Recreation

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US Army Corps of Engineers

Rock Island District Website

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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

District Recreation

Useful Links

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

Boaters using the Whitebreast Boat Ramp at Lake Red Rock.

Temporary closure on Neil Smith Trail at Saylorville Lake

Visitors to Lock and Dam 13 in Fulton, Illinois, looking for eagles from the observation deck during an annual Bald Eagle Watch event.

This image shows the areas at Bob Shetler Campground at Saylorville Lake that will be closed for the 2024 recreation season.

Entrance sign at the Thomson Causeway Recreation Area near Thomson, Illinois, on the Mississippi River.

Group of People Sledding by Visitor Center

North Tailwater New Playground (November 2020)

A volunteer assists a child with viewing eagles through a spotting scope on the deck of the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center.

A man eagle watches from the deck at the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center in Utica, Illinois.

Howell Station Campground at Lake Red Rock

Aerial view of Coralville Lake dam and reservoir.

Illinois Waterway Visitor Center at Starved Rock Lock and Dam in Ottawa, Illinois

The newly renovated riverfront walkway at Locks and Dam 14 in Pleasant Valley, Iowa.

Memorial Day Weekend Water Safety Message

Auxiliary Lock 14 on the Mississippi River in Pleasant Valley, Iowa.

A boat sits on a lateral wall in the Mississippi River near Moline, Illinois, after a boating accident.

Staff from Lake Red Rock stand with the team of volunteers who helped to operate and maintain recreation areas at Iowa's largest lake during the 2021 camping season.

Bob Shetler Campground entrance at Saylorville Lake

Illinois Waterway Visitor Center at Starved Rock Lock and Dam

Volunteer cleaning sidewalk at visitor center

Smiling volunteer staffing visitor center

Public Walkway Construction at Locks and Dam 14 on the Mississippi River

Construction area at Locks and Dam 14 in Pleasant Valley, Iowa.

Permitted Dock within Limited Development Area
in Pool 13, Thomson, Illinois

Devonian Fossil Gorge at Coralville Lake

View of paddlers at Locks and Dam 15 on the Mississippi River.

Stop by the Red Rock Visitor Center to learn about lake area history and information about the parks.

Swimming not recommended sign at Lake Red Rock

This jet skier received a free beach towel when he was "Caught" wearing his life jacket. Towels were provided by The Corps Foundation.

This Jet Skier "Got Caught" wearing her life jacket on Lake Red Rock. Thanks for being safe!

Balloon Fest activities will be held at the Pella Sports Park in 2021. For event details, please visit http://www.redrocklakeballoonfest.com/

Visitors watching tow lock through at Starved Rock Lock and Dam in Ottawa, Illinois.

Visitors watch the American Queen lock through from the observation deck of the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center at Starved Rock Lock and Dam in Ottawa, Illinois.

Sunset view from the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center at Starved Rock Lock and Dam in Ottawa, Illinois.

Illinois Waterway Visitor Center at Staved Rock Lock and Dam

The auxiliary lock at Locks and Dam 14 on the Mississippi River in Pleasant Valley, Iowa.

Lock and Dam 13 Overlook in Fulton, Illinois.

Visitors on sand and in the water at Whitebreast Beach

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Rock Island District is advising all visitors, including ice fishermen and snowmobilers, to stay off the ice at Coralville Lake and to use extreme caution along the shoreline. Recent fluctuations in temperatures and snow cover has made the ice unstable.

Camping Units set up in Wallashuck Campground

Duck Hunter wearing a life jacket as he prepares his decoys for hunting

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.

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.

A new hammock area has been installed at Saylorville Lake to allow visitors to "hammock" on Corps property.

Picnic Shelter in West Overlook Day Use Area at Coralville Lake

Large Picnic Shelter located in Sandpiper Recreation Area at Saylorville Lake

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

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

Families sledding on hill by the Red Rock Visitor Center

Howell Station Campground is popular with fishing enthusiasts, bikers, hikers and those just looking for a relaxing place to camp and enjoy nature.

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.

Red Sandstone bluffs along Lake Red Rock's northwest shore

White Pelican in tailwaters below the Red Rock Dam

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 Eagles gathered along the Mississippi River.

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.

Mississippi River Visitor Center at Locks and Dam 15.

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.

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.

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.

Licensed Bird Bander Nelson Hoskins with American Robin