As the leaves turn and the air crisps, fall 2025 beckons RVers to hit the road for a season of golden hues, fewer crowds, and that perfect blend of adventure and coziness.
Whether you’re chasing vibrant foliage in the Appalachians, golden aspens in the Rockies, or mild beach escapes in the South, an RV trip lets you wake up to nature’s canvas each morning. With gas prices stabilizing and campgrounds offering off-peak deals, this autumn promises epic drives, stargazing under clear skies, and harvest festivals galore.
We’ve curated 25 standout spots across the U.S., countdown-style from 25 to 1, each with a vibe scale (1-10, where 1 is ultimate chill and 10 is high-octane thrill), the top RV park or campground, what sets it apart, a one-of-a-kind activity, and a realistic weekend cost estimate for two (including two nights’ camping, gas for a 300-mile round trip, meals, and entry fees—based on 2025 averages from RV industry reports).

25. Destin, Florida
Nestled on the Emerald Coast, Destin transforms in fall into a serene seaside haven, where sugar-white sands meet turquoise waters under milder temps (highs in the low 80s°F). The Gulf’s gentle waves lap at uncrowded beaches, while inland dunes bloom with sea oats turning golden.
Vibe Scale: 3/10 – Pure relaxation with a splash of coastal whimsy.
Best RV Park: Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Campground – Oceanfront sites with full hookups, eco-trails, and dune lakes for $40-50/night.
What Makes It Special: Fall’s post-summer hush means dolphin-spotting cruises without the lines, plus the area’s rare coastal dune lakes add a freshwater twist to Gulf vibes.
Unique Activity: Charter a private sunset pontoon cruise from Destin Harbor to chase frolicking dolphins – a misty, magical hour on the water ($75/person).
Weekend Cost: $450 – Camping ($100), gas ($80), meals ($150), cruise ($120).
24. Savannah, Georgia
Savannah’s live oaks draped in Spanish moss create a hauntingly beautiful fall tableau, with highs dipping to 75°F and a whisper of humidity. Cobblestone streets and antebellum squares glow under amber light, blending Southern gothic charm with riverside serenity.
Vibe Scale: 4/10 – Laid-back history with a touch of eerie elegance.
Best RV Park: Skidaway Island State Park – Shaded sites near salt marshes with electric/water hookups, trails, and gopher tortoise sightings for $35-45/night.
What Makes It Special: The city’s haunted reputation amps up in fall, with ghost tours weaving through squares where foliage frames 300-year-old tales.
Unique Activity: Savor Leopold’s Ice Cream’s signature tutti-frutti (a Jimmy Carter fave) while strolling Forsyth Park’s fountain amid turning leaves – a sweet, storied ritual ($5/treat).
Reddit user u/roadtripper88 shared: “Savannah in fall is underrated for RVs – quiet squares, cheap sites, and that mossy magic without the summer sweat.”
Weekend Cost: $420 – Camping ($90), gas ($70), meals ($180), ghost tour ($80).
23. Joshua Tree National Park, California
This desert wonderland sheds summer’s scorch for fall’s comfortable 80°F days, where twisted Joshua trees stand sentinel over boulder-strewn landscapes painted in subtle ochre and sage tones.
Vibe Scale: 7/10 – Rugged exploration with starry-night serenity.
Best RV Park: Black Rock Campground – NPS sites with no hookups but epic stargazing and rock scrambling access ($20/night); nearby Twentynine Palms RV Resort for full amenities ($60/night).
What Makes It Special: Free boondocking abounds on BLM land, making it a nomad’s dream, while fall’s clarity sharpens views of hidden oases.
Unique Activity: Join a guided night hike to Skull Rock for bioluminescent fungi glows – a surreal, otherworldly trek ($40/person).
Weekend Cost: $380 – Camping ($50 boondock + fees), gas ($100), meals ($140), hike ($90).
22. Mammoth Lakes, California
Tucked in the Eastern Sierra, Mammoth Lakes bursts with mid-October gold from aspen groves mirroring in alpine lakes, under crisp 60°F skies and snow-dusted peaks.
