Iowa State Fair

New playscape in the DNR Building at the Iowa State fair.

Visitors to the historic DNR building at the 2026 Iowa State Fair will notice additional enhancements to the hands-on Conservation Discovery Area, including a river and beaver dam exhibit and Iowa animal mounts.

The Conservation Discovery Area offers fairgoers of all ages a chance to experience elements from two well-known Iowa state parks—Maquoketa Caves and Pilot Knob—without leaving the fairgrounds. Visitors can walk through a cave-like structure modeled after formations at Maquoketa Caves State Park, and explore a replica of the stone tower found at Pilot Knob State Park. The exhibit also includes a stream feature with cut-outs highlighting aquatic life and a full-size poster of Bridal Veil Falls at Pikes Peak State Park.

The Iowa State Fair runs from August 13 - 23. As always, fairgoers will enjoy visiting the historic building featuring fish aquariums (celebrating it's 100th anniverary), duck pond, animal displays, rainscape garden, a display about environmentally sustainable practices in the home, and a new courtyard birding exhibit featuring winning art from the First Annual Iowa Songbird Art Contest. Try archery in the shooting range building on the north side of the courtyard from noon to 6 p.m. each day.

The DNR fair building, located near the west entrance of the fairgrounds and just to the west of the grandstand along the grand concourse, is open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

2026 Courtyard Schedule

Thursday, August 13

  • 11:00 – Wildlife Where You Live: 5 things YOU can do for wildlife at home (Courtyard Stage)
  • 1:00 – Wild Transformations: 250 Years of Iowa’s Mammals (Courtyard Stage) 
  • 3:00 - Rainscaping (Courtyard Stage)
  • 5:00 – Tree-via - DNR Daily Trivia - Topic: Historic American Forestry Schools (Courtyard Stage)

Pop-Up Programs:

  • 10:00 - 12:00 - Youth Activity - Blue Bird Box Building (Courtyard)

Friday, August 14

  • 11:00 – Growing Healthy Shade Trees (Courtyard Stage)
  • 1:00 – Coyotes in Your Yard: Good, Bad…Normal? (Courtyard Stage)
  • 3:00 – Pond Management 101 (Courtyard Stage)
  • 5:00 – Tree-via - DNR Daily Trivia - Topic: Fishy Friday - In honor of the century old aquarium (Courtyard Stage)

Pop-Up Programs:

  • 10:00 - 12:00 - Youth Activity - Blue Bird Box Building (Courtyard)

Saturday, August 15

  • 11:00 – History of the Aquarium and the DNR Fair Building (Courtyard Stage)
  • 1:00 – History of the Aquarium and the DNR Fair Building (Courtyard Stage)
  • 3:00 –  Inside Iowa’s Deer Herd (Courtyard Stage)
  • 5:00 – Tree-via - DNR Daily Trivia - Topic: Historic Trees for America’s 250th - Part 1 (Courtyard Stage)

Pop-Up Programs:

  • 11:00 - 2:00 - Fish Cleaning and Cooking Demonstrations (Courtyard)

Sunday, August 16

Reusapalooza Celebration

  • 11:00 – Fish Local (Courtyard Stage)
  • 1:00 – Historic Trees (Courtyard Stage)
  • 3:00 - The History of Smokey Bear (Courtyard Stage)
  • 5:00 – Tree-via - DNR Daily Trivia - Topic: Tree Recycling (Courtyard Stage)

Pop-Up Programs: 

  • 9:00 to 1:00 - Multiple stations for fairgoers to participate in upcycled activities. Special guest appearance by “Rocky the Recycler” during the day. (Courtyard)

Monday, August 17

  • 11:00 – ICON and Iowa DNR Water Trails (Courtyard Stage)
  • 1:00 – Wild Child Backyard Adventures (Courtyard Stage) 
  • 3:00 - Amazing Pollinators (Courtyard Stage) 
  • 5:00 – Tree-via - DNR Daily Trivia - Topic: Tree/Forest Americans - Part 1 (Courtyard Stage)

