10 Best Fall Vacation Spots for RV and Boat Travel

Explore more this fall with help from My Financing USA

Fall is a prime time to explore the best the U.S. has to offer with fewer tourists, crisp air, and scenery that rivals any other season.

Whether you already own an RV or boat or are considering your first purchase, traveling on your terms means more than just seeing the sights. It’s about comfort, flexibility, and connection to nature, to adventure, and to the freedom to go where the seasons take you.

At My Financing USA, we help you make that happen. Here are 10 top destinations where the road (or lake) meets peak autumn beauty, and they’re all better experienced when you bring your RV or boat with you.

Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee/North Carolina

Best For: Scenic RV drives, mountain hikes, and lakeside serenity

With rolling hills blanketed in sugar maples and hickories, the Smokies become a painter’s palette by mid-October. The drive itself is the destination here: Blue Ridge Parkway offers 469 miles of panoramic overlooks, charming mountain towns, and tunnels framed by fiery leaves.

Park your RV in Gatlinburg or Cherokee, where full-service campgrounds put you just minutes from national park trails. If you’re bringing a boat, head to nearby Douglas Lake or Fontana Lake are both quieter in fall, and perfect for a slow, glassy cruise at sunset.

The Smokies are a fall tradition for many RVers, and once you’ve done it with your own setup, it’s hard to imagine traveling any other way.

Lake George, New York

Best For: Mountain views, lakeside foliage, and Adirondack air

Tucked into the southern Adirondacks, Lake George offers more than just postcard-perfect views. In autumn, its 32-mile shoreline transforms into a tapestry of red, orange, and gold, reflected in the crystal-clear water.

Bring your boat and spend the day cruising beneath the color canopy, or drop anchor and take in the silence—no jet skis, no summer chaos, just the sound of autumn. RV travelers can stay right by the lake at Lake George RV Park, which offers full hookups, indoor and outdoor amenities, and direct access to hiking trails and bike paths.

Looking to purchase an RV before the season slips away? Apply now with My Financing USA and start planning your route north.

Lake Powell, Arizona/Utah

Best For: Warm-weather boating, desert sun, and canyon exploration

If you’re craving one last taste of summer, head west. At Lake Powell, autumn means fewer crowds, mild temperatures, and endless blue skies—making it one of the best times to explore this man-made wonder.

With towering sandstone cliffs and over 2,000 miles of shoreline, Powell is best discovered by boat. You can launch near Page, AZ, and weave through narrow slot canyons that look like something out of a sci-fi movie. Many boaters opt for houseboats, but smaller craft offer the flexibility to explore hidden corners at your own pace.

Wahweap RV & Campground gives you access to both land and water, with views that are breathtaking in every direction. Owning a boat here is an experience—one that starts with smart financing from a team that knows the lifestyle.

Acadia National Park & Bar Harbor, Maine

Best For: Coastal drives, quiet mornings, and bold fall color

Few places combine ocean and foliage like Acadia. In October, the park’s granite peaks rise above a sea of amber, gold, and crimson trees, while Bar Harbor slows to a peaceful coastal rhythm.

RVers can enjoy top-rated sites like Mount Desert Narrows or Bar Harbor Campground, where you’re minutes from the park entrance, the carriage roads, and the salty air of the Atlantic. Frenchman Bay offers gentle boating for those looking to see the coastline from the water—especially early in the morning, when fog clings to the waves and lobster boats cut quietly through it.

Acadia invites you to disconnect from the fast pace, and your RV or boat lets you do just that, no check-in times or hotel stress required.

Ozark National Forest, Arkansas

Best For: Hidden trails, waterfall hikes, and lakefront camping

Often overlooked for the Rockies or Appalachians, the Ozarks offer equally stunning fall scenery without the crowds. Beaver Lake, Greers Ferry, and Bull Shoals are all excellent boating spots, with calm water framed by forests that turn every shade of orange come October.

