This Is the Top Destination for Fall Camping, According to RV Experts

Summer may (unofficially) be over, but that doesn’t mean you need to give up your camping habit just yet. Because, as RV trading website RVT.com points out, fall can be prime camping season, too. 

RVT.com recently shared its list of the six best RV campgrounds in the U.S. and Canada, and coming in at No. 1 is Montana's Glacier National Park.

“A breathtaking adventure, full of wildlife and wonder, Glacier National Park is a must for any nomad,” said a blog post published on RVT.com. “If you travel to this desolate area in the northern part of Montana during the fall, you’ll be greeted with vibrant yellow Aspen trees and the rugged backdrop of the Rocky Mountains.”

Though beautiful, the RV website did note that fall camping — whether in a vehicle or a tent — takes a bit more planning and understanding of the park. Here are a few tips to help you make the most of a fall camping trip to Glacier National Park. 

Where to Camp in Glacier National Park 

There are three ways to camp at Glacier National Park: first-come, first-served sites, reserved campgrounds, and for the adventurous, wilderness camping, also known as backcountry camping, though permits are only available through Oct. 31. There are more than 1,000 official campsites spread across 13 campgrounds within the park.

If you’re camping with an RV, it’s important to note that some campsites have size limitations (typically up to 21 feet). However, RVT noted that Apgar Campground permits vehicles up to 40 feet for those with a bigger rig. Apgar is also the largest campground in the park, making it the liveliest for those looking to hang with their fellow outdoorsmen.

For anyone looking for a bit more solitude, try Kintla Lake Campground, which is the park's most remote option, and for the best view, make your way to Rising Sun Campground, which provides epic vistas of Red Eagle Mountain. (See all of Travel + Leisure’s tips on where to camp in Glacier National Park here.) 

How to Reserve a Campsite

If you want to lock in a campsite for this fall, reserve on Recreation.gov. However, be warned that campsites go fast, so book as early as you can for upcoming trips (campsites are available to book up to six months prior to arrival). 

When to See Fall Foliage in Glacier National Park

According to the National Park Service, the leaves begin to change in Glacier National Park by mid-September. However, the National Park Reservations website added that there is actually a “second autumn” in the park a few weeks later.

“The 'second autumn' begins when the western larch or 'Tamarack' — (a deciduous conifer that is quite common to the area) — begin changing to brilliant gold before dropping their needles. This second autumn generally occurs in mid-October,” the website explained. This can be found along the western side of the park, with golden trees lining the craggy landscape all the way to the mountain peaks. Choose to come for either the first or second wave of foliage — either way, you won’t be disappointed. 

Other Fall Camping Destinations Recommended by RTV

There are five more stellar camping destinations that made RVT's list. The top fall camping picks includes Cape Breton Highlands National Park in Nova Scotia, Canada, chosen for its verdant landscapes and stellar hiking on the Cabot Trail; Acadia National Park in Maine, chosen for its panoramic views and cool New England air; and Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada. The website also called out the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee, thanks to its lengthy foliage season, extending well into November, and Gros Morne National Park in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, which the RVT blog post said is a premier spot for spotting foliage from the water on a leisurely kayak ride. 

See the full list and plan your RV adventure here.