Where to find the most stunning fall foliage in Iowa
Autumn officially pulls out all the color stops, with trees shedding their summer greens for dazzling reds, yellows and oranges. In Iowa, the change is already underway, with leaves showing their fall colors in Northeastern Iowa, while sugar maples are turning red and orange in Northwestern Iowa, according to the State Forest Nursery.
In Central Iowa, fall colors are slow to show, expected to peak the weekend of Oct. 22, although ash, elm and hickories are already changing to their iconic yellow and sumac, and ivy and Virginia creeper have started to turn their famous red.
The southern part of the state should shift to the shades of autumn in the third week of October, although in Southwestern Iowa, the prairies remain golden while bitternut hickories change to orange and sumacs show off their reds.
If you're looking for the best places to see some of the most beautiful fall colors in the state, don't miss these 12 spots, with a special focus on the Loess Hills of Western Iowa.
Jester Park, Granger
Just outside of Des Moines, in Granger, find the 1,675-acre Jester Park sitting alongside Saylorville Lake. The park’s Equestrian Center features trail rides with two guides leading guests on a one-hour walking horse ride Fridays through Sundays, through Nov. 13. Up to 24 people can ride on a horse-drawn wagon that leads to the park’s pumpkin patch. Two sets of draft horses pull the wagons. Of course, the park also offers 168 campsites and picnicking at one of five shelters, as well as an elk and bison educational plaza, where guests can watch the wildlife from an observation deck. Seven different trails offer more than eight miles of hiking. Try the Stagecoach Trail, with its two miles of moderate hiking that offers up a pretty view of Saylorville Lake, or the .7-mile Hickory Ridge Trail, which wanders through a wooded ravine with a small stream. The park is open daily, from sunrise to sunset.
Where: 11407 NW Jester Park Drive, Granger; 515-323-5300
For More Information: polkcountyiowa.gov/equestriancenter
MORE: Beautiful fall colors on campus at ISU, Drake, UNI and UI
Scenic City Empress, Iowa Falls
Cruise down the Iowa River on the Scenic City Empress, departing from Iowa Falls. The two-level boat wanders past the city’s scenic limestone bluffs, the Iowa Falls Swinging Bridge and, of course, pretty fall leaves.
Where: 1113 Union St., Iowa Falls; 641-648-9517
Fenelon Place Elevator Co., Dubuque
Head up to Dubuque, along the Mississippi River, to see the leaves in all their splendor at the Fenelon Place Elevator Co., called the world’s “shortest, steepest scenic railway.” The 296-foot ride, originally built in 1882, takes passengers up, up, up for a view of the historic business district in Dubuque, the Mississippi River and the area's three neighboring states. Tickets start at $3 for a round trip. The attraction stays open daily, from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., through Nov. 30.
Where: 512 Fenelon Place, Dubuque; 563-582-6496
For More Information: fenelonplaceelevator.com
Driftless Area Scenic Byway, Northeastern Iowa
Not so much a place as a drive, the Driftless Area Scenic Byway starts near the Minnesota border, in northeastern Iowa, along the Mississippi River, and careens back and forth through Lansing, Church, Harpers Ferry and Waukon for 100 miles of postcard-worthy scenery. The area earned its name because the last glaciers that covered Iowa skipped this region that still has gashed and furrowed terrain. Pass along the Mississippi, Yellow and Upper Iowa rivers and run across stone churches, old cemeteries and bridges, or stop by the Effigy Mounds National Monument near Marquette to see collections of animal-shaped mounds built by prehistoric Native Americans. Stop at scenic views at Mount Hosmer City Park in Lansing, as well as Larkin’s Overlook and Paint Creek Overlook in Harpers Ferry.
For More Information:northeastiowarcd.org/driftless-area-scenic-byway
German Hausbarn, Manning
Head up to Manning, near Denison, to tour this old, German barn. Manning Hausbarn Heritage Park features a German Hausbarn originally built in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, in 1660 and reconstructed in 1996 in Manning, Iowa. The structure, with its thatched roof, features living quarters for the family, as well as an area for farm equipment and livestock.
Where: Manning Heritage Park, 12196-311th St.,Manning; 712-655-3131
For More Information: germanhausbarn.com/iowa_attractions/german-hausbarn
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- 8 apple orchards and pumpkin patches in central Iowa
- This is when you'll see the best fall colors in Iowa
The Loess Hills, Western Iowa
Near Sioux City, take in the colors of the season and the Loess Hills — steep hills formed between 18,000 and 150,000 years ago by glaciers — at Stone State Park. Guests might just spy turkeys, red foxes, white-tailed deer and coyotes in the “urban wildlife sanctuary.” The 1,595-acre park features six miles of equestrian trails, another six of mountain biking routes and eight dedicated to hiking. Guests can find scenic views of the prairie, the Big Sioux River and neighboring South Dakota and Nebraska. The 220 mile-long Loess Hills Scenic Byway also passes through the park.
Where: 501 Talbot Road, Sioux City; 712-255-4698
Other pretty spots in the Loess Hills include Broken Kettle Grassland, with its colored hills, and the more than 175 bison near Westfield, north of Sioux City. Broken Kettle contains some of the last prairie in Iowa.
For More Information: nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/iowa/placesweprotect/broken-kettle-grasslands-preserve.xml
Terrain spotted with yucca plants and native flowers greets guests at the Murray Hill Scenic Overlook, just west of Little Sioux. Hike up to the scenic overlook and then get ready to be blown away.
For More Information: mycountyparks.com/County/Harrison/Park/Murray-Hill-Scenic-Overlook.aspx
The Lewis & Clark State Park, in Onawa, is surrounded by the oxbow-shaped Blue Lake. A replica of the explorers' 55-foot keelboat, “Best Friend,” is on display. The famous expedition from 1804 spent several days in the area, exploring the wildlife and terrain.
Where: 21914 Park Loop, Onawa; 712-423-2829
For More Information: iowadnr.gov/Places-to-Go/State-Parks-Rec-Areas/Iowas-State-Parks/ParkDetails/ParkID/610142/idAdminBoundary/197
Head further south, to Council Bluffs, to stand where Lewis and Clark met with the Otoe and Missouri Indians. The Lewis & Clark Monument and Scenic Overlook features gorgeous views to the west.
Where: 29385 Monument Road, Council Bluffs
For More Information: councilbluffs-ia.gov/index.aspx?NID=275
Head up to the 45-foot observation tower at Honey Creek’s Hitchcock Nature Center, in the midst of the 1,300-acre preserve in the Loess Hills. Become one with the prairie by hiking through 13 miles of trails.
Where: 27792 Ski Hill Loop, Honey Creek; 712-545-3283
For More Information: pottcoconservation.com
Hamburg’s Waubonsie State Park, in the southwestern corner of Iowa, includes six hiking trails for easy to moderate climbs, plus an equestrian trail that travels five miles.
Where: 2585 Waubonsie Park Road, Hamburg; 712-382-2786
For More Information: iowadnr.gov/Places-to-Go/State-Parks-Rec-Areas/Iowas-State-Parks/ParkDetails/ParkID/610131/idAdminBoundary/219