Top 6 Lakes around Coralville

The primary lakes in the Coralville area are Coralville Lake and Lake Macbride. Coralville Lake is a large artificial reservoir known for extensive water sports, while Lake Macbride, Iowa's largest state park lake, offers a more tranquil, nature-focused experience with paddlesports and hiking.

Coralville Lake is ideal for a wide range of water activities, including boating, water skiing, and swimming. There are 18 boat ramps, 3 marinas, and 4 swimming beaches, such as the family-friendly Sugar Bottom Day Use beach. The northern parts of the lake offer a more serene experience.

Just below the Coralville Dam, you can explore the unique Devonian Fossil Gorge. This 375-million-year-old sea floor was exposed by major floods and offers a chance to discover fossil remains along 20 discovery points with an audio tour.

Yes, both Coralville Lake and Lake Macbride offer family-friendly options. Sugar Bottom Park on Coralville Lake has beaches and picnic areas. Lake Macbride State Park features a large sandy swimming beach with a concession stand, and both lakes have campgrounds suitable for families.

Lake Macbride is perfect for paddlesports like canoeing, kayaking, and paddleboarding due to its motor restrictions (5 mph speed limit and 10 hp motor limit). Pontoon boats are also popular, and rentals are available at the marina. There are seven boat ramps for easy water access.

Both lakes offer extensive trail systems. Coralville Lake has 29 miles of trails, including Squire Point and Woodpecker Trail. Lake Macbride features a 16.26-mile system, with the 'Beach to Dam Trail' offering scenic views. For more hiking options, check out the Hiking around Coralville guide, which includes routes like Squire Point Trail and Macbride Waterfall Loop.

Yes, Coralville Lake is home to the popular 10-mile Sugar Bottom Mountain Bike Trail. This trail is part of the 29 miles of trails available for various activities around the lake.

The heavily wooded forests around Coralville Lake are home to whitetail deer, turkeys, pheasants, waterfowl, and various songbirds. Lake Macbride State Park boasts exceptional wildlife diversity, with nearly every native songbird, shorebirds, waterfowl, ospreys during migration, deer, and wild turkeys. Anglers at Coralville Dam may also spot bald eagles.

Yes, both lakes offer camping. Coralville Lake has three campgrounds with over 500 campsites, ranging from primitive tent sites to full hook-ups. Lake Macbride State Park has two campgrounds: a modern one with electrical hookups, showers, and restrooms, and a non-modern, more primitive option.

Anglers can enjoy excellent fishing at both Coralville Lake and Lake Macbride. Coralville Lake is known for large and smallmouth bass, crappie, walleye, and catfish, with the area below the Coralville Dam being particularly renowned. Lake Macbride offers walleye, channel catfish, muskie, and Kentucky spotted bass, with fishing piers and jetties available.

The lakes around Coralville offer recreational opportunities year-round. Summer is popular for water sports and swimming, while spring and fall are ideal for hiking, biking, and wildlife viewing. Winter activities like cross-country skiing are also possible on the trails when conditions allow.

Yes, there are many cycling opportunities. A five-mile crushed limestone multi-use trail connects Lake Macbride State Park to Solon. For more options, explore the Cycling around Coralville guide, which includes routes like the North Ridge and Clear Creek Trail Loop, and the Road Cycling Routes around Coralville guide.