The park is composed of two units centered on the 900-acre (360 ha) Lake Macbride.

Both the park and the lake are named for Iowa conservationist Thomas Huston Macbride.

Lake Macbride is a popular fishing site; the rare spotted bass can be found in the lake, and it is also home to muskellunge, walleye, and channel catfish.

The park provides an accessible fishing dock, twelve jetties, and a 24-hour fishing area for fishers along with seven boat ramps and a boat rental facility.

The park also features 7 miles (11 km) of hiking and multi-use trails, which travel through forests and restored prairie; one trail connects the park with Solon, while another links the beach and Lake Macbride's dam.