Fantastic Fall Festivals
Eight Seasonal Favorites That are Sure to Warm Your RV Travels
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Meet summer’s cool little brother, fall. The season brings all the fun of its older sibling without the noisy fireworks, painful sunburns, or soaring temperatures. Instead, fall compels us to watch the leaves blaze in golden glory, cheer on a rollicking college football game, or ward off the chill with a hot cup of cider. Cozy up to one of these fun fall festivals and develop a new appreciation for summer’s less flashy but more chill kin.
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Fall Kite Festival, Lincoln City, Oregon
Go fly a kite, or simply watch as elegant, lighter-than-air toys catch Pacific Ocean gusts at D River State Recreation Site. The event includes kite demonstrations by experts, workshops on kite-making, a parade, and endless views of kites soaring above the sands. Learn about delta kites, box kites, and diamond kites, then try your hand with your very own kite.
Stay: Lincoln City Premier RV Resort overlooks the Pacific Ocean for gorgeous sunset views.
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National Apple Harvest Festival, Arendtsville, Pennsylvania
Autumn isn’t complete without the taste of sweet, freshly harvested apples. At this event at the South Mountain Fairgrounds, exhibitors showcase everything from apple pie to candied apples to apple-flavored craft beer. Go on an orchard tour and see how the fruit is grown or check out the many antique autos on display. There’s also a petting zoo and craftsmen demonstrations. Keep an eye out for the Pennsylvania Apple Queen, who makes appearances throughout the event.
Stay: Eight miles southeast of Arendtsville, Drummer Boy Camping Resort in Gettysburg offers battlefield tours and ghost walks.
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Trailing of the Sheep Festival, Ketchum, Idaho
At the foot of the Sawtooth Range, the small town of Ketchum hosts one of the most unusual fall festivals around. The Trailing of the Sheep honors the town’s deep roots in sheep ranching with a parade of the woolly critters ambling through town. Also on the program are cooking classes, a folk fair, sheepdog demos, and a Woolfest.
Stay: The Meadows RV Park in Ketchum is close to ATV riding, fishing, hiking, kayaking, mountain biking, and more.
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Pirates of the High Seas & Renaissance Fest, Panama City Beach, Florida
Unleash your inner pirate. This Panhandle celebration pays homage to the region’s rich buccaneer history and encourages attendees to dress up in their finest pirate regalia with all the salty attitude they can muster. Held on Panama City Beach, the event rollicks with a scavenger hunt, pirate invasions, a kids’ parade, and a main parade. Enter the costume contest and try to win some booty to take home.
Stay: Campers Inn sits across the street from the white sands and emerald waters of Panama City Beach.
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Scarecrow Weekend, St. Charles, Illinois
Embrace this lovable fall icon in a fun-filled small-town festival west of Chicago. Follow the Scarecrow Stroll through downtown St. Charles to see the many displays set up by merchants and locals. Enjoy a hearty meal, or buy a Scarecrow in a Box, which you can assemble yourself.
Stay: Lehman’s Lakeside RV resort is close to Interstate 90 and 15 minutes away from Chicago.
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Punkin Chunkin Festival, Thousand Islands-Seaway, New York
The pumpkin, that quintessential fall gourd, reaches new heights in this event on the banks of the St. Lawrence River. The centerpiece of this Upstate New York festival is a competition to see who can hurl a pumpkin farthest. Participants have elevated this to an art form, using everything from catapults to trebuchets to get their missiles into the air. The event also features a farmers market, a barbecue contest, and entertainment.
Stay: Swan Bay Resort in Alexandria Bay puts guests close to the water, with access to a marina and hiking and biking trails.
Circleville Pumpkin Show, Circleville, Ohio
Get your gourd on. This event celebrates all things pumpkin about 25 miles south of Columbus in Pumpkin Show Park. Marvel as judges weigh the largest pumpkins (some approaching 2,000 pounds) and savor delicious pumpkin treats, from pie to candy to spice lattes. Stick around for the crowning of Miss Pumpkin.
Stay: Pine Creek Horseman’s Camp in nearby Bloomingville situates RVers amid the Hocking Hills’ stunning landscapes.
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Sea Witch Festival, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
This resort destination pulls out all the stops to put on a spooky Halloween blowout with a nautical twist. Held along the city’s beach boardwalk, events here include a costume parade, dog parade, trick or treating, and hayrides. One of the event’s highlights is the Sea Witch Hunt, in which revelers try to find the dreaded witch for prizes. The event was featured on HGTV’s list of the “21 Great Fall Festivals.”
Stay: Sun Outdoors Rehoboth Bay in Millsboro sits in the heart of the First State’s famed Shore.
John Sullaway
John Sullaway has worked for years as a writer and editor for outdoor publications, including RV Business, Highways, and the 2025 North American Campground Guide. A SoCal native, John enjoys spending time with his family, three dogs, and a feral cat that occasionally drops in.
