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Point of Interest: Backbone State Park
Autumn in Iowa
Soak in the fall season at Backbone State Park
By Haley Banwart
As the days grow shorter and the summer heat fades, Iowans don’t have to go far to witness nature’s breathtaking patchwork of autumn colors. There are many parks and recreational areas throughout the state you can visit to experience the magic and beauty of fall, but few can compare to the driftless region — the northeast quadrant of Iowa characterized by limestone bluffs, flowing rivers, and winding, scenic byways.
That’s what makes Backbone State Park the perfect destination to savor the fall season.
Natural Treasure
With the passage of the 1917 state park bill, Iowa became a national leader in the state park movement, dedicating Backbone State Park as its first state park in 1920.
As one of the most geologically unique locations in the state, this natural treasure was named after a steep and narrow ridge of bedrock jutting out of the Maquoketa River known as the Devil’s Backbone. The legendary landmark forms the highest point in northeast Iowa.
Located just three miles south of Strawberry Point in northwest Delaware County, Backbone State Park is home to 2,001 acres of heavily wooded land primarily made of oak and maple trees. In the fall, their foliage paints the skies and blankets the forest floor in a brilliant palette of burnt oranges and yellows.
The most recent glaciation missed the driftless area, resulting in a complex region of river bottoms, wooded slopes and dramatic rocky cliffs. The geological display was initially deposited as lime sediments in a shallow tropical sea that covered Iowa more than 430 million years ago.
Today, fossils of long-extinct plants and animals can be found in the shell-rich layers of Backbone State Park. The ancient life and cumulative history that shaped the rugged region are further amplified by stages of erosion and sedimentation.
In 2020, Iowa’s state park system celebrated 100 years of preservation and stewardship while marking the anniversary of Iowa’s oldest state park — Backbone — and highlighting its essential role in ensuring future generations can enjoy this special area.
Adventure-Filled Fall
In addition to showcasing splendid scenery during peak viewing time for fall leaves, Backbone State Park offers a variety of outdoor activities for visitors of all ages to enjoy.
For hiking enthusiasts and avid mountain bikers, a 21-mile trail system features a trek along twisted windblown cedars and rocky staircases. Backbone Trail is the most popular path for rock climbers and rappelers.
Backbone is also home to some of Iowa’s best trout streams fed by Richmond Springs. The backchannels can be explored by boat or through trails.
Other ways to experience the park include staying overnight in one of Backbone’s popular campgrounds or four-season cabins; learning about its history at the Iowa Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) museum near the park’s west gate; or reserving a picnic shelter, outdoor auditorium or the Stone Lodge overlooking the lake for leisurely meals or family gatherings.
