Over the next few weeks, the trees throughout the Hawkeye State will be turning to the bright, saturated, and breathtaking colors of autumn. Every country road will soon be lined with yellows, oranges, and reds, rather than our summertime green! With the weather beginning to cool down, now is the perfect time to plan an Iowa fall foliage hike – and Yellow River State Forest is the best place for leaf peeping this year.

Yellow River State Forest is one of the hidden gems of Northeast Iowa - and it is at its most spectacular in the Fall.
Google Local / P Z
This enormous forest is located in Allamakee County and features over 8,000 acres of wilderness.
Google Local / Matt Shaffer
Because this mostly untouched land has been preserved since 1935, it is rich with wildlife and wild flora. Yellow River State Forest is packed with trees that begin bursting with color in September.
Google Local / Matt Shaffer
There are miles of hiking trails throughout the park, and you'll find gorgeous vistas throughout the Paint Creek hiking area.
Google Local / Matt Shaffer

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This historic park is holding all sorts of treasures - like vineyard vines winding through fencing at the top of the park's highest hill.
Google Local / Matt Shaffer
The Bluff Trail Overlook is one of the park's best views, and you'll probably run into mountain bikers along the trail.
Google Local / Matt Shaffer
From way up here, the fall looks like a fireworks show on the hillside. You can see for miles across the forest, and the view is one you'll always remember.
Google Local / John Dengler
Yellow River State Forest also allows for camping, fishing, and hunting.
Google Local / Matt Shaffer
To learn more about park activities, hunting and fishing regulations, and camping, click here.

You can find Yellow River State Forest at 729 State Forest Rd, Harpers Ferry, IA 52146. This outdoor paradise is one of Iowa’s hidden treasures – but it’s not all that hidden from hunters, so hike and bike with your eyes and ears open.

If you’re not a fan of hiking up hills, you can still experience the best leaf peeping in the Midwest! Take some inspiration from last year’s Dreamy Road Trip That Will Take You To The Best Fall Foliage In All Of Iowa and see the Hawkeye State at its best and brightest.

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