Lake Macbride State Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Lake Macbride State Park is located in Johnson County, Iowa and covers over 2,000 acres of land.


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Summary

It is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, offering opportunities for swimming, fishing, boating, hiking, and camping.

One of the main draws of Lake Macbride State Park is the lake itself, which covers over 900 acres and is stocked with a variety of fish including bass, bluegill, and catfish. Visitors can rent boats, kayaks, and canoes to explore the lake, or swim at the park's beach area.

There are also several hiking trails in the park, including the 5-mile Lake Macbride Trail and the shorter Woodpecker Trail, which winds through a forested area. Additionally, the park has several picnic areas, playgrounds, and a nature center with exhibits on local wildlife and ecology.

Interesting facts about Lake Macbride State Park include that it was named after Thomas Macbride, a prominent Iowa naturalist, and that the park was created in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps.

The best time of year to visit Lake Macbride State Park is during the summer months when the weather is warm enough for swimming and boating. However, the park is also open year-round and offers opportunities for ice fishing and cross-country skiing during the winter months.

Overall, Lake Macbride State Park is a beautiful and diverse destination that is well worth a visit for anyone interested in outdoor recreation and nature.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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