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20+ Charming Fall RV Destinations & Roadtrips in the USA

ByAlyssa last updated

As full-time RVers, we have been traveling all around North America in our home on wheels since 2021. In that time we have had the opportunity to explore destinations in 36 states and 6 Canadian Provinces and stumble upon some seriously amazing places to visit during the fall months each year.

Use this list as inspiration to help you find that perfect fall RV destination!

Whether you are looking for classic New England foliage, mild weather and low crowds, or golden larches, let us help you find your next great fall RV trip and put your mind at ease to ensure you know when the best time to go is, and what to expect in terms of weather and crowds.

Here we go!

Tips For Planning Your Fall RV Trip

Bright red leaves on a boardwalk path through brightly colored trees during fall foliage season in New England

RVing in the fall months (generally September to November) can come with a few more considerations to think through so that you don’t find yourself unable to reserve campsites, stuck in unfavorable weather, or at a location where most businesses have already shut down for the year.

We will share details for all of these considerations for the specific locations we list below, but here are some basics to think through as you take your next great autumn RV trip from dream to reality:

Weather

When it comes to weather, things can of course be unpredictable.

We have traveled to places and experienced temperatures 20 degrees above and below the typical average. There’s been rain during the “dry season,” unseasonable freezes, and even a surprise snowstorm or two. It happens.

This being said, be sure to research not only the average temperature and precipitation for the area(s) you want to visit on your trip, but also the areas you will have to travel through to and from your intended destinations.

Fall can turn to winter quickly, especially in areas of higher elevation – you don’t want to be caught in poor weather returning from your picture-perfect fall trip.

In our experience, route planning is just as important as destination selection.

Crowds

Depending on where your fall RV travels take you, you can either get the whole place to yourself or find yourself in the midst of some crazy crowds.

For example, fall in National Parks that are popular summer destinations (such as Yellowstone, for example) can often be quieter and less crowded after Labor Day once the school year has started back up and the weather starts to cool off.

On the other hand, leaf-peeping destinations in the Northeast and Southeast get EXTREMELY busy during the fall season. This can make campground reservations hard to come by, and scenic drives rather congested.

Seasonal Closures

Finally, learn from our mistakes (or rather just general lack of knowledge).

Even if the weather is great or fairly mild and it seems like things should still be open – doesn’t mean they will be.

When visiting Custer South Dakota, Glacier National Park in Montana, and Acadia National Park, we were surprised to find that we had booked ourselves at our selected campgrounds until the very last day they were open.

In addition, during the final few days of our stay in Maine, most restaurants and businesses were closing for the season.

The bottom line: don’t expect things to be open. Do a little research to see if the area is seasonal and what activities, restaurants, or excursions you will be able to do.

You don’t want to find yourself making a bunch of effort to plan a trip only to get there and find yourself unable to do much of what you had hoped.

Top Autumn RV Destinations

A brown dog sitting in the leaves by a lake surrounded by fall leaves in Vermont

We are totally biased, but the fall months are some of the best times to RV. Crisp air, changing leaves and pops of color, fall-themed events, cozy campfires – what more could you want?!

As autumnal enthusiasts, each year we go in search of the next great fall destination to RV. Below is our list of the very best spots to inspire your next great fall RV trip:

Northeast & New England

Fall in New England is synonymous with leaf peeping, apple picking, pumpkin patches, covered bridges, and warm apple cider donuts. As Massachusetts natives, the autumn season in the northeast will always hold a special place in our hearts.

And even as full-time RVers embracing a nomadic life, when we start to feel a crisp in the air, we can’t help but feel the pull back to this special area of the country during this stunning season of change.

Below are our favorite fall RV destinations in the Northeast! Keep in mind that the Northeast is a popular destination for fall foliage, so many campgrounds book up early.

Acadia National Park, Maine

A male hiker and his dog walking through bright foliage with hues of red, orange and yellow in Acadia National Park

Our first RV trip to Acadia National Park spanned from late September into the first week in October.

During this time we found a quiet park, mostly empty trails, and fall foliage coloring the park in hues of orange and yellow.

While many businesses in the town of Bar Harbor and local campgrounds will start to shut down in the second week of October, this can be a great autumn RV destination if you are looking for a quieter time to see this stunning park (one of our favorites) and experience a bit of New England foliage.

  • Average high/low temperatures: September (70/53), October (59/44), November (49/34)
  • Seasonal Closures: Many Bar Harbor campgrounds and restaurants will start to shut down in the beginning to middle of October. Scenic Park Loop Road typically does not close until December 1
  • Recommended Campgrounds: Best Acadia National Park Campgrounds

Use this Portland Maine itinerary if you have time to visit this seaside city and foodie-heaven!

