Take a Fall Road Trip

October 4, 2017
GoCamp • GoCamp Places

Do you hear that? The soft sounds of autumn are whispering, “Come find me.” Fall in love with the open road, and celebrate the magic of the equinox one mile at a time. GoCamp has the wheels you need to take you on your fall road trip! We’ll take care of everything from bedding to kitchenware and every detail in between. All you need to bring are your coziest fall layers, and your favorite pumpkin-spiced snacks, naturally.

Here are our top Fall road trip destinations in your favorite camper van rental!

Pillars of Rome, Oregon

Along the arid edge of US Route 95 in Eastern Oregon stand 100 foot clay cliffs, an impressive five miles in length, and two miles across. As the sun lowers its cast, the play of light on the Pillars of Rome is stunning.

Roll down the windows to let the crisp high desert air envelop you in its sagebrush sweetness. Tour the Owyhee Canyonlands or explore Jordan Craters. Maybe even hike Leslie Gulch. And when you are done, make sure you stop at the Rome Station for a fill-up and maybe a cheeseburger. Because out here the skies may be wide, but the pit stops are few.

Trailing of the Sheep Festival, Idaho

Rated as one of the Top Ten Fall Festivals, the Trailing of the Sheep Festival celebrates Idaho’s rich sheep culture. The festival includes everything from fiber arts workshops to sheep dog trials. Great music and food are consistently flowing, and the colors of autumn brilliantly glowing. Idaho’s fall foliage display is an event in its own right. So take your time meandering and making memories as you roll along in a GoCamp van.

There are many nearby camping options. See the Trailing of the Sheep website for nearby campground suggestions.

Big Sur Food and Wine Festival, California

The only reason anyone ever needs to road trip to Big Sur is, well, it’s Big Sur! Misty morning cruising along the coastline will fill the memory tank to the brim. Big Sur has developed a reputation of almost mythical proportions.

Enjoy the food, art, and music that the festival has to offer. Then grab a bottle to go and head back to the campground to enjoy the cool breeze of California autumn. All while wrapped in the homey comforts of a GoCamp camper van.

Steens Loop, Oregon

Steens Mountain is nothing short of a geologic wonder. But because it’s several hours from a major town or city, it’s blissfully free from crowds. Resembling a small mountain range, Steens Mountain is an impressive 30 mile fault block that tops out at about 9,734 feet.

It brims with quaking aspen and is dotted with small, still lakes that wait like poetry beneath early morning mists. From Frenchglen, traverse the southern end of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. Cruise along the Wild and Scenic Donner und Blitzen River. Before reaching the rim of the mountain, pull over for jaw-dropping views at Kiger Gorge, home to a herd of wild mustangs. At the East Rim Viewpoint, you can see the remarkable playa of the Alvord Desert a mile below. Capture the changing colors of fall with hikes in Big Indian Gorge and Little Blitzen Gorge. Then, return to the High Desert Discovery Scenic Byway to wrap up the loop.

Mt Angel Oktoberfest, Oregon

Mt. Angel Oktoberfest always starts the second Thursday after Labor Day. It happens right around the time the hops harvest is in. But it is still early enough to delight in the agreeable temperatures of early Oregon autumn. Park and camp at multiple overnight spots in Mt. Angel for a convenient strolling commute between the libations of the lively festival.

Nearby Silver Falls dazzles in red alder and captivates in a coat of vine maple. Hike the Trail of Ten Falls with raincoat at the ready just in case, and camera in hand. Take a morning drive through the rolling hills out to the Oregon Garden in nearby Silverton to stroll. Or go geocaching! We hear it's a good spot for that. You can also tour the Gordon House, designed by the late, great Frank Lloyd Wright.

Mt Hood Fruit Loop, Oregon

Cruise and nosh your way along the Mt. Hood Scenic Loop. Nab the catch of the day at Brigham Fish Market in Cascade Locks. Or sip cider at Draper Girls Country Farm. You’ll find more pretty places to ponder in and around the Mt. Hood / Columbia River Gorge region than perhaps any place on earth.

An exaggeration? We honestly don’t think so. The Fruit Loop is a fun route during peak harvest season. You can fill your baskets with fresh-picked fruit and then whip up something delicious with your harvest once back in your van.

South Lake Tahoe, California

Oh, Tahoe. Your vibrant blue and white-capped waves on the lake are magic. Your hues and views along the Truckee River Canyon always impress. You are the mini marshmallows to our hot chocolate. You are the stuff road trip dreams are made of. During peak travel times, the roads that wend around the basin can be stoppered with summer’s visitors. But in the fall, the pace begins to slow. The crowds dissipate.

In the fall, Lake Tahoe is a great place to watch the colors change. You can see some of the best fall colors along Highway 89. Follow the Truckee River Canyon from South Lake Tahoe to Truckee. Stay in South Lake Tahoe for a more vibrant evening community and active things to do. Stay closer to Truckee for a more relaxed community and small-town feel.

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