Fall and Winter Camping: Why You Should and Where to Go
- Campspotter
While summer often gets the glory as prime camping season, fall and winter offer some of the most stunning and downright enjoyable camping experiences of the year. From September to December, an entire world of gorgeous scenery, idyllic conditions, and seasonal activities opens up for campers. Dive in below for your guide to fall and winter camping—including tips, activities, and perfect camping destinations for each season.
Why Camping in the Fall or Winter Is Excellent
Step aside, summer. Camping in the last third of the year has several advantages of its own.
Fall Foliage
Nothing beats the gorgeous shades of red, orange, and yellow that sweep across forested landscapes come fall. Depending on your location and the weather conditions, leaves can start changing color from mid-September through early November, typically peaking during the second and third week of October.
Read Next: The Best Places to See Fall Foliage
Fewer Bugs
One of the biggest benefits of fall or winter camping is the decrease in bugs. As temperatures drop, mosquitoes and nagging insects die, hibernate, or retreat to warmer areas. This translates to a much more comfortable camping experience for you.
Later Sunrises and Early Sunsets
Shorter days means you’ll have more time around the campfire, restful sleep without a 4:30 a.m. wake time, and an earlier start for stargazing. Winter is considered the best season to stargaze, so don’t forget to pack your viewing tools.
Comfort Food and Campfires
With the right layers and gear, camping in the fall or winter can be more comfortable than dealing with the heat and humidity of summer. Plus, chilly weather invites campers to warm up by the campfire, while making hot meals outdoors that much more satisfying.
Read Next: 20 Easy Camping Meals for Your Next Trip Outdoors
Affordable Rates
Take advantage of shoulder-season rates after Labor Day. Many campgrounds drop their rates after peak season and will also be less crowded, making it more likely you’ll be able to nab the site you’re looking for.
Fewer Crowds
Ever been stuck bumper-to-bumper trying to enter or drive through a national park? Chances are you visited during peak season. The start of fall means kids are back in school and fewer people are traveling, which means less traffic and fewer crowds when you visit our gorgeous national parks.
10 Fall and Winter Camping Activities for September Through December
1. Decorate Your Campsite or RV
Summer weekends are fun, but true holiday magic really hits once fall rolls around. From Halloween festivities, to Thanksgiving feasts outdoors, to wintery merrymaking, camping in the fall or winter invites you to get in the holiday spirit by decorating your campsite.
String festive lights across your RV awning, add Halloween decor, place pumpkins and lanterns around your site, hang ornaments on a mini Christmas tree, hang a wreath on your camper door—the options are endless, and you’ll have a blast getting in the spirit and reminiscing over the photos of your decorated site after your trip.
Read Next: How to Decorate Your Campsite for the Holidays
2. Go Leaf-Peeping
The magic of fall camping lies in the stunning fall foliage. Prime leaf-peeping season stretches from mid-September to early November (peaking in mid- to late October), and the colors transform from north to south (hitting the mountains first, then moving to lower elevations). Check the region and weather for accurate leaf-peeping conditions, and don’t forget your camera.
Explore premier camping destinations for leaf-peeping here:
- The Best Places to See Fall Foliage: Camping Destinations
- The 11 Best New England Leaf-Peeping Camping Destinations
- The 10 Best Campgrounds for Colorado Leaf-Peeping
3. Visit a National Park
Most people often think of visiting national parks in the summer, but a trip in the fall can offer an impressive—at times, even preferable—experience on several fronts. Not only are there fewer crowds, but national parks can offer some of their best weather during the fall. Some parks, like those in the southern U.S., can simply be too hot to visit in the summer but become more attractive once the weather cools down. Enjoy hiking, biking, mountain climbing, and wildlife-watching during this ideal weather window.
Read Next: 20 Trending National Parks to Visit
4. Hike and Get Active in Cooler Weather
Find reprieve in your outdoor exercise as the temperatures drop and scenery transforms. Fall and winter camping offers an escape from summer’s heat, humidity, and intense sunshine, making hiking and trailing more enjoyable with scenic trails and cooling winds. Plus, you can snap gorgeous photos of the changing leaves during your autumn hike.
5. Enjoy Some of the Best Fishing of the Year
Fall is one of the best seasons to go on a fishing expedition. As water temperatures cool down, fish prepare for the winter by putting on weight, so they bite well. Baitfish populations in the water are also lower in the fall than in the summer, as many have been eaten in the earlier months, and the remaining baitfish have grown too large for certain predators to eat. With less baitfish around, walleyes, pike, bass, and crappies will be more tempted to go after your bait.
