Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge
Central Iowa Prairie, Iowa · 893 ft
Six thousand acres of reconstructed tallgrass prairie and oak savanna in central Iowa, away from the Driftless bluffs that carry the rest of the state. Scattered savanna oaks over bronze grass is the composition, and low side light separates the two better than midday will.
Seasonal model estimate. Timing remains uncertain; check recent reports before traveling. Source: seasonal timing model. Calculated .
Typical peak
Oct 9 – Oct 17
Long range. Treat as a planning estimate only.
Best light
Best at sunrise
Crowds
moderate
Often busier by mid-morning; consider arriving at first light.
Getting there
Prairie City, off Highway 163 east of Des Moines. A five-mile auto tour runs the bison and elk enclosure, with a half-mile Oak Savanna Trail loop and an overlook loop from the visitor center.
What turns here
- oak
Color progression
Typical peak Oct 13Typical color progression for Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge. No change from Sep 5 to Sep 22. First color from Sep 22 to Oct 1. Approaching peak from Oct 1 to Oct 9. Peak from Oct 9 to Oct 17. Past peak from Oct 17 to Oct 27. Bare from Oct 27 to Nov 10.
Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge is typically at no change on this date.
Light at peak
Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge on October 13, the center of its typical peak window.
| Event | Time |
|---|---|
| First light (blue hour) Sun 6° below horizon | 6:54 AM |
| Sunrise Rises E · 100° | 7:22 AM |
| Morning golden hour ends 37 min of low, warm light | 8:00 AM |
| Solar noon Highest sun, flattest light | 12:59 PM |
| Evening golden hour starts 37 min before sunset | 5:58 PM |
| Sunset Sets W · 260° | 6:35 PM |
| Last light (blue hour) Sun 6° below horizon | 7:03 PM |
Times in America/Chicago · day length 11h 13m · computed from NOAA solar equations
Which way to point the camera
Sun rises E, sets W.
Aim within 45° of those and the canopy glows translucent. Turn your back to them for flat, accurate color.
Location pages name the light directly.
Shooting conditions
Glassy water, wind blur, and what the cloud will do to your light.
Recent reports
What people actually saw here. Been recently? Add yours.