Vibe Scale: 8/10 – High-altitude thrill meets reflective calm.
Best RV Park: Mammoth Mountain RV Park – Full hookups near Hot Creek, with shuttle access to trails ($70-90/night).
What Makes It Special: The June Lake Loop’s 16-mile drive threads four shimmering lakes, offering uncrowded fall fishing amid turning cottonwoods.
Unique Activity: Soak in natural Hot Creek hot springs, where geothermal pools bubble beside the creek – a steamy, primal ritual (free, but permit required).
Reddit’s r/GoRVing user said: “Mammoth in fall is peak – aspens everywhere, cheap sites, and that Sierra silence hits different.”
Weekend Cost: $520 – Camping ($160), gas ($90), meals ($170), fishing gear rental ($100).
21. Yosemite National Park, California
Fall quiets Yosemite’s granite cathedrals, with dogwoods flaming red and oaks gilding the valley floor; temps hover at 65°F, waterfalls trickle to mists.
Vibe Scale: 9/10 – Iconic awe with intimate trails.
Best RV Park: Upper Pines Campground – Central valley sites with no hookups but unbeatable views ($36/night, reservations essential).
What Makes It Special: Post-summer, black bears forage acorns openly, and Tioga Pass stays open for epic cross-Sierra drives till mid-October.
Unique Activity: Bike the paved Valley Loop at dusk, spotting mule deer in golden meadows – a serene, self-powered circuit (bike rental $30/day).
Weekend Cost: $480 – Camping ($80), gas ($110), meals ($160), entry/bike ($130).
20. Glacier National Park, Montana
Glacier’s late-September golds illuminate jagged peaks and turquoise lakes, with elk bugling in 50°F chill; Going-to-the-Sun Road glows without summer jams.
Vibe Scale: 9/10 – Wild frontier intensity.
Best RV Park: West Glacier KOA – Full hookups riverside, with bear-proof storage ($80-100/night).
What Makes It Special: Fall’s wildlife surge – grizzlies berry-picking, moose in meadows – turns drives into safaris.
Unique Activity: Boat tour on Lake McDonald for autumn huckleberry floats and mountain reflections ($50/person).
Weekend Cost: $550 – Camping ($180), gas ($120), meals ($150), tour ($100).
19. Kalispell, Montana (Flathead Lake)
Flathead Valley’s shores blaze crimson in October, with 70°F days inviting lakeside lounging amid cherry orchards turning fiery.
Vibe Scale: 5/10 – Idyllic lakeside leisure.
Best RV Park: Wayfarers State Park – Lakeside electric sites with pebble beaches ($38/night).
What Makes It Special: Largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi reflects fall’s palette, with tribal language classes adding cultural depth.
Unique Activity: Tour the Conrad Mansion, a 1890s Gilded Age gem, for ghost stories by candlelight ($15/person).
Reddit r/RVLiving: “Kalispell fall RVing is bliss – lake views, low crowds, and those mansion tours spook ya just right.”
Weekend Cost: $410 – Camping ($80), gas ($80), meals ($170), tour ($80).
18. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Late September’s aspens flare gold around geysers, with rutting elk echoing in 45°F fog; snow dusts bison herds for dramatic tableaux.
Vibe Scale: 10/10 – Primal wilderness pulse.
Best RV Park: Fishing Bridge RV Park – Full hookups near Yellowstone Lake ($80/night, limited sites).
What Makes It Special: Geothermal wonders steam amid foliage, with fewer visitors amplifying wildlife encounters like wolf packs in Lamar Valley.
Unique Activity: Dawn patrol in Hayden Valley for grizzly foraging – binoculars optional, awe mandatory (free ranger-led).
Weekend Cost: $560 – Camping ($160), gas ($130), meals ($170), park pass ($100).
17. Durango, Colorado
Million Dollar Highway’s hairpin turns frame fiery aspens in early October, with Durango’s historic trains chugging through 60°F canyons.
Vibe Scale: 8/10 – Thrilling drives, rooted charm.
Best RV Park: Alpen Rose RV Park – Riverside full hookups near the Animas River ($60-70/night).
