Wildcat Den State Park. A four-mile trail system winds through steep slopes and scenic overviews, with sandstone ledges towering 100 feet above the Des Moines River. 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 trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, trail running, and nature trips and is accessible year-round. 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. (2K) (Keep the lake on your le, you will cross one boat ramp parking lot). 4. There are no fishing reports available. The Swinging Bridge is one of the main attractions in Columbus Junction, Iowa. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/iowa/lake-macbride-nature-recreation-area As you drive into town you will see multiple signs about the bridge. Wildlife Description This trail may be the best stretch of trail in the entire MacBride complex. The spillway is located between Lake Macbride and the Coralville Reservoir and is an easy hike. 2. 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. Path to old wildcat dens. 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. Located nearby is a boat rental and concession operation. Lake Macbride is an angler's delight! Numerous 1930s CCC structures can be viewed throughout the park including an iconic stone bridge … They’re pretty low-grade in terms of waterfalls, so walking around them is easy. It is safe to walk across this spillway area. Nice scenic area to watch the kayakers go by. 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. Union Grove Lake Waterfall. A section of the waterfall between Lake MacBride and Coralville Lake. Located in the wooded valleys of Mill and Jordan Creeks, Lake Macbride is certain to meet the needs of outdoor enthusiasts 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. © 2021 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy. 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. Love Iowa? Iowa has dozens of state parks, and it’s always a wonder stumbling upon one of the more hidden natural treasures. You can find more trail information and maps on AllTrails, here. 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. Commonly called … Enjoy the sights and sounds of Macbride Falls. Length 1.7 miElevation gain 157 ftRoute type Loop Hiking Nature trips Walking Forest Lake Views Waterfall Wildflowers Closed We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life. 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. … Lake Macbride Dam. Lake MacBride State Park combines a sprawling lake with an impressive waterfall to be one of the most beautiful places on earth. The midwest is not much for waterfalls but this is a gem. When we got to the beach, it was packed with boaters and people hanging out and we felt very out of place. This is a very manageable hike for all skill levels- it only has 141 miles of elevation and is not super long. Turn around and hike back across the dam. The waterfall can be strategically walked across without even getting wet and both bluffs can be climbed with little effort. From the top of the first trailhead from the lower parking lot, turn right and … Some areas have unsafe ice hidden under the snow. 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. This park features a unique spillway/waterfall where MacBride flows into the Iowa River. It seems that nearly every state has a ‘Bridal Veil Falls’, but in this instance, … Use caution if venturing out. As you continue to hike and get into the wooded area, you begin to hear rushing water. Search campgrounds, glamping, and hotels near Solon. Enjoy the best boats, waverunners, boat tours, charters, water toys and watercraft rentals in Iowa. 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. 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. Google Local / Andrew Hancock You’ll find Lake MacBride State Park at 3525 Hwy 382 NE, Solon, IA 52333. We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life. 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. The waterfalls are breathtaking, the Lake and surrounding landscape is so beautiful! 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. https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/iowa/underrated-waterfall-macbride-ia check their Facebook page for updates, here. 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. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, and nature trips. At Maybe would have been better for sunrise. There is something for everyone to do! 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. It’s one of the most scenic places in the Hawkeye State! I have many fond memories of trips down here just for kicks. Good catches of walleyes, channel catfish, crappies and bluegill await the angler in the 812-acre artificial lake. Coralville Lake is situated 1½ miles south of Lake MacBride … https://www.mapquest.com/us/iowa/lake-macbride-state-park-6795781 This Hike runs along the river with constant scenic views of the water and the aquatic life. 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. Lots of small bluegill that are easy to catch. When you first arrive it appears to be a massive plot of farm land. Ledges State Park is one of Iowa’s most historic and unique nature destinations, especially for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. 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. 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. 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. Bridal Veil Falls. This is a good place to fish with small children. This Easy, 1.5 Mile Trail Leads To MacBride Falls, One Of Iowa's Most Underrated Waterfalls. Find hikes, backpacking, photo spots, and more around Solon. 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. The waterfalls are breathtaking, the Lake and surrounding landscape is so beautiful! Solon-Lake Macbride Recreation Trail spans 5.3 mi. Easy hike to the falls. The falls are a wide, gradual spill-out of Lake Macbride into the Iowa River with two steep bluffs surrounding it. This afternoon-long hike along the rocky shores of the Coralville Lake and Iowa River to the waterfall/ If you can’t get enough of it, try spending the night! 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. Walleyes, channel catfish and muskies are stocked annually. Contact: Enter your e-mail address for things to do, restaurants to try and much more! Lake Macbride boat rentals and jet ski rental. Date of … That view with the hammock is is beautiful. Palisades-Kepler State Park. Macbride Falls, Solon. adventures and follow local regulations. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! The edges and protected areas have 5-6", however, deeper areas may only have 2-3". Use caution if venturing out. The Outbound works best with JavaScript enabled. 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. The Sweetest Road Trip in Iowa Takes You To 7 Old School Chocolate Shops, The Best Little Food Town In Iowa You Need To Explore Before It Gets Too Popular, The Maquoketa Caves Loop Trail Will Show You A Completely New Side Of Iowa, Relax In A Waterfront Hot Tub At A Charming Lake House In Iowa That’s Perfect For A Couples Getaway, Climb 170 Steps To The Top Of The Cordova Park Tower In Iowa And You Can See All The Way Across Lake Red Rock, Surrounded By A Serene Forest, The Woodlands Bed And Breakfast Is An Ideal Spot For Any Iowa Nature Lover, This Historic Sewing Factory In Iowa Was Turned Into A Brewery And You’ve Got To Visit, The Untold Story Of The Iowa City That Vanished Practically Overnight, trail information and maps on AllTrails, here. 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. Where's the fun in driving right up to your scenic destination? Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. 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. From boating with rentals available, camping, fishing, hiking, swimming it’s a family fun and nature lover must visit! 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. 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. 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. There's also a well maintained beach area. Thank you! Please explore responsibly! 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. We found it, no thanks to signs, of which there were too few. The Official Home page for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, DNR. 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. 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! We camped at Lake Macbride State Park in a Tent. Tucked away between Marshalltown and Waterloo, Union Grove Lake is a recreational haven that offers one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the state. There is something for everyone to do! Lake MacBride Waterfall. Also nearby the University of Iowa has a raptor rescue facility at the Macbride Nature Recreation Area that is open daily. Location: Gladbrook. I am glad you reviewed your hike and it looks awesome. 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. https://www.alltrails.com/parks/us/iowa/lake-macbride-state-park This world-class lake is fully stocked and offers plenty of accessible fishing … Make your way across the dam and around the large rock at the far end. 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. Lake Macbride offers 812 acres of artificial lake prime for catching fish including walleye, channel catfish and muskie. 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. from Racine Ave. NE at Sovers St. (Solon) to SR 382 (Lake Macbride State Park). This popular outdoor recreation area is … Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your Lake Macbride may be the only lake in Iowa in which the prized Kentucky spotted bass can be caught. 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. There's a few spots along the way that are perfect for hammockin', rock skippin', and bonfire chillin'. For more information, contact the Lake Macbride Fisheries Station at 319-624-3615. State Capitol Building – one of the most beautiful buildings to visit in Iowa. Get more stories delivered right to your email. 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