Backbone State Park
Also known as Backbone State Park Historic District
- Status
- Open (per official listing)Fri–Sun noon – 4 p.m. (Mid-may to mid-october)
- Entrance fee
- Not posted
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Statewide rule — see below
- Camping
- YesAlso cabins, lodge or inn rooms
- Official site
- iowadnr.gov(563) 924-2527
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Current alerts 2
Weather Backbone State Park: Deer HuntDeer Hunt: Backbone State Park is holding a controlled deer hunt December 5th and 6th, 2026. For safety, park will only be open to deer hunters with… (more)
Deer Hunt: Backbone State Park is holding a controlled deer hunt December 5th and 6th, 2026. For safety, park will only be open to deer hunters with the special deer licenses permitting them to participate in the special hunt. Cabin renters are asked not to walk the trails but are able to be in the cabin and beach areas. The park will open again to the public December 7, 2026. (Posted: 10/16/2026)
Posted by the park 2026-10-16. Official alert
Construction Backbone State Park: ClosureClosure: The 16 cabins and the Beach Lodge are not accepting reservations from January 4 - May 31, 2027 due to a wastewater project. (Posted January… (more)
Closure: The 16 cabins and the Beach Lodge are not accepting reservations from January 4 - May 31, 2027 due to a wastewater project. (Posted January 8, 2026)
Posted by the park 2026-01-08. Official alert
Overview
In Delaware County, about 9 miles northwest of Manchester, Backbone State Park covers about 190 acres.
Visitors come for historic sites, boating, fishing, hiking, and picnicking. On the water side, there is a swimming beach, a boat ramp, and boat or kayak rentals. Camping is available: campsites, including RV sites with full hookups, group camping, and showers. There are also cabins and lodge rooms for rent.
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park — Hours of operation | Fri–Sun | noon – 4 p.m. | Mid-may to mid-october |
Official wording
Hours of operation: The museum is open from mid-May to mid-October, Fri, Sat, Sun from noon to 4pm or by special arrangement by contacting the park office.
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/Chicago).
Pets
Privately owned animals must be on a leash of max six feet or confined; pets may not be left unattended in campgrounds; most cabins/yurts are pet-free.
Statewide rule from Iowa's park system (source). This park’s page doesn’t state its own pet rules, so check for local restrictions.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Camping
- Required
- Booking system
- Iowa State Parks reservation system (ReserveAmerica)
- Phone
- 1-877-427-2757
The campgrounds are 100% reservable and a reservation is required.
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Camping
| Campground or site type | Sites | Hookups / features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Campsites Stay overnight in one of Backbone’s popular 4-season cabins, or camp in one of Backbone’s campgrounds. Non-electric and electric sites are located in the South Lake Campground along with two shower buildings, a playground and a dump station. Both shower buildings and the campsite in the South Lake Campground are ADA accessible. Near the west entrance lies The Six Pine Campground, featuring non-electric sites and pit latrines. Campsites and year-round cabins can be reserved through the online reservation system for Backbone State Park. The campgrounds are 100% reservable and a reservation is… | — | Electric campsites; Full hook-up campsitesShowers | — |
Camping details from the park
Stay overnight in one of Backbone’s popular 4-season cabins, or camp in one of Backbone’s campgrounds. Non-electric and electric sites are located in the South Lake Campground along with two shower buildings, a playground and a dump station. Both shower buildings and the campsite in the South Lake Campground are ADA accessible. Near the west entrance lies The Six Pine Campground, featuring non-electric sites and pit latrines. Campsites and year-round cabins can be reserved through the online reservation system for Backbone State Park. The campgrounds are 100% reservable and a reservation is required.
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Cabins and lodging
- Deluxe family cabinsADA accessible (per amenities list)
- Modern family cabinsADA accessible (per amenities list)
Reserve a picnic shelter for a leisurely meal or family gathering. The Stone Lodge overlooks the lake and can be rented for family reunions, weddings and other large gatherings. The historic outdoor auditorium is also available for large gatherings and reservations can be made through the online reservation system for Backbone State Park.
