That view with the hammock is is beautiful. For more information, contact the Lake Macbride Fisheries Station at 319-624-3615. Enjoy the sights and sounds of Macbride Falls. You can either follow your footsteps back to your vehicle or follow the road connected to the boat ramp parking lot and be back to your car in no-time. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, and nature trips. … The Swinging Bridge is one of the main attractions in Columbus Junction, Iowa. There's a few spots along the way that are perfect for hammockin', rock skippin', and bonfire chillin'. At times, this beautiful hike feels like it takes you right out of the Midwest, and allows you to watch the sunset from a variety of legit locations. from Racine Ave. NE at Sovers St. (Solon) to SR 382 (Lake Macbride State Park). Good catches of walleyes, channel catfish, crappies and bluegill await the angler in the 812-acre artificial lake. Although the Interpretive Trail isn't explicitly marked on it, I found the Lake Macbride trail map on http://www.traillink.com/trail-maps/solon-lake-macbride-recreation-trail.aspx to be helpful. Location: Gladbrook. Coralville Lake is situated 1½ miles south of Lake MacBride … The midwest is not much for waterfalls but this is a gem. A section of the waterfall between Lake MacBride and Coralville Lake. This shoreline is mostly rocky with some beach spots tucked away here and there, and can also be very windy, giving it a coastal vibe. This afternoon-long hike along the rocky shores of the Coralville Lake and Iowa River to the waterfall/ It’s one of the most scenic places in the Hawkeye State! NOTE: The recreation area may be closed due to COVID-19, so be sure to check their Facebook page for updates, here. (2K) (Keep the lake on your le, you will cross one boat ramp parking lot). Nice scenic area to watch the kayakers go by. Commonly called … Located in the wooded valleys of Mill and Jordan Creeks, Lake Macbride is certain to meet the needs of outdoor enthusiasts Iowa has dozens of state parks, and it’s always a wonder stumbling upon one of the more hidden natural treasures. When you first arrive it appears to be a massive plot of farm land. The falls are a wide, gradual spill-out of Lake Macbride into the Iowa River with two steep bluffs surrounding it. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/iowa/lake-macbride-nature-recreation-area Once you reach the beach and the trail ends, simply start along the shore of what becomes the Iowa River towards the Coralville Res Boat Ramp. Bridal Veil Falls. As of publication, Lake MacBride State Park is open and provides access to the spillway from which you can find the cascades along the lake. There is something for everyone to do! The highway runs straight through town. Date of … check their Facebook page for updates, here. From boating with rentals available, camping, fishing, hiking, swimming it’s a family fun and nature lover must visit! Beach To Dam Trail at Lake Macbride is a 3.1 mile loop hike that takes you by lake MacBride and the Iowa River located near Solon, Iowa. Get more stories delivered right to your email. We continued to the left along the water into the reeds and were immediately surrounded by big flying bugs and ended up bushwacking two miles until we finally reached the water fall, which was cute but also very crowded and we didn't really see many spots for hammocking. Solon-Lake Macbride Recreation Trail spans 5.3 mi. Also nearby the University of Iowa has a raptor rescue facility at the Macbride Nature Recreation Area that is open daily. Nice state park We drove the winding road out to the waterfall/dam parking lot, where the impoundment of Lake MacBride, discharges as a falls into the Coralville Reservoir. https://www.mapquest.com/us/iowa/lake-macbride-state-park-6795781 After Macbride Falls, it's time to travel slightly north and slightly west to rural Tama County, where you'll find your next waterfall at Union Grove Lake. Union Grove Lake Waterfall. Please explore responsibly! This Hike runs along the river with constant scenic views of the water and the aquatic life. Wildcat Den State Park. If you can’t get enough of it, try spending the night! This park features a unique spillway/waterfall where MacBride flows into the Iowa River. Wildlife Description This trail may be the best stretch of trail in the entire MacBride complex. Length 1.7 miElevation gain 157 ftRoute type Loop Hiking Nature trips Walking Forest Lake Views Waterfall Wildflowers Closed Before you know it you're standing on a... http://www.traillink.com/trail-maps/solon-lake-macbride-recreation-trail.aspx, Explore Columbus Junction's Swinging Bridge, Hike to Devil's Punch Bowl, WIldcat Den SP. Eventually you wrap around a sharp corner along the Iowa River where you'll see the boat ramp parking lot and the path to the waterfall. The spillway is located between Lake Macbride and the Coralville Reservoir and is an easy hike. Easy hike to the falls. I have many fond memories of trips down here just for kicks. Maybe would have been better for sunrise. Lake MacBride State Park combines a sprawling lake with an impressive waterfall to be one of the most beautiful places on earth. From boating with rentals available, camping, fishing, hiking, swimming it’s a family fun and nature lover must visit! 