The Best Fall Camping Spot in Each State

Desoto is the place to go if you want to be surrounded by the natural beauty of Northeast Alabama. Set in and around Lookout Mountain, this state park sparkles each autumn as splashes of fall color mix with the soothing splish-splash from its gorgeous natural waterfalls.

You don't have to strain your neck in order to see autumn color in Alaska as seemingly all shades appear on the tundra floor. And Denali is a fantastic place to enjoy the show before the frost and snow of winter arrive. Before or after your camping trip, take a ride on the amazing Alaska Railroad to see even more seasonal scenes.

From the scarlet rocks of Sedona to the ponderosa pines around Flagstaff, Coconino offers campers a range of autumnal options. Located near the fading deciduous trees of Oak Creek Canyon, Creekside Manzanita Campground is a firm favorite while Canyon Vista Campground-near fantastic Flag'-offers views of the soaring San Francisco Peaks.

While you can't camp inside Pinnacle Mountain, Maumelle Park-not far from up-and-coming Little Rock-is the best camping base for exploring the natural wonders of this state park. During autumn, the leaves in the area catch fire with fall color, making the short trip to Pinnacle Mountain from the campground feel like a spin on a color wheel.

You can enjoy breathtaking vistas and exciting outdoor pursuits in Yosemite during every season, but things are especially enchanting during autumn. Expect to be surrounded by bright yellow quaking aspen trees and deep red dogwood trees on your daily adventures and to never look at a black-and-white Ansel Adams photograph of the park the same way again.

In autumn, the trees in the foreground of the great Rocky Mountain peaks of this Colorado park transform themselves in the most magnificent fashion. Surrounded by an array of vibrant aspens, Aspenglen Campground is a great early season base while year-round Moraine Park is ideal for late-season camping trips.

The Constitution State may not get as much leaf-peeping press as its New England neighbors, but you can still easily pitch a tent within eyeshot of some color-streaked trees in this park. On your way to Housatonic, take a detour to the West Cornwall Covered Bridge-one of the most romantic covered bridges in the region.

Oak and poplar trees put on a dazzling annual show at Lums Pond State Park. The park's gorgeous namesake lake is Delaware's largest freshwater millpond and it offers campers scenic beauty and serenity in spades. Spend your days hiking or fishing and your nights cuddled up by the campfire.

This state park spreads out along the bluffs overlooking the Apalachicola River in Northwest Florida. Camping in Torreya will introduce you to some rugged terrain you might not necessarily associate with the Sunshine State and a dash of seasonal color to boot. Afterward, spend some time relaxing on the nearby sugar-white beaches of South Walton.

Watching water cascading down the steep rock walls of Tallulah Gorge is enough to sweep you off your feet in any season, but during fall you're certain to fall head over heels. This state park blossoms into orange, yellow and red each year and a camping trip spent amongst the leaves and waterfalls here will make your autumn unforgettable.

In addition to offering up sweeping views of the spectacular Kalalau Valley and rainforest hiking opportunities, this park sits within striking distance of both Waimea Canyon and the otherworldly Na Pali Coast. While you may not be surrounded by the usual autumnal shades, you will still find flashes of brilliant color around every corner.

Sun Valley is home to a quintet of mountain ranges that are famous for being blanketed by snow each year, but before that happens a vibrant autumn show takes place. Setting up camp and in around the resort town will show you that Idaho can compete with any underrated leaf-peeping destination.

If you think Illinois lacks dramatic scenery than a trip to Starved Rock in autumn will set you straight as this park is stacked with stone canyons which are toppled by waterfalls in wet weather. The best way to warm-up after chasing cascades in a rain shower? Settling in at the cozy Starved Rock Lodge-home to the largest two-sided fireplace in Illinois.

Spread out over 200,000 acres in Southern Indiana, Hoosier National Forest shimmers with every shade of autumnal color each fall. Many campgrounds in this underrated park offer great views of the grandeur and serve as ideal bases for scores of hiking and mountain biking trails.

It's easy to forget hundreds of miles of Iowa borders the Mississippi River, but a gaze from the bluffs at Pikes Peak in fall will stick with you forever. This state park is home to well-appointed camping sites and a web of trails that offer sweeping views of the river and surrounding foliage.

