Backbone State Park in Iowa, USA - map and visitor information

Research checked: 2026-10-23. Check linked official notices before travel.

Backbone State Park near Dundee, Iowa, is known for the narrow Devil's Backbone rock ridge, trout fishing, and rugged trails. Choose your entrance for the activity you want. A controlled hunt restricts public access December 5–6, 2026, and a wastewater project affects cabin and Beach Lodge bookings in early 2027.

Rock ridges, trout streams, and CCC history

• Rocky paths form part of a 21-mile trail network.
• Richmond Springs feeds a trout stream with a paved fishing-access section.
• CCC buildings and the museum explain the park's recreation history.

Plan around campground and project dates

Fees, hours, and seasonal access

Check Iowa park alerts before committing to a trip.

Rocky ground and climbing registration

The trails include steep grades and rocky steps. Select a walk that matches your footing and experience. Climbers and rappellers must register with the park office before climbing. Do not use the general trail map as permission to climb without registration.

Use the right trails and boats

Mountain bikes belong on the designated routes, including Barred Owl, Bluebird, East Lake, and West Lake. Only electric motors are allowed on Backbone Lake. Carry out litter and keep pets leashed.

Reserve camping before arrival

The campgrounds are fully reservable and a reservation is required. Use the authorized Backbone booking page to compare site services and available dates. Contact staff before an off-season stay rather than assuming water and shower buildings operate throughout winter.

Choose the correct entrance

The park address is 1347 129th Street, Dundee, Iowa 52038. The south entrance serves South Lake Campground, cabins, the beach, and the office. The west entrance serves Six Pines and the CCC museum. Richmond Springs is reached from the north entrance. Use maps on the official park profile to match the entrance to your plan.

Nearby parks

Volga River State Recreation Area near Fayette, reached from Ivy Road, is a regional stop to the northwest. Pikes Peak State Park near McGregor is another road-accessible option to the northeast. Check the destination entrance before continuing your drive.

Walk, fish, or explore the lake

Choose a ridge walk for rocky terrain or use the paved trout-stream path for a different kind of outing. The fishing path lies near the north entrance, with accessible parking. Accessible restrooms are elsewhere in the park, so plan that part of the visit separately.

Boating and seasonal swimming center on the lake. Check water conditions and current beach guidance before a swim. The CCC museum near the west gate adds an indoor stop during its operating season.

Two campground settings

South Lake includes electric and non-electric campsites, shower buildings, a playground, and a dump station. Six Pines offers non-electric sites and pit toilets. Water and shower operations normally wind down around mid-October; confirm the actual service status before an autumn arrival. Picnic shelters, the Stone Lodge, and an outdoor auditorium support group visits.

About Iowa's first state park

A park dedicated in 1920

Backbone became Iowa's first state park in 1920. Its name comes from the bedrock ridge shaped by a bend of the Maquoketa River. CCC workers later added dams, cabins, bridges, shelters, and other visitor facilities.

Woodland and stream habitats

Oak and maple dominate much of the wooded park. The stream and lake provide different aquatic habitats. Keep an eye on the forest and water while walking, without treating wildlife as guaranteed encounters.

Contact Backbone State Park

Call 563-924-2527 for access, climbing registration, winter services, or museum arrangements. Iowa DNR manages the park.