Reviewed by: Brad Stevenson , from Charles City, Iowa

Summary:
I fricken drove all the way here to find out bikes are basically only allowed on roadways, LAME! The trails looked cool from the road. Two stars for looking cool.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Travel like me: Iowa City, Decorah, Waterloo/CF, Floyd and Mason City have the best trails I've seen.

Reviewed by: Dusty , from Greeley

Summary:
This is a beautiful park and the east trail can get pretty rock. This park is not a place for great speed, because you share the trails with hikers. I love to ride here and last summer it became a habit. If you have a full suspension and want to test it's durability ride the Backbone. You might have to carry it over rocks for a while but there is a massive system to roots to conquer once you do.

Recommended Route:
The West Lake trailis pretty fun, and the East Lake trail has some technical parts to it. I'd recommend the BackBone trail, but I guess it isn't open to bikes.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Volga River, Sugar Bottom

Reviewed by: Jaspo , from North Liberty, IA

Summary:
You can get a trail map and more info at:
http://www.state.ia.us/government/dnr/organiza/ppd/backbone.htm

Recommended Route:
One important note here: The Backbone Trail _IS NOT_ open to bikes. Neither is the Six Pines Trail. The trails that are open to bikes are; Bluebird Trail, East Lake Trail, West Lake Trail, Barred Owl Trail and all trails in the Backbone State Forest on the North end of the State Park.

Reviewed by: Roger Weber , from Ft. Worth Texas

Summary:
The Backbone Trail is very rocky and technical, but a great place to practice your rock skills. The trails on the east and west sides of the lake are beneath limestone bluffs and are rooty and rocky in most places. There are sections of doulbe track, but the single track is worth the drive. These trails are not used much, but they should be used much more. If you ride Sugar Bottom you should make the trip to Backbone it is well worth it.

Recommended Route:
There are three trails in Backbone all of them are worth the trip. The most technical is The Backbone, it is a short trail but will be a challenge for most any rider. Try all three.