While there is no wrong time to plan a road trip, one time of the year that is especially majestic to experience the country is during the fall. With the leaves changing and the weather beginning to cool, driving in autumn is something that everyone should get the chance to enjoy. If you are looking for a truly unique road tripping and camping experience, try renting a Voyager Campervan, which are available to rent near each of these stunning drives!
1. MT. HOOD SCENIC LOOP
Photo Credit: U.S. Forest Service
Only 90 minutes from Portland, Oregon, the Mt. Hood Scenic Loop is the perfect place to visit during the fall. You could easily spend an entire week out here, gazing at all of the beautiful scenery that surrounds you. Although the drive is only about 150 miles in total, it is easy to spread this out and turn it into a real road trip. Be sure to bring your camera!
Need camping recommendations in the area? Check out the Top 5 campervan-friendly campgrounds near Portland, Oregon!
2. GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS
Photo Credit: Hey Wanderer (@heywanderer) Link to Insta Post
Located just a couple of hours from Nashville, this is the perfect drive to take to get away from it all. Since the Great Smoky Mountains are at a lower elevation, you’ll want to visit this location a little later in the year than the rest. The season tends to be from mid-October through early November in most parts of the area. This is also a great place to visit because you have so many unique places, such as Gatlinburg, nearby that you can also visit!
Top 5 scenic campsites near Nashville
3. MINNESOTA’S NORTH SHORE
Photo Credit: kkmarais via Flickr
Following a brisk 2 ½ hour drive north on I-35 from Minneapolis, you will find the gorgeous North Shore of Lake Superior as you make your way through the city of Duluth–another tourist hotspot. The maple trees begin to turn during the end of September along the shore, which means that planning a trip between late September and the middle of October will promise amazing scenery. The drive from Duluth to Lutsen during this time of year is breathtaking. A couple of the most popular spots along the North Shore are Split Rock Lighthouse and nearby Gooseberry Falls State Park. Hiking along the winding waterway and waterfalls while being surrounded by brightly colored leaves is a real treat!
Want to experience more of what lake country has to offer? Check out 5 great Minnesota campgrounds for your perfect lake life getaway!
4. SILVER FALLS STATE PARK
Photo Credit: Ian Sane via Flickr
Although Oregon is known as the evergreen state, this should not stop you from putting this destination at the top of your list for fall foliage! October is a great time to visit the area, when you can really see all of the colors changing throughout the park. Try parking your campervan for a day and hiking along the trails to get amazing views of trees from different vantage points. If you really want to extend your Oregon adVANture, here are some additional hiking spots throughout the state.
5. NATCHEZ TRACE PARKWAY
Photo Credit: National Parks Service
This drive can take you all the way from Nashville to Natchez, Mississippi, if you should so choose! This is an extremely scenic drive that is also a great idea if you love historical sites. Making this voyage a relaxing vacation is even easier due to the fact that there are so many recreational areas spread along the parkway. This road has received high recognition as an All-American Road. This means that the Natchez Trace Parkway possesses qualities that are one of a kind and that the road is a destination unto itself.
6. ST. CROIX NATIONAL SCENIC RIVERWAY
Photo Credit: 123dieinafire
The St. Croix Scenic Byway is known as the “Road to Adventure” for a reason. After you arrive at the Riverway and find the perfect campervan spot, you may never want to leave! Spend the day exploring the St. Croix and Namekagon rivers in the beautiful state of Minnesota while taking in the lush fall colors and enjoying a wide variety of recreational activities, including fishing, hiking and rock climbing. This scenic park offers stunning views around every corner. Be sure to bring or rent a canoe to see the colorful trees from a unique perspective. For more information and camping facilities near this scenic byway, click here.
No matter which of these fall color drives you choose to take, you are sure to be pleased and left with memories that will last a lifetime!
Much as we mourn the end of summer, it is tough to beat the beauty of fall. Allan
Definitely agree!
Despite my love of summer and dread of winter, I do admit, fall is beautiful and pictures as such actually make me look forward to it.
Very colorful…
Fall is my favorite season. Have you ever checked out the Tunnel of Trees in northern Michigan? Beautiful drive too!
Oh I haven’t! Thanks for the tip 🙂
I have been to two of the six. I love the photo of the Smoky Mountains with the view of your feet with the scenery.
These photos are absolutely beautiful!!