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Iowa fall foliage

In a typical year, fall color in Iowa peaks from about October 11 around Decorah (900 ft) to about October 19 around Des Moines (850 ft).

Updated

Peak calendar

Bars show the typical best-viewing window for each destination. The dark mark is the typical peak. The last column shows today’s status.

DestinationSep 1Oct 1Nov 1Today
DecorahPeak Oct 11 · best Oct 10–Oct 18
Peak Oct 11
Des MoinesPeak Oct 19 · best Oct 18–Oct 26
Peak Oct 19

Trees behind the color

Common questions

When is peak fall foliage in Iowa?

In a typical year, fall color in Iowa peaks from about October 11 around Decorah (900 ft) to about October 19 around Des Moines (850 ft). Timing can shift by about a week in either direction depending on the weather.

Where does fall color peak first in Iowa?

Decorah is usually first among the Iowa destinations we track, with peak around October 11. Higher and more northern spots turn before lower and more southern ones.

Where is the latest fall color in Iowa?

Des Moines usually peaks last, around October 19. If you miss peak up high, head downhill or toward the coast.

What trees give Iowa its fall color?

The biggest contributors here include sugar maple, red maple, quaking aspen, paper birch, tamarack and larch, northern red oak.

Check any town or ZIP code in Iowa.

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