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    MacBride Nature Recreation Area

    4.5 (4 reviews)

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    9 months ago

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    Hickory Hill Park

    Hickory Hill Park

    4.5(14 reviews)
    9.6 mi

    This summer (somehow) I explored the outdoors a shi*t ton while also feeling absolutely trapped in…read moremy home? I don't know if that makes sense to you? But... COVID-19. Amiright?! Hickory Hill Park has been on my gotta-try list all summer. FINALLY on Labor Day weekend, we found the time to drive across town, to the wayyyyy east side to check it out. LET ME TELL YOU. THIS PARK IS BEAUTIFUL. There's tons of trails for jogging, walking and hiking! From wooded ones, to paths through the prairie. There is something for everyone. Picnic shelters, too. There are a couple reasons this is a four vs five star. 1. There's not a lot of signage on the trails, so it is very easy to get lost or not know where to continue on to! Make sure you have a map online pulled up when you visit. 2. Hickory Hill boasts very, very narrow paths. So during a pandemic-- BRING YOUR MASK! We typically are the family just try to distance when we are hiking outdoors... but distancing is hard on trails at this east side gem.

    Clearly long cold Iowa winters have made me far more brave than I would have imagined. I mean who…read moresays, "It's a beautiful day lets go check out a new park" when its December and 30 degrees out. Never thought that would be me, but sure enough now knowing subzero temperatures have brainwashed me to think 30 degrees is a gorgeous winter day! With this new found appreciation for 30 degree days I packed the pups in the car and headed to check out Hickory Hill Park. What a nice park full of no shortage of multiple winding trails through the woods and prairies. All the trails were very well maintained and were perfect for exploring with our dogs. This is the perfect park if you are just looking to enjoy nature. So want to trail run, walk/hike, stroll with your dog? Then you found the right spot! I also imagine this would be a great spot for snowshoeing or cross country skiing if there was a significant snow fall. It wasn't muddy when we went since the ground was frozen but I imagine if there was recently a lot of rain this place could get pretty muddy.

    Photos
    Hickory Hill Park - Open skies

    Open skies

    Hickory Hill Park - Beautiful in the fall

    Beautiful in the fall

    Hickory Hill Park - Prairie

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    Prairie

    FW Kent County Park

    FW Kent County Park

    4.3(9 reviews)
    13.1 mi

    FW Kent Park continues to be a family favorite. Both because of how close it is to Iowa City (it's…read morejust three miles west of Tiffin on Highway 6) and it's beauty. We popped over this weekend for some fresh air and fall family photos. I am always just in awe of how busy the park is year round. Since my last review both of my kiddos have had the chance to take school field trips out to visit the Conservation Education Center, which is located at the park. It offers year-round educational programs and workshops. The staff is knowledgeable and the kids always have a blast. There's something for everyone at this gem. A bird blind for bird watchers. Access to the entire shoreline for anglers. Nine miles of trails for hikers and cross-country skiers. Seven historic bridges for photographers and families looking for fun family photos :) A large campground for campers-- available April through October. As well as a handful of picnic shelters (available via reservation). And, of course, Kent Park beach, my family's favorite (open Memorial Day through Labor Day) -- it is pristine, free and a great time. Overall, FW Kent Park is a wonderful place to get outside and clear your head. Drive over and explore today!

    Definitely a favorite! Now that the lake has been re-opened, the park is better than ever. What I…read moreenjoy most about Kent Park is the diversity of options for activities. The park boasts a swimming beach, a nice trail around the entirety of the lake with benches if you want to stop and enjoy the views. There are many picnic shelters around the park, and a gazebo in the middle of a prairie area. I recommend taking a hike through the prairie trails. I'm also partial to taking a hike through the forest as well, or around the lake...heck, try them all at whatever length or difficulty you choose! There is a large playground area as well as a campground, so something for everyone. It's common to see many people out around the lake fishing and kayakers exploring the water.

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    FW Kent County Park
    FW Kent County Park
    FW Kent County Park

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    Terry Trueblood Recreation Area - Half way around and sun is almost down

    Terry Trueblood Recreation Area

    4.8(4 reviews)
    12.6 mi

    When I was growing up my mom would always say, "Go outside and get the stink blown off you!"…read more Terry Trueblood Recreation Area is the perfect place to do that. The wide, paved loop around Sand Lake is 1.9 miles long and always has motivated joggers, leisurely walkers, families with strollers, bicycle enthusiasts and leashed four legged friends enjoying it. The lake is cool during the summer. You'll definitely see people fishing, canoeing or kayaking, a dog swimming and much more. (You can rent equipment at Fin &Feather H2O right then and there, on site.) Besides taking my family here to have 'the stink blown off them' we have also taken family photos at Terry Trueblood. They have really turned out fabulous with the water in the background. There is ample parking, a little play area for kids and a handful of shelters to enjoy lunch in, or have a party. There is also a lodge and while I have never rented it, I have friends who have and their events turned out great. Bring your family, your dog ... maybe your bike or your workout here and enjoy!

