“Iowa's oldest state park features a dramatic spine of dolomite limestone — the 'backbone' ridge — rising above the Maquoketa River with forested canyon walls, trout stream, CCC-built stone structures, and one of Iowa's most rugged hiking corridors.”
About This Location
BACKBONE STATE PARK EARNS ITS NAME FROM A DRAMATIC DOLOMITE LIMESTONE RIDGE RISING 12 FEET ABOVE THE MAQUOKETA RIVER — AN UNUSUAL GEOLOGICAL FEATURE IN THE IOWA LANDSCAPE. THE PARK COMBINES THIS RIDGE-TOP GEOLOGY WITH FORESTED CANYON SLOPES, A CLEAR TROUT STREAM, AND A SERIES OF CCC-ERA STONE STRUCTURES THAT DATE THE PARK'S AESTHETIC TO THE NEW DEAL ERA. THE MIX OF NARROW RIDGE TRAIL, RIVER-BOTTOM ACCESS, AND RUSTIC STONE BUILDINGS CREATES THREE DISTINCTLY DIFFERENT VISUAL ENVIRONMENTS WITHIN A
Color Palette
Permit Information
Permit Required
Type
Special Use Permit
Fee
Contact for fee
Contact
Iowa DNR
Contact park manager for commercial use. CCC stone buildings add historic architectural interest.
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