If you haven’t booked your fall camping trip yet, now is the time to do so. Many parks’ booking windows for fall reservations are opening now. Given that fall is a favorite time to camp, it’s best to make your reservation as soon as possible.
Below we have tips on how to snap a great site and nine fantastic locations for your fall outdoor adventure.
Tips for Snagging a Great Site
When booking campsites in the fall or other popular times of the year, we suggest learning the booking window times for your state park department and making your reservation once the window opens up.
On ReserveAmerica, a booking window is the period of time you can book a campsite online. In other words, if a campground has a six month booking window, you can make a reservation starting six months before your trip date, but no sooner. Most State Park campgrounds allow for bookings between three to 13 months before your trip, depending on the state and type of camping.
Here are some pro tips on getting the site you want:
- Set a calendar notification: Given how booking windows work, we recommend checking the booking window for the state you want to camp in. Then set a calendar alert to remind you to make the reservation at ReserveAmerica.com at the beginning of the booking window.
- Make a list of your preferred sites: If you’re logged into your ReserveAmerica account, you can add your preferred sites to your “Favorites” in your profile. Search for your campground, find a location you like, and select “Add to Favorites” button right under the location title. It will be included on your account dashboard to reference and quickly make your reservation when the time comes.
1. Golden Gate Canyon State Park, Colorado
Booking Window: 6 months in advance
Why we love it:
- Near Denver and Boulder
- Plenty of camping sites, including cabins
Golden Gate Canyon State Park is a year-round camping paradise. The park comprises over 12,000 acres of lush forests, rugged mountains and wide meadows, which can be explored on 42 miles of trail. There are two campgrounds with over 70 basic campsites, five cabins and even two yurts! You’re also very close to urban two areas, Denver and Boulder, which are less than thirty miles from the campgrounds.
2. Lincoln State Park, Indiana
Booking Window: 6 months in advance
Why we love it:
- Beautiful countryside with historical importance
- A very large campground with 300 campsites, including cabins and cottages
This park honors the boyhood home of our great sixth president, Abraham Lincoln. The rolling hills and lush forest has 10 miles of hiking trails and two lakes. For history buffs, there is an interpretive center offering insight into what it was like to be an early settler in southern Indiana. The Colonel Jones Home is an historic home of a man who employed Lincoln when he was a child, and who later went on to serve in the Civil War. The park also features Little Pigeon Creek Baptist Church and Cemetery, where Lincoln’s sister Sarah is buried.
3. Cimarron Canyon, New Mexico
Booking Window: 6 months in advance
Why we love it:
- Quiet camping in stunning scenery
- Great for wildlife viewing
Named after the Cimarron River that flows through it, this park is located near Eagle Nest and is a part of the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway, a scenic loop through northwest New Mexico. This loop is perfect for a fall foliage road trip. Campers love the park for its solitude, stunning vistas, and unique geology, as well as fly fishing, hiking, equestrian trails, and excellent wildlife viewing.
4. Chenango Valley State Park, New York
Booking Window: 9 months in advance
Why we love it:
- Great fishing and birdwatching
- Over 120 campsites, including 24 cabins
Located in the central southern portion of New York, Chenango Valley State Park is not renowned for fall foliage in the same way the Adirondacks or Catskills are, but is a secret gem for taking in autumnal colors. The park has two kettle lakes. These were created by a retreating glacier that deposited two massive blocks of buried ice, which later melted into lakes and bogs. The lakes make for great trout, bass, perch and bullhead fishing. The site is also a favorite among birdwatchers with migratory birds and waterfowl common to the boggy area.
With 84 campsites, it’s likely you can book a last minute site in addition to booking ahead. There are also 24 cabins, making Chenango Valley ideal for camping in any weather, including as a late Fall get-away.
5. Bullards Beach State Park, Oregon
Booking Window: 9 months in advance
Why we love it:
- Along a scenic stretch of rugged northwest coastline
- Over 120 campsites, including 13 yurts
Nestled among shore pines alongside the Pacific, Bullards Beach State Park is a classic scenic northwest coastline. Campers can enjoy walking along the beach, beach biking, other hiking paths, and wildlife spotting at the adjacent wildlife refuge. There are three loops of campsites, all of which are protected from strong ocean breezes, and have water and electrical hook-up. There are also thirteen pet-friendly yurts, a fun way to turn your camping trip into a glamping trip.There are 120 campsites, and if you’re concerned about tent camping as the temperature drops, a yurt is a comfy and warmer alternative.
Recommended: How to Turn Your Camping Trip Into a Glamping Trip
6. Bastrop State Park, Texas
Booking Window: 5 months in advance
Why we love it:
- About a half hour drive from Austin
- 79 campsites, including a bunkhouse and 13 cabins
Less than a half hour outside of Austin in beloved Texas Hill Country is Bastrop State Park. Outdoors lovers come for hiking, geocaching, or fishing and swimming in Lake Mina. In Fall, the park and surrounding hillsides turn into a wonder of orange, gold and red colors from the changing leaves.
7. Lake Walcott, Idaho
Booking Window: 5 months in advance
Why we love it:
- There are two rustic cabins for rent
- About a two-hour drive from Idaho Falls
Located in south-central Idaho, Lake Walcott is a park mostly known for its fantastic fishing lake and disc golf course. The park abuts the Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge, making it a prime spot for wildlife viewing. Lake Walcott also boasts noteworthy foliage viewing come mid-fall. Campers have their choice of primitive camping along the lake edge, group campsites, and full-service campsites and cabins.
8. Jordanelle State Park, Utah
Booking Window: 6 months in advance
Why we love it:
- Can book up to six months in advance
- Located just 40 minutes outside Salt Lake City
- Beloved camping location for boaters and RVers
This large developed campground rests on the west side of the reservoir, and is a favorite get-away for boaters, waterskiers, angelers, swimmers and RV campers. Additionally, this is a great spot for birders as the reservoir is an important resting area for migratory waterfowl. For a large group or special event, the park’s Event Center perched is on a hill, offering a sweeping vista of the reservoir and surrounding high country. There are over 200 campsites, including five cabins, 42 picnic cabanas and eight boat slips.
Recommended: 9 Great places for Trout Fishing This Spring
9. Birch Lake State Recreation Site, Alaska
Booking Window: 5 months in advance
Why we love it:
- The lake is great for water sports and fishing
- Public use cabin and ice huts are great during the winter
Birch Lake State Recreation Area is nestled in forested wetlands and a lilypad-covered lake. Located about an hour south-east of Fairbanks, this lake beckons water sport enthusiasts in the warmer months, and anglers year-round. Expect excellent fishing for rainbow trout, king and silver salmon, grayling, and arctic char. Fall leaf changes bring patches of warm color dotted between the evergreens, alongside the water and surrounding wilderness. A late September Alaska trip is perfect as the days are still long but it’s generally less crowded.
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.