Hidden Gem Campgrounds Perfect for Fall RVing

Autumn is nearly here, and that means it’s time to pull out the sweatshirts, get cozy, and start planning your fall RV camping trips!

In my opinion, autumn is the ideal RV camping season. The cooler weather means you can sleep comfortably without running the RV A/C, and the distinct lack of crowds in public spaces is a major bonus. Meanwhile, the fall foliage and cool crisp air make hiking an absolute dream. 

Not sure where to go on your fall camping trip? Here are my favorite hidden gem campgrounds that are perfect for Fall RVing. 

The Best RV Campgrounds for Fall RVing 

Gold Bluffs Beach Campground (California)

Gold Bluffs Beach Campground—located within Prairie Creek/Redwoods National & State Parks—sits in a gorgeous area where the redwoods meet the beach. In autumn, the crowd levels drop significantly, and you can camp in peace and quiet with the sound of surf as your white noise. 

During this time of year, hikes to Fern Canyon and Elk Prairie are quiet and atmospheric in fall mist, and elk are often visible grazing near campsites. 

Note: Access the campground via a rough, unpaved road and isn’t exactly trailer-friendly. Be sure to check vehicle length restrictions and reservations well in advance. 

Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park (Michigan)

The Porcupine Mountains, occasionally called “the Porkies” by locals, are a gorgeous wilderness area that absolutely explodes into color during the months of September and October. In fact, we’d even go so far as to say this area gives New England’s famous fall colors a run for their money. 

We adore the shoreline sites near Lake of the Clouds because of the gorgeous views. Meanwhile, the trails are all particularly picturesque, with gold and red bursts of colors everywhere you look. 

Letchworth State Park (New York)

Letchworth State Park is well known for its deep gorge and impressive waterfalls. What some don’t know however is that autumn transforms the canyon rim into a colorful wonderland. RV-friendly campsites give easy access to scenic overlooks and hiking routes that showcase these colors.

What makes Letchworth a “hidden gem” for fall RVers is just how big the park is. Because it’s so expansive, it just doesn’t feel crowded, even when fall weekenders file in. 

Tip: If you’re leaf-peeping and happen to love waterfall photography, plan your hikes around golden-hour light on the falls. It really can’t be beat. 

Cloudland Canyon State Park (Georgia)

Heading north might seem like the thing to do in order to get the best leaf-peeping, but it isn’t the only option. Cloudland Canyon is located on the western edge of Lookout Mountain in northwest Georgia and is filled to the brim with color during the fall months. This is thanks to the elevation of the place, which causes cooler temperatures and allows maple trees to thrive.

The park’s rim campgrounds offer stellar sunset views and easy access to trails that drop into the canyon. On top of that, there are very few campers there during the week, meaning you can have the place almost entirely to yourself. 

Painted Rocks State Park (Montana)

Want solitude and panoramic views of mountains and water? Painted Rocks State Park in western Montana is the place for you! This park sits in the Bitterroot Range and is particularly lovely in late September and early October when the aspens turn.

Smaller campgrounds and limited hookups mean this is a spot for RVers who don’t need full-service facilities or gigantic sites but do want clear access to hiking, fishing, and wide, empty viewpoints. 

Tips for Finding and Enjoying Hidden-Gem Campgrounds this Fall

Maybe none of the campgrounds above suit your fancy, or maybe you just prefer to find your own hidden gem campgrounds to enjoy this autumn. Either way, you can use the tips below to find the perfect spots to set up camp and enjoy the fall colors and cool weather. 

Drive a Little Farther

Sometimes all it takes to find the hidden gem campgrounds is to drive a bit further down the road. Many gorgeous spots are a 10–30 minute drive away from main highways. Sure, you might have to take a bumpy dirt road, but those bumps often thin the crowd and preserve the views.

Aim for Shoulder-Season Weekdays

Crowds thin quite a bit during the fall season, as many start putting their RVs away for winter. Those that do still go out during the fall months tend to do so on the weekends. If you’re able to plan your camping trips for fall weekdays, you might find you often get an entire campground to yourself. 