    My husband and I got married at Terry Trueblood, the ceremony was on the outdoor patio overlooking…read morethe water and then the reception and everything else was inside. It was the most gorgeous venue, and the pictures turned out wonderfully! There were people at the park while our photos were being taken or canoeers while our ceremony was going on which could've been weird but we enjoyed that random people got to enjoy our day with us!

    Photos
    Terry Trueblood Recreation Area - Managed to get here in time catch sunset

    Managed to get here in time catch sunset

    Terry Trueblood Recreation Area - New day, different sunrise

    New day, different sunrise

    Terry Trueblood Recreation Area - View from the boat deck

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    View from the boat deck

    Sugar Bottom Recreation Area - They have a kids life jacket loan station

    Sugar Bottom Recreation Area

    3.9(8 reviews)
    4.7 mi

    We visited Sugar Bottom for a beach day. The area was beautiful! It has a number of paths and what…read moreseems like a nice camping area (although we weren't there for that). The beach area was spacious--lots of room to spread out on the sand. The beach also has a couple of good shady spots, which is helpful on a hot day. However, we ended up heading over to the Lake MacBride beach because the Sugar Bottom area was a little less lively. Could have just been the day, but we were looking for somewhere more high energy on a summer weekend afternoon. They also don't have the boat rental options that MacBride beach has. If you do like quiet spaces then this would be the place! It also seems great if you have kids (which we don't) because there is just more space to run around. Just be prepared to bring all of your own entertainment.

    Beautifully maintained campground. Several spaces with a lake view! Great for families and anyone…read morewho likes outdoor recreation. Boat dock available, and honors system firewood available in the evening. We did reservations through Recreation.gov and that made check in super easy! We brought our 2 Yorkies, and about 1/3 or more of the campers also brought dogs. Lots of trees, but also well mowed green spaces. This is now on our top 10 for Iowa campgrounds! Several spots right next to the bathroom / shower house, and great areas for larger camping groups. Would like to see a couple more updates to the shower facility. The water temp was fully adjustable-a knob rather than a button type, so you could have water the full duration of your shower. The water pressure was great, temperature great, but tile could use some updating. That may be in the works because the lighting was motion sensor and LED. There was also a ceiling fan which helped discourage bugs in the bathhouse!

    Photos
    Sugar Bottom Recreation Area - Saturday afternoon at Sugar Bottom beach

    Saturday afternoon at Sugar Bottom beach

    Sugar Bottom Recreation Area - Best beach and swim zone in the area!

    Best beach and swim zone in the area!

    Sugar Bottom Recreation Area - Trails under water

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    Trails under water

    Iowa Raptor Project - Walter and Superior

    Iowa Raptor Project

    5.0(7 reviews)
    3.4 mi

    Hey, Guys! The Iowa Raptor Project is back…read more After a pandemic-caused hiatus, this Iowa City gem is open to the public. Let me throw some buzz words at you. It is... OUTDOORS. Socially distanced. Free. Kid-friendly. Educational. Easy parking. Good for groups. I have been enjoying the IRP since I was a kiddo. It is absolutely amazing that some of their residents are older than I am! From owls to eagles to turkey vultures and more. You'll see some amazing raptors-- most of which were injured and could no longer live in the wild due to that. (My kids LOVE hearing how old each bird is, what their name is and their story.) Stop by then go on a hike or swing by the beach at McBride State Park! PRO TIPS: Sunscreen and bug repellent, please. Water Bottles are encouraged. No dog! Shhhhhhh. Stop in the bird blind. Bring a picnic. Make a donation.

    The Raptor Project isn't flashy or huge, but it's one of my go-to spots when I need to get away for…read morea little while. There's something calming about spending time looking at the birds and then taking a little hike out around the MacBride Nature Area. I've found a couple nice spots to hammock as well. It's not often that you get to see birds of prey close enough to really take in their colors and patterns. Don't just stick to the most well-known like the bald eagle, the owls, and the peregrine falcon. While turkey vultures may not be the prettiest birds, they're still cool to see up close. And spend time with the kestrels - my motto is "kestrels are the best-rels". They also have Family Days regularly featuring a different type of bird with activities for the kids as well as having some of the birds out of the cages for educational purposes.

    Photos
    Iowa Raptor Project - Isabow

    Isabow

    Iowa Raptor Project
    Iowa Raptor Project

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    MacBride Nature Recreation Area - parks - Updated May 2026

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