The Best Campgrounds for Fairytale Fall Foliage

Contributor

Brad Cowan

Favorite Trip

Emerald Isle

Home Base

Greenville, NC

Favorite RV

Airstream Caravel

About Contributor

Brad Cowan is a Lifestyle Content Writer. When he’s not behind the screen, he’s chasing pavement to the nearest coast with his wife, two kids, and golden retriever in tow.

Have you ever looked around and thought to yourself ‘My surroundings seem like a film set!’

The weather is perfect; not too hot and not too cold. The air smells like campfire and fallen leaves. The picnic table is set for family crafts and puzzles. The trees are tall and strong, gently raining down their colorful leaves as the breeze tickles their branches. The entire landscape in every direction is like a masterclass in color theory, with reds blending right into oranges and yellows.

It sounds like a fairytale, but it’s also very real–it’s autumn in North America and there’s nothing like it. Believe it or not, you can experience the best campgrounds for fairytale fall foliage without ever stepping foot onto a movie set! It’s your adventure, you’re the main character writing your story. You just have to hop in the RV to begin. We all deserve a starring role once in a while and nothing sets the stage like RVing in the fall.

Asheville, North Carolina

Beginning in late September, fall paints the mountainsides in the foothills of the Appalachians. In Asheville, the valleys and foothills are aglow from September through November. Witness for yourself the brightest, most saturated colors the season has to offer. If hiking is your thing, lace up your boots for a climb up Grandfather Mountain, or bring a jacket along as you scale Mount Mitchell (it can be a little chilly towards the top). These peaks offer insanely beautiful views of the trees and valleys showing off below.

Aerial Drone view of Autumn / fall in the Blue ridge of the Appalachian Mountains near Asheville, North Carolina. Vibrant red, yellow, orange leaf foliage colors on the curve of mountain road side.
Aerial Drone view of fall in the Blue ridge of the Appalachian Mountains near Asheville, North Carolina. Vibrant red, yellow, orange leaf foliage colors on the curve of mountain road side. Image: Shutterstock.

Good Sam Campgrounds Nearby Asheville, NC:

Asheville Bear Creek RV Park & Campground

Scenic RV Park Resort

Lakewood RV Resort

Shenandoah National Park in Virginia

Soak in the fall foliage along Skyline Drive that runs right through the center of Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park. Endless views will have your eyes glued to the windows of your RV as you drive along the 105-mile highway that defines the word scenic. Let me guess, you want to stop along the way and breathe in all the beauty? I don’t blame you. There are almost seventy overlooks to do just that. You can hike, picnic, take pictures, discover the meaning of life, or all of the above. Plan for a full day of cruising, so you can really take your time. It’s worth every single second.

Shenandoah National Park in Autumn foliage - Virginia, United States of America.
Shenandoah National Park in Autumn foliage – Virginia, United States of America. Image: Shutterstock

Good Sam Campgrounds Nearby Shenandoah National Park:

Candy Hill Campground

Misty Mountain Camp Resort

Shenandoah Acres Family Campground

Mountain View, Arkansas

Home of the Ozark National Forest, planning an autumn trip through Mountain View, AR will never disappoint. Crisp weather and clear skies perfectly compliment the constantly changing colors of fall. Late October through early November is the ideal time to hike and camp to take full advantage of the leaves as they put on their annual show before dropping. Bring a camera or make sure there is plenty of storage space on your phone, you’re going to want to capture as much of this beauty as possible.

fall foliage waterfall in Ozark Arkansas.
fall foliage waterfall in Ozark Arkansas. Image: Shutterstock.

Good Sam Campgrounds Nearby Mountain View, AR:

Ozark RV Park

Whitewater Bluegrass RV Park

Sylamore Creek Camp

Stowe, Vermont

Vibrant mountain peaks with vividly colored leaves will create an image in your mind that you will never forget in Stowe, VT. The rolling countryside is what dreams are made of. Park your RV and stretch your legs on the extensive trail system that runs right through the middle of the color-changing action. Mid-September through early October is the target timeframe when planning your visit so you can experience the foliage in all its fall glory.

Lake fog sunrise with Autumn foliage and mountains in New England Stowe, Vermont.
Lake fog sunrise with Autumn foliage and mountains in New England Stowe, Vermont. Image: Shutterstock.

Good Sam Campgrounds Nearby Stowe, VT:

Little River State Park

Smuggler’s Notch Family Resort

Mountain View Campground

Aspen, Colorado

Known more for its winter appeal, Aspen, CO is not to be underrated when it comes to its fall offerings. The Rocky Mountains really show off for those who stop by to see them from Aspen’s point of view. Leaves boast deep yellows, saturated auburns, and vibrant oranges that appear to set the mountainside on fire giving you enough eye candy that you’ll be willing to skip Halloween entirely. Visit late September through early October for the full experience and enjoy the wildlife roaming about before winter covers Aspen in a thick blanket of snow.

Good Sam Campgrounds Nearby Aspen, CO:

Difficult Campground

Mollie B Campground

Chapman Campground

Beaverton, Michigan

Located in the central part of the state, along the Cedar River, Beaverton offers scenic water views along with its fall foliage. If a tranquil escape is what you’re looking for, then look no further. This is the perfect place to sit back and relax with a good book or kick your feet up while enjoying the leaves that seemingly change right in front of your eyes. When you’ve caught up on that much-needed R&R, explore activities like boating and fishing that are sure to be taken to new levels given the surroundings.

Fall colors in Traverse City Michigan along the Boardman River
Fall colors in Traverse City Michigan along the Boardman River. Image: Shutterstock.

Good Sam Campgrounds Nearby Beaverton, MI:

Calhoun Campground

Gladwin City Park & Campground

River Valley RV Park


Whether you’re driving through, planning to stay awhile, or simply trying to hit up the best Instaworthy fall destinations in your RV, witnessing fall do what it does best is always impressive. Make sure to use Good Sam’s Find a Park directory to locate the best campgrounds along your route. Who said happy endings were only in fairytales? Sometimes they happen in real life, too. Hop in an RV and write your dream story.

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