Top 13 National Parks for Unforgettable Fall Camping Adventures
I’ve long felt that autumn is the greatest season for camping in national parks.
It’s almost magical seeing the trees change color, feeling the cold air in your face, hearing the leaves crunching under your boots while walking through some of the most beautiful landscapes in the country.
Throughout the years, I’ve had the honor of camping in some of America’s most beautiful national parks, and I can honestly say fall is the season that shows them off at their best.
In this article, I’m revealing my 13 favorite national parks for camping in the fall.
These are the parks I’ve wandered to witness the splendor of fall in its full glory, where the settings are superb and the air is crisp and where a sense of calm and seclusion reigns high.
Whether you’re a seasoned camper or seeking a new adventure, these parks are an ideal escape into nature this fall.
1. Tennessee and North Carolina: Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a park that I keep returning to for fall color.
The sheer magnificence of the vibrancy of colors that clothed the mountains is astounding.
The park’s varied ecosystems form a patchwork of reds, oranges, and yellows best viewed along the park’s many hiking trails.
My personal favorite is the Alum Cave Trail, which provides gorgeous views and the opportunity to see some of the park’s famous wildlife.
Why It’s a Must-Visit:
The combination of incredible fall foliage, in addition to the park’s rich history and wildlife, makes the Great Smoky Mountains a perfect fall camping destination.
When you add in the crisp mountain air and incredible sunsets, it’s the icing on the cake.
2. Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
I first fell in love with fall camping at Shenandoah National Park.
The park’s Skyline Drive spans 105 miles of some of the most beautiful vistas you are likely to see anywhere, particularly when the foliage reaches peak color.
Camping at Shenandoah in the fall will mean waking up to misty mornings and spending your days hiking through forests aflame with color.
One of my favorite hikes is the Dark Hollow Falls Trail to a lovely waterfall against a backdrop of autumn colors.
Why It’s a Must-Visit:
Shenandoah’s mix of gorgeous views, lovely trails, and quiet campgrounds earns it top marks for fall camping.
It’s an ideal place to bathe in the beauty of autumn.
3. Acadia National Park, Maine
Acadia National Park is special in the fall.
The park’s rugged coastline, dense forests, and granite peaks become even more beautiful as the leaves turn colors.
I’m so excited about camping at Acadia in the fall because the crowds thin out, and you have a more peaceful experience.
Do not miss the Park Loop Road, and I highly recommend hiking up Cadillac Mountain for the first sunrise in the US.
Why It’s a Must-Visit:
The distinctive mix of coastal and mountain scenery at Acadia, in addition to the brilliant fall hues, sets it apart as a camping mecca.
The fresh cold air and beautiful sights provided by the surrounding nature make all the time spent in here memorably unforgettable.
4. Yosemite National Park, Calif.
Yosemite National Park is stunning any time of year, but fall especially captures the park’s magical side.
The park’s iconic granite cliffs and giant sequoias frame the brilliant fall colors that make for picture-perfect views around every corner.
I adore the juxtaposition of the colorful foliage against the craggy terrain.
For a challenge, the Mist Trail features breathtaking vistas of Vernal and Nevada Falls, especially when the trees are decked in their autumn finery.
Why It’s a Must-Visit:
Fall is a most spectacular time to visit Yosemite, combining breathtaking scenery with colorful foliage. It’s the ideal season to see the park’s splendor, free of the summertime crowds.
5. Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Fall is a paradise in Rocky Mountain National Park, with golden aspen groves and snow-dusted peaks.
I’ve hiked here and taken in the glorious vistas on many fall days. The Bear Lake Trail is one of my favorite spots to enjoy the fall colors.
Seeing the golden aspens reflected in the lake’s clear waters is part of the magic.
And if you’re lucky, you may even hear bugling elk, which adds to the park’s fall allure.
Why It’s a Must-Visit:
Past the groves of glorious aspens, crisp mountain air and the mesmerizing alpine views, Rocky Mountain National Park is a fall camping destination not to miss.
It’s a location that autumn’s gorgeous side comes alive.
6. Zion National Park, Utah
Zion National Park is a stunning place, and in the fall, it transforms into something else entirely.
The park’s red rock formations shimmer to life against the golden cottonwoods and other fall foliage.
Fall camping at Zion is marked by cooler temperatures, making it more enjoyable to explore the park’s trails.
Among my favorite hikes in is The Narrows, where you quite literally walk through the Virgin River, bookended by soaring canyon walls and fiery fall color.
Why It’s a Must-Visit:
The unique combination of red rock scenery and fall foliage in Zion makes for a stunning contrast that’s ideal for photography and exploration.
It’s cooler weather and smaller crowds make it an ideal fall camping destination.
7. Grand Teton National Park, Wyo.
There’s something truly spectacular about the Grand Tetons in the fall.
The jagged peaks of the Teton Range are even more spectacular when surrounded by golden aspens and cottonwoods.
I have camped at Grand Teton in the fall a few times, and it never gets old.
