Located in the valley of the Maquoketa River, it is approximately three miles (5 km) south of Strawberry Point in Delaware County.

It is named for a narrow and steep ridge of bedrock carved by a loop of the Maquoketa River originally known as the Devil's Backbone.

McGee, Thomas Macbride, and Samuel Calvin who visited it to study its ancient geologic formations.

[3] Development of the park was deferred until 1925, although trees were planted and planning for a roadway was begun in prior years.

Two camps from the Civilian Conservation Corps, a public work relief program during the Great Depression, developed the park between 1933 and 1942.

At that time, an additional 31 resources were added when the historic district expanded; out of the grand total, 21 are considered contributing properties.

Included within the boundaries of the larger historic district are 1,415 acres (573 ha), the geographical area of the park in 1942 when the CCC completed its development work.

Area A is located at the southern end of the park and around the 125-acre (51 ha) Backbone Lake on the Makoqueta River.

Its historic buildings and structures include 17 cabins, pump house, two sets of trail steps, soil erosion dams, six parking areas, paved road, the site of CCC Camp 1756, bathhouse, boathouse, a wall, the beach, two drinking fountains, pit latrine, a sundial and bench, dam, and the sand filter bed.

They are composed of roughly coursed limestone, and the boathouse includes a round tower at its south end.

Its historic buildings and structures include a picnic shelter/concession, two more picnic shelters, two pit latrines, the site of CCC Camp 781, the east entrance entryways and gate, four overlooks, two trailside benches, six parking lots, a vehicle bridge, trail steps, the Backbone Trail and steps, Watercrest Springs, a sign, a drinking fountain, and paved roads.

As part of the Driftless Area, it was left unglaciated during the last Ice Age, with very ancient dolomite formations dating from the Silurian period.

Twenty-one miles of multi-use trails support year-round recreational activities, including hiking as well as cross-country skiing and snowmobiling in winter.

Backbone Creek is known to support both Rainbow and Brown trout, and is stocked by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources from local brood ponds.

Local wildlife abound in the park and surrounding area, including fox, turkey, and deer.