Des Moines West KOA Holiday Blog
Enjoy crisp autumn days and a relaxing camping getaway at Des Moines West KOA!
Whether you’re exploring the local area or hanging out at the campground, KOA Holidays are an ideal place to relax and play. There’s plenty to do, with amenities and services to make your stay memorable. Plus, you’ll enjoy the outdoor experience with upgraded RV Sites with KOA Patio® and Deluxe Cabins with full baths for camping in comfort. Bring your family, bring your friends, or bring the whole group – there’s plenty of ways to stay and explore.
Whether you’re exploring the local area or hanging out at the campground, KOA Holidays are an ideal place to relax and play. There’s plenty to do, with amenities and services to make your stay memorable. Plus, you’ll enjoy the outdoor experience with upgraded RV Sites with KOA Patio® and Deluxe Cabins with full baths for camping in comfort. Bring your family, bring your friends, or bring the whole group – there’s plenty of ways to stay and explore.
18 miles west of I-35/I-80 interchange on I-80 Exit 106. North 1.5 miles on paved CR P-58 (L Avenue).
GPS: N41.541910, W94.079558
Get Google Directions
There is something special about seeing Iowa change from summer green to shades of gold, orange and red. And if you are staying at Des Moines West KOA, you do not have to travel far to enjoy some of the best scenery of the season.
Fall is a great time to explore central Iowa, whether you are looking for a scenic drive, an easy walk among colorful trees, a weekend outing or a place to stop for a few photos. Pack a sweatshirt, grab your camera and make a day of leaf peeping near Des Moines.
Fall color timing changes from year to year depending on weather, temperature and other conditions. In central Iowa, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources generally places peak color during the first through third weeks of October.
For the Des Moines area, current 2026 foliage information is pointing toward mid-October for peak color, but the timing can shift. That means you may find beautiful changing leaves before peak color arrives, and you can still find plenty of autumn scenery after the first leaves begin to fall.
If you are planning a specific leaf-peeping trip, check the Iowa DNR Fall Color Report before you head out. Their weekly reports are designed to help visitors find where the best autumn colors are developing across the state.
Located north of Des Moines, Jester Park is an easy choice for getting outside and enjoying Iowa's changing foliage. The park offers wooded areas, trails and plenty of opportunities to slow down and enjoy the scenery. Greater Des Moines tourism specifically highlights Jester Park as a fall color destination, with reds and golden yellows along its trails. It is a good option when you want to combine leaf peeping with a little time outdoors rather than simply driving through to look at the scenery.
For a more dramatic fall landscape, head toward Ledges State Park near Madrid. The park is known for its sandstone cliffs, wooded trails and views of the Des Moines River Valley. In autumn, the combination of colorful trees and the park's unique landscape makes it a beautiful place to explore. If you are already making a day of it, you can also combine Ledges with a stop at the High Trestle Trail.
The High Trestle Trail offers a completely different way to experience Iowa's fall scenery. The trail's famous bridge stretches across the Des Moines River Valley and rises 13 stories above the river. Surrounded by changing foliage, it makes for an especially memorable autumn photo opportunity. You do not have to be an avid cyclist to enjoy it. Consider walking a portion of the trail, taking in the views and enjoying the cooler October weather.
If you prefer a quieter setting, put The Brenton Arboretum on your list. An arboretum is an especially good place for leaf peeping because you can see a variety of trees and experience different colors throughout the landscape. It is a peaceful option for an autumn afternoon when you want to slow down and enjoy the season.
Sometimes the best leaf-peeping adventure is simply getting in the truck and taking the scenic route. Madison County makes an excellent autumn day trip from the Des Moines area. The county is home to Iowa's famous covered bridges, including Cedar, Cutler-Donahoe, Hogback, Holliwell, Imes and Roseman. The combination of historic bridges, country roads, rolling landscapes and changing foliage makes this a natural choice for a fall drive. If you are visiting in October, you may also be able to catch the Madison County Covered Bridge Festival.
You do not have to go far from Des Moines West KOA to enjoy the season. Adel itself is worth exploring during your stay. Take a drive through town, walk around the community and enjoy the changing scenery before returning to the campground. For an especially seasonal stop, Wills Family Orchard is just a short drive from the campground. Its 2026 Apple & Pumpkin Festival weekends run through October 25, with activities including hayrides, a corn maze, pumpkins, apples and other fall attractions. It is an easy way to combine leaf peeping with another classic Iowa fall tradition.
One of the best parts of exploring Iowa in October is having somewhere comfortable to come back to at the end of the day. After spending the afternoon looking for colorful foliage, return to Des Moines West KOA, settle into your campsite and enjoy a campfire as the evening temperatures cool down. You can spend the day exploring central Iowa and still have that camping feeling waiting for you at the end of the day.
Whether you are traveling in an RV, staying in a cabin or pitching a tent, October is a great time to experience a different side of the Des Moines area.
Fall color does not last forever, which is part of what makes the season so special. Pick a weekend, check the current Iowa DNR Fall Color Report, choose a few stops and leave some room for the unexpected. You might discover a colorful stretch of road you did not plan to visit, find the perfect photo spot or decide that the best part of the day was simply sitting around the campfire afterward.
When you are ready to explore Iowa's autumn colors, make Des Moines West KOA your home base for a leaf-peeping getaway near Des Moines.
That doesn't mean this area has to always be empty. When you start reviewing camping options, your history will display here to help compare sites and find the best stay. You will be able to share your stay information with friends or family and save it for a later time if you have a KOA Account.
Make checkout easy by booking all your reservations at once. Add your sites from different campgrounds into your shopping cart* and then choose checkout.
