Iowa Fall Foliage Map 2026
We're once again helping fall foliage enthusiasts in Iowa find the best fall color! Search a place, drag the date slider, and plan where color should be best.
Color Report
Peak Timing
Reports
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Little to No Color
Low Color
Moderate Color
High Color
Peak Color
Past Peak Color
Coming Fall 2026
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Map Tips
- Use the Search Bar to find a Iowa city, park, scenic route, or mountain town.
- Use Color Report for daily foliage stage estimates.
- Use Peak Timing to see when each area should reach peak color.
- Toggle Reports On/Off to see or hide local color reports on the map.
- Click Download to save an image of the current map view.
Iowa Fall Color
We're once again helping fall foliage enthusiasts in Iowa find the best fall color! Use our map to explore the estimated timing of fall color throughout the state, allowing you to plan trips with confidence this year. Check back regularly for updates based on the latest reports gathered from hundreds of sources throughout the region.
Iowa’s fall foliage brings a warm burst of color, with maples turning vibrant reds, oaks and hickories adding rich oranges and yellows, and cottonwoods glowing golden along its rolling hills and river valleys. From the scenic bluffs of the Mississippi River to the tranquil woodlands of the Loess Hills, each region offers a unique display shaped by local trees and crisp Midwest autumns. Use our map to find the best times and spots for peak color, whether you’re hiking in Maquoketa Caves State Park or driving through the Iowa Great Lakes region.
Finding Peak Color in Iowa
Iowa’s fall foliage brings a warm burst of color, with maples turning vibrant reds, oaks and hickories adding rich oranges and yellows, and cottonwoods glowing golden along its rolling hills and river valleys. From the scenic bluffs of the Mississippi River to the tranquil woodlands of the Loess Hills, each region offers a unique display shaped by local trees and crisp Midwest autumns. Use our map to find the best times and spots for peak color, whether you’re hiking in Maquoketa Caves State Park or driving through the Iowa Great Lakes region.
Elevation, latitude, local weather, and forest composition can shift peak color by several days, so the map is most useful when paired with a specific destination forecast.