Cottonwood Campground

Cottonwood Campground is an Army Corps of Engineer campground near the tailwaters of Coralville Resevoir. It appears to have derived its name from the trees that dropped so much fluff it appears to be snowing. It's 7 minutes from shops and full civilization so the area is popular. There is a central shower house and water hydrant in this campground that is clean and well maintained. This is a walk-in tent area.

Sites C1 - C11 are all conjoined in a grassy, open field. There are no barriers or other delineation between sites other than a fire ring, picnic table and posts with the site number. If privacy is important to you, sites C1 - C11 will not appeal to you.

Sites C12 - C15 are completely different. Uphill there's a wide gravel path that winds its way into thick hardwoods. The distance to the showerhouse from C15 is a 5 minute walk and it is very dark at night. One can barely see their neighbors in C12 - C15.

Critical issues with these sites are the distance one must haul gear AND water. We have a lot of gear, so our cart was a life (back) saver. But the trail, while clear and well maintained, is uphill. Dragging the cart uphill in Iowa in July is a hot prospect. Additionally, the edge of the CoE property ends near site C15. We had a view of the backyards of neighboring homes. And the road parallels the path to C15. Every crotch rocket, blaring radio, unmufflered vehicle stole the peace of the woods.

Did I mention it was Independence Day weekend? I should have known better. I assumed since fireworks aren't allowed in CoE parks, we would have peace. We were 100 yards from some pretty loud and late fireworks displays occurring off CoE property.

Cost of camping includes day use pass for all the Corps parks, beaches, parking lots and boat ramps.