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The Iowa Civilian Conservation Corps Museum provides exhibits about the activities of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in Iowa state parks. The park's administrative headquarters are in Dundee. Horsebackriding and hunting are permitted in this reserve, but not in the park proper. It consists of 186 acres (0.75 km 2) of pine forest. Local wildlife abound in the park and surrounding area, including fox, turkey, and deer.īackbone State Forest is immediately adjacent to the park. Two shower buildings and a playground are also available. Campsites (49 electrical and 49 non-electrical) and cabins are available for rental (reservations recommended). Backbone Creek is known to support both Rainbow and Brown trout, and is stocked by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources from local brood ponds. The lake is noted for its swimming, boating, and fishing. Twenty-one miles of multi-use trails support year-round recreational activities, including hiking as well as cross-country skiing and snowmobiling in winter. With cliffs measuring over 80 feet in places, climbing and rappelling are popular, but both require a permit. The area is characterized by active springs, caves, sinkholes and karsts. A large ridge of rock divides the park, resembling a spine, and lends its name to the park and adjacent forest. 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 initial 1,200 acres were donated by E.M. It is named for a narrow and steep ridge of bedrock carved by a loop of the Maquoketa River originally known as the Devil's Backbone. Located in the valley of the Maquoketa River in Delaware County. The geology of the area is particularly noteworthy. Backbone State Park is Iowa's oldest state park, dedicated in 1919. Measuring 2,001 acres (8.10 km 2), the region is heavily forested, mainly in species of oak and maple. The Civilian Conservation Corps constructed a majority of trails and buildings which make up the park. Backbone Lake Dam, a relatively low dam built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, creates Backbone Lake. Located in the valley of the Maquoketa River, it is approximately three miles (5 km) south of Strawberry Point in Delaware County. Backbone State Park is Iowa's oldest state park, dedicated in 1919.