Fall is the perfect season for getting out and exploring some of America's most stunning national parks. With the colorful change of leaves, crisp autumn air, and cozy campfires, you can find outdoor activities that fit any interest. It's one of the most beautiful times of the year to RV travel.
Whether it's hiking through redwood forests or stunning mountain scenery, there are plenty of exciting opportunities to choose from when it comes to RVing this fall! The cooler weather also brings comfy days for outdoor activities in the parks. Here are our top picks for the best national parks to visit during this unforgettable season.
Fall Is A Great Time To Enjoy RVing
Fall is our favorite time of the year for RV traveling. The summer crowds have waned, and the weather is just right for hanging out at the campsite or for other outdoor activities. Then there are the stunning fall colors present in many of the national parks. Fall is all around an incredible time for an RV trip. Let's dive into some great national parks to visit this fall.
Zion National Park
Zion National Park is an amazing natural wonder to experience during the fall season. Its stunning red rock cliffs, vibrant orange and yellow foliage, and crystal-clear rivers provide some of the most breathtaking scenery in the United States. Fall is an especially good time to visit this park as temperatures are milder and the crowds have thinned out from summer. Hiking, biking, and camping are all popular activities here in the fall.
One of Zion's most popular fall destinations is Angel's Landing, a spectacular viewpoint overlooking the canyon. It can be easier to get a permit for this one-of-a-kind daredevil hike once the summer crowds have passed. During this season, visitors can also enjoy incredible views of the Virgin River and explore Zion's spectacular slot canyons.
The Narrows, another popular destination in Zion, is an amazing experience during fall. The trail follows along the banks of the Virgin River, and then the hike becomes through the river itself. It provides hikers with stunning views in every direction while also being quite a challenge in the chilly waters of fall. This is also a great place to spot wildlife, especially during the cooler months.
In addition to these awesome destinations, Zion National Park also offers plenty of opportunities for bird-watching and photography. So don’t forget your camera! With its amazing landscapes and wildlife, Zion makes for an unforgettable experience this fall.
Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park is an amazing destination to explore during the fall season. Its stunning landscapes and wildlife provide a truly unforgettable experience. From its snow-capped peaks, sparkling alpine lakes, and lush meadows, Rocky Mountain National Park has something for everyone during this beautiful season.
One of the top things to see in the park during fall is Bear Lake. This picturesque lake offers incredible reflections of the surrounding mountains and is a great spot for photography. There are also plenty of hiking trails nearby that wind through vibrant aspen groves, offering some of the best views in the park.
The winding roads throughout Rocky Mountain National Park also provide excellent scenic drive opportunities. Fall is the perfect time to take in all of the incredible views as you curve through haunting forests and meadows filled with vibrant foliage.
The park also offers plenty of wildlife watching opportunities during this season. Elk are numerous throughout Rocky Mountain National Park, and it's a great place to spot some elk during their mating season in the fall. Other wildlife includes moose, bighorn sheep, and black bears, making for some exciting animal sightings on your journey.
Rocky Mountain National Park is a must-see destination this fall you're looking for an unforgettable experience. Whether it’s hiking, camping, or just taking in the incredible views, you're sure to have a memorable time.
Redwood National Park
Redwood National Park is the perfect place to visit during the fall months. Its towering redwood trees, lush meadows, and majestic coastal bluffs provide an experience unlike any other. Fall brings with it cooler temperatures, fewer crowds, and plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities in this stunning park.
One of the top things to do at Redwood National Park is to take a drive down the Avenue of the Giants. This 31-mile road winds through some of the tallest redwood trees in the world, giving you an unparalleled view of these majestic giants. It's also a great place to spot wildlife, so keep your eyes peeled!
Hiking is another great way to explore Redwood National Park during the fall. With its miles of trails, you can find a path that's perfect for your skill level and interests. Whether it's an easy stroll through the meadows or a more challenging trek up steep hillsides, there's something for everyone here.
The fall season is also a great time for photography in Redwood National Park. With the sun lower in the sky and the trees changing color, there are endless opportunities to snap some beautiful shots of this incredible landscape. See if you can find one of the rare bright yellow banana slugs on one of the trees or on the ground. It is a fun nature scavenger hunt to try to spot one!
No matter how you choose to explore, Redwood National Park is an unforgettable destination this fall. Its stunning landscapes provide a truly unique experience that you won't find anywhere else.
So don't miss the chance to discover this amazing fall destination!
Congaree National Park
Congaree National Park is a one-of-a-kind ecosystem. With its lush woodlands, swampy forests, and towering trees, this park offers some of the eeriest scenery in the United States. This park is consistently rated as one of the worst national parks in the United States. Why? The bugs are so terrible in this swamp park, that there is a mosquito meter at the door! So why is this park on our fall list? The bugs and humidity are dramatically less in the fall. If you ever planned to visit this park, then fall is the perfect time with more comfortable weather and fewer biting insects, making for an unforgettable experience.
