Reservations are available at Backbone State Park Cabins, with nightly rates running $100 to $200, putting it at the higher end for Iowa state park lodging. The cabins sit in forested terrain near both a river and a lake in Dundee, with drive-in access that reviewers flag as rough, so low-clearance vehicles may want to plan accordingly. Full hookups including electric, water, and sewer make it workable for RVs. Pets are allowed, and campfires are permitted on site. Campers wanting a no-hookup tent experience nearby can look at South Lake Campground — Backbone State Park as an alternative.
Description
Backbone State Park was dedicated in 1920. It was Iowa's first state park and remains one of the most geologically unique. Backbone consists of 2,001 acres and is heavily wooded with a variety of tree species, predominantly oak and maple. 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. 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.
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. In addition, take a nostalgic walk back in time by visiting the CCC Museum located just within the park's west gate. 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.
Park staff generally try to have the water on and shower buildings open by mid April. Park staff generally start closing down shower buildings and turning off water around mid-October. If you are interested in camping this park and wish to know if the shower buildings are open and the water is on, please contact the park directly.
Concessions
Open Friday of Memorial weekend thru Labor Day weekend; 7 days a week; 9:30 AM to 7 PM daily. They sell hamburgers, hot dogs, fast food, ice cream, ice, candy, pop, beach toys, firewood, bait and boat rentals, cabin rentals. Check in for reserved cabins and beach lodge rentals is also here with the concessionaire.
Warning 5 Alerts are In Effect
There are 5 alerts for this campground. Camp safely!
Warning 5 Alerts are In Effect
There are 5 alerts for this campground. Camp safely!
Backbone State Park is holding a controlled deer hunt December 5th and 6th, 2026. The park will only be open to hunters with the special deer hunt licenses. Cabin renters are asked to stay off of trails but are able to utilize the beach and cabin area. The park will open again to the public December 7th, 2026.
All campgrounds are 100 percent reservable and accept reservations until 10:00 pm CST the day of arrival. The South Lake is open year round and the Six Pines is open April 1 - November 30.
The Six Pines campground is closed from December 1 - March 31 each year.
If you are unable to reserve a cabin online because the reservation window has closed, you must call the Backbone Concessionaire at 319-361-4794 or 319-361-4749 regarding cabin availability. All last minute cabin rentals must be a minimum of 2 nights, are handled by park staff and must be done prior to arriving at the park.
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)
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsBackbone State Park Cabins is located in Iowa near Dundee
Public CampgroundDirections
To the South Gate Entrance South Lake Campground, Cabins, Beach, Office 1.3 miles north out of Dundee on W69. To East Gate Entrance Backbone trail head and picnic area's 1.5 miles north on W69 from South Gate Entrance. To the West Gate Entrance Six Pines Campground, CCC Museum and picnic areas take 187 North from Hwy 20 to C57, Take C57 5 miles East to park entrance. North Gate Entrance Richmond Springs, Auditorium and picnic areas take Hwy 3 East from Strawberry Point. Go North on W68 to North Gate Approximately 2 miles.
Address
1347 129th St
Dundee, IA 52038
Coordinates
42.60556292 N
91.53750418 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 10/23/26
VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 10/23/26
AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 20 usersLast on 10/23/26
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 10/23/26
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 10/23/26
- AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 20 usersLast on 10/23/26
Access
Site Types
- Cabins
Features
For Campers
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Reservable
- Showers
- Toilets
- Pets
