When to go
Weather, crowds, and what the season changes about the trip.
Spring
Cool and green with wildflowers and the Maquoketa running full. Trails can be muddy after rain.
Pack Waterproof footwear, rain shell, and layers for changeable northeast Iowa mornings.
Summer
Warm days, shaded by the ridge and riparian forest; humidity builds by July and August.
Pack Water, insect repellent, sun protection on open ridgeline sections, and an early start.
Fall
Crisp and colorful, the standout season for the dolomite ridge and forested valley views.
Pack Warm layer, headlamp for shorter days, and footwear with grip for leaf-covered rock.
Winter
Cold and quiet; campgrounds close December 1, but the trails are open for snowshoeing.
Pack Insulation, traction, and a flexible plan if trails freeze and become slick.
Top things to do
Devil's Backbone ridgeline walk
The park's namesake feature: a razor-thin dolomite ridge carved by the Maquoketa River, with open views into the valley from a narrow, winding path above the water. The trail loop covering the ridge is short but feels nothing like the rest of Iowa.
West Lake and East Lake Trail Loop
The park's most popular longer hike, skirting both lakes through forest and along the river with 518 feet of elevation change, well-suited to a half-day outing from the campground.
CCC stone structures and Maquoketa River trout fishing
Depression-era Civilian Conservation Corps crews built the park's bridges, shelters, and cabins from local stone. The Maquoketa is stocked with trout, and several access points sit within easy walk of the South Lake campground.
Anchor the day around Devil's Backbone ridgeline walk
Put the access rule first: shuttle, parking, timed-entry, or reservation windows should decide the order of the day. For one day in Backbone State Park, make Devil's Backbone ridgeline walk the non-negotiable, add West Lake and East Lake Trail Loop only if the first stop runs clean, and keep CCC stone structures and Maquoketa River trout fishing as the flexible finish.
- 1Start with Devil's Backbone ridgeline walk: The park's namesake feature: a razor-thin dolomite ridge carved by the Maquoketa River, with open views into the valley from a narrow, winding path above the water..
- 2Add West Lake and East Lake Trail Loop: The park's most popular longer hike, skirting both lakes through forest and along the river with 518 feet of elevation change, well-suited to a half-day outing from.
- 3Use CCC stone structures and Maquoketa River trout fishing as the optional finish, not as a reason to rush the whole day.
Plan your trip
Turn Backbone's conditions into water, pack, and sleep-system decisions.
Build around conditions
Let season, elevation, and weather set the plan.
Plan your trip
4 quick tools, already seeded for Backbone State Park. Tune the numbers around temperature swings, footing, layers, and how much margin the route needs.
What to pack
Start with the gear decisions this park changes: footing, weather, camping, and water.
Kit Authority
Backbone State Park packing list
0 of 23 packed. Check items as you pack, then take this list to the store, trailhead, or campsite.
Pack planning
Decide what Backbone State Park asks of your kit before you start checking boxes.
Use this as a constraint check while you are still shaping the trip. The active checklist becomes useful once your route, dates, and sleep plan are set.
- First constraintHydration and exposureWater, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, Navigationmap, downloaded GPS, or a GPS watch, 3 more
- Route realityFooting and tractionHiking boots, Hiking socks, Trekking poles
- Load choicePack and carry systemDaypack
- If overnightSleep and shelterTent, Sleeping bag, Sleeping pad
Checklist mode
23 items, grouped for the trip you are actually taking.
- Dates and season are set.
- Primary route, campground, or lodge is chosen.
- Water, footwear, and overnight needs are sized.
One researched pick
The first gear decision for Backbone
A stable daypack is the one purchase that organizes water, layers, food, first aid, and the small safety margin.
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THE DAY-HIKE PICK
Osprey Talon 22
- Volume
- 22 L
- Weight
- 2 lb 1 oz (945 g)
- Back Panel
- AirScape foam with ventilation channels
- Hipbelt Pockets
- 2 zippered
- Hydration
- Compatible up to 3 L reservoir (sold separately)
- Warranty
- All Mighty Guarantee (lifetime repair or replace)
The Talon 22 is the daypack you see on the trail more than any other for good reason: it packs in a padded hipbelt, adjustable torso harness, and dual hipbelt pockets into a 22-liter package that handles loads up to 20 lb without complaint. Owners across hundreds of Amazon ratings consistently cite its adjustability and durability as standouts.
