10 Great Places to go RVing in Fall

Fall is a magical time of year. The leaves are changing colors, the days are getting a little cooler, and the smell of pumpkin spice is in the air. From coast to coast, there are dozens of amazing campgrounds to call home base while enjoying the scenic views of vibrantly colored leaves while RVing in fall.

Arkansas

Want to enjoy some of the state’s spectacular natural beauty from atop Rich Mountain? Stay at the campground at Queen Wilhelmina State Park and experience life atop the state’s second-highest mountain. The park is reached by traveling along the gorgeous Talimena National Scenic Byway, which connects Mena, Arkansas, with Talihina, Oklahoma, and is breathtaking to view while RVing in fall. There are numerous overlooks along the byway that provide amazing views and photos.

The campground at the state park has 41 campsites: eight are Class A sites with water and 50-amp electric hookups, 27 are Class B sites with 30-amp electric and water hookups, and five are Class C sites with water. For guests’ convenience, there is a modern bathhouse that has hot showers and a dump station onsite. You can explore Wonder House, which appears to be a two-story home but has nine levels. The park also has a hike-in tent site and a park lodge with 40 rooms and an onsite restaurant.

There are plenty of opportunities for outdoor fun while at the park, including a playground and volleyball court. The interactive programs and guided hikes that allow you to learn about the unique geology, animals and plants on the mountain. While hiking, you will see several types of wildflowers as well as raccoons, deer, skunks, American Black bear, and numerous species of birds. Set out on one of the three hiking trails inside the park and then visit Lover’s Leap overlook for a panoramic view of the area. Ouachita National Forest surrounds the park and has even more hiking and hunting opportunities.

California

A stay at Mammoth Mountain RV Park and Campground makes a great base camp while exploring the lakes, forests, mountains and meadows in the area. In fact, the entrance is directly across from the Ranger Station and Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center. Be sure and stop by on your way out of the campground for great information on local attractions and activities to do while RVing in fall.

There are 175 sites to choose from at the campground. All sites have dirt pads, and most are shaded by a tree canopy. They offer sites with full hook-ups featuring 30/50 amp electric, water, sewer and cable television. Partial hook-up sites are paved and have electric and water. For those not traveling by RV, the park offers tent sites and cabins. They even offer ‘overland’ sites, which is a cross between tent camping and full hookups. Overland sites can accommodate pop-up tents, truck campers, and camper vans. They are tree-lined sites with a fire pit, table and bear box. Additional campground amenities include an indoor swimming pool/spa, restrooms, showers, laundry facility, Wi-Fi, a playground, a camp store and a dump station.

Mammoth Lakes Trail System

Ready to venture out? The expansive Mammoth Lakes Trail System has more than 300 miles of trails leading to countless recreational activities. You can hike along lakes teaming with trout, beautiful alpine meadows and forests of pine trees. The trails connect the Pacific Crest Trail, Devils Postpile National Monument and three wilderness areas. Regardless of the season, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Fishing, skiing, snowboarding, kayaking, hiking, sight-seeing and shopping opportunities are all close to the campground.

Maine

Acadia National Park is one of the best places to view the brilliant colors as the leaves change. RVing in fall also means a less-crowded visit to the park. Blackwoods Campground, located inside the park, makes a great base camp while exploring the area. While most of the sites are geared toward tent camping, there are some RV sites. All the roads are paved, and conveniences such as running water, flush toilets, a dump station, fire rings and picnic tables are provided. There are no onsite shower facilities, but there are showers a half-mile from the park. Every site is wooded, and you are never more than a ten-minute walk from the ocean.

Acadia National Park is made up of a group of islands in the Atlantic, right off the coast of Maine. With the national park’s 50,000 acres, you can find mountains, meadows, streams, wetlands, lakes, forests and beaches. Regardless of your age or activity level, the park rangers have a program that fits your needs. You can participate in a nice easy stroll along the shoreline, a boat cruise (with facts about the area), a bike ride, mountain hiking or a ranger-led discussion about the park. A loop road system, stretching over 27 miles, give views of the coastal forests, mountains in the background and the ocean coastline. The national park has numerous harbors and charming small towns surrounding it, including the Schoodic Peninsula, Isle au Haut and Mount Desert Island. They all make perfect day trips.

Michigan

Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is a great place to breathe clean air and enjoy stunning lake views while RVing in fall. The views become even more spectacular with the leaves start to change color in the fall. Manistique is in the heart of the Upper Peninsula and is a great place to call home while exploring all the northern Michigan has to offer. One of the best campgrounds in the area is the Manistique Lakeshore Campground.

The campground, located on the shores of Lake Michigan, is perfect for the whole family. You can choose from pull-through RV sites offering paved pads and full hookups including 50-amp electric, water, sewer, cable and Wi-Fi or rustic sites for a more primitive camping experience. Regardless of the choice you make, you will have sweeping views of Lake Michigan. Additionally, there are restrooms, laundry facilities, showers and running water onsite for guests’ convenience. A public pavilion, playground and boardwalk are available for guests to enjoy.

