Solon Recreation and Nature Area - Solon, IA
Solon Recreation and Nature Area Dog Park Guide
If you’re searching for a dog-friendly outdoor adventure in the Solon, Iowa area, the Solon Recreation and Nature Area is a top local choice. Conveniently located on Racine Ave NE, this pet-friendly park is known for its spacious grounds, ample parking, and accessibility features, making it a welcoming spot for dog owners and families alike. Wheelchair-accessible entrances and parking lots ensure everyone can enjoy what the park has to offer.
The park’s amenities include modern restrooms, numerous sports fields, a disc golf course, a small playground, and a trailhead for several bike and hiking routes. Local reviews highlight the paved, pet-friendly trails connecting to Ely and Lake McBride, perfect for those who enjoy dog-friendly hiking and outdoor activities. The Timber Dome Lodge is available for rental, making it possible to host gatherings or even dog birthday parties. While there’s no dedicated mention of a fenced dog park or off-leash area, the park’s open green spaces and trail network make it a haven for leashed walks and outdoor fun with pets.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is the park wheelchair accessible? Yes, the Solon Recreation and Nature Area offers wheelchair-accessible entrances and parking lots.
- Are restrooms available for owners? Yes, there are two modern restrooms available on-site.
- Is there a playground or activities for kids nearby? Yes, the park features a playground and a large splash pad currently in development, along with various sports fields.
- Is there a fee or membership required to enter? No, there are no fees or permits required to use the park or its trails.
- Where is the best place to park? There is a large, easily accessible parking area with dedicated handicapped spots.
- Are there walking or hiking trails connected to the park? Yes, the park is a trailhead for paved and gravel trails leading toward Ely, Cedar Rapids, and Lake McBride.
- Can I host a dog birthday party at the park? Yes, the Timber Dome Lodge can be rented for private events like dog birthday parties.
Reviews
Lovely city park and recreation complex on the west side of Solon, Iowa. It features a huge parking area, playing fields for a variety of sports, two modern restrooms, the Timber Dome Lodge (available to rent for events), and a pleasant loop hiking trail. It serves as the Southern trailhead for a nearly continuous bicycle trail that travels north 80+ miles through Ely, Cedar Rapids, Hiawatha, Center Point, and eventually to Waterloo & Cedar Falls. No fees or permits for the portion of the trail between here and Cedar Rapids, which is 100% paved. The 30 mile round trip from here to the Czech Village/NewBo neighborhood on the south side of Cedar Rapids is especially popular. This park also serves as the eastern terminus of a gravel trail that runs along the north shore of Lake McBride and ends at the Lake McBride State Park beach.
It’s a good destination to ride to from Cedar Rapids.
Parking was a breeze. Handicapped parking is accessible and convenient. The trail is in great shape. We noticed a new fire hydrant before the bridge near the trail with ground cleared around it, probably to put a waterline in. The weather is warm and windy 4/9/23 Easter Sunday.
Very nice trail, can lead to the road to Ely, about 10 miles away. The trail itself is only 1 or 2 miles. Edit: there’s a fork in the trail, one leading to Ely and the other trailing across the Lake McBride northern shore, leading eventually to the McBride campgrounds and beach. The Ely path is 2 miles without the actual car roads, and the McBride trail is 5 miles, with some road in between the end of the trail and the campgrounds.
Amazing park and green space especially for a small town. There are football, baseball and soccer fields for days. There is a nice little disc golf course. They have a great basketball court here with a colored plastic time floor and large glass backboards. There is a small playground for little kids. A bike train runs right thru it and is a trailhead for biking, walking, jogging to lake McBride, Ely and beyond. Tons of parking, they are also working on a large splash pad!