Backbone State Park

Raaman Nair

Beautiful park but mostly close during the winter and spring. Check the park's website or give them a call before coming. There are also caves, fishing sites and camping grounds. Various location to enter the park but highly recommend the north entrance and the entrances by the overflow.

Debbie Splean

This was our first visit, and honestly, we didn't allow enough time in the afternoon to see everything this park has to offer. We hiked the Lake Trail, but no one was sure after looking at the park's trail map what length it was or time it would take before we lost sunlight. Poor map. The trail was not an easy hike due to lots of rocks and tree roots to watch for under foot. I think looking down at our feet took away from the beautiful scenery we had hoped to enjoy. Adding to the stress was wondering where the trail finally turned to head back toward the parking lot. We never seemed to reach the end of the lake, but the sun was just above the tree tops, and we had to turn back. It's definitely not a trail we would want to hike in the dark, not being familiar with it and much of it being right at the edge of the lake embankment, only about a foot wide. Once home, I added a Trail App to my phone and realized we would have never been able to hike the full distance around the lake in the time we had. But apparently there were other easier and shorter trails we could have taken if we had known about them. Signage getting to the park was non existent, oddly. Even the last turn had no sign visible until you're right at the entrance further up the road. No available restrooms near the lake open in November. No water fountains working either. Not surprising for November, but it was a warm day. We didn't think we'd be sweating on the trail, and hadn't brought water bottles along. Better next time?!

Jac C

Beautiful day spot! We stopped by on our way home. Some trout streams and pretty trails. We didn't see any shower houses and the outhouse we stopped at was super dark inside. Doesn't seem like camping would be great for those with little kids in my personal opinion.

Wade Duvall

This park is absolutely beautiful! Part of it was my middling expectations for a park in Iowa, but I really loved the Lake loop! Very different from the forests on the coasts and lots of interesting topography for a state like Iowa! Can probably spend a half day hiking and then another half day at the lake beach.