Balance Solitude with Safety

One of the best ways to find solitude is, of course, to head to the middle of nowhere. That said, remote sites mean fewer services, and this means you will want to bring extra fuel, food, water, and a basic repair kit.

If cell service won’t be available, consider taking a satellite phone for emergencies. It’s also important to tell someone 1) where you’re going, 2) how to get there, and 3) when you plan to get back. 

Be in the Right Place and the Right Time

Some areas see fall colors a lot sooner than others, so traveling to the right place at the right time can make all the difference in the world, especially if leaf-peeping is something you care a lot about. 

Keep in mind that elevation changes a lot. For example, higher-elevation campgrounds will peak earlier than valley routes. If you want peak color, research elevation bands for the region.

The cheat sheet below can help you decide where to go and when:

• Early September: Higher-elevation Rockies, Porcupine Mountains (Michigan early-season pockets); good for cool, crowd-free trips.
  
• Mid- to late-September: Northern New England and Lake Superior regions; Montana’s Painted Rocks region can peak here at certain elevations.
  
• Early October: Letchworth State Park and most mid-Atlantic/northeastern pockets; ideal waterfall + foliage photography.
  
• Mid- to late October: Cloudland Canyon and southern Appalachians for southern maples and crisp nights; Gold Bluffs is a great year-round coastal choice with quieter autumn campsites.

Practical Fall-RV Tips 

Packing and prepping for fall RV camping is important. Before we head out on a fall trip, I like to use the tips below. This way, I head in totally prepared and can relax and enjoy our Fall RVing adventures fully. 

Prepare for Fall Weather

Cooler nights mean cooler drafts, which in turn necessitates a reliable heater. Inspect seals and heating systems before you go anywhere. You may also want to invest in a dehumidifier, which can help with the condensation that the cool fall weather will bring on. 

Make sure seals, gutters, and the roof are sound before long drives through wet weather, and plan for variable roads. Rain or early snow can turn unpaved access roads sketchy fast. Know your limits, and stop to wait out the weather when necessary.

Work Around the Sunlight

Shorter days mean less natural light for solar panels and a greater need for electricity to illuminate your campsite after dark. Extra batteries and panels can help, but you can also supplement your solar setup with a generator.

Another option? Simply plan to camp in spots that provide electric hookups. 

Make Campfire Plans

Campfires and autumn camping go hand-in-hand. That said, you may not always be able to have your quintessential campfire.

Before arriving at a campground, learn the rules for wood and fires. Many parks limit the use of firewood—or will ban fires altogether—during dry spells. You’ll also want to check local fire restrictions and consider packing a gas camp stove or propane fire pit as backup.

Fun Fall RVing Activities

You may not be able to dive into the lake anymore, but there are still plenty of amazing things to do while Fall RVing. Below are a few of the things my family enjoys most while camping during the fall:

• Early-morning photo runs. Fog rising in a canyon or over a reservoir at sunrise makes for a magical sight, and one you’ll want to snap a photo of. Head out before breakfast for cooler light and empty viewpoints.
• Foraging and fungi hunting. Many regions have abundant chanterelles, boletes, and other edible fungi in fall. Learn local regulations and safety rules and gather away! Just make sure you always positively ID by multiple sources.
• Stargazing & crisp-night campfires. Starfields pop when the air is cold and dry. We love to lay out a blanket and look for constellations together. Use red lights for map reading in order to preserve night vision.
• Leaf peeping by scenic drive. Instead of long hikes, consider a scenic loop drive to check out all of the brilliant fall colors. Not only will you cover more ground and take in more views, but you’ll also be less exhausted by the end of it, so you have energy for the other great activities on this list. 
• Local town fall festivals. I absolutely adore small town festivals, and fall festivals are especially exciting. Find a local harvest festival, farmers market, or pumpkin patch and go enjoy some small town fun during your visit.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Still need to know more about Fall RVing and finding hidden gem campgrounds? Here are some of the most asked questions and our best answer for each.