Destinations

Experiences

Guides

Eats

Lace up your hiking boots and check out our top picks for the best fall hikes!

Celebrate National Hiking Day — great trail-adjacent campgrounds, hike ideas for all levels and how to make a weekend of it.

National Hiking Day, often referred to as &ldquo;take a hike day,&rdquo; is right around the corner so we&rsquo;ve put together the ultimate guide for you to make it the best day of the year. With over 60,000 miles of trail in the US, there&rsquo;s a lot to cover. So, lace up your hiking boots and check out our top picks for the best fall hikes!
<h2 dir="ltr">Fall is a Great Time to Take a Hike</h2>
After a long summer, a hike in the crisp fall air can be a refreshing change of pace. And it&rsquo;s not just the comfortable temperatures that make this time of year so enticing; it&rsquo;s the stunning fall foliage painting the landscape. All over the country, trails come to life with hues of red and orange, creating a picturesque setting for your outdoor adventure!
<h2 dir="ltr">How to Prepare</h2>
Hiking is a pretty straight forward endeavor, and that&rsquo;s part of what makes it so appealing. But if you skip the preparation, you could be in for an uncomfortable day full of blisters and shivers. Follow these easy steps, and you&rsquo;ll be ready to go right when you pull up to the trailhead.
<h3 dir="ltr">Select a trail</h3>
It may seem obvious, but the most important part of preparing for a hike is picking the trail! And while it&rsquo;s never bad to push your limits a little bit, you don&rsquo;t want to head out on a hiking trail that&rsquo;s too far out of your skill or fitness level. It&rsquo;s always good practice to check on the distance and elevation gain before heading out to be sure that it&rsquo;s a trail you&rsquo;ll actually enjoy. Tools like<a href="https://www.alltrails.com/"> AllTrails</a> can be a great resource for trail selection!
<h3 dir="ltr">Dress Appropriately</h3>
Late fall days can bring unpredictable weather, so it&rsquo;s important to dress smart and always bring some extra layers:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Base layer &mdash; Merino wool is a great material for top and bottom base layers, as it is temperature regulating and moisture wicking.
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Insulating top layer &mdash; Bring a fleece or down jacket along, as the temperature can fluctuate throughout the day in the fall.
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Hiking pants or leggings &mdash; Having a quality pair of pants designed for hiking can be a game changer, especially on trails that may be overgrown in some areas.
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Outer Layer &mdash; If there&rsquo;s even a small chance of rain, it&rsquo;s always worth it to pack along a lightweight rain jacket.
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Socks &mdash; Often overlooked, the socks you choose can make a big difference on your hike. We always recommend shelling out a few extra bucks for a quality pair of hiking socks to save you from painful blisters
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Shoes &mdash; Having a sturdy pair of shoes suitable for the difficulty of your hike is essential. If it&rsquo;s a paved path, a pair of sneakers will likely do. But on the more technical and rocky trails, it&rsquo;s best to invest in a quality pair of hiking shoes with ample ankle support. If the forecast calls for rain, you may consider a waterproof option to keep those blisters at bay.
</li>
</ul>
<h3 dir="ltr">Gear Up</h3>
You generally don&rsquo;t need much gear for a day hike, but it&rsquo;s always a good idea to bring a comfortable day pack with the essentials:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Plenty of water
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Sunscreen
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
A map of the area
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
High energy snacks like nuts, granola, or beef jerky
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Trekking poles for added stability
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
First aid kit
</li>
</ul>
<h3 dir="ltr">Check the Weather and Trail Conditions</h3>
