I've never been big on swimming in lakes but summer in Iowa is hot and options are limited, so my husband and I decided to venture out to Lake Macbride one Saturday afternoon. I was pleasantly surprised! The beach area is a little small, particularly on a crowded hot day, but we were able to find space to spread our towels and enjoy the sun. We spent our time cooling off in the water and laying out. We also drove around the park a bit (honestly because we got lost) and found it to be a beautiful area. I definitely plan to go back and try out the boat rental. It's not a boardwalk along the ocean, but probably the best you can do in this area. Tip: bring a cooler full of snacks and beach chairs and umbrellas. We were a bit spoiled from going to bigger beaches and forgot we couldn't just rent/buy whatever we wanted once we got there . read more

Lake Macbride State Park - Parks Near Me - Solon, Iowa

Another state park that has the physical address of the state park and not the campground. If my husband didn't call Ohio DNR we would have NEVER found it and gone in circles. We got to the park after given a different address. We had electric for 5 minutes and after that it was gone. We called again and they sent a ranger to our site. A tree had gone down and took electric out. We heard two trees fall at that time. Electric came back about 7 pm. They also make you pay for a two day stay, even if you are staying one night. I understand this in a way, because it keeps them booking entire weekend for others. I believe they would end up booking that day again when they see you left. read more

Lake Macbride State Park - Picnic at the lake - Parks Near Me - Solon, Iowa

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Sites sizes and extremely narrow turn around weren't mentioned on sites, this is No big Rig 40 ft or mor friendly. Site let us book site #4 even asking for size of rig, but once we arrived Large signage read-No Big Rigs ,narrow to no turn around for this site. We disconnected our tow car and drove around looking for a spot. We were able to locate site 30 which read 45 ft with full hook ups. However we barely at 40 ft fit,even had to back up Over fire ring to fit and park our tow. We then saw it is electric only,Not full hook ups. We are parked and staying for our original 3 nights, however we are very disappointed at the discrepancy in the description of park,it is really for for TT,Campers, tents..id say 34 ft max for sites. Make sure you scout your site first to assure you will fit read more

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Amazing park with paddle boats kayaking beautiful ladies plenty of water and trails to hike camp and fish picnic family reunions

My husband and I first experienced Lake Macbride State Park in the summer of 2020 before the Derecho hit Eastern Iowa. The park was lovely, well maintained,heavily wooded and had a nice Sandy beach on the lake. We returned this summer 2021 and were happy to see that it was still as lovely as we remembered. Of course there are damaged trees and branches throughout the woods that still need to be cleared but the hiking trails are still accessible. We recommend visiting if you haven't been this year ( or ever ) You can rent kayaks, paddle boats or a pontoon for the family! read more

Lake Macbride State Park - Nature at it's finest - Parks Near Me - Solon, Iowa

Lake MacBride is another of my favorite outdoor places in the area. They have a popular swimming beach (one of the few public beaches around), trails, kayak/canoe/paddleboat/pontoon rentals, a multitude of little picnic areas, and a unique spillway area connecting the lake to the reservoir. The lake is 'no-wake', so you can kayak, paddle boat, or canoe at your leisure without fearing boats speeding by. Definitely recommend if you want to get away in nature for a few hours. read more

Lake Macbride looks beautiful. The map of the park as well as the waterfall are somewhat difficult to find. However, the boating ramp, fishing area, swimming beach, and campgrounds are fairly easy to find! The camping area looks nice and kept up, but it's very open. read more

Lake Macbride State Park - The park sign - Parks Near Me - Solon, Iowa

Well-maintained hiking trails with some spectacular views! There's a huge mound at the dam between Lake Macbride and Coralville Lake - I'm definitely going back to watch the sunset from this spot! If you hopscotch your way across the dam's rocks, you can access several more miles of trail on the other side. Lots of wildlife - we spotted deer, woodpeckers, squirrels, rabbits, and twelve bald eagles (we're pretty sure there were another dozen further up stream but they were too far away to be certain). The beach is bigger than I expected and the buildings/docks look pretty new and well-maintained. Looking forward to taking our tent and kayaks to spend a weekend there with friends later in the summer! read more

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Lake Macbride is my happy place. There is really nothing better than packing a cooler, cruising up to Solon for a scenic drive, renting a paddle boat, and spending a day out on the lake with friends or family. The prices are great, and the staff is incredibly nice. The lake is also a large, no-wake lake so you don't have to worry about getting run down by speed boats or not having enough room to hang out. I highly recommend this spot if you're looking to spend some time in nature. There are some amazing hiking spots up here, too! My favorite hike's trailhead begins at the Sailing Club, and ends at the waterfall that connects Lake Macbride to the Reservoir. read more

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Great area to unwind. Good bass fishing and never disappoints. Always pull in at least one or two even on the most challenging days. Great for kayak fishing since the boat motor restriction is less than 10 hp. Plenty of spots for camping. If you enjoy mountain biking, great biking at sugar bottom. read more

