Imagine waking up for your morning coffee in a campground in the fall. You pull on a flannel and head out of your RV to breathe the brisk air and take in majestic views of once-green trees now buzzing with color. This is fall camping at its finest.
While the country offers thousands of campgrounds perfect for a fall retreat, some spots hit the trifecta with eye-popping scenery, iconic drives, and beautiful campgrounds. Here are five of the best 3-day scenic drives for fall colors with places to camp along the way.
What is the best fall color RV route in Colorado?
Mid-September/Early October: Colorado Rockies
The best fall foliage RV drive in Colorado runs through Trail Ridge Road (U.S. Highway 34) in Rocky Mountain National Park and the Peak-to-Peak Scenic Byway. Foliage peaks from mid-September at high elevations to early October in the valleys, with state and national park campgrounds offering tree-filled sites among yellow aspens and pines.
Known as the Aspen Capital of the US, the Colorado Rockies alight with a golden hue each fall as the quivering aspen leaves turn yellow. Thanks to the chilly nights, fall color comes earlier at higher elevations, with some locations hitting their peak in mid-September while the blaze hits lower elevations in early October.
Some of the best three-day scenic drives for fall colors in Colorado include:
- Rocky Mountain National Park’s Trail Ridge Road (U.S. Hwy 34): Reaches elevations topping 12,000 feet with epic views along every sweep of the roadway. (RV Note: Reaches a peak elevation of 12,183 feet; check weather forecasts early as high-altitude snow can occur in early autumn).
- The Peak-to-Peak Scenic Byway (CO-119 / CO-7): Winds 55 miles through charming mountain towns and the scenic Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests.
- The Cache la Poudre-North Park Scenic Byway (CO-14): Runs over 100 miles and winds through the Poudre River Canyon.
Wherever you look, you will find plentiful peaks and vibrant views. National and state parks offer tree-filled campsites, where you can sleep amid the aspens and pines. Bring your blankets and firewood, as there’s nothing quite like a Colorado campfire on a crisp fall night.
When is peak foliage on Vermont Route 100 for campers?
Early October: Vermont Route 100
Covered bridges, colorful barns, and crisp apple cider collide to make Vermont an iconic spot for RVing during fall. Scenic Route 100 runs 216 miles through the Green Mountains, but the color you’ll notice most in fall is red, thanks to the concentration of sugar maples and red maples flaming the hillsides. Plan your trip for early October for peak foliage.
Route 100 is known as “Vermont’s Main Street,” with over 30 picturesque small towns along it, including Newport, Stowe, Waterbury, and Wilmington. While ice cream isn’t a traditional fall treat, you can’t miss trying the state’s unique maple creemee, soft-serve made with fresh maple syrup.
Camping options include quaint private parks and scenic state parks, such as Coolidge State Park and Little River State Park. Many campgrounds are located along waterways, which offer mirrored reflections of the colorful surroundings.
Where is Michigan’s Tunnel of Trees and where can you camp?
Mid-October: Michigan’s M-119 Tunnel of Trees
Though it is a mere 28 miles, Michigan’s M-119 Tunnel of Trees Scenic Heritage Route provides an unforgettable fall drive, with maples, beech, and oak trees creating a colorful canopy over the winding road. At times, views of the cool emerald waters of Lake Michigan contrast the fiery trees. (Note: M-119 is narrow with tight curves and no center line; smaller RVs are recommended for this route).
Locations like Devil’s Elbow and Horseshoe Curve are so stunning, you’ll need to pull off the road to take in the views. Consider taking a ferry to Beaver Island for a quiet retreat packed with hiking and biking trails, lakefront beaches, and dark skies for stargazing.
Fall camping can be enjoyed at private and public parks across the region. Though not directly on the route, Wilderness State Park and Petoskey State Park are nearby, offering scenic RV spots, sandy beaches to stroll, and bountiful fall foliage overhead.
How do you plan a three-day Blue Ridge Parkway fall RV road trip?
Mid-to-Late October: Blue Ridge Parkway
Though the Blue Ridge Parkway is known for the hazy blue mountain ridges along it, fall brings a kaleidoscope of colors to the region. Running 469 miles through Virginia and North Carolina, this National Parkway can more than fill a three-day fall foliage RV road trip, as you focus on a single section or travel the entire route. You can even extend your visit to add a tour of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Aside from the roadside beauty, what makes the Blue Ridge Parkway especially perfect for a fall trip is the many stops you can make along the way. Spend your days hiking to waterfalls, visiting the artsy town of Asheville, and exploring historic mills.
Experience the best of Appalachia in the quaint small towns like Lexington, Floyd, Blowing Rock, and Bryson City. Eight National Park Service campgrounds are along the route, along with many private and state parks.
What is the best late-season fall foliage trip for RVs?
Late October/Early November: The Ozarks
Direct Overview: The Ozark Mountain region spanning Missouri, Arkansas, and Oklahoma offers the best late-season fall color drive from late October into early November. Prime camping is located along the Buffalo National River and Ozark National Scenic Riverways.
If you’re looking for a late fall trip, head to the Ozarks. Extending across southern Missouri, northern Arkansas, and eastern Oklahoma, this hilly region still flies under the radar of fall travelers, meaning you can enjoy the views without the competing crowds. Fall colors peak late in October through early November.
For the best three-day fall foliage RV routes in the Ozarks, consider these options:
- Highway 94 in Missouri: Runs through Missouri’s wine country, connecting the charming towns of St. Charles and Hermann.
- The Glade Top Trail National Scenic Byway: Offers views of tree-filled bluffs and valleys along Missouri’s only national byway.
- The Pig Trail Scenic Byway (AR-23): Winds through some of northwest Arkansas’s best scenery and connects to the whimsical town of Eureka Springs.
- Arkansas Scenic Highway 7: Runs through state and national forests and offers stops in the Arkansas Grand Canyon and the homespun town of Jasper.
Scenic fall camping can best be enjoyed along Arkansas’s Buffalo National River and Missouri’s Ozark National Scenic Riverways. State parks across the tri-state region are beloved fall spots for beauty and recreation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fall RV Camping
Q: How many miles per day should I plan to drive on a 3-day fall foliage RV trip?
A: Because scenic byways like Route 100, M-119, and the Blue Ridge Parkway are designed for leisurely driving, sightseeing, and frequent pull-offs for photography, aim for shorter driving legs of 200 miles maximum per day to leave plenty of time to set up camp before sunset.
Q: Which fall foliage route is best for avoiding crowds?
A: The Ozarks (Missouri and Arkansas) tend to fly under the radar compared to New England and Rocky Mountain drives, providing quiet roads and less crowded state park campgrounds through late October and early November.
Q: What should RVers keep in mind when camping in late fall?
A: Mountain elevations in Colorado and Vermont experience early freezing temperatures. Always pack extra firewood and warm blankets, check road conditions for mountain passes like Trail Ridge Road, and verify whether park campgrounds have shut off water hookups for the season.
Now that you’ve explored some of the best 3-day scenic drives for fall colors with places to camp, where will you plan your next fall trip?
