The Best Places to See Fall Foliage: Camping Destinations

by Joe ColemanSep 26, 2022

The Best Places to See Fall Foliage: Camping Destinations

The shoulder season doesn’t mean putting away your camping gear, it means bringing it back out for one last trip! When the air gets the first chill of the season, it’s time to load up and go on the hunt for the best places to see fall foliage.

Best Fall Foliage in Colorado Camping Destinations

1. Campfire Ranch on the Taylor – Almont, CO

Trees and mountainside at Campfire Ranch on the Taylor, one of the best places to see fall foliage.

Peak foliage dates: Late September to mid-October
Accommodation types: Micro cabin, tent sites
What to look forward to: All campsites here are tent-only, which means no generator noise from RVs.

2. River Fork RV Park Campground – Lake City, CO

Fall foliage at River Fork RV Park Campground.

Peak foliage dates: Mid-September to mid-October
Accommodation types: RV sites
What to look forward to: Skipping the crowds at Rocky Mountain National while chasing leaves in the San Juan Mountain Range.

Explore More Colorado Campgrounds Perfect for Fall Foliage

Best Fall Foliage in New England Camping Destinations

3. Pleasant Hill Campground – Hermon, ME

The lake and surrounding trees at Pleasant Hill Campground, one of the best places to see fall foliage in the United States.

Peak foliage dates: Mid-October
Accommodation types: Cabin, RV sites, group RV sites, tent sites
What to look forward to: You’ll be within driving distance of Acadia National Park but also surrounded by changing leaves in your campground!

4. Apple Island Resort – South Hero, VT

Fall foliage and water views at Apple Island Resort, one of the best places to see fall foliage in Vermont

Peak foliage dates: Mid to late October
Accommodation types: RV sites, cabins, tent sites
What to look forward to: Enjoy resort-level amenities while you take in the changing leaves. You’ll be just 20 minutes from Burlington.

5. Westward Shores Cottages & RV Resort – West Ossipee, NH

Drone shot of water views at Westward Shores Cottages & RV Resort.

Peak foliage dates: Mid-October
Accommodation types: Cottages, lodge, park models, cabins, RV sites
What to look forward to: Multiple luxurious cottages with varying amenities and levels of comfort.

Explore More New England Leaf Peeping Destinations

Best Fall Foliage in Michigan Camping Destinations

6. Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort: Petoskey – Petosky, MI

Fall foliage surrounding RV sites at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort: Petoskey

Peak foliage dates: Early to mid-October
Accommodation types: Lodges, studio, cabins, RV sites, tent sites
What to look forward to: The lodges and cabins here are some of the most unique stays on this list.

7. Sun Outdoors Petoskey Bay Harbor – Petoskey, MI

Fall foliage surrounding rv sites at Sun Outdoors Petoskey Bay Harbor, one of the best places to see fall foliage

Peak foliage dates: Early to mid-October
Accommodation types: Cottages, RV sites
What to look forward to: You have the dependability of a nationwide chain, and the Premium Coach site took second in the 2022 Campspot Top Camping Sites category.

8. White River RV Park & Campground – Montague, MI

Fall foliage surrounding cabins at White River RV Park & Campground

Peak foliage dates: Early to mid-October
Accommodation types: Cabins, RV rental, group RV site, RV sites, tent sites
What to look forward to: A wide variety of outdoor pursuits for all interest levels on-site and conveniently located nearby.

9. Woodland Park Campground – Grand Marais, MI

Tents and campers at Woodland Park Campground

Peak foliage dates: Late September to mid-October
Accommodation types: Standard RV and tent sites, primitive tent-only sites
What to look forward to: Waterfront views and proximity to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

10. Newberry Campground – Newberry, MI

Drone shot of bright yellow and orange fall foliage at Newberry Campground, one of the best places to see fall foliage

Peak foliage dates: Late September to mid-October
Accommodation types: Cabins, RV sites, tent sites
What to look forward to: Located in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, you’ll feel like you’ve walked into a movie when the leaves change here.

Best Fall Foliage in New York Camping Destinations

11. Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort: Gardiner – Gardiner, NY

Cabins with mountains in the background at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort: Gardiner

Peak foliage dates: Mid-October
Accommodation types: Houses, lodges, cabins, bungalows, RV sites, tent sites
What to look forward to: Taking third in Top Campgrounds for First-Timers at the 2022 Campspot Awards, this location is beginner and family-friendly.

12. Belden Hill Campground – Harpursville, NY

Aerial shot of fall foliage at Belden Hill Campground

Peak foliage dates: Mid-October to early November
Accommodation types: RV sites
What to look forward to: You’ll get stunning views of both New York and Pennsylvania’s fall colors.

Best Fall Foliage in Ohio Camping Destinations

13. Countryside Campground – Mogadore, OH

Aerial shot of camping sites at Countryside Campground

Peak foliage dates: Mid-October
Accommodation types: RV rentals, cabins, RV sites, tent sites
What to look forward to: This unique destination has quick access to the Mogadore Reservoir and tree-lined camping spots.

14. Campbell Cove RV Resort & Campground – Logan, OH

A tent and fire pit and camping chairs next to a body of water with fall foliage in the background

Peak foliage dates: Mid to late October
Accommodation types: Cabins, RV sites, tent sites
What to look forward to: Campbell Cove offers a wide variety of sites at varying price points and levels of luxury to suit all needs.

15. Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort: Clay’s Resort – North Lawrence, OH

An aerial shot of the fall foliage surrounding Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort: Clay's Resort

Peak foliage dates: Mid-October
Accommodation types: Lodges, cottages, cabins, glamping tent, RV sites, tent sites
What to look forward to: If you want to head to some of Ohio’s best places to see fall foliage, Cuyahoga National Park is just a short drive away.

Best Fall Foliage in Canada Camping Destinations

16. Lindbrook Star Gazer Campground – Tofield, AB

A water fountain surrounded by fall foliage

Peak foliage dates: Late September to early October
Accommodation types: Standard RV and tent sites
What to look forward to: You’ll be just half an hour from Edmonton, but it’ll feel like you’re worlds away from city life.

17. Sandy Point Resort & RV Park – Bentley, AB

RV sites surrounded by changing fall foliage

Peak foliage dates: Late September to early October
Accommodation types: RV sites
What to look forward to: Lakefront sites with the security of a fully gated campground. Walk out the door of your RV and right to the fishing spots.

18. Waterways RV Resort – Portland, ON

An aerial shot of Waterways RV Resort, one of the best places to see fall foliage

Peak foliage dates: Mid to late October
Accommodation types: Cottage, cabin, RV sites
What to look forward to: Plenty of family-oriented amenities, including an on-site playground and lakefront spots.

19. Pathfinder Camp Resorts- Agassiz-Harrison – Agassiz, BC

RVs parked in RV sites with fall foliage in the background

Peak foliage dates: Early to late October
Accommodation types: RV sites
What to look forward to: The mountain backdrop here is hard to beat. You’ll be a few minutes from a city if you need anything, but you won’t get any noise pollution.

Best Fall Foliage in North Carolina Campground Destinations

20. Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort: Golden Valley – Bostic, NC

Cabins on stilts under a canopy of trees at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort: Golden Valley

Peak foliage dates: Mid to late October
Accommodation types: Lodges, cabins, bungalow, cottages, glamping tents, RV sites, tent sites
What to look forward to: This Jellystone location took top marks for Top Campgrounds for Families and sixth for Top Campgrounds in the USA at this year’s Campspot Awards.

21. Maple Ridge RV Park – Rutherford, NC

A drone shot of the land surrounding Maple Ridge RV park

Peak foliage dates: Mid to late October
Accommodation types: RV sites
What to look forward to: Maple trees display one of the most brilliant color-changing shows, and this campground is filled with them.

Best Fall Foliage in Montana Campground Destinations

22. Copper Court RV Park – Anaconda, MT

Fall foliage and the surrounding mountainside near Copper Court RV Park

Peak foliage dates: Late September to mid-October
Accommodation types: Cabins, RV sites
What to look forward to: Mountains and rolling hills are all along your eye-line at this park. You’ll have ample outdoor activities both on-site and nearby.

23. Madison Valley Campgr o und – Ennis, MT

Peak foliage dates: Early to mid-October
Accommodation types: Furnished house, RV sites
What to look forward to: Ennis is a quirky Montana town in its own right and one of the best fly fishing destinations in Big Sky Country.

Best Fall Foliage in Washington Campground Destinations

24. Skokomish Park at Lake Cushman – Hoodsport, WA

Bright red fall foliage surrounding the water views near Skokomish Park at Lake Cushman, one of the best places to see fall foliage

Peak foliage dates: Late September to mid-October
Accommodation types: RV sites, tent sites
What to look forward to: While you’ll be within driving distance to the eastern portion of Olympic National Park, you’ll be just steps from incredible hiking trails in the park itself.

25. Silver Cove RV Resort – Silver Lake, WA

Fall foliage surrounding the water at Silver Cove RV Resort

Peak foliage dates: Early to late October
Accommodation types: Cottages, cabins, RV sites
What to look forward to: Silver Cove is a convenient location for most Pacific Northwest visitors. From the resort, you can quickly get to epic outdoor destinations and some of the best places to see fall foliage in Washington.

Best Fall Foliage in Pennsylvania Campground Destinations

26. Paradise Stream Family Campground – Loysville, PA

An aerial shot of the campground and surrounding lands at Paradise Stream Family Campground

Peak foliage dates: Early to mid-October
Accommodation types: Lodge, cabins, glamping, RV sites, tent sites
What to look forward to: Paradise Stream caters directly to families. You’ll find a full range of amenities that will keep all ages entertained here.

27. Wheel-In Campground – Shelocta, PA

A bright red tree over an RV parked at an RV site with fall foliage in the background

Peak foliage dates: Early to mid-October
Accommodation types: RV-only sites, standard RV and tent sites
What to look forward to: Wheel-in is a simple, family-friendly campground offering an on-site pond and a slew of activities to entertain the whole family.

As fall works its way through North America, the best places to see fall foliage change rapidly. Whether you have a weekend to spare or want to chase the changing leaves all season long, now’s the time to prep for your fall foliage camping trip.

Joe Coleman is a freelance travel and outdoor writer based in East Texas. His love for the outdoors started when living near Olympic National Park and has stayed with him ever since. Taking a respite from social media, you can reach him exclusively at joecolemanfreelance@gmail.com.

Image credit: Header Image: Pleasant Hill Campground, all remaining images are credited to the accompanying campground.