When you've done your share of socializing in always-fun Lawrence, sneak over to Clinton Lake for some serenity. In fall, the park turns every shade of orange and brown, making it the perfect place to admire foliage from the water.

Most of the year, the main attraction at Mammoth Cave is located underground, but that all changes when the leaves change color. Stroll among a spectrum of shades in the park beside your campsite before eventually checking out the record-breaking network of underground caves.

Jimmie Davis State Park sits on a peninsula on Caney Lake in Northern Louisiana. Because of the fact that it juts out into the lake, it is the ideal place to admire the pine and hardwood forests that surround the water when they change color late in the season. Afterward, head south to Baton Rouge for a legendary LSU tailgate.

Acadia is one of America's A-List National Parks and the shades on display here are absolute showstoppers. Blackwoods Campground is your only year-round option for camping here and it's the ideal jumping off point for scenic hikes or picturesque drives on the Park Loop Road.

This national historic park stretches over three states but the Maryland section might just be the most magnificent. Enjoy long walks or bike rides by the water during the day and set up camp each evening at one of the multiple campsites that line the canal. The best beverage to enjoy post-walk? One of the great pumpkin beers brewed locally by Flying Dog.

The rolling hills of the Berkshires have long been a leaf-peeping hotspot and the best way to experience all the grandeur of the splendid surroundings is by camping. Several sites offer sweeping views of the hills with the campgrounds near Mt. Greylock being especially popular.

The campgrounds inside this gem of a park on the Upper Peninsula are the perfect place to sit back and enjoy the award-winning Michigan leaf-peeping show. No, there's nothing quite like seeing Tahquamenon Falls with a background of blazing fall foliage.

A drive on Minnesota's Highway 61 is sure to delight leaf lovers and the best way to end the day is to watch the fading fall light shine off Gooseberry Falls. Stay the night at the campground and do it all again at sunrise for the full experience.

This historic road stretches from Mississippi to Tennessee, with several campgrounds to stop and savor the sights of fall along the way. One popular spot is Rocky Springs, an ideal overnight stay on a scenic autumn road trip.

Missouri's highest peak won't ever be confused with a Rocky Mountain, but that doesn't mean that it isn't a gorgeous place to go outdoors. Spread around Taum Sauk Mountain is a geological wonderland of rolling hills, craggy stones and a gorgeous waterfall, making this park a great side-trip to a Route 66 road trip.

After spending a fun fall weekend in Bozeman, including some solid tailgating at Montana State, make for this fabuous forest. Explore the over three million acres of Western splendor during the day- counting shades of orange and yellow along the way-before retreating to your camp at night.

While the enthralling cave that gives this beloved state park its name might stay the same shade all year round, the same certainly can't be said for the surrounding woods. Stroll from your campsite to the famous scenic overlook of the Missouri River to spot some the most spectacular color in Nebraska.

Located just outside fabulous Las Vegas, the Spring Mountains offer invigorating fresh air and fall foliage galore. The colors are especially striking when seen in contrast to craggy Mt. Charleston, the highest peak in the park and one of Vegas' hidden gems.

This majestic section of White Mountain scenery is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2018 and there couldn't be a better time to visit. The newly refurbished Dolly Copp campground provides a front row seat for the peak colors of fall that attract visitors from all over the world.

Before the mighty Delaware River makes the final leg of its journey towards the sea, it first winds through the bewitching hills of the Delaware Water Gap. This park surrounds the gap and offers campers plenty of hiking, leaf-peeping and waterfall-watching opportunities.

There's no better way to cap an autumn visit to one of America's most historic cities than with some fiery New Mexico foliage. This park is located just outside Santa Fe and the section near the Santa Fe Ski Basin is especially renowned for its vibrant aspen trees. You'll find multiple campgrounds within a short-and very scenic- drive from the basin.

The gorgeous Genesee River tumbles through canyons and over a dramatic series of steep cliffs inside this enchanting Empire State park. The show becomes even more brilliant during autumn as the forests that surround the river-and the park's campsites-flash their fall best.

You can certainly find foliage all over the Tar Heel State, but nowhere is as glorious as in the Smokies. Smokemont Campground is open year-round and once October arrives, you won't need to leave the site to see spectacular leaves.