If you’re wanting to explore the area, the campground is within a short walk or drive to many local attractions. You can relax on one of the area’s beaches, go golfing, view lighthouses and waterfalls, visit Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and Kitch-iti-Kipi (The Big Spring), enjoy a tasting at the winery and visit quaint local shops.

Montana

Enjoy Big Sky Country at an RV Resort just a couple of miles from Glacier National Park. Western Glacier KOA is the perfect place to enjoy Montana’s beautiful landscape and natural wonders that have been in existence for thousands of years. You’ll have the time of your life RVing in fall and make lasting memories.

The resort has both pull-thru and back-in RV campsites. The majority of the sites are large (up to 75 feet in length), big-rig friendly and have full hook-ups, including 50/30/20-amp electric. You can choose from several types of sites.

Western Glacier KOA is not only conveniently located, but also has plenty of activities to keep you busy. Start your day at the espresso bar or the Lazy Bear Café and enjoy free Wi-Fi . Relax in the sauna or hot tub after spending some time exploring the hiking trails. Splash around in the seasonal swimming pool. Join in planned activities or let the kids enjoy the playground. Onsite laundry facilities, restrooms, showers and dump stations are available for guests’ convenience.

Explore nearby Glacier National Park and almost 700 miles of hiking trails. You will see lakes, wildlife and glaciers. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience. You can travel through the park on horseback or the “Red Bus” guided tours. Take a drive across the Continental Divide and along the Going-to-the Sun scenic road. Here is an overview of the campground and Glacier National Park. 

New Hampshire

Can’t decide between staying near the water or the mountains while RVing in fall? Get the best of both worlds at Danforth Bay Camping and RV Resort in Freedom, New Hampshire. The pet-friendly, gated resort is nestled along the Danforth Bay shoreline. It is surrounded by forested hills and is in the shadow of the White Mountains. Nature lovers will have a blast at the 185-acre park that features one-half mile of lakeshore. While the area is stunning year-round, fall is especially breathtaking.

This big-rig friendly resort offers more than 300 RV sites, including more than 100 that are 35-by-60 feet and designed for the largest RVs on the road. Additionally, there are two dozen sites that are pull-throughs on Province Place and Chocorua Circle. All sites offer full hookups, including cable and Wi-Fi. However, the water hookup is seasonal and is shut off from mid/late October to late April/early May.

RV Sites and Amenities

You can choose from sites along the shore, nestled against a brook or tucked away in the forest. There are four deluxe camping sites that are close to the lake, have a 10-by-10-foot patio with table and chairs, a fire ring, charcoal grill, full hookups and a 12-by-45-foot concrete pad for your RV. Got friends/family traveling without an RV? The resort has tent sites, cabins and cottages.

The resort has plenty of fun activities for guests. There are two saltwater swimming pools, a kiddie pool with slide, two beaches, basketball, volleyball and tennis courts, a ping pong table and horseshoe pits. Hiking and mountain biking opportunities are plentiful, as are fishing and boating possibilities. Don’t miss out on the wagon rides. The resort plans plenty of rainy-day activities, such as bingo and arts and crafts. There is live entertainment on the weekends. The resort has nine sparkling clean bathhouses, a laundry room, boat and golf cart rentals, a dump station, and a camp store.

North Carolina

The Mountain River Family Campground in Newland, North Carolina, is tucked away against the Western edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Recently voted the best campground in Avery County, this pet-friendly campground is open seasonally from the first weekend of April until the last weekend of October. You can pick from mountain side sites or those facing the North Toe River. Both offer gentle breeze and spectacular views, so you can’t make a bad choice.

All RV sites are level and spacious, can accommodate RVs of any size and there are two lots dedicated to pull-through sites. You’ll get full hookups, including 30/50 electric, water, sewer and internet as well as trash pick-up. In addition, there are concrete patios, fire pits and new picnic tables at each site. Onsite, you will find a bathhouse and laundry room, both recently renovated. Kids will have a blast playing arcade games. The easy access to the river gives you a great opportunity to go trout fishing, tubing or swimming. Asheville, Gatlinburg, and Knoxville are with an hour or two of Newland, and any of the three destinations would make a great day trip. 

Tennessee

Like most mountain communities, Gatlinburg is simply stunning in autumn when the leaves change from green to vibrant shades of red, yellow and orange. The Ridge Outdoor Resort offers amazing amenities and tons of planned activities and is a great place to call home while enjoying all that Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountains have to offer.