Things to do
Historic sites and toursBoatingFishingHikingPicnickingCamping
Trails
Hike through the 21-mile trail system and venture along twisted and windblown cedars up rough, rocky staircases. In the winter, explore the park’s snowmobile and cross-country ski trails. Avid mountain bikers can trek through the picturesque trails of Barred Owl, Bluebird, East Lake and West Lake.
Rock climb up the rugged dolomite limestone cliffs, offering many challenges for climbers and rapellers throughout the park. Check out Backbone Trail for some of the most popular climbing spots. Please register at the park office before climbing.
Swimming
Boat on Backbone Lake and enjoy refreshments from the beach concession stand. Visitors can rent boats at the boathouse and a boat ramp can be accessed near the southwest end of the lake. Only electric motors are allowed on the lake. Kayaks, canoes and paddle boats can be rented from the park’s concessionaire.
Fishing
Fish for trout in Backbone’s clear, quick flowing stream fed by Richmond Springs. Backbone is known for its exceptional trout fishing, and anglers looking for their “secret spot” can enjoy a variety of shady and universally accessible trails along the stream. The sidewalk and concrete parking lot along the trout stream are ADA accessible.
A state fishing license is usually required.
Amenities
Facilities
- Restrooms
- Flush toilets
- Showers
- Picnic shelters
- Playground
- Nature center or museum
- Park or camp store
Water
- Swimming beach
- Boat ramp
- Boat, canoe or kayak rentals
Camping
- RV dump station
- RV camping
- Electric hookups
- Water hookups
- Sewer hookups
- Group camping
Lodging
- Cabins
- Lodge or inn rooms
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Accessibility
Outdoor conditions can change quickly or be unique to a park. If you have specific accessibility questions or concerns, please contact the park directly and staff will be happy to help.
Bathrooms:
Accessible restrooms are located near the Beach Playground and the Auditorium.
Accessibility at Major Park Attractions:
Trout Stream Access: A 0.1 mile paved trail along the trout stream provides a flat trail surface and several concrete fishing bump-outs. The fishing area can be found south of the park’s North Entrance, with accessible parking available. The closest restrooms are located at the Auditorium.
Beach Area: The beach area is a major hub within the park, featuring iconic Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) architecture and views of the lake. Accessible features in this location include a playground, modern restrooms, concession/convenience store, and a paved patio outside the concession for picnicking. The Beach Lodge features accessible restrooms and may be reserved for events.
Read more from the park
Additional Accessible Features:
- Trails: While trails at Backbone have steep grades and rocky terrain, the park concession does offer a cascade hiking cart with a harness for an adult to help children or smaller individuals traverse certain trails within the park.
- Please Note: The Hiking Cart is available on a first-come, first-served basis at the concession stand in the Beach Lodge from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend during regular open hours: Friday - Saturday 10:30am to 7:00pm; Sunday - Thursday 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. (The cart must be returned one hour before closing time.) During the off-season, contact the park office at 563-924-2527 or [email protected] to check availability.
- Cabins and Campgrounds: Modern family cabins A, B, C, D, & 10 (lower level excluded) are all accessible. The campground shower buildings are accessible, with fully accessible campsites planned in the next five years.
- Backbone Auditorium: This open air, CCC-era pavilion is available for reservation, with accessible modern restrooms located nearby.
- Civilian Conservation Corps Museum: The CCC Museum is accessible; find more information under the “learn” heading on this page.
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Getting there
- Address
- 1347 129th St
Dundee, IA 52038 - Nearest town
- Manchester — about 9 mi northwest (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 42.6011, -91.5391
- Phone
- (563) 924-2527
- Backbone@dnr.iowa.gov
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- Iowa State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026
- Iowa DNR 'All Parks' directory (Drupal view, ?page=0..3) — state parks, recreation areas, a state preserve and state forests
- Wikidata
- USGS PAD-US 4.1 (boundary and acreage)
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology