MacDowell was married from 1986 to 1999 to fellow former model and rancher Paul Qualley, whom she met while both were posing for GAP ads. The couple have a son, Justin and two daughters, Rainey and Sarah Margaret. She was married to Atlanta, Georgia businessman Rhett Hartzog from 2001 to 2004.

MacDowell currently resides in the town of Biltmore Forest, North Carolina near the city of Asheville. She is an avid hiker and general outdoors-woman.