My favorite Hiking area. Take some time out of your day shut down and go out for a hike. I take my dog here. Please take your doggie bags. And make sure to see the waterfall. read more

This is a beautiful lake, just west of Solon, right smack-dab between Iowa City and Mount Vernon. I used to come here during my college days to relax on the "beach" and camp out during the Fall and Spring before the summer bugs and winter frost made it uncomfortable. I have many fond memories of trips down here just for kicks. The facilities are well maintained, and the staff are always good about posting advisories. This reminds me, be sure to check those advisories before going into the lake, especially after significant rainfall! Iowa is known for having some serious nitrate runoff problems from all of the agriculture. The campsite rental fees were pretty reasonable, and the views are pretty magnificent. If you time it right, you can use some of the many trails to catch the beautiful sunsets from atop the bluffs. Also, if you're into trail-running or cross country, there are loads of great trails here with plenty of topography and great scenery. read more

This place is honestly one of my favorite things about living in this area. Absolutely beautiful state park with fishing, kayaking, paddleboats, beach, hiking, picnic areas, and awesome scenic overlook. This is one of the best summer spots in all of Iowa. read more

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Pros: 1. Go to park for a bit more rustic hiking and camping. They have two varieties of trails, one that is limestone packed and is smooth with easy terrain. The other is much more rustic, hilly, and tucked away in the bluffs on the south side of the park. 2. The lake is great. The speed limit on the lake makes a big difference for canoeing or kayaking for me who is nervous on the water. 3. Rentals! You can rent a canoe or kayak by the hour. You can also rent pontoons to go cruising or fish from. 4. Although I have never spent a prolonged time on the beach, it is excellent. It has fine sand and a roped off area. Lastly, no lifeguards, but it is free. 5. They have a few campgrounds, a little more rustic campground is on the north east side of the park. Nicely covered with mature trees, good size camp sites, and close to the lake. Cons: None! Just an excellent little state park a short drive north of Iowa City. read more

Awesome family space. So many things to explore. I honestly recommend just finding beaches and trails on your own and not just sticking to the signs on the roadways! There are so many cool things out there that just take some adventuring read more

Nice state park. Not the best I've been in but ok. The roads in the camping area need to have some maintenance, bathrooms are pressured wash once a week it seems as we were there for almost two weeks. RV pads were gravel. Utilities included 30 & 50 amp service, water, and sewer hookups. NOT all sites have sewer and water hookups. We had to move once during our extended stay temporarily to a different site which did not have sewer hookup and only one water hookup for every two sites. We had a Y-connect we used so the RV next to us could use the water also. Additionally, the sites that do have sewer hookups, the ground connections at some sites was higher than the discharge from my RV and the ground was so uneven between the hookup that it make it extremely difficult to get proper slope to drain our tanks. They do have a dump station though. Would I go again. Yes. read more

This place is probably fine, as long as you don't rent a kayak or paddle board. The woman who runs the rental place was over the top rude and mean to me after a minor misunderstanding involving the new life jacket policy. When I tried to get a word in between all the yelling from her, I asked who she was, and she told me she owned all the rental equipment. "My equipment, my rules!" and that she worked for DNR (lies). I tried to talk to her later about how awful she was to me, and she doubled down on being a rotten human being. People like her should never have any power because they will use it to make other people as miserable as they are. I feel awful for the kids who are forced to work for her. I hope she loses that place soon, so a decent person can run it, and maybe start taking care of the equipment, and not ruining people's day, like she did for me. Father's Day, no less. I think her name is Tina, and she is the worst. I wish I could give her negative stars. read more

If i could give 0 stars i would. Don't come without a camper. No grass for tents. To much gravel so you can't put up a tent the rock makes it to difficult to put stakes in. Dnr I the area are rude and don't care about customer satisfaction. avoid. More grass or i won't be back read more

Beautiful tree/lake setting but maintenance seems to be going downhill, whether from lack of funding or what, I don't know. We camped overnight and the picnic tables at our site needed painted badly. I got a splinter on the back of my leg from the bare wood immediately. The beach was closed due to E.coli contamination. Our experience was mediocre which is a shame because this should be a great family resource. read more

Beautiful and well maintained park. We just stopped for an overnight on a cross country trip. The park ranger was on the ball with collecting fees and enforcing policies but not overbearing. I would definitely come back. read more

Serenity and the beauty of nature are Lake Macbride's to offer you as there is a speed and horsepower limit for boats on the lake. This makes it ideal for paddlers who like to kayak or canoe, sailors who like to race or cruise and sculling enthusiasts. You can rent these as well as paddleboats near the swimming beach. Hiking trails abound in the Nature and Recreation Area as well as around the lake. Campsites and boat ramps are mapped on the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and hiking trails on the University of Iowa Nature and Recreation Area web sites. Birders find an active osprey nest along the south east shore of the north arm, green heron, great blue heron and kingfishers along the shore. Bald eagles and white pelicans are present in spring and fall. See www.LakeMacbrideConservancy,org for more information. read more