Backbone Lake Friends

The Backbone Lake Friends promotes, preserves, and protects the natural resources of Iowa's First State Park. To find the resources that will provide the attractions, events, equipment, and recreational opportunities for visitors to enjoy the park with NO user fees. The Backbone State Park will be hosting its 100 birthday in May 2020, as Iowa's First State Park. A celebration of recognition to the Civil Conservation Corp program and the laws put into place to have State parks will be shared. Activities to pack the park with over 5000 visitors as was at the original celebration is being planned to showcase the history of Backbone. Plans are being prepared to host a CCC museum tour, trail run, fishing derby, a paddle marathon, to celebrate the 100 years that Backbone State Park has provided recreational fun for the entire family. The Backbone Lake Friends Group hosts each year an event an event for families to enjoy Iowa's First State Park. Our mission is to host a memorable 100 yr. celebration at Iowa's First State Park. We welcome you to be a part in the mission of preserving, protecting and promoting Backbone State Park.

Testimonials

"It was beautiful and calming to ride the motorcycle through the park with the trees cascading overhead and the birds singing as the motorcycle hummed through the winding road and through the spillway. The clean fresh air of pine smell took me back to when I was home." Christa Fosse

"Backbone State Park is where our family has had annual gatherings for over 50 years, from one generation to the next we find Backbone to be our favorite spot to gather and relax with family." Darla Kelchen

"Fond childhood memories were made at Backbone and treasured memories of today of campfires, horseshoes, wading in the stream, fishing at the spillway, and going through fat man squeeze, and now sharing it with Great Grandchildren to enjoy, live is relaxing in Backbone.." Mary Parkinson