This park is located on the hills above the Missouri River and each autumn the trees turn beautiful shades of yellow and orange. Tie a camping trip into a tour of General George Custer's former home base and a series of Native American earth lodges.

Ohio is well known for its roster of stimulating cities but the natural landscapes here are wonderful. too. Cuyahoga Valley is one of the only national parks in the region and while you won't find scores of campsites here, adventurers that choose to stay inside the park are rewarded with waterfalls and plenty of leaf-peeping loveliness.

If you thought Oklahoma was flat and dry, you've got a lovely thing coming. The gorgeous lakes of the state make the perfect summer playground as the Wichita Mountains in the southwest section of Oklahoma are the place to go in autumn. This beautiful area is also home to a wonderful wildlife refuge.

Sure, you could view Oregon's Silver Falls from the front, but why do that when you can go behind this curtain of water for truly unique autumnal views? Peering out from behind the waterfall, you will be able to spots streaks of color and on the way back to your campsite you will see scores of quintessentially Oregonian landscapes.

Located in the heart of the Keystone State, Allegany National Forest offers solitude and serenity amongst swaths of sensational seasonal color. The forest is home to over 80 tree species and each one puts its own signature stamp on fall. You'll find everything from basic camping spots to sites full of all the modern bells and whistles.

Set around serene Watchaug Pond, the campgrounds at Burlingame State Park offer prime views of the water and the surrounding foliage. Wake up to bushels of bold yellow and orange leaves at the campsite before taking to the lake or exploring the nearby Kimball Wildlife Refuge.

Arguably South Carolina's most recognizable natural feature, the stones of Table Rock are surrounded by scores of lovely leaves. Campers in this beloved state park can take in the splendor of South Carolina in autumn all over the grounds, but the view from atop Table Rock itself is surely the greatest of them all.

Despite the name, the Black Hills of South Dakota are far from drab. These perennially-underrated soft peaks hold many fascinating sights-including Mount Rushmore-and pop with color each the fall. In between hiking, explore Deadwood to learn all about the colorful Western characters that lived (and died) on its historic streets.

The Smokies are so nice, they made the list twice, and the Tennessee section of the GSMNP is the epitome of autumn. The park's rolling hills are crisscrossed with hiking paths and scenic drives that are seemingly all enveloped by spectacular traces of color. The campgrounds are plentiful and you may even make friends with some hikers tackling the legendary Appalachian Trail.

The clue is in the name of this Texas State Natural Area. Hands down the best spot to watch the leaves change in Hill Country, Lost Maples is set ablaze with shades of color each fall. The show is sprinkled around the park, a space that also keeps campers entertained with canyons and several miles of hiking trails. Afterward, head over to Austin, one of the USA's most captivating cities.

This swath of the Rockies north of sensational Salt Lake City always puts on a spectacular seasonal show. Throughout the entire region, you will find campgrounds that offer both access to hiking trails and handsome views of the autumn-speckled mountains.

The Green Mountain State is one of the hotspots of the New England leaf scene and this forest will give you just the right hit of hues. Scale Mount Mansfield-the tallest in the state-for sweeping views of the colors below and on a clear day, a view to neighboring New York. Then, head to Danville for one of America's best corn mazes.

Shenandoah is always splendid but in autumn it's downright awesome. While your camp will likely have some wonderful color, nothing beats the stunning views from legendary Skyline Drive. Be sure to take turns driving so everyone can take a turn savoring the scenery.

This Washington forest is located a stone's throw from the Canadian border and offers up seasonal delights in spades. Once you've gotten up-close-and-personal with the leaves on the network of hiking paths, take a day off in order to enjoy one of Snoqualmie's signature scenic drives.

Glade Creek Grist Mill is one of the most iconic sights in the majestic Mountaineer State and seeing it against a backdrop of fall color is a truly special experience. The mill is also the jumping off point to an especially scenic hike that takes in an eyeful of wonderful West Virginia scenery.

This romantic section of the Badger State is renowned for its lakeside scenery in summer but when fall arrives, Door County keeps on shining. Campgrounds are dotted around the county, with some even offering views of fall foliage against a backdrop of Lake Michigan.

When you think of the great outdoors in Wyoming, you think of Yellowstone. Autumn is the ideal time to visit as the summer droves have dissipated and the landscape is still teeming with life-and we aren't just talking about geysers, here.