Destinations for Camping this Fall

Fall is a great time to head out in the RV and explore the outdoors. The changing of the leaves coupled with cooler temperatures make traveling not only beautiful but also more comfortable. Roll down the windows and let the fall breeze engulf you on your next camping trip. Check out these top destinations for camping in the fall this year:

Acadia National Park

Known as the Crown Jewel of the North Atlantic Coast, there is a reason why over 3 million people visit this park every year located in south Maine. Fall is an especially popular time to visit to enjoy the fall colors as well as the many sights within the park. There are 4 different campgrounds to choose from within the near 50,000 acres of the park: Blackwoods, Seawall, Schoodic, and Duck Harbor.

The most popular campground in the park, Blackwoods Campground, offers RV sites and is open year-round. Blackwoods is also near the hiking trails and has easy access to the Park Loop Road. It is just a 10-minute walk to the ocean and reservations are highly recommended. The other 3 campgrounds offer different amenities and RV regulations with Duck Harbor being only primitive.

Big Bend National Park

If fall colors really aren’t your thing, and you’d rather steer clear of the season’s crowds, consider going south to Texas. Big Bend National Park is located along the Mexican border and offers beautiful canyons and gorgeous landscaping that are hard to find. The isolated park is great for those who want to enjoy a quiet time at a campground while being surrounded by nature’s beauty. The park offers 3 campgrounds that don’t offer full hook-ups but the Rio Grande Village RV Campground is located near the park with full RV hookups. Reservations are available but some sites are left for first come first serve customers at every campground.

Shenandoah National Park

Located among the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, Shenandoah National Park is just a few hours from the nation’s capital and offers some of the most beautiful displays or fall color. With plenty of places to go hiking and sightseeing–the blanket of oranges, yellows, red, and browns that cover the Blue Ridge Mountains is enough to attract plenty of fall campers. The park includes over 2000 acres of lovely forest that show colors well past what more Northern parks do thanks to being closer to the South. Consider staying at either Mathews Arm, Big Meadows, or Loft Mountain campgrounds within the park that offer sites large enough for RV’s. There are no hook-ups within the park but these do offer potable water and dump stations.

Zion National Park

This very popular campground is notorious for offering stunning views of fall color all season long. Zion National Park is located in Southwest Utah and offers a lot of things to see before you leave. There are Navajo cliffs and waterfalls that will inspire you as well as areas of desert and cooling springs that canvas the near 150,000 acres that make up the park. There are 3 campgrounds within the park with South Campground and Watchman Campground being appropriate for RV use. Reservations are recommended as the park sees over 4.5 million visitors a year and many, if not all, of the sites are full by mid-morning each day.

White Mountain National Forest

Located in New Hampshire, this Northeastern location is a sight to see in the fall. The brilliant colors that engulf this forest are enough to keep visitors coming back year after year. White Mountain National Forest offers beautiful terrain and photo-worthy opportunities alongside gentle streams and landscapes. There are many different campgrounds within different ranger districts to choose from but some may not be that RV-friendly. Reservations are highly recommended at least 7 days before arrival. There are plenty of hiking trails as well as areas to view the fall foliage making this area a popular spot in the fall.

Fall is a great time to go camping in order to enjoy the outdoors without working up too much of a sweat. The cooler temperatures are a natural fit for sitting out by the fire looking at the stars on a clear night. During the day, take a few hikes to see all of the glory that the fall colors bring as well as the many natural elements that dot each campground. Check out these top destinations for camping in the fall.

About the Author: Henry Walsh is a gardening writer and eco-conscious living advocate. He recently began his homesteading journey after many years of incorporating the principles into his urban lifestyle. 

*Article and photos provided by the author. All opinions expressed are solely those of the author.*