Iowa Fall Foliage: When Peak Colors Hit
Many people think that cold weather is solely responsible for the color change in leaves, but not so. Leaves begin to turn before we have any frosts. Change in coloring is the result of chemical processes, which take place in the tree as the seasons change.
During the spring and summer, a food-making process takes place in the leaves, within cells containing the pigment chlorophyll. This gives the leaf its green color. The chlorophyll absorbs energy from sunlight, and uses it in transforming carbon dioxide and water to carbohydrates, such as sugars and starch.
In the fall, the decrease in intensity and duration of sunlight, and the cooler temperatures, cause the leaves to stop their food-making process. The chlorophyll breaks down, the green color disappears, and the yellowish colors or other pigments already in the leaf become visible.
Autumn weather conditions favoring the most brilliant colors are warm sunny days and cool, but not freezing, nights. A few hard frosts can cause the leaves to wither and fall from the tree without changing color. The degree of color may also vary from tree to tree. Leaves directly exposed to the sun may turn red, while those on the shady side may be yellow. When warm, cloudy and rainy weather dominates the fall season, leaves tend to have less coloration.
So how are the fall colors shaping up in Iowa? Here is the latest fall color report from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources:
Northeast Iowa (Decorah, McGregor, Dubuque)
Peak: October 8–15
The driftless region of northeast Iowa is the first part of the state to light up. Towering limestone bluffs along the Mississippi River, scenic byways like the Great River Road, and valleys carved by glaciers offer some of the most dramatic backdrops for fall color. Expect brilliant sugar maples, golden birches, and deep red oaks cascading across rolling hillsides. This area often has the state’s longest color show due to its mix of hardwoods.
North-Central Iowa (Mason City, Clear Lake, Forest City)
Peak: October 10–17
Prairie groves and shelterbelts burst with yellow cottonwoods and ash, while maple-lined neighborhoods in Mason City add rich reds and oranges. Clear Lake offers shimmering reflections of fall color on the water, making it a popular October weekend trip.
Northwest Iowa (Sioux City, Okoboji, Loess Hills North)
Peak: October 7–15
Wide-open prairies don’t always scream “fall color,” but river corridors and glacial lakes put on a golden show. Cottonwoods along the Missouri and Big Sioux Rivers dominate the canopy with bright yellows, and in the Iowa Great Lakes region, maples and oaks provide rich contrast.
East-Central Iowa (Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Waterloo)
Peak: October 12–20
This corridor has a beautiful balance of city parks and wooded river valleys. Palisades-Kepler State Park near Cedar Rapids is famous for its glowing oak and hickory ridges along the Cedar River. The University of Iowa campus in Iowa City is another favorite spot for maple reds and golden elms.
Central Iowa (Des Moines, Ames, Boone)
Peak: October 14–21
The Des Moines metro offers urban fall beauty with tree-lined neighborhoods, Gray’s Lake, and Water Works Park. Just west, the High Trestle Trail bridge near Madrid delivers sweeping views of the Des Moines River Valley glowing in mid-October. Hickories, oaks, and maples dominate the palette here.
West Central Iowa (Carroll, Denison, Jefferson)
Peak: October 15–22
Rolling farmland is broken up by wooded river valleys along the Raccoon and Boyer Rivers. Oak groves linger into late October, giving this region a staggered season. Campgrounds and state parks like Springbrook are excellent spots to catch color at its peak.
Southeast Iowa (Burlington, Ottumwa, Keokuk)
Peak: October 18–27
The Mississippi River bluffs provide dramatic panoramas in Burlington and Keokuk. Shimek State Forest near Farmington is a hidden gem, with dense hardwoods producing a rainbow of hues late into October. Because of warmer fall temperatures, this region often holds onto its color longer than the north.
South-Central Iowa (Indianola, Chariton, Knoxville)
Peak: October 18–26
Known for Lake Red Rock and its scenic overlooks, this region tends to peak a bit later. Oak and hickory woodlands give rich copper and russet tones, while maples provide splashes of red. Prairie remnants in Warren and Marion counties add golden grasses to the fall palette.
Southwest Iowa (Council Bluffs, Atlantic, Shenandoah)
Peak: October 20–30
The Loess Hills near Council Bluffs and Hamburg provide a unique fall viewing experience. The ridges turn golden with oak and hickory, while sheltered valleys hold deep reds and burgundy. This is often the last region in Iowa to peak, with color lingering into Halloween.
Fall Color by Tree Type (What to Watch For)
- Sugar Maple – Fiery orange to red; a headliner statewide, typically early to mid-October in the north and mid-October elsewhere.
- Red Maple – Scarlet/crimson; similar timing to sugar maple.
- Silver Maple – Yellow to yellow-green; turns earlier and drops fast.
- Hickory (Shagbark/Bitternut) – Rich golden yellow; bright mid-October.
- Walnut – Lemon yellow, but leaves shed quickly—blink and you’ll miss it.
- Birch – Clear yellow; showy against dark conifers or river backdrops.
- Aspen/Cottonwood – Bright yellow ribbons along rivers and lakes; brief but bold.
- Sumac – Early season scarlet; often coloring by late September (even late August in some years).
- Dogwood – Burgundy to purple; great understory color in woodlands
- Oaks (Red, White, Bur) – Brick red, russet, copper; arrive later and can persist into early November, especially in southern Iowa.
- Elms – Yellow; variable show from year to year.
- Ash – Yellow, gold, sometimes purple-bronze; where present, they color early-mid October.