This part of the United States offers an abundance of unforgettable scenery, historic landmarks, and fun attractions, especially when the calendar turns to autumn.
By Scott Russell, F505257
September/October 2024
As the summer heat fades and the crisp autumn air begins to settle in, the Midwest transforms into a breathtaking landscape of vibrant colors and picturesque scenery. For RVers, fall is the perfect time to hit the road and explore some of the region’s most stunning destinations. From South Dakota to Missouri, Wisconsin to Iowa, exceptional experiences await.
Are you dreaming of cool autumn nights and campfires aglow while surrounded by stunning fall foliage? Autumn is our family’s favorite time to hit the road in our RV. Not only are the summer crowds gone, but the comfortable weather is just right for outdoor exploration. Here are some of our top picks for places to visit in the fall.
Branson, Missouri
Silver Dollar City boasts family-friendly rides and events.
Although this top fall RV pick is in our home state, it’s still one of our favorites, even after traveling in 42 states. Why? The Ozark Mountains are one of the best places to view fall foliage in the United States, and you will never run out of fun things to do in this family-friendly destination.
While Branson is a great place to visit any time of year, the scenery and harvest vibes come alive during autumn. This town is known for live shows and offers something of interest to just about everyone, but it really shines with family-oriented activities.
Nearby Silver Dollar City is consistently rated one of the top amusement parks in the U.S., and when you visit, it’s easy to understand why. Most rides are family friendly as compared to other parks that cater to thrill-seekers. The food is incredible and very unexpected for a theme park. While this amusement park always features craftsman demonstrations, additional seasonal offerings are presented as well. In September and October, the Harvest Festival celebrates autumn with special food, shows, and carved pumpkins everywhere you look. One highlight is Cowboy Camp, featuring chuckwagon cooking demonstrations and a daily face-off between “cookies,” with park guests sampling their dishes and selecting a winner.
Dolly Parton’s Stampede, a dinner show, stars horses and trick riders.
Branson, Missouri, is often referred to as the Live Entertainment Capital of the World, with shows ranging from country music to comedy and magic. Our family’s top pick is Dolly Parton’s Stampede. This live dinner show with horses is always a favorite among kids. I still have a cowboy-boot-shaped drink cup from the first time I went to this show as a youngster. Now, our daughter has her own matching boot cup from an RV trip to Branson.
Looking for the best places to view fall foliage in Branson? Take a boat ride on Table Rock Lake. Or consider hopping aboard the Branson Scenic Railway for a daytime or dinner train excursion (plus a “Polar Express” trip in November and December). A great drive to take while you are in town is the Highway 165 Scenic Overlook. This 22-mile loop along State Route 165 takes about 40 minutes and offers many vantage points perfect for leaf peeping.
At Shepherd of the Hills Adventure Park, Inspiration Tower offers sweeping Ozarks views.
Don’t miss a stop at Inspiration Tower, located at Shepherd of the Hills Adventure Park, where you can ascend 230 feet for a bird’s-eye view of the Ozark Mountains. If you have thrill-seekers along for your trip, the Vigilante Extreme ZipRider offers an exhilarating zip-line experience while visiting the tower.
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Branson, Missouri
explorebranson.com
In the Black Hills, artistry is carved into rock at Mount Rushmore.
Black Hills, South Dakota
The Black Hills of South Dakota are a delightful mix of natural beauty and history. They’re one of those hidden gems that had not been on our family’s radar but immediately blew us away when we visited. The region’s diverse landscape, from towering granite peaks to sprawling forests, provides a variety of intriguing vistas for outdoor lovers. Hiking, biking, and scenic drives are popular activities, with the changing leaves providing a stunning backdrop. Cooler temperatures and fewer tourists also make fall an ideal time to visit.
One of the most iconic stops in the Black Hills is Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Fall is an especially pleasant time to walk the Presidential Trail, with colorful foliage surrounding the stone monument that features the sculpted faces of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. Don’t miss sticking around for the nightly show, which was our family’s favorite part; an inspirational program presented by park rangers from late May through the end of September concludes with the lighting of the memorial. The sculpture itself is illuminated nightly year-round.
The Crazy Horse Memorial.
Nearby, the Crazy Horse Memorial — which has been called the world’s largest mountain carving — is another must-see stop. This work in progress, which Korczak Ziolkowski began in 1947, will depict the Oglala Lakota warrior leader Crazy Horse.
Although Badlands National Park doesn’t offer an abundance of fall foliage, it is the perfect place to adventure in cooler weather. Another benefit of dropping temperatures is the chance to view more active wildlife. The Badlands were alive with squeaking prairie dogs and majestic bighorn sheep during our fall visit.
Custer State Park hosts the Buffalo Roundup each September.
