Lake Macbride State Park

Lake Macbride State Park is Iowa's largest state park, where 2,180 acres bids a variety of outdoor activities, including fishing, boating, swimming, camping, hiking, picnicking (reservable shelters and lodge) and much more. Located in the wooded valleys of Mill and Jordan Creeks, Lake Macbride is certain to meet the needs of outdoor enthusiasts. Lake Macbride offers swimming as well as refreshments at the beautiful beach area. Swimming is restricted to the designated beach area only. Multi-use trails wind for miles around the lake. All park trails offer opportunities for the sights and sounds of Iowa at its best. Bird watchers will thrill to the sight of nearly every songbird native to the region. During the spring and fall, shorebirds, waterfowl and ospreys are frequent visitors. During winter months, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling are popular.

Recreation: Trails A five-mile crushed limestone multi-use trail is located on the north side of the lake and connects the park to the community of Solon. This trail is very popular with bicyclists. While a majority of this trail runs along the shoreline of Lake Macbride, several portions pass through oak/hickory forest or alongside restored Iowa prairie. More than seven miles of additional hiking trails await your visit, including one especially scenic crushed limestone trail that extends 1.5 miles between the beach and the lake 's dam. Volkssport Trails & Events: Six permanent Volkssport trails have been established for seasonal use within state parks and recreation areas. Lake Activities On a hot day, Lake 's beach, located in the northern unit of the park, is the perfect place to cool off or simply relax and enjoy the view. Located nearby is a boat rental and concession operation. Lake Macbride offers 812 acres of artificial lake prime for catching fish including walleye, channel catfish and muskie. Lake Macbride may be the only lake in Iowa in which the prized Kentucky spotted bass can be caught. Fishing amenities include boat ramps, a universally accessible fishing pier, a dozen fishing jetties, boat rentals, great shoreline access throughout and a fish cleaning station. A section of the lake shoreline is designated as 24-hour fishing access. A state-maintained boat ramp and dock on the adjacent Coralville Lake provides access to the Iowa River at no cost to park visitors. Ramp users must follow park hours, however, and vacate by 10:30 p.m. Pontoons, motorboats, canoes, kayaks and paddleboats are available for rent near the beach. The boat rental number is (319) 624-2315. Motorboats must not exceed 5mph on Lake Macbride. A 10 horsepower motor limit is in effect on Lake Macbride from the Friday before Memorial Day through Labor Day. At other times there is an unrestricted horsepower motor limit operated at no greater than 5 mph. Pontoon docking spaces are available for rental, as are dry-storage spots for boats.

Nearby: Lake Macbride is nestled immediately adjacent to Coralville Lake, where power boats and jet skis are allowed to operate. The Herbert Hoover Presidential Museum is located nearby in West Branch. Iowa Children's Museum, Amana Colonies and the University of Iowa's Museum of Natural History are just a few of many local attractions in the surrounding Cedar Rapids/Iowa City area.