Backbone Lake sits at the heart of Backbone State Park – Iowa’s very first state park – in the rugged, scenic country of northeast Iowa. A 125-acre lake cradled below the dramatic rock ridge known as the “Devil’s Backbone,” it pairs a trout stream, swimming, fishing and CCC-built stone landmarks with some of the most beautiful terrain in the state.
This guide covers Backbone Lake: the historic state park, the fishing, the recreation, and access. It’s part of our growing Iowa Lakes Database.
Backbone Lake at a glance
- Surface area: ~125 acres at Backbone State Park – Iowa’s first state park (1920)
- Location: Delaware County, northeast Iowa (near Strawberry Point & Dundee)
- Top fish: largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, channel catfish (with trout in the adjacent stream)
Iowa’s first state park
Dedicated in 1920, Backbone is the oldest state park in Iowa, named for the steep, narrow ridge of ancient dolomite – the “Devil’s Backbone” – carved by a loop of the Maquoketa River. The Civilian Conservation Corps built much of the park’s classic stonework in the 1930s, including the lake’s dam, and the rugged bluffs make Backbone a rare spot for rock climbing and rappelling in Iowa. It’s a landscape unlike anywhere else in the state.
Fishing Backbone Lake
The lake offers largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie and channel catfish, and the cold, spring-fed Richmond Springs and the stream below feed one of Iowa’s few trout fisheries – stocked with rainbow trout. An Iowa fishing license (plus a trout fee for trout) is required. It’s a scenic, rewarding place to fish, with both lake and stream options.
Recreation and the park
Backbone State Park offers a swimming beach, campgrounds, cabins, boat rentals, and miles of trails through the forested bluffs and along the Maquoketa River. Hiking, climbing, paddling and fishing all thrive here, and the historic CCC structures add to the charm. It’s one of the most beloved parks in Iowa, especially in fall.
Getting there and what’s nearby
Backbone Lake is near Strawberry Point and Dundee in Delaware County, northeast Iowa, off IA-410, about 1 hour north of Cedar Rapids. The scenic driftless-edge country and the towns of Manchester and Strawberry Point are nearby.
Know before you go
- Fishing license: an Iowa license is required (plus a trout fee for the stream trout).
- Rugged terrain: bluffs and trails make it great for hiking and climbing – wear good footwear.
- Best seasons: spring through fall; gorgeous in autumn.
Frequently asked questions
What is special about Backbone State Park?
It’s Iowa’s first state park (1920), set around the dramatic “Devil’s Backbone” rock ridge, with CCC stonework, a lake, a trout stream and rare-for-Iowa rock climbing.
What fish are in Backbone Lake?
Largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie and channel catfish, with stocked rainbow trout in the adjacent spring-fed stream.
Where is Backbone Lake?
At Backbone State Park near Strawberry Point and Dundee in Delaware County, northeast Iowa, about an hour north of Cedar Rapids.
Related: explore the small lakes of Iowa, or head back to the Iowa Lakes Database.
