Lake Macbride State Park

Lake Macbride State Park encompasses a total area of 2,810 acres of land in Johnson County, Iowa and close to Solon City. In fact, the park is situated just four miles west of Solon City off the IA 382. Lake Macbride State Park is unique in that it is comprised of two units (a northern Unit and a Southern Unit). The Northern Unit is located at the end of Iowa Highway 382 while the Southern Unit is situated off County Road F-28.

The Lake Macbride State Park was established as a result of an initiative by the Iowa City Chamber of Commerce and J.N. "Ding" Darling, (cartoonist and conservationist) in order to protect the wooded valleys in Jordan Creek and Mill Creek. The name of the park was selected from a draw of notable names that had a chance to bequeath the park a worthy name. The winner of the contest was Thomas Macbride, who was renowned for being the ‘father’ of conservation in Iowa. The park was opened to the public in 1937.

Construction of facilities within the park was started off by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930s. The CCC constructed several facilities including the beach building, stone shelter, and the lake. In 1955 the lake was further enlarged by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 

Today, some of the facilities that visitors to the park can enjoy include a day-use lodge, modern and non-modern campsites, open picnic shelters, playground, multi-use trails, fishing jetty, boat rentals, boat ramps, swimming beach, and a food concession. Activities that are popular at the park include lake fishing, camping, cross-country skiing, boating, swimming, hiking, bicycling, bird watching, and snowmobiling.

If you would like to bring your dog along for exercise, fun, or relaxation, you are welcome to do so without hesitation because the park does not charge you to bring your dog into the park. That said, you will need to follow some simple but clear park rules that relate to dogs and dog owners. The basic rules are that you should ensure that you maintain immediate control of your pooch at all times and that you should always keep your dog either on a six-foot leash or in a secure confinement.