Macbride Nature Recreation Area is a recreation area in Iowa, encompassing 485 acres of diverse natural landscapes. Situated on a peninsula between Coralville Lake and Lake Macbride, the area features native woodlands, including old-growth communities, floodplain ecosystems, and both remnant and reconstructed prairies. Devonian bedrock outcrops are visible along much of the shoreline, contributing to the varied terrain suitable for several sports like hiking, road cycling, touring cycling, and jogging. The area is recognized for its ecological significance and serves…
32
Routes
4.6
(22)
Average rating
345
People visited

5.0
(2)
30
hikers
6.17km
01:39
70m
90m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

10
hikers
3.88km
01:02
40m
60m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4
hikers
11.5km
02:59
70m
90m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

9
hikers
3.70km
00:59
40m
40m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.0
(2)
32
riders
42.3km
02:36
240m
240m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(3)
13
riders
29.6km
01:45
110m
110m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

16
riders
22.8km
01:21
100m
100m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.5
(12)
11
riders
18.1km
01:07
110m
110m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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37
riders
30.2km
01:38
160m
160m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

26
riders
38.9km
02:05
240m
240m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

22
riders
23.3km
01:12
100m
100m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

11
riders
20.9km
01:15
100m
100m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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7
runners
23.0km
02:29
180m
180m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4
runners
17.9km
01:54
200m
200m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5
runners
15.7km
01:54
190m
190m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

3
runners
6.37km
00:45
70m
70m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Macbride Nature Recreation Area is a 485-acre recreation area in Iowa. It is situated on a peninsula between Coralville Lake and Lake Macbride, featuring diverse natural landscapes. The area is recognized for its ecological significance and high-quality habitat.
Macbride Nature Recreation Area offers activities such as hiking, jogging, snowshoeing, wildlife viewing, and cross-country skiing on its 14 trails. The nearby Solon-Lake Macbride Recreation Trail is popular for cycling. Komoot provides guides for Hiking and Running Trails.
Yes, Macbride Nature Recreation Area features an extensive network of 14 trails suitable for hiking. These trails offer varying surfaces, from gravel and mowed paths to primitive bare ground. Information on hiking options can be found in the Hiking in Macbride Nature Recreation Area guide.
Bicycles and motor vehicles are not permitted on the trails within the Macbride Nature Recreation Area itself. However, the nearby Solon-Lake Macbride Recreation Trail, a 5.3-mile (8.5 km) crushed stone path, is popular for cycling. Komoot offers guides for Cycling in Macbride Nature Recreation Area.
Yes, the area offers trails with varying surfaces, including mowed paths, which can be suitable for easier hikes. Komoot provides a specific guide for Easy hikes in Macbride Nature Recreation Area. These routes cater to different preferences for foot-based activities.
The landscape is diverse, including native woodlands, old-growth woodland communities, floodplain ecosystems, and both remnant and reconstructed prairies. Unique Devonian bedrock outcrops are visible along much of the shoreline. The area is situated on a peninsula between Coralville Lake and Lake Macbride.
Macbride Nature Recreation Area offers excellent opportunities for wildlife observation. A bird blind is available, allowing for up-close viewing of native species year-round. The area is recognized as a high-quality habitat for various plant and animal species.
More than 1,000 visitors have shared their experiences in Macbride Nature Recreation Area on komoot. Routes in the area have an average rating of 4.69 out of 5 stars. This indicates a high level of satisfaction among users.
Komoot offers several guides for the area, including Hiking in Macbride Nature Recreation Area, Easy hikes, and Running Trails. Cycling guides like Cycling in Macbride Nature Recreation Area are also available.
The official website for Macbride Nature Recreation Area is provided by the University of Iowa, which manages the area. Further details can be found at facilities-management.uiowa.edu/about-us/macbride-nature-recreation-area.
For general inquiries regarding Macbride Nature Recreation Area, the MNRA Building Coordinator/Administrative Assistant can be reached at +1-319-467-1905. For questions related to facility rentals or educational programs, the UI WILD office can be contacted at +1-319-467-3287.

