Backbone State Park Six Pines campground
Backbone State Park Six Pines
The best time to visit Backbone State Park and the Six Pines camping area is during the summer and early fall months. This period offers pleasant weather for outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, and exploring the park's beautiful trails. Campers can also enjoy swimming at the sandy beach by the lake, making it an ideal spot for families.
While visiting the Six Pines camping area, there are a few things to take note of. Mosquitoes and ticks can be present in the park, so it is advisable to bring insect repellent. Additionally, there are poison ivy plants in some areas, so it is essential to be cautious and avoid contact. Overall, Backbone State Park's Six Pines camping area provides a great camping experience with its amenities, reservation options, and beautiful surroundings, making it a must-visit destination for nature enthusiasts and families.
What's on-site at Backbone State Park Six Pines
Key facilities Snoflo tracks for this campground. Confirm with the operator before booking -- amenities can change seasonally.
Plan your trip down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max so trends jump out at a glance.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks. Hover any point for the full breakdown.
Other campgrounds in the area
Snoflo-tracked campsites within driving distance of Backbone State Park Six Pines, with reservations status.
| Campground | Reservations | Toilets | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Backbone State Park | ✓ | ✗ | → |
| Backbone Sp - South Lake Cg | ✓ | ✓ | → |
| Scout Park - Lamont | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Scout City Park | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Joy Springs County Park | ✗ | ✗ | → |
Nearby streamflow
USGS streamgauges within reach of Backbone State Park Six Pines -- pulled live from the National Water Information System.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Maquoketa River At Manchester | 253 cfs | → |
| Volga River At Littleport | 208 cfs | → |
| Turkey River At Garber | 997 cfs | → |
| Turkey River Above French Hollow Cr At Elkader | 881 cfs | → |
| Wapsipinicon River At Independence | 543 cfs | → |
| Turkey River Near Eldorado | 387 cfs | → |
Nearby snow depths
NRCS SNOTEL stations within reach of Backbone State Park Six Pines -- relevant when planning a shoulder-season or alpine trip.
| SNOTEL station | Snowpack | 24h Snowfall | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fayette | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Lock & Dam 10 | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Postville 5.5 Ne | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Cedar Rapids No 1 | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Anamosa 3 Ssw | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Waterloo 1.9 Sse | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest parks, lakes, boat launches, and paddle runs so a camping night can grow into a full weekend.
Parks
- Backbone State Park
- Joy Springs County Park
- State Preserve Bixby
- Mossy Glen State Preserve
- Bixby State Park
- Tirrill Park
Boat launches
- West Lake Trail Delaware County
- Us 20 Manchester
- 293rd Street Clayton County
- Jupiter Road Clayton County
- Turkey River Water Trail Elkader
Fishing spots
Camping essentials & Leave No Trace
- Pack it in, pack it out
- Take all trash, food scraps, and gear back with you to keep campsites clean and protect wildlife.
- Respect wildlife
- Observe animals from a distance, store food securely, and never feed wildlife to maintain natural behavior and safety.
- Know before you go
- Check weather, fire restrictions, trail conditions, and permit requirements to ensure a safe and well-planned trip.
- Minimize campfire impact
- Use established fire rings, keep fires small, fully extinguish them, or opt for a camp stove when fires are restricted.
- Leave what you find
- Preserve natural and cultural features by avoiding removal of plants, rocks, artifacts, or other elements of the environment.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Backbone State Park Six Pines as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, snowpack, freezing temperatures), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
About Backbone State Park Six Pines
Can I make reservations at Backbone State Park Six Pines?
Yes -- this campground accepts reservations. Snoflo recommends booking early for peak season; check the operator (Recreation.gov / state park system / private operator) for the booking window and cancellation policy.
How fresh is the weather data on this page?
The hourly forecast updates throughout the day from the NOAA / yr.no public feeds. Streamflow data is pulled live from USGS streamgauges and snowpack from the NRCS SNOTEL network.
What's the best time of year to visit?
Use the 15-day temperature & precipitation outlook on this page to plan -- pick a window with comfortable temperatures and low precipitation. For longer trips, the 5-day hourly meteogram shows snow + rain accumulation hour-by-hour.
How do I get to Backbone State Park Six Pines?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions in Google Maps, or Open in map to center the Snoflo interactive map on the campground.
Can I get alerts when conditions change?
Yes -- alerts are managed through the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this campground, set a threshold (temperature, snowpack, precipitation), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.
Other campgrounds near here
Snoflo-tracked campgrounds within driving distance of Backbone State Park Six Pines.