Backbone State Park
1347 129th St. Dundee, IA 52038
There are multiple entrances to this park but be aware that they all lead to different places. You can not reach every feature in the park from any one entrance.
Coordinates: 42.61742291963833° N, -91.55652753136711° W
Dedicated in 1920 as Iowa’s first state park, Backbone State Park is one of the most geologically unique locations in Iowa, a great place to see karst features, and wonderful place to experience many of the activities that abound in the Driftless Area of Iowa, including rock climbing, trout fishing, hiking, fishing, swimming and cave exploration. One of the favorite hikes for visitors is along the Backbone Trail, also known as the Devil’s Backbone. This narrow rocky trail is not only fun to climb around on and maneuver, it is the best place in Iowa to see and walk on the Silurian Escarpment. The Silurian Escarpment is a geological formation that marks the boundary between the landscape regions of the flatter Iowan Erosion Surface and the hilly Paleozoic Plateau of the Driftless Area. The Silurian Escarpment is also called the Niagaran Escarpment, as it is associated with the same resistant rock layer that creates Niagara Falls! There are several other biking and hiking trails through the hilly forests of this park, numerous overlooks, a cave to explore and a small lake where families enjoy fishing, paddling, and playing. Rock climbing clubs and classes frequently meet in this park to climb the limestone bluffs. There are cabins, campgrounds, picnic and event shelters, and great lake and stream fishing for anglers. There are numerous, historic limestone structures throughout the park that were built by the CCC with the local limestone that lies so close to the surface.
Any fees?: No (visitation); Yes (overnight camping)
Dog Friendly?: Yes (must be leashed)
Managed by: The Iowa Department of Natural Resources – Parks
More Info:
https://www.iowadnr.gov/Places-to-Go/State-Parks/Iowa-State-Parks/Backbone-State-Park
Manchester Fish Hatchery and Spring Branch Creek
22693 – 205th Ave., Manchester, IA 52057
Coordinates: 42.462063078166686° N, -91.39757596908798° W
The Manchester Fish Hatchery, located 4 miles southeast of Manchester, has a long and storied history. The first fish were produced here in the 1890’s. It was operated by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service until 1976 when it was given to the State of Iowa via a land trade. Since 1976, it has functioned as Iowa’s trout broodstock station where trout are spawned, incubated and hatched each year to produce over 600,000 fish for stocking in Iowa waters. Fish spawned at this location are not only stocked into local coldwater trout streams, they are also transported to Decorah and Big Spring hatcheries to be stocked into dozens of coldwater trout streams throughout Iowa’s Driftless Area. Personnel at this hatchery spawn, incubate and hatch rainbow, brook and brown trout. They also give guided tours, public presentations, and host science classes. You can park at the hatchery and walk through the “raceways” where the fish are held and get a close-up view, or bring fishing gear and fish in Spring Branch Creek. Spring Branch Creek, which is fed by a coldwater spring, flows through the property. Trout are visible in the clear cold water. A short trail, complete with a walking bridge, provides another diversion.
Any fees?: No; it’s free!
Dog Friendly?: Yes
Managed by: The Iowa Department of Natural Resources
More Info:
https://www.iowadnr.gov/About-DNR/DNR-Staff-Offices/Fish-Hatcheries
Delaware Crossing Scenic Byway – Iowa
The Delaware Crossing Scenic Byway is a 44-mile route that loops through a very rural county in Northeast Iowa. The byway route passes through or runs adjacent to five small towns and villages and additional communities are included within the corridor. The Byway Corridor encompasses all of Delaware County and all the stops in this Discovery Area are all within the Byway Corridor. The byway follows trout streams and rivers, loops around one of Iowa’s most well-known recreational lakes, Lake Delhi, and other smaller lakes. It meanders through hardwood forests, and provides vistas of diverse agricultural lands.
The DCSB Corridor is home to a unique mix of geologic, historic and modern-day treasures, including Iowa’s first state park, which boasts caves, limestone bluffs, one of the most prominent public examples of the Silurian Escarpment in Iowa, trout streams and a lake. You can also visit one of Iowa’s first colleges, a State of Iowa trout hatchery, several trout streams and county parks, the site of Iowa’s first Civil War Monument and one of the first Memorial Day services. One of Iowa’s first and largest whitewater parks is popular with adventure tourists. Less well-known corridor attractions include dozens of new playgrounds, Amish stores, a thriving art community and unique local eateries, wineries, and a brewery.
The DCSB functions as a destination that encourages exploration of an entire county. Corridor attractions within and outside the DCSB loop provide short and/or long-term destinations for the byway traveler but because they are remote, they are best found and enjoyed with deliberate planning. Although the rural character of this byway corridor is intensified by limited cell phone and mobile data access, remote hiking paths, and a limited number of national fast- food chains, byway travelers are able to temporarily escape from the hustle and bustle of life, relax, and have fun. This is a family-friendly byway corridor that encourages outdoor play and creates opportunities for multi-generational memory building. It encourages the byway traveler to put down their cellular devices and engage with people, places, and history.
Location: Delaware County
Any fees?: No; it’s free!
