During warmer weather, hike along twisted and windblown cedars and up rough, rocky staircases. While visiting, take advantage of the rugged and winding 21-mile multi-use trail system. The museum is open Tuesday - Saturday 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM and by special arrangement through the park office. In addition, take a nostalgic walk back in time by visiting the CCC Museum located just within the park's west gate.

Take some time to investigate the unique masonry work of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), including dams on the Maquoketa River forming Backbone Lake, a cluster of rustic family cabins, beach building and boat house, an auditorium, bridges, roads, picnic shelters, restrooms and trails. If you enjoy bicycling, boating, camping, climbing, fishing, hiking, picnicking or if you want to take a walk back in time to the days of the Civilian Conservation Corps, this is the place for you. Backbone is named for the steep and narrow ridge of bedrock cut by a loop of the Maquoketa River and forming the highest point in northeast Iowa - the Devil's Backbone. Backbone consists of 2,001 acres and is heavily wooded with a variety of tree species, predominantly oak and maple. It was Iowa's first state park and remains one of the most geologically unique. Backbone State Park was dedicated in 1920.

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