Later in the fall season, some trails may be closed due to rain or snow, so it&rsquo;s best to check on the trail status before heading out. And as always, check the forecast to make sure you won&rsquo;t get caught in any unexpected weather.
<h2 dir="ltr">Top Fall Hiking Trails for National Hiking Day</h2>
With countless incredible trails all over the country, narrowing it down is no easy feat, but this list is a good place to start! Enjoy the beautiful fall colors and the crisp, refreshing air as you head out on your National Hiking Day adventure!
<h3 dir="ltr">The Crags Trail- Colorado</h3>
Check out this iconic 4.9-mile out-and-back trail near Divide, Colorado. With only 833 feet of elevation gain, The Crags Trail is generally considered moderately difficult and is a perfect introduction to the Colorado Springs area. You&rsquo;ll be treated to every natural wonder that central Colorado has to offer, including craggy peaks, lush forests, and an abundance of aspens and other colorful trees along the way!
Where to Stay
Just a short drive away, you&rsquo;ll find<a href="https://www.spot2nite.com/park/cripple-creek-hospitality-house-travel-park?equipmentType=&amp;vehicleLength=&amp;adults=1&amp;checkOut=2024-11-17&amp;fitBounds=false&amp;lng=-103.90672413721478&amp;lat=39.293223538795935&amp;checkIn=2024-11-15&amp;locationType=ParkLocation&amp;infants=0&amp;pets=0&amp;location=Elbert+County%2C+CO%2C+USA&amp;children=0&amp;zoom=8&amp;entry=search"> Cripple Creek Hospitality House &amp; Travel Park</a>, located in the historic gold mining town of Cripple Creek. Offering a unique opportunity to experience Colorado&rsquo;s rich history, Cripple Creek Hospitality House &amp; Travel Park stands as a welcoming retreat with a range of accommodation options.
<h3 dir="ltr">Eagle Bluff - Maine</h3>
Eagle Bluff checks all of the boxes that you expect out of a Maine hike: steep, challenging, and highly rewarding with an unbeatable view. Located just outside of Bangor, this trail is a leaf peepers dream. Climb to the top of Eagle Bluff and enjoy views of Cedar Swamp Pond, the Little Peaked and Peaked Mountains, and an indescribable array of beautiful New England fall colors.
Where to Stay
Located on the edge of Bangor, and just a short drive from Eagle Bluff,<a href="https://www.spot2nite.com/park/paul-bunyan-campground?equipmentType=&amp;vehicleLength=&amp;adults=1&amp;checkOut=2024-11-15&amp;fitBounds=false&amp;children=0&amp;lng=-68.81335096382864&amp;lat=44.583188801697624&amp;checkIn=2024-11-14&amp;location=Hancock+County%2C+ME%2C+USA&amp;infants=0&amp;pets=0&amp;locationType=ParkLocation&amp;zoom=10&amp;entry=favorites"> Paul Bunyan Campground</a> offers a peaceful and memorable camping retreat. And if you&rsquo;re willing to venture out a little further, Acadia National Park and the rugged North Maine coastline is just an hour away.
<h3 dir="ltr">Mirror Lake via Valley Loop Trail - California</h3>
Head out on this 4.4-mile loop trail in the stunning Yosemite Valley this fall. Meandering along the Tenaya Creek, Valley Loop Trail guides hikers to the picturesque Mirror Lake and provides an unforgettable experience to enjoy all of the colorful fall foliage along the way.
Where to Stay
With the increased traffic to the park in recent years, camping in and around Yosemite can be a massive headache. But if you&rsquo;re willing to add just a little bit of drive time to your adventure, you can save yourself the stress and enjoy a beautiful and peaceful retreat in the valley foothills.<a style="color: rgb(22, 145, 121);" href="https://www.spot2nite.com/park/yosemite-rv-resort?equipmentType=&amp;vehicleLength=&amp;adults=1&amp;children=0&amp;infants=0&amp;pets=0&amp;checkIn=2024-11-15&amp;checkOut=2024-11-17&amp;location=Merced+County%2C+CA%2C+USA&amp;locationType=ParkLocation&amp;lat=37.44068670513791&amp;lng=-120.53385635175945&amp;fitBounds=false&amp;zoom=6&amp;entry=favorites"> Yosemite RV Resort</a> sits just a little over an hour from the Valley Loop trailhead, and gives you the chance to kick back and relax while others scramble for last minute camping permits.
<h3 dir="ltr">Watson Falls Trail - Oregon</h3>
Step into a forested fairytale as you explore this enchanting trail through Umpqua National Forest. A quick 0.8 mile loop, this trail takes you through lush Pacific Northwest forests dotted with colorful fall foliage. And you&rsquo;ll be rewarded at the end with jaw-dropping views of a 272 foot waterfall roaring over basalt lava cliffs.
