PLEASANT HILL, Iowa – We’re entering the time for peak fall colors, and they only last for a limited amount of time. If you’re searching for a prime location to see the fall colors, you don’t even have to look past the metro.

Yellow Banks Park in eastern Polk County is a bit of a secluded oasis. Just a few minutes on a trail will have you forgetting you’re in the metro (or just a few minutes from it).

The park is nearly 600 acres and has camping sites as well as archery. There’s a stocked pond for fishing and access points along the Des Moines River for more boating and fishing.

Most notably, the park’s location along the river and the loess deposits found there give it rolling and varying topography. This makes viewing the fall colors even better, especially along the river.

When the fall colors are gone, Yellow Banks still has reasons to visit. Bald eagles are frequently found in the winter, especially when the water freezes over. The park has great birding year-round, too.

Yellow Banks got its name from the loess deposits along the riverbank which have a bit of a yellowish hue. The location was popular among Native Americans for many years. In fact, even today, you’ll find Native American artifacts and even a burial mound in the park.

Yellow Banks Park is open all year, but camping goes from April through November. Entry to the park is free. For more information, visit their website here.