The park’s various lakes, including Jenny Lake and Jackson Lake, provide spectacular reflections of fall colors and snow-capped mountains.
It is an excellent location to unwind while admiring the splendour of nature.
Why It’s a Must-Visit:
The striking mountain views, autumn foliage, and calm lakes, combined, make Grand Teton National Park an irresistible place to go camping in the fall.
It’s a spot where you can really switch off and lose yourself in the beauty of the season.
8. Great Basin National Park, Nev.
Great Basin National Park is one of those poach stars that is great for fall camping.
The park’s seclusion also means you’ll have plenty of peace and quiet to enjoy the beautiful fall scenery.
I like the contrast of the park’s ancient bristlecone pines with the golden aspens.
The Wheeler Peak hiking trail showcases breathtaking views of the fall foliage and mountains in the surrounding area.
And at night, with its dark night skies, the park offers some of the best stargazing you’ll do.
Why It’s a Must-Visit:
Great Basin’s isolated position and breathtaking fall landscape of towering peaks and creeks, lakes, and bristlecone pine trees make it an ideal trip for those seeking a respite from crowds and a continued appreciation for the natural world.
The peace and quiet of the park is, after all, unrivaled.
9. Mount Rainier National Park, Wash.
As its towering evergreen trees come alive with fall colors against a backdrop of breathtaking mountain views, Mount Rainier National Park is a fall wonderland.
The park’s mix of lush forests and open meadows has always struck me as particularly peaceful.
The Paradise area of the park is my favorite immediate spot for fall camping with its breathtaking Mount Rainier views surrounded by fall foliage.
And you may even witness the mountain’s first snowfall of the season, if you’re lucky.
Why It’s a Must-Visit:
With the stunning mix of fall foliage, majestic mountain views, and peaceful places to camp, Mount Rainier is a must-see destination for fall camping.
It’s somewhere you can really connect and see the beauty of the season.
10. Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio
The Cuyahoga Valley National Park is one of the most underrated national parks, and it really shows its beauty in the fall.
Rolling hills, forests, and rivers make the park a beautiful fall camping destination.
I like to hike along the Towpath Trail, which has great views of the fall foliage along the Cuyahoga River.
The park’s many waterfalls, including Brandywine Falls, are equally magnificent,t framed by autumn hues.
Why It’s a Must-Visit:
With its mix of rolling hills, winding rivers, and lovely fall foliage, Cuyahoga Valley is a great spot to pitch a tent in peace and beauty in the fall.
It’s a spot where you can sit back and appreciate the sheer beauty of nature.
11. Glacier National Park, Montana
Glacier National Park is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever camped, and in fall, it’s even more glorious.
The rugged mountains, clear lakes, and brilliant fall colors in the park make for a postcard setting.
For fall foliage and surrounding peaks, the Going-to-the-Sun Road is an absolute must-see.
I’ve also loved hiking the Highline Trail, where the views are just out of this world.
Why It’s a Must-Visit:
The striking landscapes and colorful foliage at Glacier National Park put it at the top of the list for autumn camping.
For a wild beauty experience in fall in Montana, the park’s rugged beauty and tranquil atmosphere are the perfect place.
12. Olympic National Park, Washington
Olympic National Park is full of amazing diversity, and in the fall, it’s nothing short of magical.
The park’s temperate rainforests, rugged coastline, and towering mountains appear even more breathtaking when wrapped in fall-colored hues.
I love camping in the Hoh Rain Forest, where the moss-covered trees turn golden in the fall.
The park’s coastal spots, such as Rialto Beach, are also stunning in the fall, with crashing waves on their rocky shore.
Why It’s a Must-Visit:
Olympic National Park offers the best of all worlds for fall camping — diverse landscapes, vibrant fall colors, and peaceful campgrounds.
A place where you can experience the beauty of the Pacific Northwest in all its glory.
13. Lassen Volcanic National Park, California
Lassen Volcanic National Park is another off-the-beaten-path fall camping option.
The park’s geothermal features — its boiling springs and fumaroles — provide a unique and otherworldly landscape.
In fall, the park’s meadows and forests explode with color, making a stunning counterpoint to the park’s volcanic landscape.
I enjoy hiking the Lassen Peak Trail, which offers stunning views of the fall foliage and surrounding mountains.
Why It’s a Must-Visit:
With its unique geothermal features, blazing fall colors, and quiet campgrounds, Lassen Volcanic is a great place to experience something different this fall.
It is an escape where you can truly absorb the beauty of the nature surrounding you.
Conclusion
Fall camping is a unique experience, and these national parks are excellent places to do just that.
These parks are filled with one-of-a-kind sights, from the colorful hues of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to the untamed wilderness of Glacier National Park.
So whether you’re looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled escape, you’ll find it in one of these incredible national parks.
That said, load the gear, hit the road, and discover the beauty of fall camping in these exceptional spots.
And remember to pin this post for later, your fall camping adventure awaits just a click away!
Happy camping!
