Scenic Drives

Fall in NW Iowa

In NW Iowa fall is one of the most beautiful sights around as the beautiful display of tree foliage begins changing colors. As the different types of trees show their many variations of purple, yellow, red, brown, and orange we know that winter is close at hand. Visitors often travel hundreds to thousands of miles to see the annual leaf color change in different parts of the U.S. Iowa visitors are never disappointed!

In general, fall color change occurs between the middle of September and the middle of October. There are many things such as temperature, moisture, rain, wind, and the availability of sunlight that impact the quality of fall color. Clear days, cool nights, and dry conditions promote high quality fall color. These colorful displays are often cut short by heavy winds, rainfall, and freezing temperatures which can actually kill leaf tissue and cause the leaves to fall early.


American Plum Tree	Paper Birch Tree	Hackberry Tree

Leaf color characteristics of some Iowa Trees

Walnut	Turns yellow in fall. One of the first to turn and drop leaves. One of the last to leaf out in spring.
Red oak	Brilliant red leaves in fall. Color not as intense as some hard maples.
White oak	Subdued red color of leaves in fall. Then turning brown and often staying on the tree until new leaves begin to grow in the spring
Bur oak	Buff to yellow. Turning brown before falling.
Hickory	Leaves turn yellow, then brown before falling.
Ash	Leaves turn yellow, but some have a purplish cast. Leaves fall after walnut but earlier than oaks and maples.
Elms	Leaves turn yellow, some turn brown before falling, others while still yellow.
Soft maple	Leaves turn yellow. They don’t turn brown before falling.
Hard maple	Brilliant red hues. Red pigmentation of some leaves breaks down before falling.
Sumac	Very bright red, but often overlooked because it is a small tree confined to openings and edges.
Virginia creeper	Bright red. Very spectacular when it grows on dead snags.

The Old O'Brien Glacial Trail Scenic Byway is known for it's Historical, Natural and Scenic Attractions. Click here for directions to drive the 70 mile route.

In the Spring and Summer you will see cattle grazing in fields, wildflowers blooming, crops of corn, soybeans and other Iowa staples growing in the fields and everywhere you travel you'll see the beauty of nature!

The National Geographic Society says that Iowa is a leader in agriculture and livestock production with 95% of the prairie land cultivated.


	The Iowa Department of Natural Resources carefully manages the public hunting lands. That management is necessary to provide food, winter cover and secure nesting habitat for resident and migratory wildlife species, and to provide public hunting opportunities. Special regulations, intended to protect wildlife, are posted at parking lots and access roads for your convenience.


	Direct any questions to the Clay County Conservation Board at (712) 262-2187 or click here to email the Conservation office.