BOATING - Coralville Lake offers over 5,000 acres of water for pleasure boating and water-skiing. Boat ramps for registered campers are located in West Overlook and Sugar Bottom Campgrounds and Sandy Beach Day Use Areas. Boat ramps for non-campers are located at Mehaffey Bridge, West Overlook Day Use, and Sandy Beach Day Use. The Tailwater East campground has a boat ramp for access to the Iowa River below the dam. There is a fee to use these areas. See below for further information.
Registered campers may launch at any of the boat ramps free of charge with their orange permit displayed in the vehicle window.
SWIMMING - Swimming beaches are located on Coralville Lake at the Sugar Bottom Day Use and West Overlook Day Use recreation areas. These beaches are all open to the public for swimming. The Sugar Bottom Day Use beach, which is located by the mountain bike trail is free. There is a fee to enter the West Overlook Day Use recreation area. See below for further information.
- The Sugar Bottom Campground beach is for registered campers only.
- Alcohol is not allowed on any of the swimming beaches at Coralville Lake.
- Registered campers may swim at a designated beach free of charge with their orange permit displayed in the vehicle window.
FEES FOR DAY USE AREAS
Day Use Fees are charged April 1 - September 30 at Mehaffey Boat Ramp and West Overlook Day Use. Day users can either purchase a day pass for $5 at the automated fee machines or purchase a $40 annual pass at the West Overlook fee booth or administration office.
A Corps of Engineers Annual Pass is valid at Corps operated day use areas only. The pass is valid for 12 months after date of purchase.
Holders of the America the Beautiful Senior, Access, and Military Passes allow pass holders to utilize Day Use Areas free of charge.