Iowa’s Fall Bucket List: 25 Must-Do Experiences

Few places shine as brilliantly as Iowa does in the fall. As the landscape transforms, the state puts on a display of fiery reds, sun-kissed oranges, and deep maroons, turning its rolling hills and vast farmlands into an unforgettable scene. I’m particularly in awe of the color changes in Eastern Iowa! With the season comes a huge range of fall activities, so keep reading so I can share some of my favorites with you.

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UPDATED: This post was first published in 2025 and has been updated in September 2026.

Leaf Peeping & Nature Trails in Iowa

Iowa’s reputation might predominantly revolve around its farmlands, but come autumn, the state parks and natural reserves become must-visit destinations for those seeking nature’s vibrant display. A standout is located in the northeast region of the state: Effigy Mounds National Monument. The national monument near the Mississippi River is a protected land preserving animal-shaped burial mounds built between 850 to 1,400 years ago. Visit sometime during the first two weeks of October to really see the leaves pop. We visited the first week of October and the leaves were just starting to change.

Two more nearby parks to see the changing colors: Yellow River State Forest and Mt. Hosmer City Park. There’s a post highlighting great trails at both parks and Effigy Mounds National Monument to immerse yourself in the fall scenery!

Ledges State Park in central Iowa is another great spot. Its canyon roads and stone bridges offer a front-row seat to a cascade of colors. The sandstone ledges are great photo opportunities any time of year.

On western side of the state, two standout state parks for leaf peeping and easy hikes are the heavily-wooded Stone State Park in Sioux City and Lake Manawa State Park in Council Bluffs. These two are particularly great for families, in my opinion. Stone State Park has a fun nature center nearby (Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center) and outdoor playscape. Lake Manawa has an epic playground. A third park that I love in that area, Hitchcock Nature Center, has excellent trails, a top-notch a nature center, and a lookout tower. Of the three, Hitchcock’s trails will be the most challenging.

For a unique hike, look into the Fall Llama Hikes at Rector Llamas. Yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like! The last mention of hikes at their farm was in June, and no dates are listed for fall hikes in 2026, so file this unique hike as a “maybe.”

For those looking to drive for their fall views, the Loess Hills National Scenic Byway is an unbeatable choice. Stretching over 200 miles along the western edge of Iowa, this route showcases the undulating hills formed from wind-deposited soil known as the Loess Hills. In the fall, the hills are draped in a patchwork of golds, reds, and oranges. As you cruise through, take your time to stop at overlooks and take a hike or two. Hitchcock Nature Center, mentioned above, is a prime example of gorgeous fall views in the Loess Hills.

The Historic Hills Scenic Byway is another great drive, this one in southern Iowa. Don’t be surprised to find yourself sharing the road with horses and buggies – this area is home to communities of Mennonites and Old Order Amish. The 105-mile route passes through forests, towns, and rolling hills.

Corn Mazes & Pumpkin Patches

Rooted in the agricultural abundance of Iowa, corn mazes are not just a playful challenge for visitors but a testament to the state’s reverence for its primary crop: corn. The complexity and difficulty level of navigating one of these bad boys varies by location.

Want to try one of these natural puzzles or find the perfect pumpkin? Here are some of the state’s best farms and orchards to do that:

• Ditmars Orchard and Vineyard (Council Bluffs) – They change the corn maze design each year. This family-run orchard also has a playground, hayrack rides, and a large pumpkin patch.
• Bass Farms (Mount Vernon) – The farm has fun events throughout the fall to entice visitors to stay a little longer after they pick out their pumpkins. The Fall Festival runs from Sept. 12 through Nov. 1 at Bass Farms
• Harvestville Farm (Donnellson) – This fifth-generation farm has everything from farm-to-table dinners to a sunflower festival. Come fall, you can explore Harvestville Farm‘s 35 acres of pumpkins, a 12-acre corn maze, and enjoy wagon rides and family play areas. The corn maze is open daily, weather permitting, through Oct. 31.

Fall Football Games

In the realm of fall festivities in Iowa, there’s one pastime that transcends the allure of nature: College football. The sport, with its deep-rooted traditions and passionate following, encapsulates the spirit and fervor of the Hawkeye State, particularly through its two major teams: The University of Iowa Hawkeyes and the Iowa State University Cyclones.

The Iowa Hawkeyes, hailing from the University of Iowa in Iowa City, have a storied history in collegiate football. Kinnick Stadium, their home ground, becomes a sea of black and gold on game days. The stadium is home to the famous “Iowa Wave” to the Children’s Hospital. The Iowa State Cyclones from Ames have equally passionate fans, flooding the Jack Trice Stadium in cardinal and gold.

When these two teams clash in the annual Cy-Hawk Series, the state truly divides (if only for a day). Watch parties are planned throughout the state. In Council Bluffs, the historic 100 block of Broadway is closed for a block party surrounding the game. The 2026 game is on Sept. 12.

