It’s that time of year again! There’s a shift in the temperature, the sun is setting a little earlier, and the leaves are turning from their vibrant green to rich autumn color. For many RVers, this change in the season and the back-to-school grind ignites a longing for evenings around the campfire, cool weather hikes, and s’mores.
Whether you’re looking for a seasonal spot to explore over fall break or a shorter weekend getaway, there are epic destinations located all over the US to scratch that camping itch! Here are a few of my favorites:
Great Smoky Mountain National Park, North Carolina and Tennessee
If you’re in the eastern United States, the Great Smoky Mountain National Park is a great area to explore. The park is within driving distance of several eastern US cities which makes it doable if you only have a weekend to get away.
This park is situated on the border of east Tennessee and western North Carolina and offers beautiful hikes, history, and scenery. When visiting this park be sure to check out Clingman Dome for epic views, the Roaring Fork Motor Nature trail where you can find historic log cabins as well as spot a black bear or two, and Cades Cove with countless waterfalls off this loop.
If you have a little more time on your hands, you can either begin or end your drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway when visiting the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. One more thing to do while you’re visiting is hike seventy-one miles of the famed Appalachian Trail. Make it a point to add part of that trail to your bucket list!
Nearby RV parks and campgrounds:
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park campgrounds
- Sun Outdoors Pigeon Forge
- Two Rivers Landing RV Resort
Get more tips for visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Zion National Park, Utah
Fall camping season is the perfect time to visit Zion National Park. October and early November not only offer small crowds but also days that are still warm enough to enjoy hiking through the water of The Narrows and cool enough to hike the iconic Angels Landing.
RV camping is located within the park or outside the national park gates. It’s recommended that you utilize the shuttle system in this park so be prepared for that. Or, if you own an e-bike this park is the perfect place to enjoy a bike ride without car-populated roads.
If you’re pressed for time make sure to hike The Narrows trail to at least Wall Street, Angels Landing to at least Scout Lookout, and Emerald Ponds. These three trails will deliver a great experience while visiting this park.
Nearby RV parks and campgrounds:
- South Campground and Watchman Campground (Zion National Park)
- Zion River Resort RV Park & Campground
- Sand Hollow RV Resort
Get more tips for visiting Zion National Park
Custer State Park, South Dakota
Custer State Park is located in the Black Hills of South Dakota. It’s the state’s largest and first state park named after Lt. Colonel George Armstrong Custer and covers an area measuring 71,000 acres. Also operating as a wildlife reserve, the area is famous for its bison herds and abundance of other species including whitetail and mule deer, pronghorns, mountain goats, elk, coyotes, wild burros, bighorn sheep, wild turkeys, and prairie dogs. Mountain lions and bobcats have also been spotted during the night.
The park is home to stunning landscapes including pristine lakes, streams, and granite spires. As such visitors can enjoy a wide range of outdoor activities including camping, hiking, biking, swimming, fishing, and picnicking.
Nearby RV parks and campgrounds:
- Custer State Park campgrounds
- Rushmore Shadows Resort
- Rafter J Bar Ranch Camping Resort
Get more tips for visiting Custer State Park
Arches National Park
One of the most recognizable and well-photographed natural areas in the country, Arches National Park encompasses just over 100 square miles of eastern Utah and boasts more than 2,000 natural sandstone arches. Positioned over a massive subterranean salt bed these graceful rock formations are the result of thousands of years of erosion and geological activity. The unique and variable landscape of Arches offers an array of outdoor recreational opportunities, from hiking and horseback riding to climbing.
Fall is the perfect time for visiting Arches National Park. The temperatures during the day range from 60 degrees to 80 degrees. The lows will dip down into the 30s to the 50s.
When hiking at Arches in the fall it’s important to stay hydrated and protect yourself from the sun: pack water bottles, wear sunscreen, and a wide-brimmed hat.
Nearby RV parks and campgrounds:
- Devils Garden Campground (Arches National Park)
- Sun Outdoors Arches Gateway
- Spanish Trails RV Park
Get more tips for visiting Arches National Park
Big Bend National Park, Texas
Big Bend National Park is an adventurous West Texas destination for kayakers, hikers, and mountain bikers. The 801,000-acre park at the U.S.-Mexican border was named after a bend in the Rio Grande River which separates the two countries. The terrain includes, of course, the majestic river but also mountains, canyons, deserts, and several thermal hot springs. The highest point is Emory Peak located 7,832 feet above sea level in the Chisos Mountains.
Because it is one of the most remote national parks in the continental U.S. only a few small towns surround Big Bend including Lajitas, Study Butte, and an actual ghost town called Terlingua. With a population of 430, the village of Marathon is the biggest nearby “city” although it’s about a 40-minute drive from the park’s entrance.
Inside the park, the National Park Service also offers a wide variety of programs for visitors including guided walks from rangers. Those who prefer self-guided activities can enjoy bird-watching, hiking, bicycling, fishing, and horseback riding. And for a truly unique experience don’t forget about stargazing.
Nearby RV parks and campgrounds:
- Rio Grande Village RV Park (Big Bend National Park)
- Rio Grande Village Campground (Big Bend National Park)
- Maverick Ranch RV Park at Lajitas Golf Resort & Spa
Get more tips for visiting Big Bend National Park
More shoulder season camping destinations
A few other shoulder season camping spots perfect for exploring in the fall are:
- Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
- Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
- New River National Park and Preserve, West Virginia
- Joshua Tree National Park, California
- White Sands National Park, New Mexico
Heading to any of these destinations during the fall camping season provides a chance to see these beautiful spots with fewer crowds, cooler temperatures, and one last chance to soak in the outdoors before the cold, dreary winter months set in.
Now the biggest question you have to answer is how will you choose where to go?
Worth Pondering…
Autumn brings a longing to get away from the unreal things of life, out into the forest at night with a campfire and the rustling leaves.
—Margaret Elizabeth Sangster, poet