Adirondacks, New York

A fifth wheel RV camping beneath brightly colored trees during an autumn rv trip in the Adirondacks of New York

The mountains surrounding the 1980 Olympic site of Lake Placid are truly some of the most peaceful we have ever experienced.

Upstate New York tends to be a bit overlooked by RVers, but we cannot recommend the Adirondacks enough as a fall RV destination.

The local towns are beautiful and quaint with plenty of great options for dining, there are fall festivals to be enjoyed (like Whiteface Mountain’s Oktoberfest), scenic drives bursting with dreamy autumn colors, and several stunning hikes.

This area is popular! We recommend booking campground reservations early (there are not many parks in the area) and arriving for hikes earlier in the day.

A hiking couple admiring the fall foliage around a narrow lake in upstate New York
The famous Indian Head & Rainbow Falls Hike

Finger Lakes, New York

Rainbow falls cascading down the moss covered limestone in front of the gorge trail in Watkins Glen State Park
Rainbow Falls in Watkins Glen State Park

Another great New York fall RV destination to have on your radar is the Finger Lakes region.

With beautiful lakes, colorful foliage, unique waterfall hikes, and a seemingly endless array of wineries and vineyards, there is something for everyone.

In addition, the fall season here is a bit extended, meaning you can find fall colors peaking in mid to late October rather than early October as you will find in other areas of the Northeast.

Read More: Best Hikes In The Finger Lakes

White Mountains, New Hampshire

Aerial shot of cars amidst colorful foliage on the Kancamagus Highway in New Hampshire during leaf peeping season
Kancamagus Highway – Photo by Prasanth Nandyala on Unsplash

With the iconic Franconia Notch State Park, Flume Gorge, the Conway Scenic Railroad, towering Mount Washington, and the scenic drive through the famous Kancamagus Highway, the White Mountains of New Hampshire are the picture-perfect example of what comes to mind when you think fall in New England.

While you will find this area busy with crowds during peak leaf peeping time, we believe it is a quintessential fall RV trip you should take at least once!

And the great news is that it is fairly easy to combine fall destinations in New England for one grand RV fall foliage tour. Why choose just one?

Stowe, Vermont

Vermont is another extremely popular fall destination – and for good reason. With small-town charm, crisp fall air, and more stunning foliage Stowe and the surrounding areas are perfect for an autumn getaway.

A view of colorful leaves painting the mountains of Vermont in hues of red, orange, and yellow
Lookout from Stowe Pinnacle (we highly recommend this hike)

We recommend taking a tour of Ben & Jerry’s after a day of hiking, checking out the views from Mount Mansfield (Vermont’s tallest peak), taking the scenic route through Smuggler’s Notch, visiting the iconic Trapp Family Lodge (yes, the Austrian family portrayed in The Sound Of Music), and checking out Woodstock and the Green Mountains.

Of course when in Stowe you can’t forget a stop at Cold Hollow Cider Mill to enjoy some warm apple cider and fresh cider donuts!

Note: These quaint New England towns and winding roads are not always the most friendly for big RVs. If you will be taking a fall RV trip to New England with a big rig, be sure to choose your routes carefully (we use RV Life to help with this) and know that you may have to stay closer to larger cities and day trip around to see the sights.

A small covered bridge in New England
Vermont has plenty of covered bridges to discover!

Berkshires, Massachusetts

A bright orange and red tree in autumn along a dirt trail

On the less visited western side of Massachusetts, there is more fall fun to be had! With farm stands, country roads, and historical sites (like Edith Wharton’s summer home), orchards, and plenty of fall festivals and activities, the Berkshires shouldn’t be overlooked as a fall RV destination or part of a New England fall foliage road trip.

Consider exploring these charming towns that make up The Berkshires: Stockbridge, Great Barrington, Lee, North Adams, Williamstown, Pittsfield, Lenox

If you want to explore Boston and closer to the coast of Massachusetts you can see great foliage there as well. Popular destinations to consider adding to your itinerary include Boston, Salem, and Cape Cod. Normandy Farms is a highly-rated campground perfect for taking a day trip or two into the city.

Pro Tip: Use this fall foliage color map to see when peak colors are expected around the country

Southeast

The beautiful fall colors extend all the way down the East Coast, stretching as far as Georgia. What’s even better is that the leaf season is a bit later in the southern states, giving you even more time to enjoy this yearly spectacle.

In addition, fall can be a great time to enjoy more laid-back beach camping along the coast as the summer season comes to an end and hugely popular destinations start to feel more like hidden gems.

