Sturgis Ferry Park

**Location & Access:** Sturgis Ferry Park in Iowa City provides the first public river access below the Burlington Street Dam on the Iowa River. This city-managed facility offers a boat ramp and gravel parking lot, making it a straightforward put-in point for kayakers and canoeists. From Interstate 80 (Exit 244), take Dubuque Street north for 3 miles, then follow West Overlook Road NE to the park.

**What to Expect:** This is a utilitarian access point with minimal amenities—there are no restrooms, trash cans, or picnic facilities on-site. The Iowa River below the dam features a mix of industrial and residential landscapes in the initial stretch, with more natural scenery as you paddle downstream. Common paddling routes include the ~4-hour, 9.25-mile trip from Sturgis Ferry to Hills Access & Campground. This is an ideal starting point for intermediate day trips rather than a destination park itself.

**Contact:** For questions about access conditions or facility details, contact the Coralville Lake Project Office at (319) 338-3543, ext. 6300.

Overview
East Overlook Day Use Area is a day-use facility located on the east side of the Coralville Lake Dam. Coralville Lake is a multiple use project providing benefits in flood control and low flow augmentation, as well as recreation, fish and wildlife management and forest management. Coralville Lake provides many recreational opportunities, including boating, camping, hiking, mountain...

Overview
East Overlook Day Use Area is a day-use facility located on the east side of the Coralville Lake Dam. Coralville Lake is a multiple use project providing benefits in flood control and low flow augmentation, as well as 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 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.

Turkey Creek Disc Golf Course is located in the Dam Complex and offers nine partially wooden and open holes.Facilities
The day-use location offers two large group picnic area with water and electric hookups. Amenities include flush toilets, playground, horseshoe pit and accessible hiking trail.Natural Features
Coralville Lake is located in the Iowa River Valley, just north of Iowa City. East Overlook Day Use lies among a heavily wooded forest of mixed hardwood species on the east side of the dam. Wildlife is abundant throughout the project. White-tailed deer, turkey, pheasant, waterfowl, song birds and other species roam the lands around the lake.

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