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5 Great Destinations for a Fall RV Road Trip

Enjoy the cooler weather and vibrant foliage with a camping trip to national parks, harvest festivals, apple orchards and more

Motor home Camper on a vacation road trip
Fall’s cooler weather makes driving and exploring more comfortable, so it’s an ideal time for an RV road trip to destinations such as Arches National Park in Utah.
YinYang/Getty Images
By

Erin Gifford,

 
AARP
Published September 03, 2024

Fall is an ideal time for an RV road trip. The cooler weather makes driving and exploring more comfortable, and the vibrant foliage adds a stunning backdrop to your travels. Fall festivals, harvest markets and scenic byways add a special charm to the journey. According to the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA), 27 million Americans plan to take an RV trip this fall, including 40 percent of boomers and the silent generation and 45 percent of Gen Xers.

Jeremy Puglisi, coauthor of the Where Should We Camp Next? series of guidebooks and cocreator of The RV Atlas blog, highlights another important advantage of fall travel. “It’s just a wall of sold-out campgrounds and sites throughout the summer, and that all opens up once kids are back in school,” he says. “In the fall, everything opens up.”

With less crowded campgrounds and the beauty of the season on your side, here’s where to go when you’re ready for a fall RV road trip. 

vineyards and oak trees in Santa Ynez Valley near Santa Barbara California
A road trip to Santa Ynez Valley, California, puts you near wineries and coastal areas.
Alamy Stock Photo

1. Santa Ynez Valley, California

Fall offers mild weather, perfect for a leisurely drive and comfortable outdoor activities. “To me … the best time to go visit the Santa Ynez Valley is in the fall, when you can have the cool mornings, especially if you’re going to be … walking around the wineries,” says Stef Adinaro, cocreator of The Fit RV blog.

“[There are] six small towns in the area that all cater to tourists, and they all have their own vibes and neat restaurants and museums and bookshops,” Adinaro says. For wine lovers, the valley is home to more than 150 wineries. Plus, it’s a short drive to coastal areas, such as Gaviota Beach and El Capitán Beach. 

Stay: Flying Flags RV Resort & Campground in Buellton is close to vineyards, state and county parks and a nine-hole golf course. Open year-round, the resort has boccie courts and two pools. RV sites cost at least $77 per night, which includes a $13-per-night resort fee.

Pro tip: In the fall, some wineries host grape harvest festivals. As a Harvest Hosts member, you can camp for free (after paying an annual membership fee) at select wineries, breweries and farms. Time it right to overnight at a vineyard on a festival weekend.

Jordan Pond and The Bubble mountains in Acadia National Park, Maine
Trails crisscross Maine’s Acadia National Park, including the Jordan Pond Path, which encircles Jordan Pond and provides views of the Bubble Mountains.
Alamy Stock Photo

2. Acadia National Park, Maine

Acadia National Park is a dream destination for RVers who appreciate breathtaking scenery, especially during the vibrant fall foliage season. The park’s rocky cliffs, iconic lighthouses and granite peaks, including Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on the East Coast, are stunning.

“[There’s such] diversity of scenery at Acadia National Park.… There are some great hiking and biking trails,” says Julie Bennett, coauthor of Living the RV Life and cocreator of the RVLove blog. More than 150 miles of trails crisscross the park, showcasing fall’s brilliant shades of red, orange and yellow. The easy Jordan Pond Path, which encircles Jordan Pond, provides views of the Bubbles (as in Bubble Mountains).

Stay: Acadia has three RV-accessible campgrounds, but only Schoodic Woods Campground offers full hookups with electric and water (open through Oct. 13). “Early camping reservations are a must due to high demand in the fall,” Bennett says. RV sites start at $36 per night.

Insider tip: America the Beautiful senior pass holders can receive a 50 percent discount on camping at national parks and some facility fees. A senior lifetime pass for citizens and permanent residents 62 and older costs $80 and grants free entry to national parks per vehicle or for up to four travelers, depending on the site.

