Summer may have ended, but camping season can last all year long. Camping in autumn can be especially rewarding, as outdoor enthusiasts are able to enjoy cooler temperatures, fewer insects and-in many areas-beautiful fall foliage. New England states in particular are known to tree-peepers for their extraordinary colors, and campgrounds in the area offer a variety of features to suit campers.
Here are Pack Out’s 13 favorite New England campgrounds:
1. Mount Greylock Reservation
At 3,491 feet, Massachusetts’ highest peak offers grand views of at least 60 miles in the distance. Purchased in 1898, Mount Greylock is the state’s first wilderness state park with its wild-yet assessable-landscape. Travel by road to the summit from May through November, and visit the Massachusetts Veterans War Memorial Tower, built in 1932. Campers can enjoy more than 70 miles of designated trails and a primitive camping experience.
2. Bar Harbor
Campgrounds around and near Bar Harbor, Maine, are abundant, catering to campers enjoying all that Acadia National Park has to offer. The area on Maine’s rugged coastline was the first national park east of the Mississippi River and is home to a plethora of vegetation and wildlife. Campers can hike the granite peaks to reach the highest summit on the US Atlantic Coast.
3. Dry River Falls
Located near Cutts Grant, N.H., the White Mountain National Forest’s Dry River Falls is a 45-foot drop of cascades, fans and horsetails. Visit between June and October for the best sights, and stay at several campsites located along the almost six-mile access trail. The falls are particularly spectacular during the fall-foliage season.
4. Lake George
Choose any of the many campgrounds around Warrensburg, N.Y., and enjoy all that Lake George has to offer. Located in the Adirondacks, fall foliage is especially beautiful at sites located along the Schroon River. Campers can not only enjoy the colorful birches and maples, but they can also take advantage of rainbow-trout fishing while staying in tents or RVs.
5. Oak Embers
The family-friendly campground near Providence, R. I., is nestled next to the Arcadia Management Area and was featured in Yankee Magazine for its superior fall foliage. Located across from Stepping Stone Ranch, the campground offers campers a host of activities, including pot-luck dinners and Karaoke.
6. Gifford Woods State Park
If a drive through Vermont is in your autumn plans, think about staying at one of the state’s more than 55 state parks, including Gifford Woods State Park. Attributed with some of the state’s best fall colors, the forest at the base of Killington and Pico mountains offers scenery at multiple elevations.
7. Odetah
Considered one of Connecticut’s premier camping resorts, Odetah offers 326 serene sites nestled within the beautiful forest, all voted “most beautiful in Connecticut,” by Frommer’s. Campers can not only enjoy the hilly, wooded terrain, but they have access to a quarter-mile of waterfront on a 32-acre lake.
8. The Last Resort
The Maine campground and wilderness area holds its Indian Summer celebration through October, and boasts its fall foliage is nothing short of spectacular. Campers can generally enjoy warm days and cool nights, as well as positive conditions for fly fishing in the Moose River.
9. Paradise Bay Park Family Campground
A great family place in western New York, Paradise Bay Family Campground offers wooded sites, as well as a variety of camping amenities. Campers can enjoy fishing, aqua cycles, boating and even a heated swimming pool.
10. Martha’s Vineyard
Savor the beautiful Atlantic cliffs on the shores of Martha’s Vineyard. At Martha’s Vineyard Family Campground, you can enjoy secluded beaches and picturesque harbors, as well as the area’s quaint shops, golf courses and biking trails.
11. Dune’s Edge
For spectacular views of Atlantic sunsets and a quiet, family-friendly camping experience, check out Dune’s Edge Campground. The forested area offers campers scenic views of both the Atlantic Ocean and Cape Cod Bay, as well as Provincetown Harbor.
12. Camp Plymouth State Park
This Vermont park is located in the town of Plymouth on the east side of Echo Lake. A variety of campsites and lean-tos are perfect for any type of camper, and the park even offers horse camping.
13. Tamworth Camping Area
Visitors to New Hampshire can check out this family-friendly campground nestled between New Hampshire’s famous lakes region and the White Mountains. Campers can enjoy features such as waterfront camp sites and a variety of recreational activities.
What is your favorite camping place in New England? Let us know in the comments!
PS: Don’t forget to make a full camping checklist for your trip. Our homepage is a great place to start building your camping checklist.
Pack Out Gear 