Below are our best recommendations for fall RV destinations in the southeast!

Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

A beautiful curve of Skyline Drive in Virginia with views of layers of mountains and green trees beyond a short stone wall
Skyline Drive

Nestled in western Virginia, Shenandoah National Park is one of the popular fall RV destinations in the southeast due to opportunities for colorful foliage.

Scenic Skyline Drive runs directly through the heart of this lush park, making it easy to go on a leaf-peeping tour. In addition, there are plenty of short trails and great overlooks that can be accessed directly from Skyline Drive.

With its close proximity to North Carolina, this can be a great stop on a fall RV itinerary that can be easily combined with visits to the Blue Ridge Parkway in western North Carolina and Great Smokey Mountain National Park as well!

Check out these 10 Amazing Hikes in Shenandoah National Park

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee/North Carolina

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the most visited National Parks in the United States and with its fall foliage, the autumn season is no exception.

In addition to great hiking and leaf peeping within the park, there’s plenty to do around the park in nearby Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge as well.

Both Shenandoah and Great Smoky Mountains National Parks are also great parks to see wildlife such as deer and black bears!

Blue Ridge Parkway, Asheville & Western North Carolina

After leaving New England behind and before embarking on our RV adventure, we had the pleasure of calling North Carolina home for a while.

Western North Carolina is a great fall RV destination as it has colorful foliage, charming mountain towns, plenty of scenic drives, and access to Great Smoky Mountains National Park as well.

At 469 miles long, the Blue Ridge Parkway spans between Virginia and North Carolina and links Shenandoah National Park to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Even after driving scenic roads all over the country, this one during autumn is still one of our favorites!

In addition, Asheville is a funk and vibrant city with some amazing restaurants and more upscale experiences (like highly rated spas and the Biltmore Estate) if you are looking for something different during your visit to the area.

Southeast Coast

Bright pink and orange sunset at Edisto Beach South Carolina
Folly Beach South Carolina

If you aren’t so interested in the foliage hot spots and crowds, our best recommendation is to do the opposite of what everyone else is doing.

While the coast is inundated with visitors in the summer months, we prefer to visit during the quieter shoulder and off-seasons for the chance to have these vacation hot spots almost all to ourselves.

With mild temperatures, smaller crowds, and potentially lower off-peak rates, fall can be a great time to head to the coast and enjoy a beachfront stay.

Moss covered green trees forming a tunnel over a dirt road in South Carolina

Consider spots like Edisto Island or Charleston South Carolina and the surrounding areas, North Carolina’s Emerald Coast or Cape Hatteras and the Outer Banks. Between camping on South Carolina Coast and North Carolina Coast and all the way up to Maryland, there are some great fall RV destinations to be found!

Discover The Best RV Trips On The East Coast

New River Gorge National Park Weather:

View from below the New River Gorge Bridge while driving Fayette Station Road
The iconic New River Gorge Bridge

This might be a newer National Park, but it has already made a name for itself due to its roaring river, brilliant bridges, and you guessed it – colorful fall foliage!

From mid to late October you can take in the fall colors, enjoy some whitewater rafting (the season runs through October), as well as plenty of hiking, biking, and fishing opportunities. And don’t forget the Fayette Station Road Scenic drive, which takes you from high above the gorge to the riverside at the bottom.

We were lucky enough to visit New River Gorge National Park back in 2021 at the end of summer and would love to return to experience it in all of its autumn glory.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Much like West Virginia, Ohio is likely not the first place that comes to mind when it comes to fall foliage.

This being said, mid to late October each year Cuyahoga Valley National Park comes alive with autumn colors. We have not visited this park yet, but it is on our list for a future fall RV trip!

Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas

The classic bathhouse facilities along Bathhouse row in Hot Springs National Park
Bathhouse Row

While not necessarily on par with the fall foliage of the East Coast, you can still get some autumn colors in Arkansas as well!

In addition, you can camp along a calming river inside the National Park and enjoy a quintessential hot springs experience with a traditional bath in the park’s historic bath row.

While this might not be a park that we would choose as our top destination, it can be a great addition to an itinerary that has you crossing from west to east or east to west across the country.

  • Average high/low temperatures:: September (87/62), October (76/50), November (63/ 40)
  • Recommended Campgrounds: Gulpha Gorge Campground

West

As you venture into the western states you really start to appreciate the vastness and diversity that exists inside the U.S.

Fall here brings golden larches, striking foliage, cool weather, and the chance for some epic wildlife sightings (like elk bugling that has been on our bucket list for a few years now).

Yellowstone & Grand Teton National Parks

A woman standing on a rock looking out over a river cutting through the colorful grand canyon of the Yellowstone in Yellowstone National Park
“Grand Canyon” of Yellowstone

Elk in rut season, bears getting ready for hibernation, large bison, and pronghorn migrations. Yellowstone National Park and nearby Grant Teton National Parks come alive with wildlife activity in the fall months.

While crowds may still linger into the fall, you will likely find fewer visitors in the parks compared to peak summer season.

And cooler, shorter days also bring the change from green to golden aspens!

Golden foliage sitting below the towering mountains in Grand Teton National Park in fall
Photo by Dave Herring on Unsplash

Read about seasonal changes and closures in Yellowstone here

Read about fall in Grand Tetons National Park here

  • Average high/low temperatures: September (68/34), October (55/26), November (37/16)
  • Seasonal Closures: Many campgrounds (and Visitor Centers) start to close down throughout September and October. There are also seasonal road closures (snow-dependent; typically October or November to April).

Yosemite National Park

A hiking couple sitting on a rock with views down Yosemite National Park behind them

With much of the park remaining open throughout the fall months and smaller crowds, autumn is a great time to visit the absolutely stunning Yosemite National Park.

Yosemite was one of those places that quite literally took our breath – and our words- away when we pulled in and saw the view down the famous valley for the first time.

With so much to see and explore, this is a park we could see ourselves coming back to time and time again and a fall RV trip is definitely on our list.

Iconic waterfalls rushing out from the towering granite cliffs in Yosemite National Park

While fall is not the time to see the rushing of iconic waterfalls, it is a great time to experience the park in a quiet state, with just a few hints of hues of orange, yellow, and red.

Read more about visiting Yosemite in fall here

Rocky Mountain National Park

Female hiker overlooking the gorgeous mountain range in Rocky Mountain National Park

Another great fall RV destination if you want to experience golden aspens, crisp air, and blue skies. Rocky Mountain National Park is also home to plenty of elk if experiencing rut season is on your bucket list!

Note that snow can cause early closures of trails. In addition, the scenic Trail Ridge Road sits up at high elevation and is typically closed for the season by mid-October.

READ MORE: Plan The Perfect Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary

Zion National Park, Utah

A woman smiling on a rock wall with Zion Canyon out in the distance behind her

Fall ushers in a slower pace at Zion National Park. With shuttles offered less frequently, smaller crowds than summer, and chillier weather it can be a great time for hiking in the park.

In addition, fall colors make their way down the canyon through October and into November. We are excited to spend another few weeks here in October of 2024.

Joshua Tree National Park

A woman standing on a rock looking out over the dessert landscape at Joshua Tree National Park

If avoiding the onset of cooler temperatures is more your speed, consider heading out to Joshua Tree National Park for the fall.

With plenty of free boondocking, this park stays warm well into the fall months but is much more comfortable than you can find if you were to venture here for the summer scorcher months.

  • Average high/low temperatures: September (97/64), October (86/54), November (72/41)
  • Recommended Campgrounds: Spacious free boondocking north and south of the park, campgrounds in Twentynine Palms (north side of the park), or RV Resorts in nearby Indio (south side of the park)

Glacier National Park

Snow capped mountains flanked by golden foliage at Glacier National Park in fall
Photo by Shane Stagner on Unsplash

The most common answer we get when we ask RVers what their favorite National Park is, is Glacier National Park.

While snow and ice can linger long into the summer leaving some of the most popular trails closed until late July or even August some years, by fall the trails are open and the iconic going to the sun road is open without the need for reservations!

We will be taking our first visit to Glacier National Park in the fall of 2024 and are excited for the opportunity to experience the park in a golden glow, complete with fewer visitors, and hope to see plenty of wildlife!

Peak foliage happens between late September and early October each year.

  • Average high/low temperatures: September (67/39), October (53/32), November (37/25)
  • Seasonal Closures: Many campgrounds in the area will close by October and winter comes on quickly and strong. Boat tours end in mid-September and there can be trail closures due to snow and/or bear activity
  • Recommended Campgrounds: Mountain Meadow RV Park, West Glacier KOA

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Alyssa

Alyssa is the co-founder of Fulfilling Travel. She has been a full-time RVer and digital nomad since 2021, traveling all over the U.S. and Canada. She leverages her coursework in travel writing and her graduate training in psychology to write comprehensive, research packed travel guides. Her guides are authentic and experience driven with the everyday traveler in mind. She is on a mission to help RVers and outdoorsy adventurers plan fulfilling trips in the great outdoors.

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