Motor home camper on vacation in the southwest USA red rock landscape in Arches National Park near Moab Utah
An RV trip to Moab, Utah, can include stops at Arches, above, and Canyonlands national parks.
Getty Images

3. Moab, Utah

Cooler fall temperatures make hiking and biking in Arches and Canyonlands national parks a more comfortable and enjoyable experience. The stunning red rock scenery and golden hues are truly a sight to behold. (Keep in mind, timed entry tickets are required for Arches from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Oct. 31.)

“[The] Moab area, it has the largest concentration of natural rock arches in the world,” Adinaro says. “But the area is mostly known for world-class mountain biking.” Moab offers trails for all levels, including e-bike riders. “There’s no other place like Moab for active outdoor lovers that are looking for unique outdoor experiences,” Adinaro says.

Stay: Portal RV Resort is a luxury destination with extra-large landscaped sites, heated pools and easy access to outdoor activities. Open year-round, the resort offers RV sites, cabins and casitas. Rates start at $63 per night.

Pro tip: If you prefer off-grid camping away from traditional campgrounds and established RV parks, Moab has “some of the most beautiful boondocking [sites] that you’ll find out West anywhere,” Adinaro says. These are free, primitive camping areas on public lands that can be found online at iOverlander, Campendium or Freecampsites.net.

Silhouette of the lighthouse and a girl during sunset near Cape Henlopen State Park
At Cape Henlopen State Park in Lewes, Delaware, there’s easy access to the shore and RV sites nestled among pine-covered dunes.
Alamy Stock Photo

4. Lewes, Delaware

Lewes offers natural beauty, rich history and the charm of a coastal town. You’ll enjoy cool breezes and historic sites, such as a World War II observation tower to climb for panoramic views. It’s an easy bike ride into Lewes for boutique shops, seafood restaurants and the Lewes Maritime Museum.

“[Delaware has] one of the rare state park systems in the Northeast that has hookups for RVs,” Puglisi says. Delaware State Parks makes it easy to find sites, with a centralized display of openings, he says. “They’re definitely one of the more forward-looking state parks [systems] in terms of making it easy to find what’s available and see cancellations.” 

Stay: Open year-round, the campground at Cape Henlopen State Park offers spacious RV sites nestled among pine-covered dunes. Enjoy easy access to the beach, an on-site nature center and free bike rentals. Water-only RV sites are available from $36 per night for residents; $44 per night for nonresidents.

Pro tip: Double your fun by taking a ferry across the Delaware Bay to Cape May, New Jersey, which is known for its charming Victorian architecture and flourishing wine country. The 85-minute ride is a scenic treat — and you can take your RV on the ferry.

Autumn in Peninsula State Park at Door County, Wisconsin
Door County, Wisconsin, has vibrant foliage and the Door County Coastal Byway with views of Lake Michigan and Green Bay.
Alamy Stock Photo

5. Door County, Wisconsin

Door County is famous for apple orchards, vibrant foliage and harvest festivals, Bennett says. Drive the Door County Coastal Byway, a 66-mile scenic loop with views of Lake Michigan and Green Bay, as well as charming shore towns, such as Sister Bay and Ephraim. At Whitefish Dunes State Park, a leisurely hike leads to the top of 93-foot “Old Baldy,” the tallest sand dune in the park.

Bennett discovered Door County while doing research using an RV trip planner site. “Not only do you get the different kinds of maples and trees of different colors and foliage, but you’re also on [a] scenic byway, seeing bluffs and sand dunes and, of course, the lake,” Bennett says. “It’s not just seeing beautiful fall color trees. There’s so much more.”

Stay: Open through Oct. 27, HTR Door County (formerly Egg Harbor Campground & RV Resort) offers convenient access to attractions, including a nine-hole golf course and several wineries. RV sites cost at least $73 per night.

Pro tip: Don’t leave Door County without experiencing a fish boil, a unique tradition in which whitefish is cooked over an open fire.

Erin Gifford is a travel and outdoor writer based in northern Virginia. She has written for The Washington Post, Parents, Thrillist and The Wall Street Journal.

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