Lake Macbride State Park

About

Lake Macbride State Park is one of Iowa's most popular state parks, spanning 2,180 acres around an 812-acre reservoir in Johnson County. The park is divided into northern and southern units connected by the lake itself. The northern unit houses the modern campground with 32 standard electric sites (20/30/50 amp) and 11 full-hookup sites with water and sewer connections. These sites accommodate RVs up to 60 feet in length. The southern unit features 52 primitive tent-only sites in a heavily wooded area with a shaded, secluded atmosphere near the water. Both campgrounds offer modern restrooms with flush toilets and shower facilities, a notable feature for Iowa state parks. The modern campground includes a trailer dump station. Park amenities extend well beyond camping: a swimming beach, seven boat ramps, dock slips, ADA-accessible fishing piers, a fish cleaning station, and over seven miles of hiking trails through diverse habitats. Lake Macbride Boat Rentals operates Memorial Day through Labor Day, offering pontoons, kayaks, canoes, paddle boards, plus food, bait, and firewood. The park operates seasonally from April 1 through November 15, with 100% of campsites reservable through the Iowa State Parks reservation system. Reservations can be made up to three months in advance. Check-in is at 4 PM and check-out at 3 PM. Maximum stay is 14 consecutive nights. The park is located four miles west of Solon, accessible via County Road F-16 for the northern unit or County Road F-28 for the southern unit.

Directions

Northern unit: Take County Road F-16 west from Solon for approximately 4 miles to the campground entrance. Southern unit: From Solon, take Fifth Street to County Road F-28 and follow signs to the primitive campground.