Dog Friendly?: Yes
Managed by: Delaware Crossing Scenic Byway Coordinator & Northeast Iowa RC&D
Email: admin@northeastiowracd.org
Phone: 563-864-7112
Website: www.traveliowa.com/trails/delaware-crossing-scenic-byway/2/
Bixby State Park
This small 184-acre preserve harbors at least 380 native species of plants and another 60 introduced species. It lies at the intersection of several different native ecosystems including savanna, prairie, woodland, an algific talus slope, a cave, large bedrock limestone exposures and talus, and a spring-fed coldwater trout stream. Each ecosystems hosts a variety of plant and animal life, some common and others more rare. Visitors to this remote preserve feel like they have taken a step back in time and away from the agricultural landscape of Iowa as the entrance drive drops down into the valley next to a coldwater stream. The surrounding forested limestone bluffs create a sense of isolation. The trails that climb them are primitive but enchanting.
The most rare ecosystems on the property are the algific talus slopes. Experts from Iowa and around the country note that the cold-air slopes in Bixby State Preserve are the highest quality in existence, not just in Iowa but anywhere in the United States.
Location: 37894 Fortune Avenue, Edgewood, IA 52042
Any fees?: No fee
Dog Friendly?: Yes, but must be leashed.
Managed by: The Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Website:
Phone: 563.920.5915
Email: jim.jansen@iowa.dnr.gov
Manchester White Water Park
This stop is located on the Maquoketa River, which is a tributary to the Upper Mississippi River. The Maquoketa River, like many rivers that flow through the Driftless Area of Iowa on their way to the Mississippi, is a destination Iowa Water Trail. It boasts several county and state parks and access points along its length. Like many rivers in the Driftless Area, the vertical drop is dramatic in some places. Historically, dams were placed in these locations to capture energy. In recent years, dams are being removed and in some places, including in Manchester, white water parks are being developed. Manchester has Iowa’s first, and the Midwest’s largest, white water park provide. It has 6, 18 inch drops and spans over 800 feet in length. There is a paved trail to walk back to the start of the course, or you can continue to float along the Maquoketa River as far as you’d like and make arrangements for pick-up with friends or the outfitters. The primary whitewater features are called “U structures”. These elements create waves or holes catering to recreational and freestyle kayakers and fishermen. Constructed using large, grouted rocks anchored into the bed and bank of the river, the structures have a gradual slope allowing for fish passage to the large pools located downstream of each feature. Construction of the course relied heavily on the addition of large rocks and anchor systems to channel the natural flow of the river so as to create rapid moving water in channels. The primary in-stream users are whitewater enthusiasts including kayakers, canoeists, rafters, tubers, swimmers and boogie board/surfers.
Address: 300 West Main Street, Manchester, IA 52057
Parking: Public parking is available at 218 West Main Street. This is also adjacent to the Whitewater Park’s access point and 1st feature.
Any fees?: No Fees
Dog Friendly?: Yes, but must be leashed.
Managed by: City of Manchester
Phone: 563-927-3636
Email: info@manchester-ia.org
Bailey’s Ford Trout Stream & Nature Center
Bailey’s Ford Park is a 170-acre park. The Delaware County Conservation Board Headquarters and Nature Center are located in the park and a sizable campground. There are 71 campsites with 33 sites having water and electric hookups, 22 with electric hookups, and 16 primitive sites. There are also three picnic shelters, a shower house, dump station, well, toilets, ball diamond, volleyball court, horseshoe court, playground equipment, hiking trails, canoe and kayak river access and a boat launch. An enclosure next to the playground has deer, turkey and pheasants. A trout stream runs through the park and empties into the Maquoketa River at the edge of the park. The beach on the river is a great place to wade, swim or launch a kayak. There is great shore fishing along the Maquoketa River and trout fishing in the stream.
Nature Center Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00 – 11:30 am and 1 – 3:30 pm Saturday, Memorial Day – Labor Day 1:00 – 3:30 pm
Address: 2379 Jefferson Road, Manchester, Iowa 52057-8623
Directions: 3 miles southeast of Manchester – follow signage from Jefferson Road.
Any fees?: Overnight camping fees apply
Dog Friendly?: Yes
Managed by: Delaware County Conservation Board
Phone: (563) 927-3410
Email: delccb@iowatelecom.net
Maquoketa River Water Trail
The Maquoketa River originates in Fayette County and travels 150 miles through Delaware, Jones, and Jackson County before it finally enters the Mississippi River River downstream of Bellevue, Iowa at its confluence with the Mississippi River. It is a popular recreational attraction and one of the most dominant natural resources in the DCSB Corridor. The designated State of Iowa Water Trail portion of the river begins below the dam in Backbone State Park and continues past Lake Delhi, through the DCSB Corridor. Twelve convenient access points are available in the DCSB Corridor. This recreational river and corridor provides paddlers with the ultimate experience for sight-seeing, fishing, birding, camping, hiking, wildlife-watching, or a relaxing float on this gentle-flowing, intimate river. Enjoy the stunning views of the lushly forested banks that open to a wide river channel encompassed by limestone bluffs peeking through deeply wooded hillsides. Peer into the underwater ecosystem, home to a diverse mix of fish species and invertebrates on the backdrop of the riverbed that transitions from sand and pebble, to large rock substrate. As the river traverses the diverse landscape of Eastern Iowa, it will pass through several Iowa treasures that include, Backbone State Park, Manchester Whitewater Course, Lake Delhi, Indian Bluff s and Pictured Rocks County Parks, Maquoketa Caves State Park, and finally reaching the Upper Mississippi River Wildlife and Fish Refuge.