- Adjustable torso fit covers a wide range of body sizes
- Padded hipbelt and dual hipbelt pockets at this size are rare
- At 2 lb 1 oz it runs heavier than ultralight rivals for the same volume
Best for
Hikers who want a proven all-around daypack with solid load support, plenty of adjustment, and a warranty they can actually use.
Gear for Backbone
The buying guides that match what Backbone asks of your kit, with our current top picks across budget and use case.
Where to stay
Two campgrounds sit inside the park. South Lake is the main campground with nearly 100 sites, roughly half with electric hookups, flush toilets, showers, and a dump station. Six Pines is a smaller primitive tent-only area with 27 sites and vault toilets. Both run April 1 through November 30 and are fully reservable through the Iowa DNR system. Nearby Strawberry Point and Manchester offer limited lodging and restaurants.
Camping reservations
Camping reservations
Reserve Backbone's two campgrounds through Iowa's ReserveAmerica portal.
South Lake (electric and nonelectric) and Six Pines (primitive tent-only) are both 100 percent reservable and require a reservation. Sites book fast on summer and fall weekends. Note that cabins are closed through May 31, 2027 for a wastewater project.
Reviewed June 11, 2026
Booking window
Up to 12 months in advance, with a minimum 4-day lead time before arrival. Reservations accepted until 10 p.m. CST the day of arrival.
- All sites are reservable; no walk-in or first-come camping is available.
- A nonrefundable reservation fee of $4.50 online or $6 by phone applies to every booking.
- The 16 park cabins are not accepting reservations from January 4 through May 31, 2027, due to a wastewater infrastructure project.
Where to book or verify
Official Iowa DNR reservation portal for Backbone State Park campsites.
Iowa DNR park profile with trail maps, facility details, and current conditions.
Check for federal campground, backcountry, tour, and permit inventory tied to this park.
Campgrounds to know
South Lake Campground
Details- Booking
- Reserve up to 12 months in advance at iowastateparks.reserveamerica.com.
- Season
- April 1 through November 30.
- Sites
- Roughly 100 sites, about half with electric hookups, flush toilets, showers, dump station.
- The main campground, closest to the trout-stocked Maquoketa and the longer trail loops.
Six Pines Campground
Details- Booking
- Reserve up to 12 months in advance at iowastateparks.reserveamerica.com.
- Season
- April 1 through November 30.
- Sites
- 27 primitive tent-only sites, vault toilets, drinking water.
- The quieter, tent-only option with a more wooded feel; no electric hookups.
Getting there and practical info
Build the arrival around the reservation.
Entry windows, permit pickups, and drive time should be checked before the itinerary gets crowded.
Getting there
Get to Backbone State Park with the required window already protected.
- Access rhythm
- Plan the last mile
- Region
- Iowa
Arrival note
Backbone State Park is in Delaware County in northeast Iowa, near the town of Dundee, about 25 miles northeast of Independence and roughly 70 miles from both Dubuque and Waterloo.
Access note
Highway 410 leads directly into the park.
Car strategy
A car is required; the campgrounds, trailheads, and park features are spread along both sides of the Maquoketa River and require driving between them.
Pair this with lodging: choose the base that keeps the reservation or permit pickup from becoming the hardest part of the day.
Can you photograph here? Permit and drone rules
Iowa requires no state filming permit; Produce Iowa asks productions to register, and state parks need advance authorization from Iowa DNR.
- Permit
- Usually fine for personal shoots; commercial or large productions can need a permit
- Drones
- Commercial drone work requires FAA Part 107
- Land
- Yes: you can photograph what is visible from public space in the US
From our photography sister site, Aperture Authority. Verified 2026-07-01.
Frequently asked questions
What makes Backbone State Park worth visiting?
Iowa's oldest state park holds a genuinely unusual feature: a razor-thin dolomite ridge carved by the Maquoketa River, unlike anything else in the state. Add 21 miles of trail, trout fishing, and Depression-era CCC stonework and it is a full-day destination, not a quick stop.
When does the Backbone State Park campground open and close?
Both the South Lake and Six Pines campgrounds run April 1 through November 30. They are closed December through March. Note that the park's 16 cabins are also closed through May 31, 2027 due to a wastewater project.
How do you reserve a campsite at Backbone State Park?
All sites are reserved online or by phone through the Iowa DNR's ReserveAmerica portal at iowastateparks.reserveamerica.com. Reservations open up to 12 months in advance with a minimum 4-day lead time, and a nonrefundable fee of $4.50 online applies.
Is there trout fishing at Backbone State Park?
Yes. The Maquoketa River through the park is stocked with trout and is one of the draws for campers. Several access points sit close to the South Lake campground and along the trail system.