Read Next: Top Fall Fishing Destinations
6. Take Advantage of Apple-Picking Season
Enjoy the fruits of fall camping with the whole family. Apple-picking season stretches from August to November, peaking in September. Make your next fall camping trip specially memorable with this fun fall activity, or start a new family tradition that your children and grandchildren will cherish forever.
Thankfully, we’ve got the perfect list of campgrounds for an apple-picking adventure.
Read Next: 6 Fantastic Campgrounds for This Apple-Picking Season
7. Participate in Holiday Campground Festivities
Many campgrounds that remain open host festivities and events in the late seasons to attract more campers. This builds in extra fun on your camping stay, especially when you visit with the family.
Popular fall and winter campground events and activities include:
- Halloween events and trick-or-treating
- Apple-picking and pumpkin-picking/carving
- Local harvest festivals
- Costume contests
- Campsite/golf cart-decorating competitions
- Veterans Day events and activities
- Thanksgiving potlucks and Turkey Trots
- Christmas events, parades, and festivities
- Snow foam parties
- Lighting up the campground
8. Enjoy the Best Stargazing of the Year
Winter beats out summer when it comes to stargazing, as cold air leads to clearer, cloudless nights that are perfect for seeing stars. The days are shorter too, which means the sky will get dark early enough for the kids to enjoy some solid stargazing before bedtime. Consider checking out Dark Sky Parks to get a topnotch stargazing experience.
Read Next: Stargazing Tips and Tools to Light Up Your Night
9. Go on a Backcountry Camping Adventure
Peaceful solitude, wintry landscapes, and the lack of bugs and heat are some of the main draws of a winter backcountry camping excursion.
Backcountry camping, which involves carrying all your camping essentials and hiking to your campsite on foot (rather than driving up with all your gear in the trunk), gets you up close and personal with the great outdoors from start to finish. With the proper layers and camping equipment, backcountry camping can offer satisfying freedom when winter cabin fever hits.
10. Break Out the Snowshoes and Skis
Make the most of the colder months with winter activities like snowshoeing and skiing. This can help you stay active, enjoy nature, and get a burst of invigoration despite frigid temperatures. Don’t forget to apply sunscreen, as sunlight reflecting off the snow can give you a sunburn, too.
Read Next: 14 Snowshoeing Tips for Beginners
Where to Camp in Fall
Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Tennessee, North Carolina)
Great Smoky Mountains National Park truly comes alive in the fall. Most of the 100 tree species in the park are deciduous (meaning they shed their leaves at the end of growing season), so the entire park puts on a brilliant show of yellow, red, and orange in autumn. Keep in mind that elevation greatly impacts when the colors change, with color displays starting as early as mid-September at higher elevations.
Where to Camp Near Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- Cove Creek RV Resorts (9 miles)
- Mountaineer Campground (11 miles—2024 Campspot Awards Winner)
- Greenbrier Campground (12 miles—2024 Campspot Awards Winner)
Explore More Top Campgrounds Near Great Smoky Mountains
Acadia National Park (Maine)
Known as the “Crown Jewel” of New England, Acadia National Park is one of the best destinations for leaf-peeping and overall one of the most popular national parks in the country. Fall colors abound in October, though that won’t be the only activity waiting for you. Enjoy hiking, cycling, boating, tidepooling, and more at this gorgeous park.
Where to Camp Near Acadia National Park
- Bar Harbor Campground (6 miles)
- Hadley’s Point Campground (7 miles—2023 Campspot Awards Winner)
- Wild Acadia Camping Resort (12 miles)
Explore More Top Campgrounds Near Acadia National Park
Grand Teton National Park (Wyoming)
Head over in late September to early October to watch the golden aspens, fiery maples, and deep red willows frame Grand Teton National Park’s iconic jagged peaks. Enjoy the color display on the scenic drive along Inner Park Road, and comfortably explore the park’s diverse trails—from gentle walks around Jenny Lake to more challenging treks up to Inspiration Point—without the summer crowds.
