The leaves are starting to turn so I thought I’d share a list of my favorite places to see fall foliage around the Des Moines area! Several of these have observation towers or taller trails where you can see for miles, and all of them have pretty trees with lots of colors. If you’re really feeling the fall mood, you can also check out places to pick pumpkins around Iowa.
Traditionally, the best time for fall colors in central Iowa is the first through third weeks of October – you can see more about fall color forecasting and information about different tree leaves on the Iowa DNR website. Please let me know if I’ve missed any of your favorite spots! I will be exploring lots of these and adding pretty fall pictures, but I’ve found the closest I could on Instagram for each location.
Listed in alphabetical order; let me know if I missed any of your favorites and I’ll add them!
Annett Nature Center – Indianola
Footing: Grass
Special notes: Two observation towers to climb and see the trees from.
Ashworth Trails – Des Moines
Footing: Dirt and paved options.
Special Notes: The main trail goes near a train track, if you follow it far enough (guessing about 2 miles?) you’ll pass a horse farm that is fun to look at. The dirt trails are very popular with bikers. Playground and cool pond with a dugout and observation tower nearby.
Brenton Arboretum – Dallas Center
Footing: Grass
Special Notes: The natural playscape makes this an extra fun trip!
Easter Lake – Des Moines
Footing: Paved and dirt
Jester Park – Granger
Footing: Dirt
Special Notes: The natural playscape is always fun.
Kuehn Conservation Area – Earlham
Footing: Gravel, dirt, grass
Special Notes: A great mix of forest and prairie to see fall foliage from.
Lake Ahquabi – Indianola
Footing: Dirt/grass
Special Notes: Playground available
Ledges – Boone
Footing: Rock, dirt.
Special Notes: Pictured below is the Lost Lake Trail, which is great for seeing trees.
Greenbelt Park – Clive
Footing: Paved
Special Notes: Playground nearby.
Pammel Park – Winterset
Footing: Grass/dirt
Special Notes: The backbone trail is especially pretty for seeing fall colors. Playgrounds are available.
Southwoods Park – West Des Moines
Footing: Paved trail and dirt trail
Special Notes: The paved path is a nice length for toddlers, the dirt path is steeper and goes deeper into the woods.
Sycamore Trail – Des Moines
Footing: Dirt and paved, on opposite sides of the river.
Special Notes: Trailhead can be tricky to find, be sure to look at the maps linked above
Thomas Mitchell Park – Mitchellville
Footing: Grass/dirt.
Special Notes: Playground nearby
City Park – Winterset
Footing: Paved road that you can hike up to the tower, dirt trail down from the tower if you drive up.
Special Notes: Neat stone tower to climb and lookout. The road to drive up does close once it gets icy. Playground and hedge maze, covered bridge.
Yellow Banks Park – Pleasant Hill
Footing: Grass/dirt
Special Notes: Playground nearby.
Zo El Annett Woods – Prole
Footing: Dirt
Special Notes: Nice loop trail with a fun bridge
If you’re looking for a road trip, readers also suggested Backbone State Park (roughly 3 hours away), Wild Cat Den State Park (roughly 2.5 hours away), or the Loess Hills (roughly 2.5 hours away).