Lake Macbride State Park
- Status
- Open (per official listing)
- Entrance fee
- Not posted
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Statewide rule — see below
- Camping
- YesAlso lodge or inn rooms
- Official site
- iowadnr.gov(319) 624-2200
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Current alerts 1
Water quality Lake Macbride State Park: Water OffWater Off: The modern restrooms at the primitive campground are closed for winter, as well as the fish grinding station. The shower… (more)
Water Off: The modern restrooms at the primitive campground are closed for winter, as well as the fish grinding station. The shower building/restrooms in the modern campground are closed. (Posted 10-19-26)
Posted by the park 2026-10-19. Official alert
Overview
Covering about 2,035 acres, Lake Macbride State Park lies in Johnson County, about 5 miles northeast of North Liberty.
The park supports canoeing and kayaking, swimming, boating, fishing, and hiking. Facilities for water recreation include a swimming beach, a boat ramp, a fishing pier, and boat or kayak rentals. For overnight stays there are campsites (RV sites with full hookups, group camping, and showers). If you'd rather not camp, the park offers lodge rooms.
Pets
Privately owned animals must be on a leash of max six feet or confined; pets may not be left unattended in campgrounds; most cabins/yurts are pet-free.
Statewide rule from Iowa's park system (source). This park’s page doesn’t state its own pet rules, so check for local restrictions.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Camping
- Required
- Booking system
- Iowa State Parks reservation system (ReserveAmerica)
- Phone
- 1-877-427-2757
and 100% of the campsites are reservable and a reservation is required.
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Camping
| Campground or site type | Sites | Hookups / features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Campsites Lake Macbride is split into two units. The northern unit is located at the end of County Road F-16, 4 miles west of Solon, and features a modern campground, boat ramps, beach and boat rental, picnic areas and the park office.
The southern unit is located off County Road F-28 by Fifth Street in Solon. This unit includes a non-modern campground, boat ramps, picnic areas and numerous prairies.
Camp in one of the two campgrounds at Lake Macbride. A modern campground is located in the northern unit of the park with full and electric hookups, a shower and restroom, and a trailer dump station.… | — | Electric campsites; Full hook-up campsites; Non electric campsitesShowers | — |
Camping details from the park
Lake Macbride is split into two units. The northern unit is located at the end of County Road F-16, 4 miles west of Solon, and features a modern campground, boat ramps, beach and boat rental, picnic areas and the park office.
The southern unit is located off County Road F-28 by Fifth Street in Solon. This unit includes a non-modern campground, boat ramps, picnic areas and numerous prairies.
Camp in one of the two campgrounds at Lake Macbride. A modern campground is located in the northern unit of the park with full and electric hookups, a shower and restroom, and a trailer dump station. One non modern campground can be found in the southern unit of the park with a beautiful shaded setting near the lake. Advanced reservations can be made through the online reservation system for Lake Macbride State Park. and 100% of the campsites are reservable and a reservation is required. The campground accepts reservations from April 1 - November 15 and is closed November 16 - March 31.
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Cabins and lodging
Reserve one of four shelters or day-use lodge at the park. Lake Macbride is a beautiful destination for a large family gathering or relaxing picnic after day-time activities. The shelters can be reserved through the online reservation system for Lake Macbride State Park.
Things to do
HikingSwimmingCanoeing and kayakingBoatingFishingCamping
Trails
Hike one of the many multi-use trails at Lake Macbride. More than seven miles of hiking trails wind around the lake through the oak/hickory forest, alongside a restored Iowa prairie and more. In spring and fall seasons, enjoy the sights and sounds of native birds including shorebirds, waterfowl and ospreys. A flat interpretive trail around the lake is easily accessible for all ages and skill levels. Cross-country skiing and snowmobiling are popular activities to enjoy in the winter.
Swimming
Boat in the lake or relax on the beach with refreshments from the concession stand. Pontoons, motor boats, canoes, kayaks and paddle boards can also be rented at the beach. To rent a boat, please call 319-624-2315.
Fishing
Fish for the prized Kentucky spotted bass at Lake Macbride. Walleyes, channel catfish and muskie are also popular finds that can be caught using the lake’s accessible fishing pier or a fishing jetty.
Open to fishing activity between the hours of 10:30 p.m. and 4 a.m. in addition to normal park hours. All fishing must be done from the bank in the areas designated for each lake or river. Vessels are not permitted on the lakes after 10:30 p.m. Parking is allowed in specially marked lots only.
The shoreline of the south arm of the lake adjacent to the county road commencing at the “T” intersection of the roads at the north end of the north-south causeway proceeding across the causeway then southeast along a foot trail to the east-west causeway, across the causeway to the parking area on the east end of that causeway.
A state fishing license is usually required.
Amenities
Facilities
- Restrooms
- Flush toilets
- Showers
- Playground
- Park or camp store
Water
- Swimming beach
- Boat ramp
- Boat, canoe or kayak rentals
- Fishing pier
- Fish cleaning station
Camping
- RV camping
- Electric hookups
- Water hookups
- Sewer hookups
- Group camping
Lodging
- Lodge or inn rooms
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Accessibility
Outdoor conditions can change quickly or be unique to a park. If you have specific accessibility questions or concerns, please contact the park directly and staff will be happy to help.
Bathrooms:
Accessible vault toilets are located at the main boat ramp near the lodge and at the North Shore boat ramp. An accessible portable toilet is located near the fishing pier during the recreation season. Modern restrooms and showers in the campground are accessible.
Accessibility at Major Park Attractions:
Boat Rental & Concession: The main beach parking lot is connected to the concession and dock area by a staircase; however, park staff and the concessionaire will allow people with mobility concerns to use the service road for direct access to docks, concessions and restrooms. Contact the concessionaire at 319-624-2315 to arrange this accommodation.
Read more from the park
Trails: The North Shore Trail is a 4.5 mile gravel surface multi-use trail that runs along the north shoreline of Lake Macbride between the main park entrance on Hwy 382 and the Solon Recreation and Nature Area in the City of Solon. There is an accessible vault toilet near the North Shore Shelter. The trail shares the roadway for about one-third mile along Opie Ave Ext. NE near the North Shore Shelter & boat ramp. The Beach-to-Dam trail is a relatively flat 1-mile trail. The trail surface is a mix of gravel and natural surface and is typically between 4’ and 6’ wide. Parking and an accessible vault toilet are located at the main boat ramp along the trail, or visitors may contact park staff to arrange for parking or drop-off near the beach concession.
Additional Accessible Features:
- The playground near the lodge is accessible. It features a safety-tile surface and transfer stations on the play structure.
- North Shore area: The shelter is accessible, with accessible routes to the nearby vault toilet and fishing jetty. The boarding dock at the boat ramp currently is not accessible; however, adjacent to the ramp is an accessible boat boarding area.
- An accessible fishing pier is located on Cottage Reserve Rd. NE, about one-fourth of a mile west of Mehaffrey Bridge Rd NE. An accessible portable toilet is available during the recreation season.
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Getting there
- Address
- 3525 Highway 382 NE
Solon, IA 52333 - Nearest town
- North Liberty — about 5 mi northeast (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 41.8037, -91.5710
- Phone
- (319) 624-2200
- Lake_Macbride@dnr.iowa.gov
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- Iowa State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026
- Iowa DNR 'All Parks' directory (Drupal view, ?page=0..3) — state parks, recreation areas, a state preserve and state forests
- USGS PAD-US 4.1 (boundary and acreage)
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology