10 Best Fall Camping Destinations in the USA
Fall is a magical time to explore the great outdoors, with vibrant foliage and cooler temperatures making it the perfect season for camping.
If you’re looking for the best fall camping destinations in the USA, we’ve got you covered. Here are some of the most breathtaking spots to pitch your tent and enjoy the autumn splendor.
1. Acadia National Park, Maine
Acadia National Park is one of the premier locations in the US to visit in the fall. The serenity and beauty of the landscape are simply breathtaking.
With four campgrounds offering over 600 individual sites, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from. The fall colors start in late September and reach their peak in October.
Best Campground:
- Schoodic Woods Campground: This new campground inside the park has a total of 89 sites, with 78 offering electric hookups. It’s open until early October.
Contact Details:
- Website: www.recreation.gov
- Phone: (207) 288-1300
Address: Inside Acadia National Park
Amenities:
- Dump station
- Potable water
- Trash collection
- Flush toilets
- Amphitheater
Rates:
- Hike-in tent sites (primitive) – $22
- Drive up tent/small RV (20 amp) – $30
- RV with electric-only sites (20/30/50 amp) – $36
- RV with electric and water (20/30/50 amp) – $40
- Group tent sites – $60
2. White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire
The White Mountain National Forest is a popular destination for fall foliage.
The peak times are from the end of September to mid-October. Be sure to book your camping spot in advance, as weekends can be crowded.
Best Campground:
- Basin Campground: Located 15 miles north of Fryeburg, this campground offers a mix of tent-only and standard sites.
Contact Details:
- Website: www.fs.usda.gov
- Phone: 603-447-5448
Address: 71 White Mountain Drive Campton, NH 03223
Amenities:
- Restrooms
- Potable water
Rates:
- Standard Nonelectric – $20
- Tent Only Nonelectric – $20
3. Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
Mount Rainier National Park offers stunning fall foliage views, especially at Reflection Lakes.
The best time to visit is the last week of September. Fall foliage is at its peak from mid-September to mid-October.
Best Campgrounds:
1. Cougar Rock Campground:
Located in the South Western section of the park, it has 179 individual sites and 5 group sites, open until early October.
Contact Details: 360 569-2211
Address: 39000 State Route 706 E Ashford, WA 98304
Amenities:
- Vault toilet
- Potable water
Rates:
- Individual sites – $20
- Group site fee – $60
2. Ohanapecosh Campground
Located on the South Eastern section of the park, it also contains 179 individual sites and 2 group sites, open until early October.
Contact Details: 360 569-2211
Address: 39000 State Route 706 E Ashford, WA 98304
Amenities:
- Vault toilet
Rates:
- Individual sites – $20
- Group site fee – $60
Additional information
- Pet-friendly
The park entry fee to Mount Rainier National Park is $30 per private vehicle, valid for 7 days
4. Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
The Grand Teton National Park is a spectacular place to witness fall foliage.
The changing colors make fall hiking a breathtaking experience. Be on the lookout for bears as they prepare for hibernation.
Best Campgrounds:
1. Gros Ventre Campground:
Open until early October, campsites can be booked up to 6 months in advance.
Contact Details:
- Website: www.gtlc.com/camping
- Phone: 307-543-3100
Address: 100 Gros Ventre Campground Road Kelly, WY 83011
Amenities:
- Dump station
- Potable water
- Trash collection
- Flush toilets
Rates:
- Individual tent or RV sites – $46.62 per night
- Electric-only sites – $78.81 per night
- Group campsites – $16.65 per person per night
Additional information
- The rates are lower if you have an ADA access pass
2. Signal Mountain Campground:
Offers individual tent or RV sites, electric-only sites, and group campsites.
Contact Details: 307-543-2831
Address: 1 Inner Park Rd Moran, WY 83013
Amenities:
- Dump station
- Potable water
- Trash collection
- Flush toilets
Rates:
- Individual tent or RV sites are $46.62 per night
- Electric-only sites are $78.81 per night
- Group campsites are $16.65 per person per night
Additional information
- The rates are lower if you have an ADA access pass
The park entry fee to Grand Tenton National Park is $35 per private vehicle, valid for 7 days
5. Crater Lake National Park, Oregon
Crater Lake National Park is renowned for its tall, imposing cliffs and pristine blue water.
In the fall, the rim of Crater Lake bursts with striking orange, gold, and red hues.
Best Campground:
1. Mazama Campground:
Located 7 miles south of Rim Village, there are 214 sites here, open until the end of September.
Contact Details: 866-292-6720
Address: Mazama Village Crater Lake, OR 97604
Amenities:
- Laundry facilities
- Dump station
- Potable water
- Trash collection and recycling centers
- Amphitheater
- Fire rings
- Flush toilets
Rates:
- Tent sites – $21
- RV sites (No hook-ups) – $31
- RV sites (Electrical hookups) – $36
- RV sites (Full hookups) – $42
The park entry fee to Crater Lake National Park is $30 per private vehicle, valid for 7 days
6. Rocky Mountains, Colorado
The Rocky Mountains are a great camping destination, especially in the fall.
The changing of color in the vast landscape as the autumn season beckons in late August is a sight to behold.
Best Campgrounds:
1. Aspenglen Campground:
There are 52 individual campsites on this campground, reservable on a 6-month basis until 27 September, suitable for RV campers.
Contact Details: 970-586-1206
Address: Cascade Cottages Road Rocky Mountain National Park Estes Park, CO 80517
Amenities:
- Food storage locker
- Seasonal Potable water
- Trash collection and recycling centers
- Amphitheater
- Seasonal flush toilets
Rates:
- $30 per site per night
2. Moraine Park Campground:
This is the largest campground in the park, with 244 individual sites on the east side of the park, with a slightly longer season through until early October.
Contact Details: 970-586-1206
Address: Moraine Park Road Estes Park, CO 80517
Amenities:
- Seasonal dump station
- Food storage locker
- Seasonal potable water
- Trash collection and recycling centers
- Seasonal Amphitheater
- Seasonal flush toilets
The park entry fee to Rocky Mountains National Park is $35 per private vehicle, valid for 7 days. Timed entrance passes are also required from late may Until 10 October.
7. Glacier National Park, Montana
Glacier National Park is a spectacular destination for fall camping.
The Going-to-the-Sun road offers stunning views of the park, especially in mid-September when the crowds have dwindled.
Best Campground:
1. Bowman Lake Campground:
There are 46 sites within this campground.
Contact Details: 406-888-7800
Address: At the foot of Bowman Lake, NE Glacier Park, 6.3 miles NE of Polebridge
Amenities:
- Seasonal potable water
- Food storage lockers
- Trash collection and recycling centers
- Picnic tables and fire rings
- Seasonal vault toilets
Rates:
- $15 Per site (Summer)
- $10 per site (Primitive camping) – No potable water or dump facilities are available
The park entry fee to Glacier National Park is $35 per private vehicle, valid for 7 days, winter rates apply from 1 November $25
8. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina & Tennessee
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site.
During the fall season, the landscape is blanketed in a rainbow of color.
Fall foliage season begins in mid-September and stretches to early November.
Best Campgrounds:
1. Backcountry camping:
Contact smokiespermits.nps.gov for reservations and more information.
2. Front country camping:
There are ten campgrounds here, including:
- Abrams Creek Campground – 16 tent sites
- Balsam Mountain Campground – 43 tent sites
- Big Creek Campground – 12 tent sites and 1 group site
- Cades Cove Campground – 159 tent sites and 3 group sites
- Cataloochee Campground – 27 tent sites and 3 group sites
- Cosby Campground – 157 tent sites and 3 group sites
- Deep Creek Campground – 92 tent sites and 3 group sites
- Elkmont Campground – 220 tent sites and 4 group sites
- Look Rock Campground – 68 tent sites
- Smokemont Campground – 142 tent sites and 3 group sites
Amenities:
- Seasonal potable water
- Seasonal vault toilets
- Trash collection and recycling centers
- Food storage lockers
Rates:
- Rates vary between $17.50 – $25 per person per night for tent camping
- Group campgrounds rates vary between $30 – $60 depending on the number of campers
9. Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
Shenandoah National Park shares many physical characteristics with The Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
The fall season in Virginia is not as crowded as the summer, but the beautiful landscape is still remarkable.
Best Campground:
1. Big Meadows Campground: There are 221 sites on this campground, centrally located within the park and open until early November.
Contact Details: (540) 999-3500
Address: 304 Big Meadows Access Road Robertson, VA 22851
Amenities:
- Camp Store
- Laundry
- Dump Station
- Firewood For Sale
- Ice Available For Sale
- Food Storage Lockers
- Trash/Recycling Collection
- Amphitheater
- Staff or Volunteer Host On Site
- Potable Water
- Flush Toilets
- Showers – Coin-Operated
Rates:
- Group campsite – nonelectric – $75
- Standard campsite – nonelectric – $30
The park entry fee to Shenandoah National Park is $30 per private vehicle, valid for 7 days
10. Yosemite National Park, California
Yosemite National Park is a must-see in Northern California, especially during the fall.
The bigleaf maple, quaking aspens, oakwood, and dogwood trees turn the whole park into an exotic splash of color.
Camping in Yosemite National Park
Camping is allowed throughout the year in Yosemite, although not all campgrounds are open in late fall and winter.
You can choose a campground depending on the side of Yosemite you find yourself in. All require reservations, and note, a few of the campgrounds on this list are currently closed for rehabilitation.
Campgrounds in Yosemite Valley:
- Upper Pines campground – 238 sites/$36 per person (year-round & RV-friendly)
- Lower Pines campground – 60 sites/$36 per person (open until late October)
- North Pines campground – 81 sites/$36 per person (open until late October)
- Camp 4 – 61 sites/$10 per person – (runs on a day-before lottery over summer)
Campgrounds in the South of Yosemite Valley:
- Wawona campground – 93 sites/$36 per person (closed 2022)
- Bridalveil Creek campground – 110 sites/$36 per person (July to mid-September; closed 2022)
Campgrounds in the North of Yosemite Valley:
- Hodgdon Meadow – 105 sites/$36 per person (open year-round)
- Crane Flat – 166 sites/$36 per person (July to mid-October)
- Tamarack Flat – 152 sites/$24 per person (tent only June to September)
- Yosemite Creek – 75 sites/$24 per person (July to early September)
- White Wolf – 74 sites/$30 per person (July to early September)
- Porcupine Flat – 52 sites/$20 per person (July to early October)
- Tuolumne Meadows – 304 sites/$7 per person (closed until 2025)
Contact details: 209-372-0200 (extension 3)
Website (for bookings): www.recreation.gov
Basic amenities in all campgrounds:
- Tap water
- Seasonal potable water
- Dump stations (in some campgrounds)
- RV Camping
- Firewood on sale
- Pet-friendly (except on camp 4)
The park entrance fee for Yosemite National Park is $35 per private vehicle, valid for the duration of your stay if camping. The separate summer entrance reservation system for Yosemite is not applicable for those holding a camping reservation
Conclusion
Fall camping offers a unique opportunity to experience the beauty of nature in a different light.
Whether you’re looking for vibrant foliage, cooler temperatures, or fewer crowds, these top fall camping destinations in the USA have something for everyone.
Plan your trip today and enjoy the best of what autumn has to offer!
