Supported Fe doped ZnO nanorod arrays with different doping concentrations were synthesized by a facile wet chemical method. The structures, surface morphologies and optical properties were characterized by X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectrometer (PL) and ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometer. The results demonstrated that the nanorod arrays uniformly grew aligned along with the [002] direction, densely overspreading the whole substrates. Both PL and UV-Vis spectra presented an extension to visible wavelength range. The photocatalytic activity was evaluated by photodegradation of methyl orange (MO) under UV light irradiation. Supported Fe doped ZnO nanorod arrays exhibited enhanced photocatalytic activity, and the supported 1.0 % Fe doped ZnO nanorod arrays reached to the maximum. After 2 h irradiation, almost 97 % MO solution was decomposed. Supported Fe doped ZnO nanorod arrays could be practical used in environment applications.