America’s most beautiful fall camping trips, plus options for glamping

Hello, autumn, that glorious time of the year when the air is crisper, temps are cooler and leaves are more colorful. It’s as good a time as any to be outside, and when we recently surveyed Orbitz customers about their favorite ways to travel, you guys enthusiastically told us you love to camp. Most of you cited it as a way to travel relatively cheaply, spend quality time with friends and family and see some of the best scenery the U.S. has to offer. We can’t argue with that. Here are six perfect fall places for fall camping trips — including a basecamp hotel options for our glamping friends who enjoy a few extra amenities.

Related: 7 grown-up summer camps that will remind you of childhood.

Big Sur, CA
There is one word that describes Big Sur in autumn—spectacular! Whereas tourists clamor to visit this legendary region and artist mecca in summer when the rugged and spiky coast is often fogged in, the month of October at least nearly guarantees abundant sunshine and fewer crowds. From jagged bluffs overlooking the mighty Pacific to stream side camping in lush forests, Big Sur offers easy and abundant opportunities for pitching a tent and exploring this most excellent part of coastal California.
Glampy base camp option: Post Ranch Inn
This legendary—and luxurious—ranch-style inn offers numerous accommodation types including guest rooms, stand alone suites and even tree houses set amongst thick redwoods with luscious views of the Pacific. The emphasis is on wellness.

Grand Canyon, AZ
The experience of this celebrated wonder of the natural world sometimes feels like an endless herding of tourists to the South Rim where they can snap a quick selfie with the Canyon in the background. But get away from the visitor’s center and you’ll find there’s elbow room for all. Throw down a tent at one of three National Park Service campgrounds or apply in advance for a back country permit and hike one of 15 trails that provide access to the inner canyon. Autumn is glorious—but nights can be chilly!
Glampy base camp option:Grand Hotel
There are plenty of cheep and cheerful options in the area, but the chalet-inspired Grand Hotel—just seven minutes from the rim of the Canyon—allows a comfy (if somewhat pricey) respite to visitors too weary to make their bed under the night sky.

Volcanoes National Park: Big Island, HI
Have you heard of Kilauea? She’s the active volcano that has been churning, gurgling and spitting molten lava all over the Big Island of Hawaii for some time now. She’s also located at Volcanoes National Park, an awe-inspiring place where visitors can experience volcanism in action by hiking through lava tubes, sulphur banks and black lava fields. Camping is available at Nāmakanipaio and Kulanaokuaiki year round, but despite Hawaii’s gorgeous weather, it’s often damp and chilly this high up.
Glampy base camp option: Volcano House
A true base camp option, the recently renovated Volcano House is located at the summit of Kilauea and overlooks Halemaumau Crater which is currently active and contains a visible lava lake. Hint: Be sure and book a sunset table in the dining room.

Blue Ridge Parkway, NC and VA
As celebrated for its beauty as the Pacific Coast Highway in California and Florida‘s Overseas Highway and as popular in the imagination as Route 66, the Blue Ridge Parkway winds, meanders and bends for an astonishing 469 miles through 29 North Carolina and Virginia counties and if you’re visiting in autumn you’ll be hitting the mother lode of changing leaves and crisp mountain air. There are nine campgrounds scattered throughout the Parkway, but all close down by November.
Glampy base camp option: Primland
A dilettante approach to the Blue Ridge Parkway would be to spend a weekend at this 12,000-acre mountain retreat surrounded by Blue Ridge beauty and including golf, swimming, tennis, tree climbing and even stargazing via the Observatory Dome.

Colorado National Monument: Grand Junction, CO
The Rocky Mountains this isn’t, but rather a testament to the astonishing geographical diversity of the state of Colorado. Comprised of large canyons created by sandstone—including many stunning sandstone formations—and home to numerous desert creatures including hawks, coyotes and bighorn sheep, “the Monument” is a nature lover’s paradise and autumn temps hover around 80 in September and 65 in October. 80-site Saddlehorn Campground offers the only camping within the park.
Glampy base camp option: Grand Vista Hotel
Admittedly, nearby Grand Junction is mostly budget chain hotels and lacking in an upscale, ‘glamping’ alternative. Book a room at the six-story Grand Vista Hotel for affordable and family-friendly lodging only 15 minutes from the park entrance.

Catskills, NY
The Catskills—a mountain range in the southeast portion of New York state and not far from big cities like NYC and Philadelphia are a perfect weekend escape in the early autumn months. North-South Lake and Russell Brook are easy and convenient campgrounds while Devil’s Tombstone, Bear Spring Mountain and Balsam Lake Mountain Wild Forest take serious campers deep into the heart of Catskills country and away from the less hearty masses.
Glampy base camp option: The Graham & Co.
This rustic chic lodge is aimed squarely at glampers. Why bother with a strenuous hike when you can lounge by the pool, cruise around on a bike or warm up by the campfire during a brisk and beautiful autumn night?

Tagged: California, Family time, Hawaii