One of the most beautiful drives in the state is between Anamosa and Bellevue. In the fall, the roads between these two towns are lined with stunning trees changing color.

There are 80 miles of paved roads between Jackson and Jones counties. Limestone bluffs, three rivers, and rolling farm land make the Grant Wood Scenic Byway a truly special area of Iowa.

Northeast Iowa Resource Conservation & Development This is the area of Iowa that inspired Grant Wood to paint the rolling hills of his home around Stone City.

Highway 52 outside of Bellevue

Phil Roeder/Flickr This eastern Iowa byway is located in the eastern part of the state. It starts just south of Bellevue on Jackson County Road Z-15. The timberland is home to countless numbers of wild animals. This is a great place to spot deer, turkey, and many types of native birds.

Bellevue State Park overlooking the Mississippi River

Phil Roeder/Flickr Bellevue offers a number of scenic overlooks.

The route passes through Springbrook and Andrew. From there, you can go north or south and end up in Maquoketa.

Friends of the Maquoketa Caves State Park/Facebook The Maquoketa Caves State Park is one of the most beautiful and interesting natural sites in the state.

The fall colors along the Grant Wood Scenic Byway are beautiful in October.

empressoftheuniverse/Trip Advisor The route goes west from Maquoketa on Iowa 64 through Baldwin, Monmouth, and Wyoming.

The hills surrounding Anamosa and the tiny town of Stone City were the famous 1930s artist Grant Wood’s inspiration.

Louis/Flickr

Phil Roeder/Flickr Many historical buildings in the area are built with local quarried limestone from Stone City. Be sure to drive by the Anamosa State Penitentiary to see an amazing structure made from this one-of-a-kind stone material.

There are many attractions along the byway.

Robin/Flickr

Rich Herrmann Antique shops, wineries, small hometown restaurants, and places to get out of the car and stretch your legs are abundant, here.

In Stone City, the nicest view of the river is from the back deck of The General Store Pub

empressoftheuniverse/Trip Advisor Live music, excellent food, and unique surroundings make this iconic restaurant a great place to wrap up the journey.

The Interstate just doesn’t offer scenery like this, especially when the leaves change color.

empressoftheuniverse/Trip Advisor Take one last, great road trip before it snows!

Have you driven Iowa’s Grant Wood Scenic Byway? What’s your favorite place to stop along the way?

Northeast Iowa Resource Conservation & Development

This is the area of Iowa that inspired Grant Wood to paint the rolling hills of his home around Stone City.

Phil Roeder/Flickr

This eastern Iowa byway is located in the eastern part of the state. It starts just south of Bellevue on Jackson County Road Z-15. The timberland is home to countless numbers of wild animals. This is a great place to spot deer, turkey, and many types of native birds.

Bellevue offers a number of scenic overlooks.

Friends of the Maquoketa Caves State Park/Facebook

The Maquoketa Caves State Park is one of the most beautiful and interesting natural sites in the state.

empressoftheuniverse/Trip Advisor

The route goes west from Maquoketa on Iowa 64 through Baldwin, Monmouth, and Wyoming.

Louis/Flickr

Many historical buildings in the area are built with local quarried limestone from Stone City. Be sure to drive by the Anamosa State Penitentiary to see an amazing structure made from this one-of-a-kind stone material.

Robin/Flickr

Rich Herrmann

Antique shops, wineries, small hometown restaurants, and places to get out of the car and stretch your legs are abundant, here.

Live music, excellent food, and unique surroundings make this iconic restaurant a great place to wrap up the journey.

Take one last, great road trip before it snows!

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