40 Best Places to Go Camping in October in the USA

October is one of the best times of the year to go camping in the USA. 

The fall season brings cooler temperatures, fewer crowds, and vibrant autumn foliage, creating the perfect backdrop for outdoor adventures. 

Whether you love exploring deserts, hiking through lush forests, or camping near tranquil lakes, October has something special to offer.

 Here’s a list of 40 of the best places to go camping in the USA during this magical month.

1. **Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee/North Carolina**

   - **Why Go**: Stunning fall foliage and diverse wildlife.

   - **Best Campsites**: Elkmont Campground, Cades Cove Campground.

 2. **Acadia National Park, Maine**

   - **Why Go**: Coastal beauty with brilliant autumn colors.

   - **Best Campsites**: Blackwoods Campground, Seawall Campground.

3. **Shenandoah National Park, Virginia**

   - **Why Go**: Blue Ridge Mountain views paired with colorful fall foliage.

   - **Best Campsites**: Big Meadows Campground, Loft Mountain Campground.

 4. **Zion National Park, Utah**

   - **Why Go**: Cooler weather and iconic canyon hikes like The Narrows.

   - **Best Campsites**: Watchman Campground, South Campground.

5. **Glacier National Park, Montana**

   - **Why Go**: Crisp mountain air, fewer crowds, and stunning views.

   - **Best Campsites**: Many Glacier Campground, Apgar Campground.

6. **Joshua Tree National Park, California**

   - **Why Go**: Perfect desert camping temperatures and mesmerizing night skies.

   - **Best Campsites**: Hidden Valley Campground, Jumbo Rocks Campground.

7. **Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado**

   - **Why Go**: Fall colors, wildlife watching, and stunning alpine landscapes.

   - **Best Campsites**: Moraine Park Campground, Glacier Basin Campground.

8. **Ozark National Forest, Arkansas**

   - **Why Go**: Scenic trails, waterfalls, and peaceful autumn vibes.

   - **Best Campsites**: Long Pool Recreation Area, Blanchard Springs Campground.

9. **Custer State Park, South Dakota**

   - **Why Go**: Wildlife, golden fall foliage, and unique rock formations.

   - **Best Campsites**: Sylvan Lake Campground, French Creek Campground.

10. **Big Bend National Park, Texas**

   - **Why Go**: Cooler desert temperatures and scenic hikes.

   - **Best Campsites**: Chisos Basin Campground, Rio Grande Village Campground.

11. **Olympic National Park, Washington**

   - **Why Go**: Misty rainforests, coastline views, and crisp fall air.

   - **Best Campsites**: Kalaloch Campground, Sol Duc Hot Springs Campground.

12. **White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire**

   - **Why Go**: Breathtaking fall foliage, mountain hikes, and peaceful campgrounds.

   - **Best Campsites**: Lafayette Campground, Hancock Campground.

13. **Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina/Virginia**

   - **Why Go**: Scenic fall drives with unparalleled views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

   - **Best Campsites**: Julian Price Campground, Linville Falls Campground.

14. **Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona**

   - **Why Go**: Cooler hiking weather and breathtaking canyon views.

   - **Best Campsites**: Mather Campground, Desert View Campground.

15. **Lake Tahoe, California/Nevada**

   - **Why Go**: Stunning fall colors and beautiful alpine lake views.

   - **Best Campsites**: Fallen Leaf Campground, Nevada Beach Campground.

16. **Yosemite National Park, California**

   - **Why Go**: Towering granite cliffs, waterfalls, and fewer crowds.

   - **Best Campsites**: North Pines Campground, Upper Pines Campground.

17. **Sequoia National Park, California**

   - **Why Go**: Marvel at the giant sequoias while enjoying mild fall weather.

   - **Best Campsites**: Lodgepole Campground, Dorst Creek Campground.

18. **Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah**

   - **Why Go**: Cooler weather and unique rock formations known as hoodoos.

   - **Best Campsites**: Sunset Campground, North Campground.

19. **Vermont State Parks, Vermont**

   - **Why Go**: Iconic fall foliage in one of the best spots for autumn colors.

   - **Best Campsites**: Smugglers’ Notch State Park, Emerald Lake State Park.

20. **Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado**

   - **Why Go**: Fall is the perfect time to explore the dunes with cooler weather.

   - **Best Campsites**: Pinon Flats Campground.

