Fall camping is just around the corner, and that means RVers everywhere are prepping, changing up their RV fall camping destinations, and what they pack. Our family is no exception.
There are a number of things we do as the fall approaches to ensure we make the most of fall camping in our RV. Below, we’ve laid out our top suggestions to help you get ready for an amazing fall camping season.
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Destinations
Location is everything, and choosing RV fall camping destinations based on the season is always a good call. This is especially true when camping, as you’re likely to be spending a lot of time outside.
Head South
Almost every year, our family starts to head south just as the fall weather begins to blow in. By doing this, we can actually beat the cold and prolong our summer just a bit.
Pretty much any state in the southern half of the U.S. will continue to see warm weather well into October, and if you choose to head to Florida, Southern California, South Texas, or certain parts of Arizona, you will continue to see warm weather into the winter months.
Some of our favorite places to go for relatively warm fall weather (without heading all the way to our winter destinations) are these states:
- South Carolina
- Georgia
- Arkansas
- Tennessee
- North Texas
- New Mexico
Peep Some Leaves
You could also choose your fall camping destination based on where the fall foliage will be at its best. Hanging out further north in September is likely to give you a colorful view, but you can also chill (metaphorically speaking) into October in a state located a bit further south and catch a glimpse of the beauty.
Some of the best places for leaf peeping include:
- The mountains of North Carolina, beginning in mid-October
- Vermont, beginning in mid-September
- The mountains of Virginia, beginning in mid-September
- Maine, beginning in mid-September
- The Ozarks in Arkansas, beginning in mid-October
- Michigan’s UP (Upper Peninsula), beginning in mid-September
- The Poconos in Pennsylvania, beginning in mid-September
- Columbia River Gorge in Oregon, beginning in October
Visit Fall-Friendly National Parks
One of our favorite ways to decide where to go for the fall season? Choosing a fall-friendly national park! This could be a park that has ideal weather during the fall months, or it could be a park with amazing fall foliage.
Here are some good picks:
- Acadia National Park in Maine — Excellent leaf peeping beginning in mid-September.
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina and Tennessee — Beautiful weather in September and beautiful fall foliage beginning in mid-October.
- Shenandoah National Park in Virginia — Gorgeous foliage and amazing scenic drives.
- White Sands National Park in New Mexico — Perfect weather during the fall months.
- Big Bend National Park in Texas — Enjoyable weather and low crowd levels during the fall.
Comfort
Staying comfortable in your RV as the weather turns cooler means making a few changes to what you pack, how you eat, and how you set up camp. Here are the main things we do for peak fall camping coziness.
Layer Up
Because we try our best to travel with the weather, we don’t even own big coats. Instead, we layer up. Fall is the time when we pull out the long pants and hoodies, and if it gets super chilly, we will wear two pairs of pants and two jackets. When packing your RV, make sure to pack enough clothes for plenty of layers.
We also layer the blankets on our beds. Adding an extra blanket to each bed means we can turn the thermostat down a bit and save propane or electricity.
Packing List
Check out this helpful RV fall camping checklist for more tips on what to pack for autumn trips!
Sleeping & Comfort
- Warm sleeping bags or extra blankets
- Flannel or thermal sheets
- Pillows
- Space heater (if electric hookups are available)
- Hot water bottles or heated mattress pad
Clothing
- Base layers (long-sleeve tops, leggings, thermal underwear)
- Warm sweaters, hoodies, and fleece jackets
- Waterproof outer layer (rain jacket, rain pants)
- Insulated coat
- Hat, gloves, and scarf
- Hiking boots + extra socks
- Camp shoes/slippers for inside RV
- Quick-dry clothing for layering
Cooking & Food
- Propane or butane for camp stove/grill
- Cast iron skillet or Dutch oven (great for fall stews & chili)
- Marshmallow skewers
- Cooler with ice packs (if fridge space is limited)
- Thermos or insulated mugs for hot drinks
- Seasonal food & drinks (apple cider, soup mixes, chili fixings)
- Spices & condiments
- Reusable plates, bowls, utensils
- Dish soap, sponge, towels
Outdoor Gear
- Camping chairs & folding table
- Firewood & fire starters (if campfires allowed)
- Lanterns or string lights
- Extra batteries or rechargeable power bank
- Hiking backpack & trekking poles
- Binoculars (for bird migration, leaf-peeping)
- Camera/phone tripod
- Daypack for hikes
RV Essentials
- Leveling blocks
- Freshwater hose & filter
- Sewer hose kit + gloves
- Extension cords/surge protector
- RV antifreeze (if temps might freeze)
- Space-saving storage bins
- Extra fuses & bulbs
- Tool kit & duct tape
Health & Safety
- First aid kit
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- Flashlights/headlamps
- Weather radio or app alerts
- Emergency blankets
Fun & Extras
- Board games or cards
- Books/e-reader
- Fall decorations (pumpkins, string lights)
- Fishing gear or bikes
- Picnic blanket or tarp
Set Up a Space Heater
Speaking of propane, we actually do our best not to use the propane furnace. The thing eats through propane like nobody’s business, and the vast majority of the campgrounds we use include electricity in their camping fees. We have a couple of small ceramic space heaters that usually keep us plenty warm, especially in the fall months.
