4 Dazzling Destinations for Fall Camping

Add bright fall colors and hot apple cider to your next vacation itinerary. Thousand Trails, a nationwide chain of RV campgrounds and resorts, has all the ingredients you need for an ideal autumn trip, from fun-filled coastal resorts to cozy Midwest getaways.

Make fall memories while enjoying all the amenities and beautiful scenery that have become synonymous with Thousand Trails. With more than 200 locations across the United States, the Thousand Trails network gives guests a chance to be in a vibrant community of travelers who enjoy big benefits.

The following locations give campers a chance to revel in the fall season in a big way:

Narrows Too Camping Resort, Maine

Imagine a stretch of wooded coast where salty ocean breezes mingle with the smell of baked lobster. This slice of New England heaven is found at Narrows Too Camping Resort, located on Mt. Desert Island, home of Acadia National Park.

The campground serves up stunning views of the water and the other nearby islands, but that’s not the only thing that sets it apart: the staff maintains a fun social calendar, complete with ice cream socials, live music, big-screen movie nights, and farmers markets. And yes, regular lobster bakes give guests a chance to savor one of Maine’s most popular exports without making a reservation at a restaurant.

Guests can also relax at the heated swimming pool or hit one of the trails that snake through the surrounding terrain. RV travelers can camp in full-hookup sites, including Oceanfront spaces. Pull-through sites are also available.

A short drive away, Acadia National Park preserves a rugged coastal landscape with some of the best scenery on the Eastern Seaboard. The 50,000-acre park boasts 150 miles of trails, from the gentle 1.5-mile Jesup Path Loop — a boardwalk that runs through a colorful hemlock forest — to trails that lead to Thunder Hole, an inlet that roars with a powerful sound as the water surges in. Ascend Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on the East Coast at 1,530 feet, for unbeatable vistas.

Adjacent to the national park, the town of Bar Harbor dazzles visitors with a wide variety of lobster shacks and charming galleries. Take a stroll through the West Street Historic District, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is home to several Gilded Age mansions. Embark on a kayak jaunt and then quench your thirst in one of the local restaurants.

Closes for the season: October 15.

Bethpage Camp-Resort, Virginia

Bethpage Camp-Resort says goodbye to summer in style. Set in the historic port town of Urbanna, Bethpage Camp-Resort offers an impressive mix of activities, amenities, and entertainment for the whole family. A friendly staff helps guests feel at home from the moment they arrive — even providing an escort to each site so campers can settle in quickly and easily.

Live entertainment and outdoor movie nights give families plenty of reasons to gather. Guests can also challenge one another to a round of miniature golf, toss a game of cornhole, or head to the rec hall for indoor activities. Basketball and beach volleyball courts provide even more opportunities to stay active.

With its location near the Chesapeake Bay, Bethpage Camp-Resort is a natural choice for water lovers. Guests who bring their own boats can launch them from the resort’s boat ramp and keep them at the marina docks.

Bethpage Camp-Resort’s location makes it easy to explore the history and charm of Urbanna. The town has deep Colonial roots, and visitors can learn more at the Urbanna Visitors Center, home to the famous Mitchell Map. While in town, visitors can stroll along streets that once served as important Colonial routes, browse independent shops, and enjoy a meal at a welcoming seafood restaurant. Fall visitors may also want to plan their trip around the annual Urbanna Oyster Festival, featuring oysters prepared in countless ways, craft beer, live entertainment, and more.

Closes for the season: November 15.

O’Connell’s RV Campground, Illinois

Check into a campground that’s surrounded by stunning fall foliage. Guests at O’Connell’s RV Campground can enjoy the crimson and golden autumn hues that have made Illinois a top Midwest destination for lovers of the changing seasons. Situated in the small town of Amboy, located west of Chicago, O’Connell’s caters to active families looking for wholesome fun before winter sets in.

With a fully stocked activity center, the campground hosts children’s activities, with ceramics and arts and crafts on the menu. An activity director on-site keeps the fun rolling. Outdoor lovers can go fishing in one of the lakes nearby or stroll on the sandy beach. With three pools on the property, guests never run out of water fun.

Fall-focused weekend events include Fall Apple Fest, September 18-20; Wizards & Witches, October 2-4; and Frightmare Before Closing, October 9-12.

With more than 300 RV sites available, the campground has ample full-hookup sites, including plenty of pull-through sites. A variety of rental options are available as well.

Ready for a jaw-dropping fall experience? Travel 40 miles north to Starved Rock State Park, where rugged rock formations and golden leaves create a visual feast. Lovers of big cities can travel east on Interstate 80 to Chicago, where crisp lake air and a full slate of cultural activities greet travelers.

Closes for the season: October 15.

Thousand Trails Indian Lakes, Indiana

The air becomes crisp and the trees turn golden at Thousand Trails Indian Lakes during fall. Although the campground is located close to both Cincinnati (46 miles) and Indianapolis (66 miles), it feels far removed from the big cities. Surrounded by tall trees, the campground invites families for a fall getaway that you won’t soon forget.

With an emphasis on family, the campground has activities to keep everybody in the brood happy. Active travelers can have fun at the golf course, basketball, and volleyball courts, and swimming pool. A boat ramp enables guests to take their watercraft into 54-acre Tall Oaks Lake, where largemouth bass, yellow bullhead, and channel catfish bite. Guests can also drop a line from the pleasant beach.

At the activities center, guests can indulge in arts, crafts, or games. Kid-friendly activities keep the little ones busy, and an activity director is on hand to keep the fun going.

Feel more fall magic at Oldenburg Village, located seven miles northwest of the campground. Founded in the early 1800s by German settlers, the community has preserved its captivating European-style architecture. Stroll the streets of this “city of spires” during fall season and duck into a friendly bakery for a treat and hot cider. Explore the RomWeber Marketplace, which consists of 40,000 square feet of boutique shopping, furniture, antiques, and an arcade.

Keep traveling northwest along Interstate 74 to reach Indianapolis, home to the legendary Brickyard (famous for the Indy 500), the scenic Central Canal, and Indianapolis Zoo.

Closes for the season: November 1.