8 Unique Fall Camping Trips

The turn of the leaves makes fall one of the best times to get outside. And while many people may think of New England when it comes to fall foliage, there are beautiful and unique places to catch nature’s color show all across the United States. Hipcamp created a fall foliage prediction map to help you plan the brightest, most colorful foliage trip yet.

Here are eight unique camping experiences to inspire your foliage hunt this fall...

1. Yurt Camp in Acadia National Park

Photo by Myles Tan.

Maine kicks off the long fall in New England in mid-September before it slowly trickles down the Eastern seaboard, setting off a burst of color throughout the Green Mountains of Vermont, White Mountains of New Hampshire, the Berkshires in Massachusetts, and the Catskills in New York.

Of course, the cooler weather of the fall can deter even the most adventurous of campers. Trade in your tent for this Mongolian yurt and you'll be 15 minutes from the entrance of Acadia.
 

2. Tent (or RV!) camp under a kaleidoscope of colors in Vermont

Photo by Bryan Collings.

It truly doesn't get much better than fall in New England, and Vermonters know how to do autumn right. The Onion River Campground in Vermont offers RV and tent campers for those looking to camp under a canopy of changing leaves.
 

3. Glamping on a butterfly farm in the Great Smokies​

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Photo by Bryan Collings.

The diverse tree species of the Great Smokies make for an impressive foliage season in the fall. Fall peaks in the Great Smokies in early October, depending on your elevation, and lasts through November.

For only $50 a night, you can glamp on this vegetarian-only butterfly sanctuary near Asheville, North Carolina. 
 

4. Open-air meditation and camping in the Ozarks

Photo by Andrea Watson.

Fall in the Ozarks is unique for the prevalence of the American smoke tree, which has leaves that burst into fluorescent pink and orange hues. If you're looking for an artistic getaway, this Arkansas Meditation Sanctuary has opened its grounds for camping outside of Berryville. 
 

5. Pick apples on the Lake Michigan coast

Photo by Barbara Tulit.

Warm days and cool, but not freezing, nights make for reliably wonderful foliage viewing in the Midwest. And nothing says fall quite like picking your own apples from your campsite. Earth First Farms is a certified organic farm in southwest Michigan that offers orchard camping and fresh produce picking when in season. 
 

6. Cabin camping near the golden glow of Aspen, Colorado

Photo by Meagan Leake.

Colorado is famed for foliage viewing in Rocky Mountain National Park and the golden hues around Aspen from the town’s namesake tree. Before Independence Pass closes for the winter, drive from Vail to Aspen, Colorado, with a stop at this cabin outside of Leadville. Now's a perfect time to scout our some winter ski lines!  

7. Rent out a tiny home in Jackson Hole

Photo by Fireside Resort.

Fall is as good a time as any to visit Yellowstone and Great Teton National Park as the dramatic, Western landscapes are interrupted by budding golden and orange hues. The famed town of Jackson sits at the base of Grand Teton National Park, which is just south of Yellowstone, making it the perfect home base for exploring the national parks and surrounding wilderness. 

8. Camper camping in the Eastern Sierras

Photo by Madison Kotack.

The rugged granite canyons and rushing rivers of the Eastern Sierras provide an excellent backdrop to the burst of fall colors during autumn months. While some may find it a bit too chilly for tent camping, this Colorful Baja Camper offers a unique sheltered getaway and some extra creature comforts (kitchen, beds, toilet, etc.). Plus it's only five minutes away from some pretty sweet hot springs...

Plan your fall foliage trip today.