21. **Canyonlands National Park, Utah**

   - **Why Go**: Scenic desert landscapes and fewer crowds.

   - **Best Campsites**: Island in the Sky Campground, Needles Campground.

22. **Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming**

   - **Why Go**: Cooler weather and wildlife, including bison and elk.

   - **Best Campsites**: Madison Campground, Grant Village Campground.

23. **Mount Rainier National Park, Washington**

   - **Why Go**: Stunning views of Mount Rainier with fall colors in the foreground.

   - **Best Campsites**: Cougar Rock Campground, Ohanapecosh Campground.

 24. **Badlands National Park, South Dakota**

   - **Why Go**: Rugged, unique landscapes with mild fall temperatures.

   - **Best Campsites**: Cedar Pass Campground, Sage Creek Campground.

25. **Arches National Park, Utah**

   - **Why Go**: Iconic red rock formations and cooler fall weather.

   - **Best Campsites**: Devils Garden Campground.

26. **Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Michigan**

   - **Why Go**: Vibrant fall colors and stunning views of Lake Superior.

   - **Best Campsites**: Twelvemile Beach Campground, Hurricane River Campground.

27. **Pine Mountain State Resort Park, Kentucky**

   - **Why Go**: Scenic mountain views, and excellent fall hiking.

   - **Best Campsites**: Laurel Cove Campground, Chained Rock Campground.

28. **Hocking Hills State Park, Ohio**

   - **Why Go**: Beautiful waterfalls, caves, and autumn foliage.

   - **Best Campsites**: Old Man’s Cave Campground, Hocking Hills State Park Campground.

29. **Sawtooth National Recreation Area, Idaho**

   - **Why Go**: Alpine lakes, jagged peaks, and vibrant fall colors.

   - **Best Campsites**: Stanley Lake Campground, Redfish Lake Campground.

30. **Denali National Park, Alaska**

   - **Why Go**: Cool fall weather, pristine wilderness, and wildlife sightings.

   - **Best Campsites**: Riley Creek Campground, Savage River Campground.

31. **Adirondack Park, New York**

   - **Why Go**: The largest park in the continental US with peak fall foliage.

   - **Best Campsites**: Lake George Islands Campground, Fish Creek Pond Campground.

32. **Big Sur, California**

   - **Why Go**: Coastal cliffs, redwoods, and the beauty of the Pacific in fall.

   - **Best Campsites**: Pfeiffer Big Sur Campground, Andrew Molera State Park Campground.

33. **Mount Hood National Forest, Oregon**

   - **Why Go**: Gorgeous fall colors with Mount Hood as a backdrop.

   - **Best Campsites**: Trillium Lake Campground, Lost Lake Campground.

34. **Redwood National and State Parks, California**

   - **Why Go**: Towering redwoods and the peaceful atmosphere of autumn.

   - **Best Campsites**: Gold Bluffs Beach Campground, Jedediah Smith Campground.

35. **Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio**

   - **Why Go**: Peaceful riverside camping and striking autumn colors.

   - **Best Campsites**: Stanford Backcountry Campsites, nearby privately-run campsites.

36. **Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas**

   - **Why Go**: Mild fall weather and the relaxing experience of the hot springs.

   - **Best Campsites**: Gulpha Gorge Campground.

37. **Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky**

   - **Why Go**: Cooler weather makes it ideal for exploring the caves.

   - **Best Campsites**: Mammoth Cave Campground, Maple Springs Campground.

38. **Great Basin National Park, Nevada**

   - **Why Go**: Fall colors, stargazing, and the quiet beauty of the desert.

   - **Best Campsites**: Wheeler Peak Campground, Baker Creek Campground.

39. **Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Michigan**

   - **Why Go**: Scenic dunes, Lake Michigan, and brilliant autumn colors.

   - **Best Campsites**: Platte River Campground, D.H. Day Campground.

40. **Boundary Waters Canoe Area

 Wilderness, Minnesota**

   - **Why Go**: Peaceful wilderness, canoeing, and stunning fall scenery.

   - **Best Campsites**: Numerous backcountry campsites accessible by canoe.

October is a perfect time for camping, whether you’re seeking solitude in the wilderness or adventure in iconic national parks.

 These 40 camping destinations offer diverse experiences, from desert landscapes and mountain retreats to coastal beauty and fall foliage. 

No matter where you choose, make sure to prepare for cooler temperatures and shorter daylight hours. Enjoy your fall camping adventure! 🍁