Top 5 Scenic Fall Camping Spots for the Perfect Autumn Retreat

Get in the fall spirit this year with a camping getaway. After a hot, busy summer, and just before an even busier holiday season, soak up the cool autumn air to refresh. Enjoy lakeside views, colorful forests, or even autumn desert vibes.

As you start to prep for the autumn season, think about what type of experience you’d like to have. Maybe it’s time to treat yourself to a pre-holiday glamping retreat, or maybe you crave a moody, drizzly camping trip. From Canadian coastal getaways to East Coast leaf peeping paradise, you’ll find what you’re looking for!

We’ve rounded up our top 5 scenic camping spots for fall this year. Pick the perfect place for you to enjoy everything the great outdoors has to offer this season. Enjoy!

1. Glamping in Saratoga Springs, New York

The Northeast is so picturesque during this season. Here, see postcard-like hillsides of endless gold, red, and orange fall leaves. Head upstate to Saratoga Springs for the ultimate leaf-peeping and glamping experience. If you want a full-blown autumn reset and retreat, glamp at Battenkill Resort. Stay in a luxury glamps that keeps you connected to the great outdoors. All the while, enjoy a cozy, amenity-filled experience.

Travel just a few hours outside the city, and you can spend your trip soaking up the outdoors. Ride horseback, golf, hike scenic trails, and do yoga by your yurt tent in the early morning light. Not to mention, this region of the northeast is absolutely stunning in the fall. Glampers will be surrounded by serene water and autumn hillsides– you won’t want to miss out on this!

2. Tahquamenon Falls State Park, Michigan

This is one of the most beautiful spots in Michigan for a reason. Tahquamenon Falls offers one of the most stunning autumn destinations. It’s super scenic in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, making it perfect for campers who seek a remote site.

Campers have their pick of four campgrounds and other lodging options. Campers can pitch everything from a full-blown bell tent setup to a basic rustic tent setup. The park is huge with tons of activities at your disposal. Everything from paddling and fishing, to hiking and hunting is right at campers’ disposal. The park has plenty of amenities for various needs as well. Picnic areas, concessions, bathrooms– it really is the ideal place to camp. Enjoy golden sunsets, vibrant fall leaves, and of course, lush waterfalls.

3. Fundy National Park, New Brunswick

If you’re looking to get remote this fall, consider heading up north! Canada holds a wealth of incredible camping scenery all year long, and in the fall especially. This fall, if you’re craving a quiet, coastal camping getaway, try out Fundy National Park. This park goes along the Bay of Fundy, where you can witness drastic tides! Throughout this park are numerous waterfalls, many of which are very remote. There are miles of coastline and beaches to explore. With mild weather and small crowds, Fundy National Park is the perfect scenic getaway.

The park also offers alternatives to classic tent camping, open into November. Book a yurt tent, cabin, or teardrop-shaped oasis. Check out Parks Canada to find the perfect New Brunswick campsite for you!

4. Catalina State Park, Arizona

Campers who are not too keen on the cold weather but still want to be outdoors this autumn should head to Arizona. Desert heat cools down a bit, and monsoon season subsides. You are left with amazing red rock formations, saguaro cactus, and migratory birds. At Catalina State Park, enjoy all of these things and so much more. 

A concert series, star gazing parties, and horseback riding– the list goes on. These are a few fall highlights you can look forward to at this park. Camping here in the fall is a breeze due to comfortable temperatures and smaller crowds. Pick from 120 campsites with plenty of amenities, so you can enjoy a comfortable desert autumn getaway!

5. Olympic National Park, Washington

Get your Pacific Northwest fix this autumn in the North Cascades National Park. If you’re looking to camp here, then you probably don’t mind the rain and fog. It’s the perfect time to break out the rain fly and get ready for a moody, coastal camping experience. You’ll be fully immersed in a diverse, green ecosystem unlike anything else.

Here, a thick canopy of evergreen protects campers from heavy rains. This creates a damp, fragrant, and colorful autumn forest. But do keep in mind that rainfall can be significant during this time. Temperatures drop significantly, so bring adequate layers and sleeping gear, too. Read here to learn about the incredible things you can do this fall in Olympic National Park.

Leaf Peeping Camping Spots You Must Visit This Year

There are so many reasons why camping is the best way to experience fall. For one thing, the ever-changing foliage is on full display. While the skies might be turning grey, the vibrant colors of the forest persist, so don’t wait to see this amazing yet fleeting phenomenon!

Where will you go to catch glimpses of the beautiful fall leaves? All the locations listed above are great scenic fall getaways, featuring fall leaves. But if you’re looking for the best leaf peeping destinations this year, check out this list of amazing spots! Here are a handful of noteworthy places to view the fleeting, vibrant colors of the season.

1. Bon Echo Provincial Park, Ontario

This provincial park in east-central Canada is the perfect remote leaf-peeping spot. The park is surrounded by different lakes, which add a wonderful blue contrast to the reds and golds of the forest. Speaking of water, while you’re here, take a kayak to see pictographs! Or even catch the ferry to access some incredible hikes through the vibrant forests.

2. Smuggler’s Notch State Park, Vermont

Is it even a leaf peeping excursion if Vermont isn’t on this list? This is the prime destination to catch the fall colors in their full glory. Head to the northeastern leaf peeping haven, Smuggler’s Notch State Park, for a road trip or day hike. This spot in northern Vermont is the quintessential location for all things fall activities and leaf viewing. It is an extremely popular spot to visit in the fall, so plan accordingly!

3. New River Gorge National Park, West Virginia

Once again on the East Coast, catch abundant deciduous trees in full fall swing! Visit the New River Gorge National Park near Fayetteville, West Virginia. This is the country’s newest national park, and it’s not hard to see why! Here you will find an incredible overlook. View aspens, poplars, and more in mid-October, turning orange. Adventurers who like to immerse themselves in the scenery will love it here because they can hike, bike, and whitewater raft their way through this impeccable landscape. Read here to learn more about leaf peeping in West Virginia!

And the List Goes On…

Of course, it would be impossible to summarize all the amazing places you can visit for the leaves this year. The trick is to start planning now! Book that glamping trip, plane tickets, hiking routes– you name it.

And for those who are more last-minute campers and outdoors people, don’t fear! It’s easy to hop in the car and simply go for a drive or a day hike. Planning an extensive autumn trip– especially before the holidays– can be expensive. But the greatest beauty of the outdoors is that they are free, and all around us. Do a little research and find out what local spots you can visit to see some of autumn’s beauty. Whether that’s leaf peeping, or seeing wildlife, autumn flowers, and so much more.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re planning the ultimate scenic fall getaway or out to go leaf peeping. Autumn in the great outdoors has so much to offer! This unique time of year is constantly fleeting, so you’ve got to see it while you can. Plan now and ensure that you’ll make autumn memories now, and in years to come! 

Enjoy all the perks of camping in this season, from cooler temperatures to smaller crowds, vibrant leaves, and potential for adventures. As the year transitions into seasons, spend time outside catching every glimpse of it. The vibrant fall colors won’t last long! No matter what style of outdoor travel you prefer, there are fall getaways perfect for you. Go glamping in upstate New York, or venture to remote Canadian camping locations. You could even try something new! Go on a road trip along the East Coast to see all the vibrant colors, or head to the Pacific Northwest for a rainy, cozy forest camping trip.

This season, make it a priority to spend time outdoors in the cooler weather. Whether you’re out to go leaf peeping, see wildlife, or just be surrounded by nature before winter sets in. A scenic fall camping trip will only serve you well and fuel your outdoorsy soul!

Happy leaf peeping!