Tuesday, August 18

  • 11:00 – Who’s Behind the Name? State Park Namesakes (Courtyard Stage)
  • 1:00 – State Park History Now (Courtyard Stage)
  • 3:00 - Wild Transformations: 250 Years of Iowa’s Mammals (Courtyard Stage)
  • 5:00 – Tree-via - DNR Daily Trivia - Topic: History of Smokey Bear (Courtyard Stage)

Wednesday, August 19

Sensory Day (9am to Noon)

  • 11:00 – Soaring Symbols: The Bald Eagle and Other Raptors - Live Animal Program (Courtyard Stage)
  • 1:00 – Iowa Agriculture Water Alliance - Game Show (Courtyard Stage)
  • 3:00 – Snakes Alive! - Live Animal Program (Courtyard Stage)
  • 5:00 – Tree-via - DNR Daily Trivia - Topic: Trees for the Senses (Courtyard Stage)

Pop-Up Programs: 

  • 10:00 - 12:00 - Youth Activity - Blue Bird Box Building (Courtyard)
  • Morning & Afternoon - Snake Meet and Greet (DNR Building & Courtyard)
  • 9:00 to 5:00 - Conservation Station Trailer (Courtyard)

Iowa Learning Farms partners with Water Rocks! to bring audiences the Conservation Station—a mobile learning center that educates audiences of all ages on different conservation aspects. The trailer houses a unique combination of highly visual and interactive Iowa-centric demonstrations that delve into the impacts of land management choices, both urban and agricultural, on water quality and the connections between our state’s water, soil, and wildlife. Visiting fairs, festivals, farmers markets, and other public events, the Conservation Station trailer provides a range of demonstrations, games, learning opportunities and hands-on activities for all ages.

Thursday, August 20

  • 11:00 – Wildcrafting (Courtyard Stage)
  • 1:00 – Taste Nature - Wild Edible Plants (Courtyard Stage)
  • 3:00 - Rehabbing Logged and Storm Damaged Forests (Courtyard Stage)
  • 5:00 – Tree-via - DNR Daily Trivia - Topic: Historic Tree/Forest Americans - Part 2 (Courtyard Stage)

Pop-Up Programs:

  • 9:00 to 6:00 - Izaak Walton League - Hands-On Conservation Activities (Courtyard)
  • Morning & Afternoon - Hunter Education Hands-On Station (Courtyard)

Friday, August 21

  • 11:00 – Oaks: The Champions of the Forest (Courtyard Stage)
  • 1:00 – Birding Basics: Tips and Tricks of Identifying Birds (Courtyard Stage)
  • 3:00 - Paddling Safety (Courtyard Stage)
  • 5:00 – Tree-via - DNR Daily Trivia - Topic: Fishy Friday - In honor of the century old aquarium  (Courtyard Stage)

Pop-Up Programs:

  • 9:00 to 6:00 - Izaak Walton League - Hands-On Conservation Activities (Courtyard)

Saturday, August 22

  • 11:00 – Outdoor Cooking Basics (Courtyard Stage)
  • 1:00 –  Gone or Back Again: Wildlife Ups and Downs (Courtyard Stage)
  • 3:00 – Snakes Alive! - Live Animal Program (Courtyard Stage)
  • 5:00 – Tree-via - DNR Daily Trivia - Topic: Historic Trees for America’s 250th - Part 2 (Courtyard Stage)

Pop-Up Programs:

  • 9:00-6:00 - Izaak Walton League  Hands-On Activities (Courtyard)
  • Morning/Afternoon - Snake Meet & Greet (Courtyard)

Sunday, August 23

  • 11:00 – Snakes Alive! - Live Animal Program (Courtyard Stage) 
  • 1:00 – Amphibians and Turtles - Live Animal Program (Courtyard Stage)
  • 3:00 - Central Iowa Fly Fishers (Courtyard Stage)
  • 5:00 – Tree-via - DNR Daily Trivia - Topic: Trees Role in Growing America for 250 Years* (Courtyard Stage)

Pop-Up Programs:

  • Morning/Afternoon - Snake Meet & Greet (Courtyard)