What Makes It Special: The highway’s unguarded edges demand focus, rewarding with Red Mountain Pass vistas unmatched elsewhere.
Unique Activity: Ride the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad through fall canyons – steam whistle echoing ($100/person).
Reddit u/fulltimeRV: “Durango fall is RV gold – that highway scare, then train chills. Worth every penny.”
Weekend Cost: $510 – Camping ($140), gas ($110), meals ($160), train ($100).
16. Aspen, Colorado
Aspen’s Maroon Bells mirror in Maroon Lake amid late-September blaze, with 55°F trails winding through wildflower meadows gone to seed.
Vibe Scale: 7/10 – Glamorous glades with earthy hikes.
Best RV Park: Aspen Basalt KOA – Shaded full hookups 10 miles out ($70/night).
What Makes It Special: Twin 14,000-foot peaks are Colorado’s most photographed, their reflection a fall postcard in Independence Pass’s curves.
Unique Activity: Hike Grottos Trail to “ice caves” and Cascades waterfalls – grotto rocks like frozen waves (free).
Weekend Cost: $490 – Camping ($140), gas ($100), meals ($150), pass ($100).
15. Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
September’s elk rut bugles through golden aspen stands, Trail Ridge Road soaring at 12,000 feet under 50°F bluebird skies.
Vibe Scale: 9/10 – Majestic highs, wildlife drama.
Best RV Park: Moraine Park Campground – NPS sites with elk views, no hookups ($30/night).
What Makes It Special: Rut season turns meadows into amphitheaters for nature’s symphony, with early snow capping peaks.
Unique Activity: Elk meadow sunrise stakeout – hear bugles, watch spars (free, guided optional $20).
X @BowTiedBroke: “One of the best places to ‘reset’ this time of year are the Smoky Mtns… but Rockies rival it for fall reset.”
Weekend Cost: $470 – Camping ($70), gas ($120), meals ($180), entry ($100).
14. Zion National Park, Utah
Canyons flush with October cottonwood golds, Angels Landing’s chains slick but shuttle-free in 70°F mildness.
Vibe Scale: 9/10 – Slot-canyon vertigo.
Best RV Park: Zion River Resort – Full hookups with shuttle access ($80/night).
What Makes It Special: Fall colors cascade down vermilion cliffs, with fewer hikers on Narrows wades.
Unique Activity: Virgin River Narrows bottom-up hike – waist-deep in amber reflections (free).
Reddit r/roadtrip: “Zion fall RV – colors pop, no shuttle lines, Narrows is magical without crowds.”
Weekend Cost: $500 – Camping ($160), gas ($90), meals ($150), permit ($100).
13. Capitol Reef National Park, Utah
Fruita orchards ripen amid red rocks in October, Scenic Drive’s petroglyphs framed by 65°F desert bloom.
Vibe Scale: 6/10 – Quirky pioneer peace.
Best RV Park: Fruita Campground – Orchard-adjacent, no hookups ($25/night).
What Makes It Special: Pick-your-own apples from 1800s Mormon groves, a fruity twist on slickrock solitude.
Unique Activity: Harvest Gifford House pies from fresh-picked fruit – bakery bliss ($5/slice).
Weekend Cost: $390 – Camping ($60), gas ($100), meals ($130), pie/orchard ($100).
12. Salt Lake City Area, Utah (Wasatch Mountains)
Canyons east of SLC ignite mid-September, Big Cottonwood’s leaves rival the Great Salt Lake’s shimmer in 60°F glow.
Vibe Scale: 7/10 – Urban escape to alpine fire.
Best RV Park: Jordan River Regional Park – Full hookups near trails ($50/night).
What Makes It Special: Day-trip to Arches or Zion from basecamp, with fall’s moderate weather easing red-rock romps.
Unique Activity: Foliage drive up Little Cottonwood Canyon to Snowbird’s aspen tunnels (free).
Reddit u/utahRV: “SLC fall – cheap parks, epic drives, colors beat summer heat every time.”
Weekend Cost: $440 – Camping ($100), gas ($80), meals ($160), tram ($100).
