Autumn is a fantastic time to get out and explore in your RV, and there are tons of amazing fall destinations. Whether you want colorful foliage or the best pumpkin pie you’ve ever tasted, harvest season is ripe for adventure.
You might also want to consider one of the many fall harvest festivals happening across the country.
From apple orchards to cranberry bogs, it seems like everything’s ready to be picked come September and October. And who doesn’t want to use the harvest as an excuse for some merry-making, especially before the harsh winter descends?
Fall Festival Travel Destinations
Here are some of the best fall festivals and activities on our radar this year, all of which are perfect to check out in your RV.
1. Adirondack Balloon Festival, Queensbury, New York: September 19-22, 2024
At the Adirondack Ballon Festival held annually in upstate New York, you can watch colorful balloons fill the sky while surrounded by the colorful foliage of the Adirondack Mountains.
And as if seeing these beautiful balloons wasn’t enough of a draw, this festival is absolutely free. Most years, RVers who join the Northeast Hot Air RVers club can camp either right on-site or very near the festival.
Rent an RV near Queensbury, NY
2. Warrens Cranberry Festival, Warrens, Wisconsin: September 27-29, 2024
You may never have heard of Warrens, Wisconsin, but come cranberry harvest time, it’s a hot destination. Along with three miles of shopping, a massive Sunday parade, and a variety of annual contests, the Warrens Cranberry Festival also hosts an annual “royalty” event — and it’s no small stakes. The crowned “Queen” and “Princess” receive valuable cash scholarships.
There are many campgrounds in the area, but be sure to book soon if you want to go: they fill up fast!
3. Trailing of the Sheep Festival, Ketchum, Idaho: October 2-6, 2024
Touted as one of the “Top Ten Festivals in the World” by MSN, The Trailing of the Sheep Festival takes place in early October in Ketchum, ID.
This event aims to preserve the history and culture of sheep herding and ranching in Idaho and the western United States and share the traditions with the public. There will be special food, workshops, performances, and a sheep parade.
Admission to the festival is free, but many events require a ticket. These events tend to sell out, so be sure to snag your tickets early.
4. The National Apple Harvest Festival, Biglerville, Pennsylvania: October 5-6 and 12-13, 2024
For over half a century, this Pennsylvania event has been one of the largest apple harvest celebrations in the country. Aside from all the delicious fruit (and baked goods and cider) you can handle, you can see antique cars, steam engine displays, orchard tours, a petting zoo, and more.
The festival is an easy drive from major metros like Washington D.C., Baltimore, and Harrisburg, and you have two beautiful October weekends to choose from.
How do you like them apples?
Rent an RV near Biglerville, PA
5. Hood River Valley Harvest Fest, Hood River, Oregon: October 11-13, 2024
Think the changing fall colors and festivities are for East Coasters only? Think again. This annual fall fete takes place along the scenic Hood River waterfront just an hour or so east of Portland. There are more than a hundred vendors offering crafts, food, and beverages. You can also load up on fresh Oregon produce!
Rent an RV near Hood River, OR
6. Circleville Pumpkin Show, Circleville, Ohio: October 16-19, 2024
Held annually for well over a hundred years now, the Circleville Pumpkin Show attracts over 400,000 people to a town whose usual population hovers around 12,000.
And no wonder! Along with a full schedule of fall-themed events, contests, and shows, this fair features dozens of amusement rides and hundreds of food vendors. So if you’re looking to fill up on fall festival foods like apple fritters, warm cider, and (of course) all the pumpkin goodies you can imagine, Circleville’s where you want to be.
Rent an RV near Circleville, OH
7. Elk Fest, Estes Park, Colorado: Sept. 30 to Oct. 1, 2024
Celebrate the start of “Elktober” and the elk rut in the Rocky Mountains with this festival just outside Rocky Mountain National Park. Listen for the elk bugle – the mating call for these impressive animals … or just listen to the live bands performing around town. There are also food trucks, local arts & crafts, demonstrations, and more. And you’ll be in the Rockies just as the mountains show off their fall colors.
Rent an RV near Estes Park, Colorado.
8. Austin City Limits Music Festival, Austin, Texas: Oct. 4-6 and 11-13, 2024
Think summer is the only time to catch a life-changing music fest? Think again. This fall music festival has tunes for every type of listener: George Strait, Miley Cyrus, Billie Eilish, Tyler, The Creator, and many others have performed in recent years.
Once you’re done getting down, you can explore Austin — head out kayaking on Lady Bird Lake, or spend an evening bar-hopping in pursuit of even more music and revelry.
9. New York City Wine & Food Festival, New York City, New York: Oct. 17-20, 2024
New York City’s “Premier Wine and Food Festival” brings together more than 500 chefs in 80 events over four days. Celebrities including Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, and Blake Lively will join chefs – many of whom are celebrities in their own right – for this festival. And proceeds from the event support New Yorkers in need through God’s Love We Deliver.
And while NYC is a busy city, there are a few options for campgrounds near New York City where you can stay in your RV.
Festival Camping: What to Know Before You Go
The convenience of staying on-site is not to be dismissed, but depending on your camping experience, this style of camping may be a totally new one for you. So below, we’ve included some festival-specific RVing tips to help make sure you — and those around you — spend the entire event as thoroughly happy campers.
Don’t run your generator all day.
If you have the opportunity to stay on-site, chances are you aren’t going to have hookups. And if you’re used to the comforts of constant climate control, you may be tempted to run your generator. A lot.
But your generator generates a whole lot of noise and stinky fumes along with the energy you need to run your electronics, so refrain from running it as often as possible. Your lungs, ears, and neighbors will thank you — and given the price of propane gas, so will your wallet.
Get there early, if you can.
In most cases, on-site camping spots at fall fairs and festivals are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. It’s pretty standard for the sites closest to the venue and events to fill up first.
So if you want to be right there in the thick of the action, it’s worth showing up to the festival campgrounds as early as possible. (On the other hand, if you’d rather get out quickly at the end of the event, you might want to arrive a bit later!)
Be prepared for noise.
Live music, shouting children, and events announcers can cause quite a cacophony.
Depending on what kind of festival you attend, these events may not end until well after your bedtime. You may want some earplugs to ensure you can get your beauty rest, no matter what everyone else is up to.
Don’t Forget to Pack These Fall Festival Essentials
Whenever you’re going camping, you know there are certain essentials you simply can’t be without. (For example, you always want to have lots of water and sunscreen on board your camper.)
But fall travel has its own unique set of challenges, and #festivallife can be improved with a few simple extras. Here’s what not to forget before you hit the road for fall festivals.
Warm, Layerable Clothing
The cooler weather is coming — and if you want to be prepared for it, we only have one word for you: layers. Since fall temperatures can be chilly in the morning but downright balmy by mid-afternoon, you’ll want to wear several thin layers you can easily take off or put back on as the day progresses.
Sturdy, Waterproof Shoes
The summer storm season may have passed, but fall has its own squalls — and all the traffic at a festival site can quickly turn it into a mud bath. So unless trodding around with sodden feet sounds like a celebration to you, pack some sturdy, waterproof shoes or boots.
Moisture-wicking wool socks will make even semi-permeable footwear much more comfortable in the event your feet do get wet.
Fall Festival Camping Essentials
So now that your fall festival travel planner is nice and full, don’t forget to pack for a fall RV trip! After all, temperatures are dropping — and at night, it can get chilly!
And keep in mind that even if none of these events will work in your schedule, there are plenty of other fall festivals across the country to check out.
It’s a beautiful, magical time of year no matter where you experience it!
