Iowa has an amazing number of beautiful parks. Hiking, camping, and just enjoying nature is very easy at one park in particular – Backbone State Park. The spring-fed pool here is extraordinary. Wading into its crystal-clear ice-cold waters is a must for your summer to-do list.

This amazing spring-fed pool is located inside the park, just three miles south of the town of Strawberry Point.
Matthew Hoelscher/Flickr
Jlibbs B./Trip Advisor
Dedicated in 1919, Backbone State Park is Iowa's oldest state park. This beautiful place is located in the Maquoketa River valley. Its name comes from the steep and narrow ridge of bedrock known as the Devil's Backbone.
Richmond Springs pool is located close to north park gate access.
Emily M./Trip Advisor
SSAubie/Trip Advisor
There are a few historic structures here. They include the steps and the waterway.
SouthIA/Trip Advisor
The springs are natural, and were enclosed by the Civilian Conservation Corps between June, 1934 and March, 1935. The waterway was built between October of 1935 and March of 1936 by the same group. Originally, the goal was to preserve the springs as a source of potable water.

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Natural stonework here was completed by W.E. Albert to control erosion in 1925.
Al/Flickr
Richmond Springs is on the National Registry of Historic Places.
Many people wade in the pool at Richmond Springs.
Al/Flickr
While the bottom of the pool bubbles like a tiny hot spring with water coming out of the sandy floor, it's actually 48-degree water.
Backbone State Park offers every level of hiking difficulty, from easy to challenging. Many visitors cool off in the springs after a long hike.
Al/Flickr
Matthew Hoelscher/Flickr
A handicapped-accessible trail runs for a ways alongside Richmond Spring Creek. There's also a shelter near the springs.
Richmond Springs is a prime area for trout fishing.
Kevin Schuchmann/Wikimedia
These springs pump more than 2.000 gallons of cold, fast-flowing, clear water into Backbone's stream every minute.

If you are interested in Iowa’s other natural water wonders, check out The Ultimate Iowa Waterfalls Road Trip.

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