3. Lake Macbride is one of the most underrated spots in the state, and their secluded beach is the best spot to cool off from the Iowa sun this summer! Lake Macbride boat rentals and jet ski rental. There is something for everyone to do! I used to come here during my college days to relax on the "beach" and camp out during the Fall and Spring before the summer bugs and winter frost made it uncomfortable. Located nearby is a boat rental and concession operation. We camped at Lake Macbride State Park in a Tent. These caves include Wide Mouth Cave, Dug Out Cave, Twin Arch Cave, Hernando's Hideaway, Up-N-Down Cave, Widow Cave, Match Ca... Whitewater Canyon Wildlife Area is such a cool find. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your Turn around and hike back across the dam. This popular outdoor recreation area is … Macbride Waterfall Loop [CLOSED] is a 1.7 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Solon, Iowa that features a lake and is rated as moderate. If traveling on Highway 22, look for Wild Cat Den Road. This easy and shady trail is a great place to hike in the summertime, and by the time you get to the falls, you’ll be ready to get your feet wet! https://www.alltrails.com/parks/us/iowa/lake-macbride-state-park Our mission is to conserve and enhance our natural resources in cooperation with individuals and organizations to improve the quality of life for Iowans and ensure a legacy for future generations. The lake is huge, there is a boat rental facility, the place was clean, the roads were decent, the trails were well maintained and the restroom facilities were clean. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Google Local / Andrew Hancock You’ll find Lake MacBride State Park at 3525 Hwy 382 NE, Solon, IA 52333. © 2021 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy. The waterfalls are breathtaking, the Lake and surrounding landscape is so beautiful! The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, trail running, and nature trips and is accessible year-round. From the top of the first trailhead from the lower parking lot, turn right and … View amenities, descriptions, reviews, photos, itineraries, and directions on TrailLink. The Official Home page for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, DNR. 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. Lots of small bluegill that are easy to catch. The waterfall can be strategically walked across without even getting wet and both bluffs can be climbed with little effort. Enjoy the best boats, waverunners, boat tours, charters, water toys and watercraft rentals in Iowa. 2. The Outbound works best with JavaScript enabled. The Enormous Lake Macbride In Iowa Is One Of The Best Fishing Holes In The Country When it comes to the best fishing holes in Iowa, it’s hard to top Lake Macbride State Park. It is a quarter mile walk over hilly, muddy rocky path to… Use caution if venturing out. We found it, no thanks to signs, of which there were too few. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! There's also a well maintained beach area. Lake Macbride offers 812 acres of artificial lake prime for catching fish including walleye, channel catfish and muskie. Lake MacBride North Shore Trail is a 8.9 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Solon, Iowa that offers the chance to see wildlife and is good for all skill levels. This afternoon-long hike along the rocky shores of the Coralville Lake and Iowa River to the waterfall/ spill-out of Lake Macbride easily beats walking to the falls from the Coralville Res Boat Ramp parking lot. Lake Macbride State Park: Sunday morning hike around the beautiful lake 08/16 - See 80 traveler reviews, 33 candid photos, and great deals for Solon, IA, at Tripadvisor. adventures and follow local regulations. WHEN TO GO: Year-round HOW TO GET THERE: Although this waterfall is technically a spillway, the rock formations still make it an impressive site. Search campgrounds, glamping, and hotels near Solon. https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/iowa/underrated-waterfall-macbride-ia There are a few signs, but the closer you get to the waterfall, the signs disappear so you're kind of left to your own devices to figure out where it is. You can find more trail information and maps on AllTrails, here. A four-mile trail system winds through steep slopes and scenic overviews, with sandstone ledges towering 100 feet above the Des Moines River. As you drive into town you will see multiple signs about the bridge. Definitely have to visit sometime. We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on. This is a very manageable hike for all skill levels- it only has 141 miles of elevation and is not super long. I am glad you reviewed your hike and it looks awesome. Numerous 1930s CCC structures can be viewed throughout the park including an iconic stone bridge … Walleyes, channel catfish and muskies are stocked annually. Some areas have unsafe ice hidden under the snow. Bring your whole family out to enjoy a hike through the park and a picnic on the rocks and you’ll be so happy you discovered this quiet natural oasis. 