Backbone State Park
- Road
- Paved
- Permit
- Not required
- Dogs
- Allowed
Entry fee: No day-use entrance fee. Backbone State Park is a lake cove on Backbone Lake in Delaware County, Iowa.
Closures and warnings
Iowa DNR: animals are prohibited within designated beach areas; pets elsewhere must be on a leash no longer than six feet. Beach advisories: beach monitoring dashboard or hotline 515-725-3434 (updated Fridays in season). As of September 30, 2026.
Before you swim
| Swimming allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Water type | Lake cove |
| Entry | Walk in |
| Current | None |
Access
| Road | Paved |
|---|---|
| Parking | Beach / South Lake area near Dundee; park address 1347 129th St, Dundee, IA 52038. |
| Fee | No day-use entrance fee; Iowa non-resident vehicle permits repealed as of January 1, 2026. |
| Hours | Iowa State Parks open 4:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. daily; day visitors must leave by 10:30 p.m. |
| Reservation or permit | Not required |
| Managed by | Iowa Department of Natural Resources (Backbone State Park) |
| Restrooms | Yes |
|---|---|
| Showers | Yes |
| Picnic sites | Yes |
| Note | Beach with CCC-era lodge; concession Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day (typically 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.); boat rentals; electric motors only on the lake. |
Rules
| Dogs | Allowed |
|---|---|
| Camping | Allowed |
| Glass | Not allowed |
Common questions
Common questions
Is Backbone State Park open?
Iowa DNR: animals are prohibited within designated beach areas; pets elsewhere must be on a leash no longer than six feet. Beach advisories: beach monitoring dashboard or hotline 515-725-3434 (updated Fridays in season). As of September 30, 2026. Hours: Iowa State Parks open 4:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. daily; day visitors must leave by 10:30 p.m.
Can you swim at Backbone State Park?
Yes, swimming is allowed at Backbone State Park. No current is reported here.
How do you get to Backbone State Park?
The road in is paved. Parking: Beach / South Lake area near Dundee; park address 1347 129th St, Dundee, IA 52038.
Do you need a reservation for Backbone State Park?
No reservation or permit is required.
Is there a fee at Backbone State Park?
The fee is No day-use entrance fee; Iowa non-resident vehicle permits repealed as of January 1, 2026.
What facilities are at Backbone State Park?
Restrooms, showers, and picnic sites. Beach with CCC-era lodge; concession Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day (typically 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.); boat rentals; electric motors only on the lake.
What are the rules at Backbone State Park?
Dogs are allowed, camping is allowed, and glass containers are not allowed.
Nearby
Public land
Backbone State Park is inside Backbone State Park .
Sources
3
- https://www.iowadnr.gov/places-go/state-parks/all-parks/backbone-state-park (accessed September 30, 2026; backs manager / waterbodyName / access.parking / amenities, rules.camping / amenities.showers / amenities.note, swimmerNotes.swimmingAllowed / waterType / entryType / current none / roadSurface / permitRequired false, hazardNote)
- https://www.iowadnr.gov/places-go/state-parks/parks-use-rules-guidelines (accessed September 30, 2026; backs access.hours, rules.dogs, rules.glass)
- https://iowastateparks.reserveamerica.com/posProducts.do?contractCode=IA&tti=Non-Resident+Permits (accessed September 30, 2026; backs access.fee)
More: Iowa swimming holes