11. Albuquerque, New Mexico
Early October’s Balloon Fiesta lifts colorful orbs over Rio Grande golds, Old Town’s adobe aglow in 70°F adobe warmth.
Vibe Scale: 5/10 – Festive floats, cultural calm.
Best RV Park: Alameda RV Park – Full hookups near fiesta grounds ($60/night).
What Makes It Special: Hundreds of balloons dawn-patrol the sky, a whimsical counterpoint to fall’s earthy tones.
Unique Activity: Dawn launch field walk – touch balloons pre-lift, chase glows ($15/entry).
Weekend Cost: $460 – Camping ($120), gas ($70), meals ($170), fiesta ($100).
10. Santa Fe, New Mexico
High-desert ridges flame with October chamisa yellows, adobe galleries humming under 65°F Sangre de Cristo shadows.
Vibe Scale: 4/10 – Artistic repose in rust.
Best RV Park: Hyde Memorial State Park – Wooded sites near ski basin ($25/night).
What Makes It Special: Shaggy Peak’s climb yields Rocky Mountain panoramas, with fall’s cool priming pueblo hikes.
Unique Activity: Wilderness Institute star talk on wildfire lore – telescope to Milky Way (free).
From Hipcamp reviews: “Santa Fe fall RV – peaks pop, no crowds, that high-desert hush is soul-soothing.”
Weekend Cost: $400 – Camping ($60), gas ($90), meals ($150), program ($100).
9. Boone, North Carolina
Blue Ridge highs peak early October, Linn Cove Viaduct’s concrete curve arcing over fiery rhododendrons in 60°F mist.
Vibe Scale: 6/10 – Mountain melody.
Best RV Park: Julian Price Memorial Park – Parkway-adjacent electric sites ($20/night).
What Makes It Special: Seven-week color wave from peaks to valleys, with Daniel Boone’s pioneer spirit in every holler.
Unique Activity: Rhododendron Tunnel stargazing at Craggy Gardens – grassy dome under autumn vault (free).
Reddit r/camping: “Boone fall – viaduct views slay, cheap sites, that tunnel’s a leaf-peeper’s dream.”
Weekend Cost: $430 – Camping ($50), gas ($80), meals ($180), market ($120).
8. Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina
469-mile ribbon unfurls mid-October reds, Linn Cove to Graveyard Fields’ boardwalks bridging cascade golds in 55°F breezes.
Vibe Scale: 7/10 – Scenic symphony.
Best RV Park: Doughton Park Campground – Overlook sites, no hookups ($20/night).
What Makes It Special: Links Shenandoah to Smokies, with 45-mph limits forcing savor of every fiery overlook.
Unique Activity: Linville Falls hike to upper/lower plunges – twin waterfalls in foliage frame (free).
Weekend Cost: $450 – Camping ($50), gas ($100), meals ($170), Biltmore add-on ($130).
7. Asheville, North Carolina
Biltmore’s gardens blaze late October, craft breweries bubbling amid 60°F Appalachian arts scene.
Vibe Scale: 5/10 – Hip hollows.
Best RV Park: Bear Creek RV Park – Secluded full hookups near trails ($50/night).
What Makes It Special: Parkway gateway with upscale eats, where urban cool meets mountain blaze.
Unique Activity: Biltmore Estate autumn tour – 8,000-acre gardens in peak conservatory bloom ($80/person).
From X, @BowTiedBroke: “Smoky Mtns in the fall… close to the Biltmore castle in Asheville.”
Weekend Cost: $530 – Camping ($100), gas ($80), meals ($170), estate ($180).
6. Gatlinburg, Tennessee (Great Smoky Mountains)
Mid-October’s seven-week palette lights Clingmans Dome, elk rut echoing in 55°F fog-shrouded coves.
Vibe Scale: 8/10 – Foggy frontier fest.
Best RV Park: Elkmont Campground – Creekside NPS sites ($25/night).
What Makes It Special: Most-visited NP’s biodiversity explodes in fall, with harvest fests in quirky Gatlinburg.
Unique Activity: Ober Gatlinburg Oktoberfest – Bavarian beats, brats under turning maples ($20/entry).
