Amie here. Kids are back to school, pumpkin spice is on all the menus, signs for mayor are sprouting on lawns in my neighborhood, and it was even down to the 40s a couple of days last week. It’s fall, y’all!

So here’s your guide to some of the best ways to enjoy it in Iowa, including my favorite: Leaf peeping!

Whether you choose to admire from the comfort of your car or get out and go for a stroll, here’s what you need to know about Iowa leaf peeping. (Ground Picture/Shutterstock)

The Hawkeye State is especially stunning from September to November when the fall colors are at their peak, and checking out the color change is a popular seasonal activity that’s affordable, family-friendly, and fun.

However, seeing Iowa’s fall foliage at its finest—and most colorful—requires a bit of planning. Find the best dates and places to go leaf peeping in Iowa, along with some practical tips to help you make the most of your experience.

Not a hiker? How about a nice corn maze? Or, for the thrill seekers, haunted cemeteries? Read on!

What’s your favorite place to go leaf peeping in Iowa?

(Amie Rivers/Iowa Starting Line)

If you’re looking for a place to go leaf peeping, you could do worse than Hartman Reserve Nature Center near Cedar Falls.

It boasts 340 acres of hardwood maples, oaks, and other deciduous greenery that turn many glorious shades of yellow, orange, and the occasional red come autumn.

Check out my article here, or a brief video from 2022 here, then check out more hikes below!

More:

🌲 Southeast Iowa: Wildcat Den State Park

🪨 Northwest Iowa: Gitchie Manitou State Preserve

🥾 The best hiking trail in Iowa, according to Iowans

🌳 The 8 most underrated state parks in Iowa

🔎 Uncover hidden gems: Iowa’s best state park views

Try to find your way through these corn mazes in Iowa for some unbeatable fall fun. (Anderson Schmig/Unsplash)

The arrival of autumn means picking pumpkins, drinking apple cider, and traipsing among corn stalks.

Check out these eight corn mazes in Iowa for endless fun.

Gravestones in Iowa’s Oak Hill Cemetery. (ABreiholz/CC BY-SA 3.0)

With cursed angel statues, graveyard spirits, and glowing headstones, a trip to these haunted cemeteries in Iowa may send a chill down your spine.

Here are the most chilling cemeteries in Iowa, where you might just spot a spirit or two.

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