Tailwater Recreation Area below Lake Red Rock Dam provides easy access for fishing.
Smith's Island Nature Trail located at Locks and Dam 14 in Pleasant Valley, Iowa.
A group of bicyclists pass a man walking his dog on the Volksweg Trail near Lake Red Rock.
A man walking his dog on the Volksweg Trail stops to look out at Lake Red Rock near Pella, Iowa.
Notice sign at North Overlook Beach
A new hammock area has been installed at Saylorville Lake to allow visitors to "hammock" on Corps property.
A new hammock area has been installed at Saylorville Lake to allow visitors to "hammock" on Corps property.
North Overlook Beach at Lake Red Rock
Oak Grove Beach at Saylorville Lake
Fifield Shelter #4 at Lake Red Rock
Picnic Shelter in West Overlook Day Use Area at Coralville Lake
Large Picnic Shelter located in Sandpiper Recreation Area at Saylorville Lake
Lock and Dam 14 Auxiliary Lock Sign
Barricades block access to the West Overlook Day Use Boat Ramp at Coralville Lake.
2017 Veterans Trail honorees at Coralville Lake
Rock along Veterans Trail at Coralville Lake
Rest area along Veterans Trail at Coralville Lake
Rock along Veterans Trail at Coralville Lake
Honorees plaque along Veterans Trail at Coralville Lake
Bench along Veterans Trail at Coralville Lake
Trailhead of the Veterans Trail at Coralville Lake
Dedication stone for the Veterans Trail at Coralville Lake
Jet Ski and Boat
Shady Creek Recreation Area Sign
Illinois Waterway Visitor Center at Starved Rock Lock and Dam
Coralville Tailwater
Blanding Landing
Blanding Landing
Blanding Landing
Blanding Landing
Blanding Landing
Blanding Landing
Blanding Landing
Blanding Landing
Grant River 2018-4
Grant River - 5
Grant River - 6
Grant River - 7
Grant River - 8
Grant River - 1
Grant River - 2
Grant River - 3
Mississippi River Auxiliary Lock 14
Coralville Lake Veteran's Trail
Howell Station Campground is popular with fishing enthusiasts, bikers, hikers and those just looking for a relaxing place to camp and enjoy nature.
child sledding
children sledding
View of Fall Foliage from Cordova Tower
Annual Trick-or-Treat in the Park at the Thomson Causeway recreation area in Thomson, Illinois.
A gathering of adult and juvenile bald ealges rosting in the trees below Locks and Dam 15 on the Mississippi River in Rock Island, Illinois, in January 2015.
Paddling on Lake Red Rock
Red Sandstone bluffs along Lake Red Rock's northwest shore
Father and Son with Fish
Man walking dog on Volksweg Trail
White Pelican in tailwaters below the Red Rock Dam
Campers at Howell Station Campground
Boating on Lake Red Rock
sailboat on Lake Red Rock
kayaks along shore
Walker on trail
Campers at Whitebreast Campground
Whitebreast Beach visitors on sand
Kids play at Playscape
Picnic Table at Playscape
Fish Bike Rack at Playscape
New Restroom at Playscape
Rock Island District Park Ranger, Tracy Spry, stands with some students attending a Jr. Ranger program at Lake Red Rock in 2014.
An ash tree located at the Mississippi River Visitor Center in Rock Island, Illinois, wrapped with green EAB tape to inform visitors of the effects of EAB infestation.
Grant River Recreation Area near Potosi, Wis.
Bald Eagle
Bald Eagles gathered along the Mississippi River.
Picnickers at Fifield #1 shelter
Willow artist and volunteers create structure for Playscape area
Volunteers creating Playscape at Lake Red Rock
Looking into Fisherman's Corner Recreation Area using the Google maps tour application.
Big Slough boat ramp located four miles north of Thomson, Illinois is a popular access point on the Mississippi River.
View of a storm from on top of the dam at Coralville Lake in Coralville, Iowa.
View of a storm from on top of the dam at Coralville Lake in Coralville, Iowa.
Mississippi River Visitor Center at Locks and Dam 15.
Earth Day AD for www.Bobber.info
Fishing Ad for www.Bobber.info
Grant River Recreation Area in Potosi, WI.
Bald Eagle at Locks and Dam 15 in Rock Island, IL.
Camping Couple at Howell Station Recreation Area
Ice covers Saylorville Lake Jan. 6, 2014.
Icy banks of the Mississippi River at Shady Creek Recreation Area.
Winter on the Mississippi River near Andalusia, IL.
Winter on the Mississippi River.
Eagle watching at Lock and Dam 16 on the Mississippi River.
Eagle watching on the river front in Muscatine, IA.