Address: 300 West Main Street, Manchester, IA 52057
Parking: Public parking is available at 218 West Main Street.
Any fees?: No Fee to visit, overnight camping fees apply
Dog Friendly?: Yes
Managed by: Shared management
Email: info@manchester-ia.org
Website: https://www.manchester-ia.org/wp-content/uploads/Maq-FINAL.pdf
Lake Delhi
Lake Delhi is a 9-mile recreational treasure within the center of the DCSB route. It was restored after the dam suffered a breach during a devastating flood in 2010. The new dam and award-winning spillway, constructed from 2014 to 2016, are beautiful and impressive architectural structures in their own right but they are also part of a larger story of the Maquoketa River at the site and in the DCSB Corridor. The dam is a physical focal point of a lake that has a rich culture/history of recreation, rural life, and community. In addition to the public property at the dam, there are other public properties adjacent to the lake, including East Area and West Area Turtle Creek County Parks. Visitors can drive around the lake on paved and gravel roads. Although the gravel section of the DCSB is avoided by some, it provides an opportunity to drive slowly through the dense hardwood forest that flank the lake and provides the shortest route between amenities. Trees canopy over the winding roadway, creating an isolated feel unlike any other part of the byway and put on a spectacular show during fall leaf season. Byway travelers can access the lake for boating, canoeing, water skiing, jet skiing and other water sports in numerous public and private locations. Public access is available in several locations, including from boat ramps at Turtle Creek Park, which also boasts camping, a beach, public restrooms and temporary docking. Bailey’s Ford Park, at the north end of the lake, provides lake access for small watercraft, as well as camping and pavilion areas. There is canoe portage around the dam and two beaches, one at Lost Beach and the other at Lake’s End Cabin Resort.
Any fees?: No Fee to visit, overnight camping fees apply
Managed by: Shared
Dutton’s Cave
This beautiful 46-acre park features a mature forest with several karst features such as coldwater streams and a narrow cave opening. It is located on a geological landform known as the Silurian escarpment. This assemblage of rocks is nearly 400 Million years old. The Silurian escarpment divides the Iowa Surface and the Paleozoic plateau. Duttons Cave was once a more extensive larger cave system that developed during the interglacial period after the last glaciation of the driftless area some 500,000 years ago. As the nearby Turkey River cut through the bedrock, deeper valleys of the caves were developed, some of which collapsed to form valleys like Dutton’s Cave. This park has trails, picnic areas, and a small campground with two electrical sites and several primitive sites. The cave is CLOSED to help protect bats from the spread of white-nose syndrome. Hunting is not allowed at this park.
Location: 25243 Ironwood Rd. West Union, IA 52175
Any fees?: No Fees
Dog Friendly?: Yes
Managed by: Rod Marlatt, Director & Fayette County Conservation Board
Phone: 563-608-0243
Email: fayettccb@hawkeyetel.com
Website: www.fayettecountyconservation.org
Echo Valley State Park
This beautiful 46-acre park features a mature forest with several karst features such as coldwater streams and a narrow cave opening. It is located on a geological landform known as the Silurian escarpment. This assemblage of rocks is nearly 400 Million years old. The Silurian escarpment divides the Iowa Surface and the Paleozoic plateau. Duttons Cave was once a more extensive larger cave system that developed during the interglacial period after the last glaciation of the driftless area some 500,000 years ago. As the nearby Turkey River cut through the bedrock, deeper valleys of the caves were developed, some of which collapsed to form valleys like Dutton’s Cave. This park has trails, picnic areas, and a small campground with two electrical sites and several primitive sites. The cave is CLOSED to help protect bats from the spread of white-nose syndrome. Hunting is not allowed at this park.
Location: 25243 Ironwood Rd. West Union, IA 52175
Any fees?: No Fees
Dog Friendly?: Yes
Managed by: Rod Marlatt, Director & Fayette County Conservation Board
Phone: 563-608-0243
Email: fayettccb@hawkeyetel.com
Website: www.fayettecountyconservation.org
Fountain Springs Park
Fountain Springs Park has exceptional opportunities to see and explore limestone bluffs, hardwood forests, and coldwater trout streams. The public area varies from very primitive parks where the visitor must drive on gravel roads and through water crossings, to a well-developed campground with universal access to amenities. Visitors enjoy camping, fishing, using the playground or hunting.
Address: 2511 Oak Rd., Greeley, IA 52050
Any fees?: No Fee to visit, overnight camping fees apply
Dog Friendly?: Yes, but must be leashed.
Managed by: Iowa DNR
Phone: 563.920.5915
Email: jim.jansen@iowa.dnr.gov