Where to Camp Near Grand Teton National Park
- Valley View RV Park Campground (12 miles)
- Red Rock RV Park (16 miles)
- Yellowstone RV Park at Macks Inn (12 miles)
Explore More Top Campgrounds Near Grand Teton National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National Park (Ohio)
Go leaf-peeping in the Midwest at the gorgeous Cuyahoga Valley National Park, which shows its brilliance particularly in October. Don’t miss the 60-foot Brandywine Falls, one of the best waterfalls in Ohio, and be sure to catch a train ride on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad to tour the most scenic areas of the park.
Where to Camp Near Cuyahoga Valley National Park
- Woodside Lake Park (13 miles)
- Roundup Lake Campground (15 miles)
- Countryside Campground (18 miles)
Explore More Top Campgrounds Near Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Shenandoah National Park (Virginia)
Mid-October is prime time for leaf-peeping at Shenandoah National Park. Enjoy the best view along the Skyline Drive Scenic Byway, which has 75 scenic overlooks along its 105 miles. Hike popular trails and accessible summits to enjoy the brilliance and grandiosity of the park.
Where to Camp Near Shenandoah National Park
- Bluffs at Cedar Creek Campground (17 miles)
- Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort: Luray (19 miles—2022 Campspot Awards Winner)
- Luray RV Resort on Shenandoah River (26 miles)
Explore More Top Campgrounds Near Shenandoah National Park
Where to Camp in Winter
Big Bend National Park (Texas)
During winter, the park’s typically harsh desert heat mellows into comfortable daytime temperatures, making it an ideal time for exploring the rugged terrain, hiking the park’s trails, or planning a river trip. The colder nights provide perfect conditions for stargazing under some of the darkest skies in the country, though layers are imperative.
Where to Camp Near Big Bend National Park
- Around the Bend RV Park (20 miles)
- Roadrunner Travelers Campground (20 miles)
- Maverick Ranch RV Park (35 miles)
Explore More Top Campgrounds Near Big Bend National Park
Joshua Tree National Park (California)
While summer brings scorching heat, Joshua Tree National Park is an exceptional camping destination in winter, with daytime temperatures usually ranging from the 50s to the 70s. Comfortably hike through the iconic Joshua tree forests, climb the rugged rock formations, and explore hidden oases. Joshua Tree is also a designated Dark Sky Park, offering some of the clearest and most brilliant night skies in the country, especially during winter.
Where to Camp Near Joshua Tree National Park
- Joshua Tree RV Campground (4 miles)
- Desert Drifter RV Resort (11 miles)
- The Sands RV & Golf Resort (55+) (17 miles)
Explore More Top Campgrounds Near Joshua Tree National Park
Mt. Rainier National Park (Washington)
If you’re looking for a snowy wonderland, Mt. Rainier National Park is your winter camping destination. Mount Rainier becomes even more majestic as its snow-capped peak dominates the skyline, and the lower elevations of the park are blanketed in deep snow, making it an ideal location for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
Where to Camp Near Mt. Rainier National Park
- Mineral Lake Lions Den Campground (28 miles)
- Camp Lakeview (30 miles)
- Elkamp Eastcreek (30 miles—2022 Campspot Awards Winner)
Explore More Top Campgrounds Near Mt. Rainier National Park
Everglades National Park (Florida)
Unlike the hot and humid summer months, winter in the Everglades brings cooler air with daytime temperatures in the 60s to 80s. It’s also the park’s dry season, which means fewer mosquitoes and a lower water level that concentrates wildlife into more visible areas—making it an ideal time for birdwatching, photography, and wildlife tours. Alligators, manatees, and a vast array of bird species are commonly seen during this time.
Where to Camp Near Everglades National Park
- Goldcoaster RV Resort (24 miles)
- Sun Outdoors Key Largo (30 miles)
- Key Largo Kampground (35 miles)
Explore More Top Campgrounds Near Everglades National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park (Colorado)
Rocky Mountain National Park transforms into a stunning white canvas in winter, with towering peaks and evergreen forests draped in frost. Enjoy a beautiful winter hike to Dream Lake in the snow, or enjoy a reinvigorating day of snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and backcountry skiing on a variety of trails, including the popular Bear Lake Corridor.
Where to Camp Near Rocky Mountain National Park
- Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort: Estes Park (8 miles)
- Winding River Resort (16 miles)
- Poudre River Resort (23 miles)
Explore More Top Campgrounds Near Rocky Mountain National Park
Fall and Winter Camping at Its Best
Don’t miss out on the unique experience of camping in the fall or winter. With so many activities and destinations most enjoyed in the cooler seasons, plan your fall or winter camping stay with Campspot for an unforgettable adventure.
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