Civilian Conservation Corps Loop – Backbone Sp

Distance: 4.5 miles Elevation Gain: 300 ft Difficulty: Moderate Type: Loop Surface: Dirt/Rock Activity: Hiking Best Season: Year-round Typical Time: 3-4 hours Fee: Free Dogs: Yes, on leash Permit: No

The CCC Loop commemorates the 1930s Civilian Conservation Corps workers who built much of Backbone State Park's infrastructure during the Great Depression. The route passes stone shelters, bridges, and dams constructed by CCC enrollees using local limestone. The forest has matured considerably since those days, now featuring impressive stands of shagbark hickory and bur oak typical of northeast Iowa's hill country.