A waterfall formed by the spillway of Backbone Lake in Iowa's oldest state park, flowing year-round below the dam. It is reached via the West Lake Trail or viewed from a park road near the spillway.
Its water comes from Maquoketa River (Backbone Lake spillway). You'll find it in Delaware, Iowa. It is protected within Backbone State Park (Iowa DNR).
This is a short hike waterfall: reached by a short trail, generally under about a mile each way. A short walk gets you to the viewpoint, so it works for most casual visitors and families. Base a visit out of Dundee, the closest town.
When to go: Year-round (spillway flows year-round). Expect the strongest flow in spring and after big storms, with a quieter trickle by late summer; confirm current conditions with the land manager before committing to the drive.