If you're road-tripping, the Pig Trail Scenic Byway is a must with twisting through hills, over rivers, and beneath a canopy of fall color. RV campgrounds here tend to be spacious, affordable, and quiet. You’ll find lakeside spots that feel miles from civilization but are just a short drive from small towns like Eureka Springs.

If your current RV isn’t cutting it, or you’re considering buying one for adventures like this, My Financing USA offers RV loans for all credit types.

Lake Chelan, Washington

Best For: Wine country drives, lakeside peace, and vineyard views

Set at the foot of the North Cascades, Lake Chelan is where the Pacific Northwest unwinds. The 50-mile-long lake sits in a glacier-carved valley surrounded by apple orchards, family-run vineyards, and mountains dusted in fall gold.

This area is beloved by RVers for its peaceful campgrounds- Lakeshore RV Park and Twenty-Five Mile Creek State Park both offer direct lake access and quiet surroundings. Boaters enjoy calm mornings with mist on the water and warm afternoons perfect for fishing or paddling.

In town, you’ll find harvest festivals, wine tastings, and open markets selling seasonal produce. It’s the kind of place where every detail feels like fall—and having your own RV or boat makes it even better.

Traverse City, Michigan

Best For: Color drives, lake loops, and apple country charm

Northern Michigan is made for autumn road trips. The legendary M-22 route hugs Lake Michigan’s shoreline, weaving through charming harbor towns, lighthouses, and tree tunnels glowing orange. Traverse City is the ideal base—offering inland lakes for boating and orchards overflowing with apples and pumpkins.

You can launch your boat into Grand Traverse Bay, Torch Lake, or Elk Lake, and spend your days exploring calm, clear waters. Even a short weekend here becomes something special when you’re traveling on your own schedule.

Thinking about your next RV? Start the process with My Financing USA, and get pre-approved before the snow flies.

Lake Ouachita, Arkansas

Best For: Stargazing, fishing, and forest serenity

Lake Ouachita is one of the cleanest lakes in the U.S., with over 900 miles of shoreline and plenty of quiet corners to anchor for the afternoon.

It’s a favorite for fall fishing, kayaking, and scenic boat rides—especially in the golden light of late October. RVers love Brady Mountain Campground, which sits right on the water with wooded sites and peaceful vibes.

This is a place to unplug, cook outside, and fall asleep to the sounds of the forest—not a place where you want to be packing bags for a hotel.

Door County, Wisconsin

Best For: Coastal beauty, local food, and midwestern charm

With 300 miles of shoreline between Lake Michigan and Green Bay, Door County shines in the fall. The winding roads pass by cherry orchards, small-town markets, and lighthouses wrapped in red-leafed trees.

RV campgrounds like Peninsula State Park offer lakefront access, and there are plenty of boat launches from towns like Sister Bay and Egg Harbor. From fish boils to bakery stops, every small-town visit feels like something out of a travel magazine.

Traveling in your own RV or boat lets you linger where you want to—and skip the parts you don’t.

Flathead Lake, Montana

Best For: Big skies, alpine lakes, and uncrowded beauty

In northwest Montana, Flathead Lake stretches for 30 miles, surrounded by snow-capped peaks and trees glowing in golden hues. By October, the summer crowds are long gone, and the crisp mountain air feels like a deep breath of calm.

The lake itself is perfect for kayaking, fishing, or just floating in the silence. Campgrounds like Finley Point State Park offer direct access to the water, and the nearby towns of Bigfork and Polson offer low-key charm.

If you want fall without the chaos—this is your spot. And the best way to get there? In your own RV, financed through a trusted partner like My Financing USA.

Start Your Fall Journey with My Financing USA

This fall, don’t settle for someone else’s itinerary. Bring your own RV. Launch your own boat. Sleep under the stars, not a hotel ceiling.

At My Financing USA, we help you turn your travel goals into real plans—with fast, flexible financing for RVs and boats. Whether you’re ready to buy or just want to explore your options, we’re here to help.

Apply now and start your journey before the leaves disappear.