Backbone and Wapsipinicon State Parks Impacted by Wet Weather

Several Iowa state parks have been impacted by recent heavy rains and storms, causing closures in some areas. Visitors are urged to plan in advance heading into the holiday weekend in case a park activity or location is affected. 

Impacted parks include:

Backbone State Park (Delaware County) – The north gate entrance is currently closed. Mud and sand are on the road in the flats area. Debris and logs are along the trout stream road. Staff will reopen the north entrance once roadway cleanup is complete. 

Wapsipinicon State Park (Jones County) – The Wapsipinicon River is expected to flood parts of the park. Staff plan to close some roads starting Friday, May 24, which will make the lodge and playground shelter inaccessible.  

Additionally, several trails are closed to equestrian and bike use, including at the Volga River State Recreation Area, due to wet conditions.

Visitors are encouraged to avoid driving through high water and to use extra safety precautions for water recreation activities due to swift currents and debris in many lakes and rivers.

photo courtesy of Janelle Tucker/KMCH