Labor Day Weekend is fast approaching and is one of the most popular camping weekends of the year. Most people see this holiday as the unofficial end of summer and want to get in one last trip before school and fall commitments begin. With a little preparation, you can plan a Labor Day Weekend getaway that you and your family or friends are sure to love.
We’ll take a look at some great options for Labor Day getaways, plus the benefits of getting outdoors and some ideas for what to do when you get to your campground.
RVing is a wonderful way to camp during this last weekend of summer! Let’s see why.
Popular Labor Day Getaways
Labor Day weekend is the last summer hurrah for many people. But because of that, it’s also an extremely popular weekend for camping before the winter chill sets in!
Along with a campground’s popularity, you’ll need to consider the weather and activities at any Labor Day campground. Although Labor Day weekend is longer than a typical weekend, it’s still just three days so you’ll want to stick somewhat close to home. As for weather, some places remain extremely hot even at the end of summer. In general, desert and humid locations haven’t cooled off quite yet.
So where should you go for warm – but not hot – weather, fewer crowds, and fun outdoor activities? Here are a few places to consider.
- Lake George, New York
- Willamette Valley, Oregon
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina and Tennessee
- Carson National Forest, New Mexico
- Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Colorado
- Jalama Beach, California
1. Lake George, New York
You can still take a dip in Lake George at the beginning of September, making this a great option for Labor Day weekend camping! Spend a day wandering through town, shopping, and checking out cafes and bistros. You can also hike … and you may catch the very start of the fall season with leaves just beginning to turn.
Labor Day RV Rental
There are plenty of options for RV rentals near Lake George. You’ll find a variety of trailers, plus Class C campers and other motorhomes nearby.
RV Campgrounds Near Lake George
You’ll find lots of campgrounds around Lake George, due to its scenic beauty! Lake George Escape has shaded campsites with full hookups available. There’s an outdoor pool, an arcade, a pet area with an agility course, and much more.
The Lake George RV Park has full hookups and free WiFi. It has an indoor and outdoor pool, plus a waterslide and splash park. There are courts for tennis, pickleball, basketball, and other sports and there are bike trails nearby.
2. Willamette Valley, Oregon
Labor Day weekend is usually right in the middle of the grape harvest – the perfect time to visit Oregon’s wine region! Visit the wineries in the Willamette Valley, which is known for its pinot noir. You can also go hiking, biking, boating, and fishing.
Labor Day RV Rental
You’ll have plenty of options for RV rentals in the Willamette Valley. You can find lots of trailers, plus Class C capmers and other rigs to rent.
RV Campgrounds Near Willamette Valley
The Champoeg State Heritage Area is along the Willamette River. It has year-round camping with full hookups, flush toilets, and hot showers. There is also a dump station. The Olde Stone RV Resort in McMinnville has full hookups, WiFi, bathrooms, showers, a renovated clubhouse, an outdoor pool, and a playground.
3. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina and Tennessee
The weather is just starting to cool in the Smoky Mountains, making this a great time to visit the most popular national park in the U.S. Take a drive, go for a hike, and see if you can spot leaves just starting to turn for the coming season.
Labor Day RV Rental
You’ll find lots of RVshare rentals to choose from at Great Smoky Mountains National Park. There are trailers, Class A motorhomes, Class C campers, and lots of other options as well. This Holiday Rambler sleeps up to ten people and has a fireplace, entertainment area, and a walk-in shower with a glass door. This new 2024 Wildwood Platinum RV sleeps ten, has a comfortable entertainment area and separate dining area, and can be delivered to your campsite.
RV Campgrounds Near Great Smoky Mountains National Park
You’ll find many campgrounds around Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Look Rock Campground inside the park has electric and water hookups, flush toilets, and drinking water available. Southlake RV Park has full hookups, a laundry room, a pool, and a playground.
4. Carson National Forest, New Mexico
The Carson National Forest is a great option to escape the heat of the Southwest over Labor Day! It’s also near Taos and Santa Fe, so you can take day trips to some beautiful nearby cities.
Labor Day RV Rental
There are RV options around the Carson National Forest area of New Mexico. This Heartland Trail Runner is about 60 miles away, sleeps nine, and is fully stocked with linens and dishes. This Forest River trailer sleeps five and is 43 miles from the national forest.
RV Campgrounds Near Carson National Forest
There are plenty of campgrounds near Carson National Forest. The forest also allows dispersed camping in the area. The McCrystal Campground has no hookups or water, but there are vault toilets. The Taos Valley RV Park has more amenities, like full hookups, pull-thru and back-in sites, bathrooms, showers, and a laundry room.
5. Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Colorado
Black Canyon of the Gunnison is the least-visited national park in Colorado, so it’s a good option for fewer crowds! Temperatures at the park tend to be mild as well, so you won’t overheat. The park makes a good long weekend trip from Denver – perfect for Labor Day.
