Top 8 Reasons you should go RVing in the Fall

Another hot summer is in the books, with a much-welcomed new page being turned to Fall. The fall season is all about leaves, pumpkin spice, and all things nice. While most everyone welcomes the cooler temps and brisk air, the RVers among us have a larger appreciation for the fall season. Here are eight reasons why you should RV in the fall.

Scenery

Sure, RV trips and outings are great year-round, but there’s just something about experiencing nature during the fall season. The cooler temperatures, of course, are great, but there’s the scenery that is most impressive. There’s not much better than to park the RV at a state park and then experience the hiking trails that lead to hidden waterfalls or an overlook to a once-green valley.

Being able to immerse completely in the natural changing of the seasons can provide a deep level of relaxation and decompression from the stress and worry of everyday life. The crisp air and a bit of chill in the wind is always a treat.  To hear the crunching of red, yellow, and orange leaves underfoot as you try and become one with nature is something only available during the short window of three months. Christmas might offer a winter wonderland but fall provides a spectacular scene.

The scenery in the fall is always breathtaking on RV trips!

Perfect Weather

To continue from the points made on the above scenery point, being outdoors during this season has another benefit: lower humidity and dropped temperatures. Much like the welcome change of scenery, fall also is a welcome change from scorching hot summer temperatures and high humidity (especially for Southerners).

A great place to celebrate fall’s return is in the New England states. Plenty of color-changing foliage, crisp, cool air, and lots of hoodies. Who doesn’t love sporting their favorite hoodie? Especially when it advertises a favorite football team (more on that below). Of course, for those wanting to experience fall at its greatest, a highly recommended location would have to be Tennessee. The Great Smoky Mountains are breathtaking during this time period and the state parks are standing by for RV reservations. Not sure where to travel with your RV this fall? According to the KOA website, the best fall RV destinations are:

• Aspen, Colorado– perfect for watching the changing leaves.
• Boone, North Carolina- home of the Blue Ridge Parkway, 469 miles of scenic views
• Conway, New Hampshire- enjoy the 34 miles of fall foliage, and views of waterfalls.
• Gatlinburg, Tennessee– at top of the Space Needle, take in 360-degree views.
• Harbor Springs, Michigan– Drive through the tunnel of trees and visit the lighthouse.
• Highland Scenic Byway, West Virginia-a 43-mile, two-lane byway full of scenic views.
• Durango, Colorado-yellow hues surround the Million Dollar Highway (Route 550)
• Destin, Florida-get an early start ahead of the snowbirds and enjoy smaller crowds.

RV Tailgating can be a blast!

Tailgating Parties

RV tailgating is a huge fall event and occurs in nearly every small town and large metropolis area from coast to coast. No matter where you choose to bask in the glory of Fall, there is sure to be a Friday night football tailgate party just waiting to be enjoyed.  So, be prepared to join in the fun, share your favorite ribs with tailgate neighbors and cheer on your favorite football team or NASCAR driver, all from the comfort of your home away from home. 

Get out that crock pot and grill for amazing apps and dips to share with the crowds. Be ready for strangers to act as your best friends while the mouth-watering fall foods are flying around. Apple crisp, anyone? While most stadiums and tailgate destinations are open and low on rules, it’s always best to check with the property’s RV tailgating rules and regulations. 

Evening Bliss

Now that we know what fall adds to our lives, let’s take a moment to celebrate what is missing. No Bugs! Especially when a campfire is added to the cool night air. There’s nothing better than sitting around a firepit, with friends and family, roasting marshmallows and hot dogs and not having to spend time fighting away the bugs. Gone are the days of bug sprays, flyswatters and the Therma Cell mosquito repellent candles.  Fall is all about campfires, ghost stories and quality time outside the day-to-day norm. 

Air In-Air Out

A great thing covered in this article already is the crisp, cool air. That comfort doesn’t have to end once the tailgating is done. Open up those RV windows and let the outside air in. Let the lingering aromas of the fire pit and outside air waft inside the old RV. Doing so will not only provide comfort during the down time before bed, buts its magic will fold over into number 6 on the list. 

For those who travel with cats, they will enjoy lying by the windowsill, catching whiffs of outdoor air they aren’t really familiar with. It’s quite possible they will cat nap peacefully at the window for a lengthy amount of time. 

Sleeping More Soundly

Grab that old quilt and hunker down under the covers when it’s time for some shut eye. With the windows left open, even just a crack, that will ensure the cool overnight temps will have you sleeping like a baby. Fall air flowing inside is always nice, but being in the RV on a windy night is pure heaven. 

For those who live dangerously, be sure to leave that portable fan running overnight, to ensure maximum air flow. Summer nights will be a distant memory once the brisk air circulates throughout the RV at night.

Wake up rested and refreshed, ready to take on more hiking trails or trips into neighboring towns.  Or, perhaps the next point on the list is more to your liking. Without further ado….

There’s nothing quite like breathing in fresh, fall air.

Farmer’s Markets, Harvest Festivals and Apple Picking Opportunities

This is probably my favorite activity, hands down. There is nothing more satisfying than skipping down to the local farmer’s market and gathering up all the fresh produce my arms can carry. Not limited to fresh fruit and veggies, there is almost always some homemade product that calls out to me as well. Can someone really have too many handmade candles throughout the RV? I don’t so! 

After emptying the local Farmer’s Market, continue them at your location’s harvest festival. Corn mazes, bobbing for apples, and mini-petting zoos are creative fall fun for guests of all ages. Similar to the farmer’s markets, there is likely going to be booths filled with entrepreneurs selling homemade keychains, vases, soaps and the like.  

Referencing the New England area again, as they have the best fresh apple trees, just waiting to be picked. Walk in the apple field with an empty brown bag and leave with that same bag slammed full of fresh apples. The only challenging part of this activity is finding enough room in the RV’s kitchen to prepare and bake apple pies, apple crisps, etc. Why wait until you return home to have the pleasant aroma of apple pie around? Let it loft freely out of your opened RV windows and share the staple of fall with your RV neighbors. 

Less Crowds

I saved the best for last. If summer is about chaotic, overcrowded RV Parks, then fall is all about being the complete opposite. Kids are back in school while most adults are working their 9-5 schedule.  Summer vacations have come and gone and all that is left in the RV Parks are those who are able to roam. Sure, there will be those smart individuals who use vacation time for a fall getaway, and who can blame them? But, even with a good number of individuals or couples doing that, the visitor count will still be greatly less than in the summertime travel period. 

Book your favorite campground in the fall destination of your choice and rest comfortably in the fact that crowds shouldn’t be an issue. Plan on emptier RV parks and destinations. Revel in the idea of shorter lines and less noise at the local state parks and farmer’s markets. 

Welcome, fall, for all the reasons outlined within this article. Enjoy all the benefits and comforts Fall RV camping offers. So, get out those camper chairs, tailgate items and accessories and get ready to gather those crisp fall apples from local orchards. No longer will the stifling summer air limit outdoor activities. Breathing will once again be easy. Crowds will no longer be huge. Hiking trails will be a breeze. In short, life will be good once again. 

So, gas up that RV. Make your reservations or just wing it. Fall RV travel is perfect and the sky’s the limit in terms of available activities. Whether you prefer spending all the down time inside the RV with a good book and favorite classic movies, or if you would prefer to do most of the activities outlined within this article, the possibilities really are endless. Welcome fall into your life with a short drive in the RV to a bordering city or state or go the distance with a coast-to-coast drive and see Americana events and items firsthand. Wherever you go, however far you go, fall is best celebrated behind the wheel of an RV.