Backbone State Park

Backbone State Park is a nature reserve in Delaware County featuring limestone cliffs that rise above the Maquoketa River. The landscape includes narrow rock ridges, lakes, streams, and thick forests that form a complex ecosystem.

The park was founded in 1920 as Iowa's first state park venture. During the 1930s, the Civilian Conservation Corps shaped the landscape with dams, cabins, and bridges that remain visible today.

The name comes from the distinctive rocky ridge that dominates the landscape like a backbone. Visitors experience this connection directly while walking the trails along the high edges of the formation.

The park offers two separate camping areas with different amenities depending on your preferences. Visitors should note the steep trails and wear proper footwear, especially when exploring the rock ridges.

A natural spring within the park, Richmond Springs, continuously pumps water from the ground year-round. This cold flowing water creates the conditions that support the park's thriving trout population in its streams.

Location: Delaware County

Inception: 1919

Elevation above the sea: 335 m

Website: https://iowadnr.gov/places-go/state-parks/all-parks/backbone-state-park

GPS coordinates: 42.63310,-91.56170

Latest update: December 6, 2025 16:04