Road tripping is one of the best ways to take in the fall foliage that’s about to blossom in many parts of the country. And if you take to the roads via RV, you’ll be able to see these beautiful colors as you roll and wake up to a burst of fall color outside your bedroom window.
Whether you want a quick weekend getaway or a longer trek to a bucket list destination, beautiful fall foliage can be found on many trips in the U.S. — and often in the most unexpected of places. That’s why we dug into some of the top Outdoorsy rental destinations of this season and looked up the best nearby places to see fall colors in full bloom.
We figured this out based on rental data we pulled that shows top rental destinations in fall during peak foliage. Here are 10 of the top places that folks seem to be renting rigs for leaf watching:
RVs For Rent Near You
1. Denver, Colorado
Where to go
You’re nearly guaranteed epic fall colors if you hit Denver and then head for the higher elevations right outside the city. The state’s iconic Aspen trees turn into sunbursts of color once they get hit with that crisp fall air wafting through the mountains.
Hit I-70 west and head straight into the mountains for a quick fall fix. You could also check out byways like the Lariat Loop, the cool mountain town of Golden, CO, or the Peak to Peak Byway that’ll take you right into the backyard of Rocky Mountain National Park.
What to drive
This space-age campervan will get you just about anywhere you want to go — all with a hot shower and fast internet. It even has a Nespresso machine for those crisp fall mornings.
2. Portland, Oregon
Where to go
Portland is a fun fall spot in and of itself because you can explore things like the scenic Columbia River Highway and other alpine routes just outside of town.
But for our money, the real fall fun in Portland comes when you snag an RV in town and roll west. Within an hour and a half, you’ll hit the Oregon Coast and can enjoy beautiful foliage, dramatic cliffs, and a vast ocean right outside your window. Once you’re done driving for the day, you can post up at one of Oregon’s many coastal campgrounds.
What to drive
You could go all out in this luxe Class A motorhome with a panoramic window that’s tailor-made for foliage spotting. Or you could go more rustic in this boondock-ready teardrop.
3. Seattle, Washington
Where to go
Much like Portland, Seattle offers a dose of big city livin’ before you jet into the wilderness. Snag a cup of Seattle’s iconic joe on your way out of town and roll up the Mount Baker Scenic Byway where you’ll hit vibrant reds, yellows, and oranges almost right away. This byway winds along the North Fork Nooksack River to Artist Point where you can take in some sublime mountain views.
Another epic trek from Seattle is a multi-day excursion around the Olympic Peninsula where you can experience rocky ocean beaches and colorful fall forests in the same drive.
What to drive
This off-grid sprinter van is a nimble rig that’ll get you anywhere you want to go in Northwest Washington.
4. San Diego, California
Where to go
San Diego might sit in the desert, but this unexpected fall destination has much to offer leaf seekers. By hopping in an RV and heading an hour(ish) east of San Diego to places like Cuyamaca Rancho State Park or Palomar Mountain State Park, you’ll ascend into mountain forests that burst with color in the fall.
Even though it’s fall, no San Diego trip would be complete without some beach time — so be sure to drop back down to the coast as you close out your trip.
What to drive
Tow this spacious travel trailer with you so the whole family can camp in comfort and style.
5. Salt Lake City, Utah
Where to go
The mountains that serve as Salt Lake’s backdrop are also a fall playground for any eager roadtripper. If you’re in a rig that can tackle narrow, winding roads, the Alpine Scenic Loop will take you through the fall colors tucked into the Provo Canyon.
Another spectacular drive is the short jaunt from SLC to Park City. Park City may be known for its ski hills, but fall is an equally epic time there because you can take a number of hikes and short trips from this hip town to enjoy the glowing yellow Aspen trees bursting along the roadsides.
What to drive
Take this nimble teardrop with you to tackle those winding roads with ease.
6. San Antonio, Texas
Where to go
Nestled in Texas hill country on the San Antonio River, this Texas town features some of the best fall foliage viewing in the state. This is one destination on our list where urban camping is a terrific option — post up at one of San Antonio’s many RV parks and then enjoy things like biking the Missions Trail, the River Walk, or any one of the cities’ epic breweries.
Or — if you’d rather break into the wild — take a quick drive up to Government Canyon Natural Area to enjoy foliage without the crowds.
What to drive
Hop into this Class C to take the amenities of home with you around town.
7. Minneapolis, Minnesota
Where to go
Minnesota is picture-perfect in the fall — cool weather (but not too cold yet), crystal clear waters (10,000 of them), and colorful trees. The Twin Cities are the hub of it all where you can rent a rig and set out on foliage exploration.
Minneapolis/St. Paul offers a plethora of outdoor activities — from one of the largest networks of paved bike trails to a chain of lakes and rivers that cut right through the cities. Once you’ve had your fill of urban life, you can cut north for a few hours to catch the northern shores of Lake Superior or go further north to Voyageurs National Park for some of the best leaf viewing in the world.
What to drive
We think something like this Scamp would be a fun and nimble way to experience fall in Minnesota.
8. Columbus, Ohio
Where to go
Columbus might not be a natural fall pick for your road trip list, but the truth is Ohio has some of the best fall foliage viewing in the country. Ohio’s rolling hills, abundant forests, and crisp weather make for some of the most colorful road trips you can take in the U.S.
You could jet out to see the Covered Bridge Scenic Byway in the Wayne National Forest or drive over the Bridge Of Dreams as you enjoy fall in Ohio’s Amish country.
What to drive
We say you treat yourself with something like this Forest River Class A because it’ll have home-like amenities in a relatively easy-to-drive package.
9. Boise City, Idaho
Where to go
Idaho is one of the best-kept secrets in the U.S. because it offers wild adventures in undiscovered places (though these areas are getting discovered fast, so be sure to hit them soon!). Fall in Idaho features mountains, lakes, and rivers — all framed with colorful foliage.
The 130-mile Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway is our top pick because it’ll take you from Boise through the Sawtooth mountains and onto Stanley, Idaho — one of the coolest mountain towns we’ve ever seen.
What to drive
This Winnebago Solis is a rad campervan that features a pop-up roof tent for extra sleeping space that’ll allow you to enjoy crisp fall nights.
10. Sacramento, California
Where to go
The Sacramento area gives you a taste of California at its most normal pace of life. The city is also a gateway to some of the best fall foliage hunting that The Golden State has to offer.
We’d personally recommend a road trip out to the Lodi Wine Country. You’ll see some epic fall colors on your way to one of California’s wine making hubs. If wine isn’t your thing, you could jet over to Yosemite National Park in just a few hours. On the drive, you’d cross over the mountains — enjoying fall trees along the way — and then drop down into Yosemite where you can soak up its epic sites during this colorful time of year.
What to drive
This lithium ion-powered bunkhouse has enough room for the whole family to come adventuring in this fun region of California.
Fall is one of the best times for road trips because you’ll usually experience crisp weather, cool colors, and (often) lower crowds. Whether you’re looking for a quick weekend road trip or a longer getaway, the destinations above offer something for you.
If you want even more precise leaf seeking — this cool tool from the crew at smokymountains.com compiles NOAA forecasts, historical precipitation, average temperature numbers, and several more data points to predict the exact window when fall will peak around the country:
So what are you waiting for? Check out our rigs for rent in your area and start planning your next adventure!