Where to Stay
Conveniently located just 15 minutes from the trailhead,<a href="https://www.spot2nite.com/park/umpquas-last-resort?adults=1&amp;equipmentType=&amp;checkOut=2024-11-17&amp;fitBounds=false&amp;zoom=5&amp;lng=-116.4579007234145&amp;vehicleLength=&amp;lat=43.98997386629199&amp;checkIn=2024-11-15&amp;children=0&amp;infants=0&amp;pets=0&amp;locationType=ParkLocation&amp;location=Gem+County%2C+ID%2C+USA&amp;entry=search"> Umpqua&rsquo;s Last Resort</a> provides you a peaceful retreat scored by the relaxing song of the Umpqua river. Surrounded by majestic forests and equipped with an abundance of RV sites, cabins, glamping options, and a host of amenities, this resort is sure to become your home away from home in the PNW.
<h3 dir="ltr">Mount Ol&rsquo; Baldy - Texas</h3>
Explore this classic trail in Garner State Park, near Concan Texas. Mount Ol&rsquo; Baldy is the highest point in the park, and it guarantees stunning vistas of a magnificent natural area. And as a bonus, the colorful Texas fall foliage peaks in mid November &mdash; right in time for National Hiking Day!
Where to Stay
<a style="color: rgb(22, 145, 121);" href="https://www.spot2nite.com/park/canyon-trail-rv-park">Canyon Trail RV Park</a> in San Marcos, TX offers a serene getaway with picturesque riverfront views and spacious RV sites. With convenient amenities, including full hookups, Wi-Fi, and proximity to local attractions, it provides a comfortable base for exploring the beauty of the Texas Hill Country.
<h3 dir="ltr">Mt. Storm King- Washington</h3>
With towering peaks and lush forests right on the sea shore, Olympic National Park stands as one of the most awe-inspiring destinations in North America, and Mt. Storm King is the culmination of it all. This 4.0-mile roundtrip trail is generally considered a highly challenging endeavor with over 2,000 feet of elevation gain and technical terrain and should only be attempted by experienced adventurers. That said, the view of Crescent Lake and the surrounding peaks is nearly impossible to beat, not to mention the stunning fall colors and wildflowers all along the way.
If you&rsquo;re looking for something a little less intense, check out the Hall of Mosses Trail through the Hoh Rainforest &mdash; A leisurely 0.8-mile stroll through a beautiful rainforest that comes alive with changing colors in the fall. It may be short, but this trail is one of the best hikes in the entire park.
Where to Stay
Conveniently located just outside the charming coastal town of Port Angeles and only 20 minutes from the Mt. Storm King trailhead,<a href="https://www.spot2nite.com/park/elwha-dam-rv-park?adults=1&amp;equipmentType=&amp;checkOut=2023-11-16&amp;zoom=9&amp;lng=-123.43172280961211&amp;vehicleLength=&amp;lat=48.02042611901923&amp;checkIn=2023-11-15&amp;locationType=ParkLocation&amp;infants=0&amp;pets=0&amp;location=Clallam+County%2C+WA%2C+USA&amp;children=0&amp;fitBounds=false&amp;entry=favorites"> Elwha Dam RV Park</a> is your ideal basecamp.
If you&rsquo;re planning to do the Hall of Mosses trail,<a href="https://www.spot2nite.com/park/misty-willow-s-farm-and-camp-beaver-wa?adults=1&amp;equipmentType=&amp;checkOut=2023-11-16&amp;zoom=9&amp;lng=-123.43172280961211&amp;vehicleLength=&amp;lat=48.02042611901923&amp;checkIn=2023-11-15&amp;locationType=ParkLocation&amp;infants=0&amp;pets=0&amp;location=Clallam+County%2C+WA%2C+USA&amp;children=0&amp;fitBounds=false&amp;entry=favorites"> Misty Willows Farm and Camp</a> will put you a bit closer. Located right in the forest, this campground provides you an excellent opportunity to get away and enjoy some peace and solitude in a stunning natural area.
Ready to start planning your next road trip? Let Spot2Nite take the hassle out of the process with our user-friendly, interactive<a href="http://spot2nite.com/"> booking platform</a>. Explore all of our premier RV campsites near your favorite hiking destinations, and only see the sites that are still available for your selected dates. It&rsquo;s time to get out there and start exploring. Happy Hiking!

Cripple Creek Hospitality House & Travel Park

Coos Canyon Campground and Cabins

Umpqua's Last Resort

Elwha RV Park

Make the Most of National Hiking Day on November 17th

Lace up your hiking boots and check out our top picks for the best fall hikes!

Yosemite RV Resort