Backbone State Park
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Backbone State Park is Iowa's oldest state park, dating from 1920. It is in the valley of the Maquoketa River. It is located about three miles (5 km) south of Strawberry Point in Delaware County. Backbone Lake Dam, a relatively low dam built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, creates Backbone Lake. Measuring 2,001 acres (8.10 km²), the region is heavily forested, mainly in species of oak and maple.
The geology of the area is particularly noteworthy. As part of the Driftless Area, it was left unglaciated during the last Ice Age, with very ancient dolomite formations dating from the Silurian Era. The area is characterized by active springs, caves, sinkholes and karsts.
Four-season recreational activities are permitted, including cross-country skiing and snowmobiling in winter. The lake is noted for its swimming, boating, and fishing. Campsites are available (reservations recommended). In particular, climbing and rappelling up the cliffs is offered, but by permit only.
Backbone State Forest is immediately adjacent to the park. It consists of 186 acres (0.75 km²) of pine forest. Horsebackriding and hunting are permitted in this reserve, but not in the park proper.
The park's administrative headquarters are in Dundee.
[edit] Sources
- Wikimapia
- EPA map
- Iowa Department of Natural Resources
- Backbone State Forest
- Geology, from IaGSB/IaDNR
- Backbone Lake Friends Organization
- Dundeeweb
- Iowa Trails
- Backbone State Park is at coordinates Coordinates:
