Devil's Backbone Trail – Backbone Sp

Distance: 1.5 miles Elevation Gain: 700 ft Difficulty: Strenuous Type: Loop Surface: Dirt/Rock Activity: Hiking Best Season: Year-round Typical Time: 1-2 hours Fee: Free Dogs: Yes, on leash Permit: No

The Devil's Backbone Trail traverses Iowa's oldest state park, established in 1919. The route crosses a narrow limestone ridge where the path winds between exposed dolomite walls and hoodoo formations rising above the Maquoketa River valley. The ridge crest in places is only a few feet wide, requiring careful footing on moss-covered ledges. Rock outcrops date to the Silurian period, roughly 430 million years old, and display well-preserved crinoid fossils. Fall color peaks in mid-October when sugar maples flame orange-red against the grey limestone.