Your fall schedule may be filling up fast, but there is one outdoor activity that is always worth adding to the calendar: camping. Autumn camping is a favorite for its cool weather and changing leaves. Staying at campgrounds with lakes has its particular advantages, with boating, fishing, and bird-watching. Below we feature some of our favorite campgrounds on lakes. These five choices also offer cabin rentals for those who prefer a slightly more luxurious experience.
1. Lake Erie State Park, New York
Why We Love It
- One of the top bird-watching spots in the U.S.
- Frisbee golf course
- Epic sunsets
Relax with friends and family along the gorgeous shores of Lake Erie at a campsite or in cabins at this state park. Many visitors praise the area for its stunning sunsets over the water, returning year-after-year just to see them. The campgrounds boast plenty of nice beaches for swimming and picnic areas on the grass with views out to the water. This campground also features playgrounds, a frisbee golf course and hiking trails (available to cross-country skiers in winter, too). For birders, Lake Erie State Park is renowned as an outstanding place for watching rare migratory birds along the shoreline. Visiting in fall has the additional advantage for taking in the splendor of autumnal foliage changes.
There are over 100 campsites available for pitching tents or hooking up RVs. For those who prefer four walls and less-primitive amenities, ten cabins can be rented with a stove, refrigerator, sink, and four bunks with mattresses to sleep six people.
Recommended: RV Camping Guide for Beginners
2. Sylvan Lake State Park, Colorado
Why We Love It
- Premium cabin, standard cabins, yurts and campsites
- Glittering yellow aspen leaves
- Great for fall hiking and photography
A haven for outdoors enthusiasts, Sylvan Lake State Park is located in the heart of the Colorado Rockies. This park of aspen- and pine-cloaked mountains framing a shimmering lake makes a picturesque setting for boating, shore fishing, picnicking, hiking and nature photography. The mountains and hills are awash in bright yellow in the fall months thanks to the changing aspen leaves. There are 44 campsites, 9 cabins (one premium and eight basic), and 3 yurts available to reserve for overnight stays.
3. Tyler State Park, Texas
Why We Love It
- Wide variety of tall, old growth trees change color for a spectacular fall display
- Rent a canoe or kayak and get the best view of the colorful trees mirrored in the lake
Step into an old growth forest with 100-foot-tall trees surrounding a wide spring-fed lake. Tyler State Park is located in east Texas, just north of the city of Tyler. Every autumn the wide variety of huge trees put on a dazzling showcase of the seasonโs colors, including sweetgums, maples, dogwoods and oaks. The autumnal display can be enjoyed throughout the park, but there are a few spots of note.Lakeshore Trail gives you a glimpse of the colorful trees and their reflection in the still water. The Whispering Pines Trail winds its way through the forest to a rock waterfall. You can also take in the foliage from the lake on a canoe or kayak.
Tyler State Park has over 120 campsites, including cabins with air conditioning and heating, a refrigerator, and other essentials.
Recommended: What to Look For in a Fishing Kayak
4. Priest Lake State Park, Idaho
Why We Love It
- Private beach along the lake
- Clear, pristine water
- Many animal sighting opportunities
Located in northern Idahoโs pristine wilderness, Priest Lake State Park is a stunning and peaceful paradise amidst dense forests of cedar, fir and tamarack. Located just 30 miles from the Canadian Border, this park is nestled along the banks of the glass-like Priest Lake with the rugged beauty of the craggy Selkirk Mountains in the background. The landscape is home to many animals easily spotted by campers, including whitetail deer, black bear, moose, osprey and bald eagles.
The lakeโs crystal clear water is fed by streams cascading from the nearby Selkirk peaks. The main body of the lake extends north-south by about 19 miles. The area offers many activities, including boating, fishing, mountain biking and volleyball in warmer months. Snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are popular wintertime activities. Priest Lake Park is also a vision in fall when the foliage changes to riveting colors of red, orange and yellow. Lake visitors can stay at one of 151 campsites, or five cabins, all boasting their own private beach along the pristine lake.
5. Yuba Lake State Park, Utah
Why We Love It
- Excellent fishing
- Waterfront camping available
- Warmer waters
With its warm water and sandy beaches, many come to Yuba Lake just to spend time along the shoreline. A fishermanโs dream, the waters are full of rainbow trout, walleye, catfish, and northern pike. Boat-in camping is allowed too, luring boat-lovers and water-sport enthusiasts from all over. Boating, swimming, waterskiing, wind-surfing, kayaking, canoeing and fishing are top activities for campers.
The well-manicured campground is dotted with trees, and water-front camping is also available on soft sand beaches. Cabins are available for rent also, accommodating up to six people. The cabins feature heating and air conditioning, as well as a kitchenette, and an outdoor grill.
Are you ready for your adventure? Plan your camping trip!
Check with your Local Government Organization
Many policies have been established to counter and control the coronavirus outbreak. State and local officials have been taking decisive action to stop the spread. The policies vary by state, sometimes to a great degree. When you book a reservation, make sure to review the park and state’s latest rules and regulations prior to your visit.
For COVID-19 updates, please visit our Impacted Park List and Reservation Guide for the latest information.