Reddit r/GoRVing: “Gatlinburg fall RV – elk everywhere, fest vibes, colors mind-blowing.”
Weekend Cost: $480 – Camping ($60), gas ($90), meals ($180), fest/kyker farm ($150).
5. Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
Skyline Drive’s 105 miles ribbon mid-October scarlets, 360° vistas from 75°F highs to misty lows.
Vibe Scale: 8/10 – Overlook odyssey.
Best RV Park: Big Meadows Campground – Central full hookups ($30/night).
What Makes It Special: Lush understory turns first, with deer bounding through brambles for intimate peeks.
Unique Activity: Dark Hollow Falls hike – 1.4-mile plunge to base, leaves framing roar (free).
X @Interior: “Fall is the most popular time to travel along Skyline Drive… colorful foliage.”
Weekend Cost: $460 – Camping ($70), gas ($100), meals ($160), hikes ($130).
4. New River Gorge National Park, West Virginia
Mid-October bridges span fiery gorges, the New’s whitewater roaring under 60°F canyon winds.
Vibe Scale: 9/10 – Adrenaline arches.
Best RV Park: New River Gorge KOA – Riverside full hookups ($60/night).
What Makes It Special: America’s newest NP’s 70,000 acres blaze with hickory reds, raft season lingering.
Unique Activity: Fayette Station Road drive – twisting rim route over the Gap ($free scenic thrill).
Reddit u/wvroadtrip: “New River fall – bridges pop, raft till October, RV sites steal the show.”
Weekend Cost: $500 – Camping ($120), gas ($90), meals ($170), raft ($120).
3. Highland Scenic Byway, West Virginia
43-mile forest thread end-September oranges Monongahela’s crests, outlooks piercing 55°F highlands.
Vibe Scale: 6/10 – Highland hush.
Best RV Park: Cranberry River Campground – Riverside electric ($25/night).
What Makes It Special: Allegheny’s remote wilds host honeycomb rocks, a geological honeycomb rare elsewhere.
Unique Activity: Honeycomb Rocks Trail scramble – lattice stones from eons of erosion (free).
X @babowling12: “West Virginia > wherever else… for fall. 📍Highland Scenic Highway, WV.”
Weekend Cost: $410 – Camping ($60), gas ($80), meals ($170), trail gear ($100).
2. Acadia National Park, Maine
Late-September’s birches gold rocky shores, Cadillac Mountain’s dawn the first U.S. light in 50°F salt air.
Vibe Scale: 8/10 – Coastal climax.
Best RV Park: Blackwoods Campground – Forested NPS sites near loop road ($30/night).
What Makes It Special: 2025’s emerging RV hot spot, with carriage roads biking empty under tidal foliage.
Unique Activity: Park Loop Road bike at sunrise – granite, sea, leaves in first rays (rental $40).
From X, @OnlyInBOS: “The Best Roads to See Fall Foliage: Acadia Loop Road, ME.”
Weekend Cost: $490 – Camping ($70), gas ($110), meals ($180), bike/tour ($130).
1. Berkshires, Massachusetts
Peak October’s maples carpet country roads, Tanglewood’s lawns alive with harvest fairs in 55°F Berkshires bliss.
Vibe Scale: 4/10 – Quintessential cozy crescendo.
Best RV Park: Normandy Farms – Luxury full hookups near Boston day-trips ($70/night).
What Makes It Special: New England’s unsung foliage heart, with orchards, covered bridges, and Norman Rockwell nostalgia.
Unique Activity: Stockbridge farm stand crawl – cider donuts, pumpkin picking in leaf tunnels ($20/family).
Reddit r/fallfoliage: “Berkshires fall RV – farms glow, bridges charm, that cider mill stop? Chef’s kiss.”
Weekend Cost: $470 – Camping ($140), gas ($80), meals ($160), festivals ($90).
Where Are You Headed This Fall?
Fall 2025’s RV road calls louder than ever – from desert dawns to mountain symphonies. These spots aren’t just destinations; they’re resets, wrapped in autumn’s embrace. Book early, chase the colors, and let the highway heal. Safe travels, wanderers.
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