Welcome to autumn in Iowa!
 Atop rolling hills and along wooded river valleys the trees begin to turn color and the views become spectacular. Celebrate the changing seasons with an Iowa excursion.
Check out our “Insider Tips” for travel suggestions, or plan a getaway around one of Iowa’s many fall festivals. Relax with a leisurely drive along a scenic byway — don’t forget your camera!
This weekly online report will highlight the changing fall foliage across Iowa. You can also call the Iowa Department of Natural Resources fall color hotline at 515.233.4110 for recorded information on where to see the best fall color throughout the state of Iowa.
Fall Foliage Report - Week of October 26
Welcome to Iowa's fall color report from the State Forest Nursery. This report is compiled weekly during the fall season. Call 515.233.4110 for a recorded message.
Northeast Iowa: The peak is well past and the vast majority of the leaves are down.
Southeast Iowa: The peak was during this past week. There is still color out to be seen but the rains did diminish it some. The oaks, hickories and hard maples are still putting on a show, but most of the other species are almost finished.
North Central Iowa: This area reached the peak last week. It came like a flash and the oaks seemed to turn color almost overnight. The oaks are in full color right now and losing leaves. Yellow and orange color remains in the soft and hard maples. Burning bush is bright red in protected areas. There is some color hanging on – mostly in the protected areas and in town.
Central Iowa: This area reached the peak last week. The oaks are in color now. There are still yellow and orange colors out there in the maples , hickories and various other trees. The burning bushes are bright red in protected areas. The recent rain and wind brought down quite a few leaves but it is still pretty outside.
South Central Iowa: The peak is over for the season but the oaks are still in color and hanging onto their leaves pretty well. In the towns the hard maples are brilliant. In the countryside, more leaves are down than last week, but the hickories and oaks are still putting on a show.
Northwest Iowa: The color show is over for the year.
Southwest Iowa: This area peaked over the weekend. There is some color in sheltered areas. In the towns, some hard maple trees are still a beautiful orange and some burning bushes are a vibrant red. In the countryside, the trees are mostly bare with a few spots of color here and there.
The State Forest Nursery is offering seedlings for fall and spring planting. If you would like to receive a catalog, please call the nursery at 800.865.2477. You may also view our catalog and order online at www.iowadnr.gov.
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