Visitors can earn points at nearly 60 Iowa parks and forests, redeem camping rewards and use the FallColor code for a separate 20% campsite discount through Oct. 31.
Updated Oct. 6, 2026.
Iowa park visitors have until Oct. 31 to earn rewards through the 2026 Iowa State Parks Passport, while a separate fall promotion is offering 20% off eligible campsite stays during the same period.
The free mobile State Parks Passport includes nearly 60 state parks and forests across Iowa. Visitors check in through the online pass and earn between 100 and 300 points at each participating location, with some designated “hidden gem” parks worth more points.
The Passport’s 2026 prize period ends at 11:59 p.m. Central Time on Oct. 31. People who used the Passport in previous years need to subscribe again to participate in the 2026 program.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is also offering a separate fall camping promotion. The code FallColor provides 20% off campsite reservations between Sept. 15 and Oct. 31, 2026, at Iowa state parks and forests.
500 Passport points can be redeemed for $5 off camping
Each confirmed State Parks Passport check-in is worth 100, 200 or 300 points. Visitors can accumulate points and redeem them for different rewards through the end of October.
- 500 points: $5 off an overnight camping stay.
- 1,000 points: a state park-themed can koozie while supplies last.
- 2,500 points: an Iowa state park canvas tote bag while supplies last.
- Each check-in: one entry into a drawing for a three-night cabin stay.
Once points are redeemed, they are deducted from the participant’s balance, but additional park check-ins can earn more points.
The $5 camping coupon is for online reservations and must be used by Oct. 31, according to the 2026 promotion rules.
The FallColor code gives campers a separate 20% discount
Iowa DNR’s fall camping promotion does not require Passport points. Campers can use the promotional code FallColor to receive 20% off qualifying campsite reservations during the fall promotion period.
The offer covers campsite reservations between Sept. 15 and Oct. 31, 2026, at Iowa state parks and forests.
The published terms do not specify whether the $5 Passport camping reward and the 20% FallColor discount can be combined on the same reservation.
Camping reservations and current promotion information are available through the Iowa DNR fall color and camping page.
The Parks Passport includes nearly 60 Iowa locations
The Passport works through a mobile online pass. After signing up, participants can check in at participating state parks and forests using their phone and accumulate points as they travel around Iowa.
Some locations are designated as hidden gems and carry higher point values. The Passport also highlights features such as scenic overlooks, historic sites and other places within participating parks.
The program has been running since 2020. Iowa DNR reported that more than 34,000 people had downloaded the pass and logged more than 62,000 park check-ins before the 2026 season.
Prize eligibility is limited to adults 18 and older
The 2026 prize promotion is open to legal U.S. residents who are at least 18 years old and have a mailing address in the contiguous United States. No purchase is required to participate in the prize promotion.
Each confirmed check-in also counts as an entry in the Passport’s cabin-stay sweepstakes. The number of entries increases with each eligible park check-in.
Participants can sign up for the 2026 Iowa State Park Passport through Travel Iowa. The rewards period ends Oct. 31.
Related: Iowa fall colors 2026: current conditions and peak dates by region
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