Labor Day RV Rental
The closest town to Black Canyon of the Gunnison is Montrose, and there are several RVs for rent there. This Gulfstream 2022 Ameri-Lite sleeps five, and this Class C Thor Motorcoach does as well.
RV Campgrounds Near Black Canyon of the Gunnison
There are campground options both at the park, and in nearby Montrose. The South Rim Campground has no hookups, but there are vault toilets available and you’re near the Visitor Center for the park. You can boondock on the national public lands around the park. You can also stay at Cedar Creek Lodging and RV Park which has full hookups, laundry, bathhouses, and shady sites.
6. Jalama Beach, California
Jalama Beach County Park is in Santa Barbara County, and you’ll get beautiful views of the beach, palm trees, and other shoreline scenery. It’s a little less-crowded than Santa Barbara itself, although you’ll still want to reserve a spot at the campground as soon as you can.
Labor Day RV Rental
The town of Lompoc is closest to the beach, and you’ll find options for RV rentals there. This Thor Motor Coach Freedom Traveler is a Class C camper that sleeps eight. This Jayco Jay Flight SLX 7 sleeps five.
RV Campgrounds Near Jalama Beach
You’ll want to stay right at the campground at Jalama Beach County Park. It has hot showers, restrooms, water, electric hookups, and dump stations.
How to Make the Most of the Long Weekend
For a lot of us, Labor Day Weekend is the last summer trip or break we’ll have for a while. Here’s how to make the most of your long weekend … sometimes, that means expending the least amount of effort!
Get Outside – It’s Good for Your Health
Camping and getting outdoors in nature can be very good for your health. From exercising with a hike to relaxing around nature, there are tons of benefits to getting outside. Here are a few of them:
- It’s energizing. Getting outdoors is a natural fatigue blaster. Go for a walk in the woods, throw your dog the ball, or sit quietly outside your campsite.
- It improves nervous system functions. This study found cortisol (a stress hormone in the body) levels, as well as heart rate and blood pressure, were lower for those who spent time in nature versus the city.
- It is good for mental health. Multiple studies have found that being outdoors, especially being active outdoors, significantly reduces symptoms of anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders.
- It helps with focus and creativity. In general, productivity increases for people who take time off. Spending some of that time outdoors can also help your focus and creativity and inspire you whenever you do have to get back to the grind.
7 Relaxing RVing Activities
Along with spending time outdoors, you’ll want to make sure you spend time relaxing on your long weekend. Often, a change of scenery can get you out of a rut. It can stop you from spending your free time doing chores around the house, or firing off an after-hours email for work, or starting on that yard project you’ve been meaning to tackle. When you get rid of those distractions, you can truly unwind and rest. And you probably need it! Here are a few activities to try when you’re away from home.
Go for a hike
Being in nature is just soothing. Combine that with exercise, and it’s a great way to boost endorphins and serotonin levels. A hike through a forest, a mountain climb, or a stroll along the shore are all good ways to disconnect from stress, reconnect with people, and relax.
Read a good book
Try reading a thrilling travel book, the latest nail-biting thriller, or your favorite classic one more time. Find a comfy spot at your campsite to read. Or pop your book in your backpack and pull it out along your hike to read and appreciate the views.
Take a nap
A long, lazy weekend is the perfect time for a nap, without the distractions of home. Set up a hammock at your campsite, or hop up into the loft space in your RV and settle in for a snooze.
Disconnect from technology
One of the great parts of camping is the ability to unplug. Take advantage of the spirit of Labor Day – a day for workers to relax. Avoid checking your phone or email. And if you don’t know if your willpower can hold up, book a campground with no cell service.
Connect with loved ones
Another benefit of taking a break from technology is being able to be much more present with the people around you. Enjoy the distraction-free time together! Perhaps play some board games at a picnic table or share some spooky stories by the fire.
Observe nature and wildlife
Try to identify the plants and wildlife you see on your trip. You don’t have to be an expert – check out our guides for plant identification and bird watching to get started! If you’re at a state or national park, take advantage of their resources as well. Ask a ranger for help identifying plants or animals. And check out the visitor center for displays of local flora and fauna.
Cook up good meals and treats
Having a kitchen on the go definitely has its benefits. Making meals from scratch not only saves money but can be therapeutic. And trying out new campfire desserts is just fun – and delicious!
Why RVing Makes for the Best Labor Day Vacation
RVing is a great way to enjoy all of these activities. After taking an invigorating hike, you can take a hot shower and a nap in a comfortable bed. If you’re interested in recording nature and wildlife, you’ll have plenty of room for journaling and art supplies. When you want to read a good book, you have plenty of storage space to bring those along as well.
When you look for a Labor Day Weekend destination, you’ll want to consider the location, weather, and crowds at your destination. But with a little preparation, you can have a wonderful Labor Day Weekend and return refreshed and ready to get started in the fall! If you don’t have your own RV, you can rent one with RVshare. You’ll want to book soon, however. Labor Day reservations can fill up quickly.
Happy Labor Day!