However, if the weather is going to dip below freezing, we will go ahead and run the propane furnace on low, as it does a better job of keeping the plumbing warm.
Upgrade Your Outdoor Space
Spending time outside in the cooler weather doesn’t have to be miserable. In fact, when you have the right setup, it can be really fun.
- Clam Tent: We highly recommend setting up a Clam Tent. We don’t actually own one ourselves yet, but we travel with friends who do, and our best friends (who we are nearly always with) have one that we constantly use together for meals and late-night chats. The Clam is a large tent that can hold a whole group of people and has a nice overhead clearance that allows adults to stand up inside. It’s been a lifesaver during cold weather. It allows us to hang out as a group and still stay nice and cozy.
- Space Heater: How do we keep the Clam warm? With a space heater, of course! Those space heaters we mentioned above can easily be set up in the Clam, and just one does a great job of keeping us warm on cold nights.
- Fire Pit: Another way we keep warm at our campsite is with a campfire. Unfortunately, not all campgrounds allow wood fires, so we chose to invest in a propane fire pit. It doesn’t put out a ton of heat, but it’s enough to take the edge off, and as long as we bundle up, we can hang out around the propane fire comfortably most fall nights.
Meals
Lean in to the fall weather with meals that will warm you from the inside out!
Plan Warm Meals
There’s nothing like a bowl of hot soup after a long day adventuring in the chilly outdoors. We tend to break out the slow cooker and Instant Pot and use them to prepare a lot of soups, stews, pastas, and chilis when the cool weather rolls around.
Some of our favorite recipes include:
- Slow Cooker Loaded Baked Potato Soup
- 7-Can Soup — Perfect when you’re in a hurry.
- Dump-and-Start Instant Pot Alfredo — We add grilled chicken.
You can use your Instant Pot as a slow cooker if you don’t have room for both appliances in your RV, making it a great multitasking kitchen appliance.
Planning Ahead
For us, fall is also a time of looking ahead. As the weather starts to get chilly, we find ourselves thinking more and more about the winter months. Where will we go to stay warm, and how will we protect our home-on-wheels?
Choose Winter Destinations
I do not like being cold. For this reason, until this year, we have pretty much always chosen winter destinations that will keep us nice and warm.
Some good winter RV destinations for those who like to stay warm include:
- Southern California
- Arizona
- South Texas
- Florida (Thanks to Disney World, this is our favorite.)
Consider Your Plumbing
If you’ll be living in your RV somewhere that isn’t warm, you will need to consider your RV plumbing. If your water lines freeze, they will almost definitely burst, causing a whole host of issues. For this reason, we recommend doing all of the following to get your RV ready for winter:
- Get a heated water hose.
- Grab a heated sewer hose.
- Add heaters to your water tank.
- Find a way to skirt your RV.
Think About RV Winterization
If you won’t be staying in your RV through the winter, you simply need to get it ready to be put in storage. This means winterizing the rig in order to protect the plumbing system. Fortunately, this is a relatively easy process that I figured out in just an hour or two. Use the fall camping season to learn about how to winterize your RV, and you’ll be ready to jump on the task well before the first freeze rolls around.
There you have it, everything you need to know to get the most out of fall camping in your RV. Use these tips so you can have an amazing fall camping season and enter the winter season fully prepared for the cold.
