Lake Macbride
- Road
- Paved
- Permit
- Not required
- Dogs
- Allowed
Entry fee: No day-use entrance fee. Lake Macbride is a lake cove in Johnson County, Iowa.
Closures and warnings
Iowa DNR: animals are prohibited within designated beach areas; pets elsewhere must be on a leash no longer than six feet. Beach advisories: beach monitoring dashboard or hotline 515-725-3434 (updated Fridays in season). As of September 30, 2026.
Before you swim
| Swimming allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Water type | Lake cove |
| Entry | Walk in |
| Current | None |
Access
| Road | Paved |
|---|---|
| Road note | Northern unit at the end of County Road F-16, 4 miles west of Solon (beach, modern campground, boat rental). Southern unit off County Road F-28 by Fifth Street in Solon. |
| Parking | Lake Macbride State Park, 3525 Highway 382 NE, Solon, IA 52333 (Johnson County). |
| Fee | No day-use entrance fee; Iowa non-resident vehicle permits repealed as of January 1, 2026. |
| Hours | Iowa State Parks open 4:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. daily; day visitors must leave by 10:30 p.m. |
| Reservation or permit | Not required |
| Managed by | Iowa Department of Natural Resources (Lake Macbride State Park) |
| Restrooms | Yes |
|---|---|
| Showers | Yes |
| Picnic sites | Yes |
| Note | Designated swimming beach in the northern unit; boat rentals and concessions Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day; 7 boat ramps; camping and trails. |
Rules
| Dogs | Allowed |
|---|---|
| Camping | Allowed |
| Glass | Not allowed |
Common questions
Common questions
Is Lake Macbride open?
Iowa DNR: animals are prohibited within designated beach areas; pets elsewhere must be on a leash no longer than six feet. Beach advisories: beach monitoring dashboard or hotline 515-725-3434 (updated Fridays in season). As of September 30, 2026. Hours: Iowa State Parks open 4:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. daily; day visitors must leave by 10:30 p.m.
Can you swim at Lake Macbride?
Yes, swimming is allowed at Lake Macbride. No current is reported here.
How do you get to Lake Macbride?
The road in is paved. Northern unit at the end of County Road F-16, 4 miles west of Solon (beach, modern campground, boat rental). Southern unit off County Road F-28 by Fifth Street in Solon. Parking: Lake Macbride State Park, 3525 Highway 382 NE, Solon, IA 52333 (Johnson County).
Do you need a reservation for Lake Macbride?
No reservation or permit is required.
Is there a fee at Lake Macbride?
The fee is No day-use entrance fee; Iowa non-resident vehicle permits repealed as of January 1, 2026.
What facilities are at Lake Macbride?
Restrooms, showers, and picnic sites. Designated swimming beach in the northern unit; boat rentals and concessions Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day; 7 boat ramps; camping and trails.
What are the rules at Lake Macbride?
Dogs are allowed, camping is allowed, and glass containers are not allowed.
Nearby
Sources
3
- https://www.iowadnr.gov/places-go/state-parks/all-parks/lake-macbride-state-park (accessed September 30, 2026; backs manager / waterbodyName / swimmingAllowed / amenities, access.parking / access.roadNote / amenities.note, rules.camping / access.roadSurface / permitRequired false / current none, hazardNote)
- https://www.iowadnr.gov/places-go/state-parks/parks-use-rules-guidelines (accessed September 30, 2026; backs access.hours, rules.dogs, rules.glass)
- https://iowastateparks.reserveamerica.com/posProducts.do?contractCode=IA&tti=Non-Resident+Permits (accessed September 30, 2026; backs access.fee)
More: Iowa swimming holes