There are plenty of outdoor games and activities to enjoy at The Ridge, including pickleball, Gaga Ball and Basketball courts, a playground, a (zero entry) pool with spacious sun deck, a swimming lagoon, fishing pond and a golf simulator (must bring your own clubs). Pets will burn off some energy at the bark park and enjoy some time off-leash. Camp Ridge Kids is a fun morning camp for kids between the ages of 5 and 12. Enjoy a hike, read a book by the pool or get in a workout at the fitness center while your kids are safe and making new friends and memories of their own. There is an onsite Wi-Fi lounge and Ridge Kids room. Get around with ease on a rented golf cart.

Choose from spacious Premiere or Signature Big-Rig friendly RV Sites, ranging from 62 to one hundred feet in length. All sites have level pads (concrete) and offer full hookups including 30/50-amp electric, cable and internet. There is a modern bath house and camping store on the property for guests’ convenience. Traveling with friends who don’t have an RV? They can stay in a glamping tent or rustic tiny home camping cabin and enjoy the campground, too.

Eye in the Sky

Get one of the best views of Gatlinburg from the Space Needle. You will ride to the top in a glass elevator, giving you an amazing view in every direction. Don’t miss out on the fall fun at the Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival or Oktoberfest at Ober Gatlinburg while RVing in fall.

Vermont

Vermont is a great state for fall foliage, and the Green Mountain National Forest and the Green Mountains and the Green Mountain National Forest offer some of the most spectacular views while RVing in fall. Hike through the area and see the vibrant landscape for yourself.

Just a few miles outside Bennington you will find a quiet park surrounded by natural beauty that is just the perfect place for relaxing and recharging. The Greenwood Lodge and Campsites (open seasonally from mid-May until the end of October) has 40 spacious campsites (most of them wooded) and the campground butts up against The Green Mountain National Forest. The sites have water and 20/30/50-amp electric hookups, picnic tables, fire pits and a dump station for convenience. Additionally, there are sparkling clean temperature-controlled bathrooms with hot showers, a dish-washing sink and a microwave oven.

Spread out over 120 acres, the pet-friendly campground has plenty of places for you to swim, hike, fish, go boating, ride a bike or paddle around in a canoe. There are three ponds, volleyball and basketball courts, horseshoe pits, tetherball and a ball field. Rainy day fun can be found in the recreation room.

Bennington

If you want to venture out, there is a general store across the street. You can also go hiking along the Appalachian Trail, visit Harriman and Somerset Reservoirs, go horseback riding or play a round of golf. Bennington, which is bordered by two mountain ranges, has unique shops, great restaurants to suit everyone’s taste, and tons of outdoor activities for the entire family.

Take some time to explore Old Bennington via a walking tour. You can see the Jedidiah Dewey House, which was built in 1763 and is the oldest home on the tour. In addition, you will see the Old First Church, which was built in 1805 and is one of the most recognizable (and beautiful) churches in the state. The town also has three covered bridges; you don’t want to skip seeing them. Round out your visit to the town by visiting the Bennington Museum, home to the world’s largest collection of Grandma Moses painting. 

West Virginia

A scenic two-lane road, the Highland Scenic Byway, goes through the Monongahela National Forest, and everyone should take the drive when the leaves are changing colors in the fall. The byway stretches out for over 40 miles and has four scenic outlooks. One particularly stunning outlook allows an amazing view of the Allegheny Highlands, which are especially breathtaking in the fall.

The campground, which is nestled on a bend of the Shavers Fork River, is set up on a single loop and has long spurs. The Allegheny Mountains, which range from 1,000–4,863 feet above sea level, cover the state’s highlands. Each of the sites has electric hookups, a tent pad, campfire ring and lantern post. In addition, there are flush toilets and showers, trash collection and a dump station for guests’ convenience. Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy the many opportunities for swimming (from a waterfront beach), hunting, trout fishing and hiking the 2-mile long River Loop Hiking Trail. 

The charming community of Elkins is less than 15 minutes from the campground and hosts the Mountain State Forest Festival every year in October. Your first stop while RVing in fall should be the Elkins Depot Welcome Center, where you can find out about all the area has to offer visitors. For a spectacular view that most never get to see, climb the Bickle Knob Observation Tower for a 360-degree view of the Monongahela National Forest. With more than 45 miles of trails, you will have plenty of land to explore in Dolly Sods Wilderness Area. 

More Ideas for RVing in Fall

Ready for more ‘leaf peeping’? There are hundreds more great spots to watch the leaves change color. Almost every state has colorful forests during the fall. No matter where you decide to travel, or the road you choose to get there, RV LIFE Campgrounds and RV LIFE Trip Wizard will help you plan the perfect vacation. RV LIFE Campgrounds is a trusted source of campground and RV park reviews offered by your fellow camping and RV enthusiasts. With its accompanying RV LIFE App, RV LIFE Trip Wizard gets you to your camping destinations utilizing RV-friendly routes customized to your RV and travel preferences.

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