Bald Eagles perched in the tree above Lock and Dam 19 in Keokuk, IA.
Mississippi River Visitor Center at Locks and Dam 15 in winter.
Eagle watching on the Mississippi River for the annual Keokuk Eagle Watch event.
Ice along the banks of the Mississippi River at Clark's Ferry Recreation Area.
Snowshoeing is a popular hike activity in the winter months at Lake Red Rock
Paddlers enjoy the Red Rock Trail at Lake Red Rock near Knoxville, Iowa. The trail has been officially designated as a National Water Trail by the National Park Service.
Sam Heilig explains to STEM Job Shadow participants how the roller gates at Locks and Dam 15 operate to maintain the 9-foot navigation pool on November 20.
Fall camping at Grant River Campground along the Mississippi River near Potosi, Wis.
Ash Tree Leaves
Emerald Ash Borer
Debris accumulates around Saylorville Lake's control tower and along the dam June 4, 2013.
West Overlook Day Use Beach at Coralville Lake on May 28, 2013.
Two pontoon boats on the Illinois River
Young cardinal with band
Licensed Bird Bander Nelson Hoskins with American Robin
Whitebreast Youth Camp Map
Whitebreast Youth Camp
Whitebreast Youth Camp
Whitebreast Youth Camp
Whitebreast Youth Camp
The remnants of black walnut trees and other species litter the forest floor following the theft of the walnut sawlogs (a log of suitable size for sawing into lumber).
Snowshoeing kids
Lake Red Rock Master Plan Meeting
Kayaks on shore at Hickory Ridge
Paddler along shore with kayaks
Camper at Hickory Ridge
Kayakers along shore at Hickory Ridge Wilderness Area
Family around the campfire at Howell Station
Presenter with Bald Eagle
Replica eagle nest outside Central College
Presenter with Barred Owl
Bald Eagles along Des Moines River
Eagle Watchers below Red Rock Dam
Booth at Environmental Fair
Raptor Handler with Bald Eagle
Volunteer assisting with program
Volunteer couple
Volunteer maintaining trail
Volunteer Campground Host assisting campers
Volunteer mowing park
Volunteers checking bluebird nest box
Volunteer cleaning restroom
Volunteer cleaning picnic shelter
Ivans Campground
North Overlook Beach
North Overlook beach
North Overlook campground
Hikers along North Overlook Nature Trail
Beach Users along walkway at North Overlook Beach
Bikers on Volksweg Trail
Boats and beach users at North Overlook Beach
Balloonfest "Night Glow"
Cyclocross race at South Overlook
Boaters at South Overlook ramp
Party at South Overlook Octagon shelter
Fishing boat in cove at Lake Red Rock
Fishermen with Paddlefish caught below Red Rock Dam
Fishing boats in tailwaters
Boy with crappies
Man with northern
Father and Son with catfish
Family walking along trail
Fishermen in North Tailwater
North Tailwater picnic shelter
Fishing father and son with string of crappies
Visitors in North Tailwater
People recreating in South Tailwater
Fishermen with catfish
Family sitting on bench watching river in South Tailwater
Fishing along river in South Tailwater
Fishing along river in South Tailwater
Boat slips at Red Rock Marina
Boat slips at Red Rock Marina
Horses at Elk Rock State Park
Campers at Elk Rock State Park
Horse stables at Elk Rock Equestrian Campground
Elk Rock west boat ramp
Elk Rock west boat ramp
Disc Golfers at Roberts Creek
Canoers on Roberts Creek
Target practice at Roberts Creek archery range
Campers at Roberts Creek County Park
Camper at Roberts Creek County Park
Park Ranger presenting "Build an Eagle" program at Visitor Center
Visitors watch hot air balloons from visitor center patio
Red Rock Visitor Center
Visitors looking at Displays
Park Ranger Assisting Visitor
Cordova sandstone cliffs
Cordova Observation Tower
Camper in Wallashuck Campground
Camper in Howell Station
Campers in Howell Station
Trails at Coralville Lake offer a variety of recreational opportunities.
A popular spot in the summer at Coralville Lake is West Overlook Day Use Beach and Boat Ramp.
Campers camping at Coralville Lake.
An osprey prepares to land on a nesting platform at Coralville Lake.
The Devonian Fossil Gorge at Coralville Lake.
Campers in Whitebreast Campground
The Mississippi River Project Forestrers are shown here near Pool 21 of the Upper Mississippi River.
The Mississippi River Project Forestrers are shown here near Pool 21 of the Upper Mississippi River.
The Mississippi River Project Foresters are shown here near Pool 21 of the Upper Mississippi River.
The Mississippi River Project Foresters are shown here near Pool 21 of the Upper Mississippi River.