Backbone State Park, State park with limestone cliffs in Delaware County, United States
The Devil's Backbone formation rises above the Maquoketa River, creating a narrow ridge of bedrock that forms the highest elevation in northeast Iowa.
Established in 1920 as Iowa's first state park, Backbone features structures built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, including dams, cabins, and bridges.
The Civilian Conservation Corps Museum displays artifacts and information about the development of Iowa state parks during the Great Depression era.
The park maintains two distinct camping areas: South Lake Campground with electric sites and modern facilities, and Six Pine Campground with basic amenities.
Richmond Springs pumps over 2,000 gallons of water per minute into the park's streams, supporting a thriving cold-water trout habitat.
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: 42.63750,-91.55722
Latest update: May 23, 2025 17:06
Iowa features historical buildings, museums and natural areas. Visitors find caves, geological formations, historical mills and botanical gardens. The state houses railway museums, Norwegian cultural sites and several parks with sandstone cliffs.
Cedar Rock State Park
31.1 km
Fountain Springs Park
21.2 km
Saints Peter and Paul Church
29.6 km
Delaware County Courthouse
19.5 km
St. Joseph's Catholic Church
26.9 km
Schmidt House
26.9 km
Motor Mill Historic District
25.3 km
Elkader Keystone Bridge
27.3 km
Elkader Opera House
27.2 km
Timothy Davis House
27.2 km
Coffin's Grove Stagecoach House
15.3 km
Clayton County Courthouse
27.3 km
Alexander-Dickman Hall
30.1 km
Elkader Downtown Historic District
27.2 km
Hotel Mealey
29.5 km
Carter House
27.3 km
McGee School
15.4 km
J.C. Stemmer House
27 km
Lincoln Elementary School
19.4 km
Mederville Bridge
17.9 km
Bay Settlement Church and Monument
31.1 km
J.J. Hoag House
18.6 km
Richardson-Jakway House
15.1 km
Erza McKenzie Round Barn
31.2 km
Alfred Hanson House
29.6 km
Maple View Sanitarium
29.6 km
Rialto Price House
27.1 km
Ruth Suckow House
29.7 kmReviews
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