The park offers plenty of opportunities for hiking and paddling, both of which can be great activities to enjoy during the fall season. One of the best ways to enjoy this park is to hop on the paddle trail either on your own or on a guided Ranger paddle. The scenery and wildlife you may see include foxes, turkeys, woodpeckers, alligators, snakes, and more.
Fall is also one of the best times to explore Congaree's unique swampy forests. Boardwalks lead visitors through some of the park's most spectacular areas, giving them a chance to observe the park's diverse wildlife. This park protects a large diversity of hardwood trees. With its towering trees, lush wetlands, and abundant wildlife, Congaree National Park is an amazing destination to visit during the fall season.
Congaree is one of the least visited national parks, so it is also a great national park to avoid crowds. Whether you're looking for adventure or just want a relaxing escape from city life, Congaree National Park has something for everyone this fall. Bring your hiking gear, kayak, and a camera to capture the eerie swamp beauty of this unique park!
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is an incredibly popular destination during the fall season and with good reason! Its ancient forests, cascading waterfalls, and vibrant colors provide some of North America's most beautiful scenery.
One of the most popular activities during the fall season is hiking. The park offers plenty of trails for all skill levels, from easy walks to more challenging hikes. Some of the best ones are Alum Cave, Chimney Tops, and Rainbow Falls. These provide amazing views of cascading waterfalls, lush valleys, and vibrant foliage.
The park is also a great spot for bird-watching during the fall. The mix of hardwoods and conifers provide a perfect habitat for many species of birds, including hawks, warblers, woodpeckers, and more! Fall is also the perfect time to spot some black bears as they search for food in preparation for winter.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is also the most visited in the national park system. Make sure to reserve campsites well in advance to be sure to get a spot. Although a fall visit may be a bit crowded, this park makes up for it with its beautiful scenery and fun seasonal activities in the surrounding town of Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a great place to spend the fall season. Its stunning fall foliage landscapes and abundance of wildlife provide something for everyone, making it an unforgettable experience!
Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park is an incredibly popular destination for visitors during the fall season due to its majestic natural beauty. Located in California's Sierra Nevada Mountains, this park offers stunning views of rocky cliffs, domes, lush meadows, and forests. The vivid foliage of autumn makes this park especially beautiful, making it a perfect spot to spend the season.
Yosemite is most well-known for its waterfalls, which are flowing less than in the spring months but are still often impressive during the fall months. Hiking trails throughout the park provide amazing views of Yosemite Falls, Bridalveil Falls, and Vernal Falls. These trails also offer a great opportunity to observe wildlife and take in the crisp autumn air.
In addition to its impressive waterfalls, Yosemite is home to many other natural wonders. Its majestic forests are filled with groves of Giant Sequoias, some of which are among the oldest living things on earth. There are also plenty of opportunities for rock climbing and paddling in the park's pristine rivers.
Yosemite National Park is a magical place to visit during the fall season. Its incredible beauty and diversity of activities make it an unforgettable destination for any outdoor enthusiast!
Grand Canyon National Park
Grand Canyon National Park is a must-visit destination in the United States, and especially so during the fall season. With its breathtaking scenery and vast array of activities to explore, there is something for everyone when visiting Grand Canyon National Park.
The autumn months are an ideal time to visit Grand Canyon National Park as it offers some of the most stunning views of its red-orange landscape. The sky is also a beautiful shade of blue during this season, making sunsets especially breathtaking. Hiking trails throughout the park provide amazing views and opportunities to observe wildlife.
The Grand Canyon fall crowds are fewer, and the cooler temperatures make the park more comfortable to enjoy hiking, paddling, and camping. Another great way to experience the Grand Canyon is to take a day trip there on a train from Flagstaff, Arizona, aboard the Grand Canyon Railway. This one-of-a-kind train trip features a cowboy sing-along and a western pre-show. We even got to view wild horses from the trail.
Please note that the Grand Canyon North Rim closes very early in the fall season, so be sure to check the website if you are interested in visiting that section. The Grand Canyon South Rim is open year-round and is even more beautiful, with a light dusting of snow to enjoy.
No matter where you choose to visit this autumn season, these national parks offer some of the most amazing scenery in the United States. From wildlife watching to gorgeous sunsets and everything in between, you're sure to have an unforgettable experience. So get out and explore these incredible national park destinations in your RV this fall!
Looking for a new RV for your fall national parks road trip? La Mesa RV has an incredible selection to match your RV wishlist. Stop by and find the perfect RV today!
Scott, his wife Van, and their 13-year-old daughter have traveled full-time in their RV for 8 years. They have worked and homeschooled on the road through 42 states so far. They blog about RVing tips, travel destinations, jobs for RVing, and the full-time RV lifestyle on their blogs theadventuredetour and rvnomadjobs. They are also RV content creators @theadventuredetour on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube. They love connecting with RVers, so be sure to reach out to them and say hi!
