Lake Macbride State Park Solon IA offers camping, fishing, hiking, and boating on the 940-acre lake. This scenic park is just four miles west of Solon.
A modern campground is located in the northern unit of the park with a trailer dump station. The lake is named after Thomas Macbride, the father of Iowa conservation. You’ll be glad you read this!
Camping
Named after Thomas Macbride, the father of Iowa conservation, Lake Macbride State Park has camping, hiking, and fishing opportunities in two units centered on the 900-acre artificial lake. It’s home to the only Iowa lake where the prized Kentucky spotted bass can be found and features great shoreline access throughout.
The park’s modern campground in the northern unit offers electric campsites, a flush and non-flush restroom, and a trailer dump station. There are also three open picnic huts available for use or reservations can be made online, and a day-use cabin is also located within the park.
A 4.9-mile scenic multi-use trail runs along the north shore of Lake Macbride between the park and the town of Solon, offering both cycling and walking in the summer or skiing and snowshoeing in the winter.
Fishing
The 2,180-acre Lake Macbride State Park offers plenty of opportunities for recreational activities. Two wooded valleys were dammed in the 1930s to create the lake, which has every amenity you need for a day of swimming, picnicking, and boating.
A five-mile scenic crushed limestone multi-use trail leads from near the lake to the park entrance and is popular with bicyclists. The trails are also used by cross-country skiers and snowmobiles in winter.
The University’s Sailing Club has called Lake Macbride home since 1961. You’ll find private sailboats along the shoreline and in dry storage on the south arm of the lake. The lake’s 10-horsepower motor limit and speed restrictions make it a great place for family outings. There are several open picnic shelters and a day-use lodge that can be reserved online. Here is another spot to visit.
Hiking
Located in the wooded valleys of Mill and Jordan Creeks, Lake Macbride State Park offers outdoor enthusiasts a wide variety of recreational activities including fishing, camping, boating, swimming, picnicking (with reservable shelters), and hiking. The park also features an extensive system of multi-use trails.
The park’s most popular hiking trail is the 1.45-mile White Pine Trail. It begins at the beach near the boat rental building or a tributary trail from the modern campground and follows the Iowa River towards Coralville Lake.
Lake Macbride is one of the best lakes in the state for catching catfish, muskies, and spotted bass. It’s even open to ice fishing in the winter! And don’t forget your woofer — dog-friendly trails abound. Just keep them leashed and mindful of the plants they may encounter, including poison ivy.
Boating
Named after Thomas Macbride, the “father of Iowa conservation,” Lake Macbride State Park offers a wide variety of outdoor activities in its 2,180 acres. The lake, park facilities, and multi-use trails attract visitors year-round.
A day-use lodge, modern and non-modern campsites (reservable shelters), open picnic shelters, a playground, a five-mile scenic multi-use trail, and a food concession are some of the many amenities available at the park. A boat rental facility is located near the beach. Sailboats, pontoon boats, and paddleboats can be rented.
The 812-acre artificial lake is an angler’s paradise with good catches of walleye, channel catfish, and muskie. The lake is also a favorite location for the University of Iowa Sailing Club.
Picnicking
A beach, pool, and picnic area beckon family and friends to relax at Lake Macbride State Park. The park’s two campgrounds offer plenty of options for summer outdoor fun, including fishing, swimming, boating, and camping (reservable picnic shelters).
Located in Johnson County, Iowa’s largest state park is centered around a 900-acre artificial lake named after Thomas Macbride, the father of Iowa conservation. The unique shape of the lake was created when Mill and Jordan Creeks were dammed in the 1930’s.
The lake is a boating and recreational paradise with seven boat ramps. A marina offers pontoon boats, motorboats, canoes, and kayaks for rent. Guests can also take sailing lessons from the University of Iowa Sailing Club on the lake. A multi-use trail winds through the park on all sides of the lake. The park’s Macbride Nature Recreation Area features the Macbride Raptor Project, a center for the rehabilitation of injured birds of prey. Click here for the next blog post.
Driving directions from Paneless Window Cleaning LLC. to Lake Macbride State Park
Driving directions from Lake Macbride State Park to Sugar Bottom Recreational Area