Apple Orchards & Cider Houses

Apple picking is a popular fall activity, and for that, you have a variety of apple orchards to choose from. I’m more of a “buy what’s already been picked” kind of apple fan, though. And if I’m being honest, I actually prefer apple ciders over everything else. Here are a few Iowa destinations where you can have your pick of the three:

• Wilson’s Orchard (Iowa City) is a gem. With over 120 varieties of apples, this orchard provides visitors with a pick-your-own experience amid scenic surroundings. Wilson’s Ciderhouse offers farm-to-table food and hand-pressed ciders. Their variety of hard ciders are fantastic. Try the Honeycrisp Hard Cider, or if you like tart, the Old Blue Hard Cider (flavored with blueberries).
• Ditmars Orchard and Vineyard (Council Bluffs) was mentioned earlier for its corn maze, but most people’s introduction to Ditmars is through the U-pick apples orchard. By the way, you don’t want to leave without trying their freshly-made apple cider donuts or apple cider slushee. 
• Deal’s Orchard (Jefferson) is known not just for its juicy apples but also for its fun family activities, from hayrides to a corn maze. Located in central Iowa, Deal’s Apple Acres opens in late August, and then, a few weeks later, return to wonder around the pumpkin patch. 
•  Peake Orchards (Waukon) is a little family-run orchard that has a little store open on the weekends. While you can’t pick your own apples there, you can sample a variety in the store before buying some to take home. From mid-September to October, Sundays are a great day to visit Peake Orchards. They also sell caramel apple sundaes and offer hay rides to families.

Prost! Breweries & Wineries in Iowa

Moving into 21 and older fall activities, the state’s breweries and wineries become especially inviting this time of year.

The craft beer scene in Iowa has seen a surge in recent years. Breweries such as Toppling Goliath Brewing Co. in Decorah and Peace Tree Brewing Co. in Knoxville are garnering national attention for their innovative brews. See if you can snag a tour at either of these big breweries while you’re there.

Smaller breweries are cranking out good brews as well. Some of my favorites include Keg Creek Brewing Co. in Glenwood and Marto Brewing Co. in Sioux City. And let’s not forget the state’s oldest brewery, Millstream Brewing Co. in Amana. They have an Oktoberfest beer that’s a must-try in the fall.

Iowa’s wineries are crafting wines that reflect the unique terroir of the state. Places like Park Farm Winery in Durango offer stunning fall views of the Driftless Region paired with their wines, as well as brick oven pizza if you’re hungry.

Haunted Houses & Paranormal Places in Iowa

Beyond the idyllic landscapes and pumpkin patches, Iowa harbors a darker side that delves into tales of the supernatural and the echoes of the past. The state is home to various haunted houses and paranormal hotspots, each with its own spine-tingling stories waiting to be explored.

Villisca Axe Murder House in Villisca is, perhaps, the most infamous. The site of a gruesome unsolved mass murder in 1912, this house now stands as a testament to the chilling events of that fateful night. Those brave enough can even book an overnight stay (though most people opt for the guided daytime tour). There have been reports of eerie occurrences from children’s laughter to unexplained footsteps. When I visited, I personally didn’t experience a thing, but I don’t discount the possibility that others have.

Malvern Manor in nearby Malvern is another haunted home. And like the Villisca Axe Murder House, visitors can take a daytime tour or make a reservation to stay overnight. The home has been featured on “Paranormal Lockdown” on T.L.C. in 2017 and “Destination Fear” on the Travel Channel in 2021.

For a scare without the supernatural, head to Scream Acres at Bloomsbury Farm in Atkins. There are three indoor haunted houses and one haunted cornfield. In southwest Iowa, there are two huge options: Hillside House of Hell in Glenwood and the new-ish Psycho Schoolhouse in Pacific Junction. Both are ran by the same group, so you can get a combo pass to go to both.

Cultural Events & Fall Festivals in Iowa

When fall hits, the special events start rolling out in Iowa. One annual that has become synonymous with autumn is Okotoberfest. And there’s no more of a German community in Iowa than that of Amana Colonies. Drawing inspiration from German traditions, this festival transforms the seven historic villages of the Amana Colonies into a lively hub of polka, dance, and beer. The event is held one weekend at the end of September or early October.

Walnut is an antique shopper’s kind of town any time of year, but it’s a dream to visit in the fall during Walnut Antique Fall Festival. Vendors set up shop indoors and outdoors one weekend in October each year.

The Scenic Drive Festival in Van Buren County is Iowa’s largest arts and crafts festival held in mid-October each year. Stretching across multiple villages, it showcases handcrafted goods, antique treasures, and local foods, all set against the picturesque backdrop of the state’s countryside.

Clear Lake’s Harvest Festival takes place in early October each year. There’s wine and beer samples, shopping, and a huge outdoor farmers market. Activities include a homemade salsa contest, grape stomp competition, food trucks, live music, and hay rides.

I know I have my favorites on this list. I hope you get a chance to visit a few of these options and, perhaps, create some fall traditions of your own.