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. Love Iowa? Use caution if venturing out. It is safe to walk across this spillway area. If you are coming from Highway 61, look for Vail Road, and then turn left on to... From the Maquoketa Caves State Park office, near the parking area, hike north for access to 8 of the 16 caves in the park. Thank you! Where you end your day is entirely up to you, we hung up the hammock over one of the bluffs at the falls, but going back and setting up shop somewhere along the Iowa River shore is just as tempting. The State Park offers both a modern campground along with a traditional one located on the south side of the park but they ask that you camp in the designated areas. The edges and protected areas have 5-6", however, deeper areas may only have 2-3". Lake Macbride may be the only lake in Iowa in which the prized Kentucky spotted bass can be caught. About half-way through town you will take a left, and the ... Wild Cat Den State Park is located between Blue Grass, Iowa and Muscatine, Iowa, just south of the Quad Cities. Macbride Falls, Solon. State Capitol Building – one of the most beautiful buildings to visit in Iowa. This world-class lake is fully stocked and offers plenty of accessible fishing … Lake MacBride State Park is bigger than we realized, so between Google maps and a map of the lake we found online, we did eventually find the waterfall. This Easy, 1.5 Mile Trail Leads To MacBride Falls, One Of Iowa's Most Underrated Waterfalls. At Make your way across the dam and around the large rock at the far end. Path to old wildcat dens. Palisades-Kepler State Park. (The spillway was blasted out of solid rock in 1957.) Find hikes, backpacking, photo spots, and more around Solon. Tucked away between Marshalltown and Waterloo, Union Grove Lake is a recreational haven that offers one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the state. If you know of a local business that could use some extra support during these times, please nominate them here: Kim Magaraci graduated Rutgers University with a degree in Geography and has spent the last seven years as a freelance travel writer. It seems that nearly every state has a ‘Bridal Veil Falls’, but in this instance, … The waterfalls are breathtaking, the Lake and surrounding landscape is so beautiful! Lake Macbride is an angler's delight! While we continue to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, please take proper precautions or add them to your bucket list to see at a later date. We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life. On the opposite side of the street is the entrance to the Lake Macbride Recreation Trail, which leads back towards Solon- Connected to the parking lot is the entrance to the Lake Macbride Interpretive Trail, a small loop trail that has a section branching off to a beach along the Coralville Lake. 11 reviews of Lake Macbride State Park "This is a beautiful lake, just west of Solon, right smack-dab between Iowa City and Mount Vernon. One of the most underrated waterfalls in Iowa can be found at Lake MacBride State Park, where the lake flows across a rocky natural spillway along a series of short and shallow cascades. Lake MacBride Waterfall. This is a good place to fish with small children. 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When we got to the beach, it was packed with boaters and people hanging out and we felt very out of place. Here's how we had a more adventurous day at the lake by hopping off the beaten path: Just as you enter the park from County Road F16 coming out of the small town of Solon, IA you will see a small, grass parking lot on your right (this lot has been marked by the pin on the map below). Coralville Lake is an artificial lake in Johnson County, Iowa, US, formed by the Coralville Dam, a dam built from 1949 to 1958 on the Iowa River upstream from the city of Coralville, Iowa. They’re pretty low-grade in terms of waterfalls, so walking around them is easy. Ledges State Park is one of Iowa’s most historic and unique nature destinations, especially for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. Lake Macbride Dam. Where's the fun in driving right up to your scenic destination? As you continue to hike and get into the wooded area, you begin to hear rushing water. 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