Sugar Bottom Day Use Area
15 mi southeast · US Army Corps of Engineers
Sugar Bottom Day Use Area is a day-use facility located on the shore of Coralville Lake.
Outdoors
Picnic spots near Cedar Rapids
Day-use and picnic areas near Cedar Rapids on public land, from quick drives to full-day outings.
22picnic areas
15 mito the closest
6within 30 miles
April–Octoberbest months
Good to know: Group picnic sites can often be reserved; fire rules change with the season, so check before bringing a grill.
Closest picks
Coralville Lake
18 mi southeast · US Army Corps of Engineers
Coralville Lake is a multiple use project providing primary benefits in flood control and low flow augmentation, and secondary benefits in recreation, fish and wildlife management, forest management and water quality improvement.
East Overlook Day Use Area
18 mi southeast · US Army Corps of Engineers
East Overlook Day Use Area is a day-use facility located on the east side of the Coralville Lake Dam.
Map of all 22 places
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Within 30 miles (6)
Sugar Bottom Day Use Area
Sugar Bottom Day Use Area is a day-use facility located on the shore of Coralville Lake.
- Camping
- Disc Golf
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Mountain Biking
- Picnicking
- Swimming
- Water Access
Coralville Lake
Coralville Lake is a multiple use project providing primary benefits in flood control and low flow augmentation, and secondary benefits in recreation, fish and wildlife management, forest management and water quality improvement.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- History
- Nature education
- Off-highway vehicles
East Overlook Day Use Area
East Overlook Day Use Area is a day-use facility located on the east side of the Coralville Lake Dam.
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Wildlife viewing
Tailwater West Day Use Area
Tailwater West Day Use Area is a day-use facility located along the tailwaters of the Coralville Lake Dam.
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Water Access
- Wildlife viewing
Turkey Creek Day Use Area
Turkey Creek Day Use Area is a day-use facility located on the east side of the Coralville Lake Dam.
- Camping
- Disc Golf
- Picnicking
- Wildlife viewing
Herbert Hoover National Historic Site
Orphaned at age nine, Herbert Hoover left West Branch never to live here again. In later years, he returned to his humble birthplace to celebrate his long career of public service.
- Hiking
- History
- Picnicking
- Wildlife viewing
30 to 75 miles (4)
Mississippi River - Pool 10
Located within the scenic Upper Mississippi River Valley between Lynxville, WI. and Guttenberg, IA.
- Boating
- Fishing
- History
- Hotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
Mississippi River - Pools 11-22
Fifteen campgrounds dot the shoreline along the upper Mississippi River Project. Facilities include campsites, boat ramps, picnic shelters, interpretive programs, hiking trails and eagle watching in the winter months.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned
- Picnicking
- Water sports
Blanding Landing
Blanding Landing is situated in a lush river valley on the east bank of the great Mississippi, just 13 miles from Galena, Illinois. Rich deposits of minerals line the landscape.
- Birding
- Camping
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Water Access
- Wildlife viewing
Grant River
Spread along the banks of the Upper Mississippi River, the Grant River Campground, located in the "Catfish Capital of Wisconsin," is a modern campground that offers a plethora of outdoor and recreational activities.
- Birding
- Camping
- Evening Programs
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Water Access
75 miles and farther (12)
Bulger's Hollow Recreation Area
Bulger's Hollow Recreation Area is a hidden gem located on the Mississippi River. Whether you like camping, fishing, boating, or just taking in nature, Bulger's Hollow Recreation Area is the perfect place.
- Birding
- Boating
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Fishing
- Kayaking
- Paddling
- Picnicking
Fifield (Ia)
Fifield is located on Lake Red Rock, Iowa's largest lake. It is just 10 miles from Pella, known for its Dutch heritage, and 15 miles from Knoxville, the Sprint car capital of the world.
- Biking
- Birding
- Camping
- Picnicking
- Wildlife viewing
Lake Red Rock
Lake Red Rock is Iowa's largest lake and is just 10 minutes from Pella, known for its Dutch heritage and 15 minutes from Knoxville, Sprintcar Capital of the World.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned
- Nature education
North Overlook Picnic Shelter (Ia)
North Overlook Picnic Shelter is located adjacent from North Overlook Campground on Lake Red Rock, Iowa's largest lake.
- Biking
- Birding
- Camping
- Hiking
- Mountain Biking
- Picnicking
- Wildlife viewing
Roberts Creek East Campground
This recreation area is part of Lake Red Rock
- Camping
- Hiking
- Picnicking
Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge
Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1990 with the mission to actively protect, restore, reconstruct and manage the diverse native ecosystems of tallgrass prairie, oak savanna and sedge meadow.
- Biking
- Birding
- Cross Country Skiing
- Educational Programs
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Photography
Mississippi River - Pool 9
Located within the scenic Upper Mississippi River Valley between Genoa, WI and Lynxville, WI.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
Rathbun Lake
Over 700 campsites are available at this 11,000-acre lake in the rolling hills of southern Iowa. Excellent camping, fishing, hunting, boating, state fish hatchery, and Honey Creek Resort, are major attractions.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- History
- Hotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned
- Nature education
Saylorville Lake
The Saylorville Lake Project is 26,000 acres, which stretches for over 50 miles up the Des Moines River Valley.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Nature education
- Picnicking
- Water sports
Mississippi River - Pool 8
Located within the scenic Upper Mississippi River Valley between Dresbach, MN and Genoa, WI.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
Mississippi River - Pool 7
Located within the scenic Upper Mississippi River Valley between Trempealeau, WI and Dresbach, MN.
- Boating
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
Great River National Wildlife Refuge
What is now known as Great River National Wildlife Refuge began in 1958 as part of Mark Twain National Wildlife Refuge, a sprawling refuge which included units along the Mississippi River in Iowa, Missouri and Illinois.
- Archery
- Birding
- Boating
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Motor Boat
- Nature education
Distances are straight-line miles from downtown Cedar Rapids. Listings come from Recreation.gov’s federal recreation database; check each official page for hours, fees, fire restrictions and closures before you go.
Get outside around Cedar Rapids
A DRIVE AROUND TOWN
Cedar Rapids - Iowa - 4K Downtown Drive
Cedar Rapids - Iowa - 4K Downtown Drive. A film shared by Mileage Mike Travels.
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Questions
Where is the closest place for picnic spots near Cedar Rapids?
Sugar Bottom Day Use Area (US Army Corps of Engineers), about 15 miles southeast of Cedar Rapids as the crow flies. Next are Coralville Lake (18 mi) and East Overlook Day Use Area (18 mi).
When is the best time for picnic spots near Cedar Rapids?
Based on Cedar Rapids’s average highs, April–October. Conditions at higher elevations can be much cooler.
Who manages these places?
Federal agencies including US Army Corps of Engineers, Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.