In our opinion, Custer State Park is one of the most exciting state parks in the nation. It offers one-of-a-kind scenic drives and roaming wild buffalo. In fact, if your trip falls in late September, you may be able to catch the annual Buffalo Roundup, where you can watch cowboys and cowgirls round up approximately 1,300 of the creatures. It’s a large enough herd that onlookers can feel the ground shake! Whether you simply drive through the park or spend a day exploring, Custer State Park absolutely must be on your fall South Dakota travel bucket list.
Picturesque drives abound in the Black Hills area.
The Black Hills are especially famous for their unique scenic drives. These epic and exciting roadways are even more spectacular with the changing leaves throughout the fall season. Please note that many of the scenic routes in this area are not RV friendly and should be navigated with a towed or towing vehicle. Always verify with an RV-specific GPS before planning routes with an oversized vehicle.
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Black Hills, South Dakota
blackhillsbadlands.com
Best Scenic Black Hills Drives For Fall Foliage
1.
Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway
Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway: Approximately 20 miles long, this route along U.S. 14A is renowned for its stunning fall colors and dramatic limestone cliffs.
2.
Needles Highway: This 14-mile drive within Custer State Park offers breathtaking views of the unique rock formations and vibrant fall foliage. (No RVs.)
3.
Iron Mountain Road: Also located within Custer State Park, this 17-mile route is known for its pigtail bridges and tunnels and provides excellent leaf-peeping opportunities. (No RVs.)
Door County, Wisconsin
Door County is perched on a peninsula between Green Bay and Lake Michigan.
Autumn is a great time to visit this secret jewel of the Midwest. Located on a picturesque peninsula in Wisconsin that juts out into Lake Michigan, Door County offers a perfect blend of natural beauty and charming small-town atmosphere. During the fall, the region comes alive with vibrant colors, crisp air, and a host of seasonal activities.
There is nothing quite like soaking in the local vibes of a destination by attending a festival. During autumn, you are in luck with many fall events that take place in small towns throughout the peninsula. For example, check out the Fall Lighthouse Festival in early October, which features the area’s historic lighthouses, or the Sturgeon Bay Harvest Fest in late September.
Lautenbach’s operates a market and bakery, and offers wine and cider tastings.
Jump into the swing of fall with a visit to local orchards. Check out Lautenbach’s Orchard Country Winery & Market or Seaquist Orchards to pick your own apples and pumpkins. We couldn’t get enough of the incredible local cheeses and other products offered in this area as well. And since Door County is famous for its cherries, we also enjoyed many unique cherry-flavored wines. Every foodie can find something to enjoy here!
A particular highlight for visitors are the 11 historic Door County lighthouses. The easiest to access year-round are the Baileys Harbor Range Lights, Eagle Bluff Lighthouse, and Cana Island Lighthouse. Exploring lighthouses was our family’s favorite activity during a visit to this area.
The county’s historic lighthouses include a beacon on Cana Island.
If you are looking for the top spots to view fall foliage in Door County, consider taking a leisurely drive along the Door County Coastal Byway to soak in the picturesque landscapes. Or go for a hike in Peninsula State Park, also a popular camping spot. This one-of-a-kind park offers a lookout tower as well as many trails with bluff views to soak up the scenery. Add quaint Door County to your fall travel list!
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Door County, Wisconsin
doorcounty.com
Winterset, Iowa
Winterset’s covered bridges are celebrated with a festival each fall.
Iowa may not be the first place to come to mind when you think of epic U.S. destinations for fall foliage, but it holds a special place for being one of the most unique. Have you seen the 1995 movie The Bridges Of Madison County? The covered bridges pictured in this film are located within the charming town of Winterset. Not only are these iconic historic structures fun to explore, but they also look especially beautiful set amongst a colorful autumn backdrop. In fact, the whole town celebrates in the fall with the annual Covered Bridge Festival, which features live music, crafts, food vendors, and guided tours of the bridges. Make sure to grab a map during your visit to easily locate the covered bridges in the area.
The John Wayne Birthplace & Museum chronicles the actor’s life and career.
Winterset is also the birthplace of actor John Wayne. You can visit the John Wayne Birthplace & Museum while in town. Tour Wayne’s four-room childhood home and an adjacent building that displays an array of artifacts, including movie posters, scripts, sculptures, artwork, and more.
Winterset’s many parks and trails provide ample opportunities for outdoor activities, which are perfect in the cooler fall weather. If you are looking for additional locations for scenic fall foliage, check out the trails and Middle River views in Pammel Park, which offers camping. For a stunning view of the Middle River Valley, head to the top of the 1926 Clark Tower, a three-story limestone structure that resembles a castle and is located in Winterset City Park.
MORE INFO
Winterset, Iowa/Madison County
traveliowa.com/cities/winterset-iowa/590
exploremadisoncounty.com
The Midwest offers a wealth of incredible destinations for fall RV adventures. From the vibrant colors of the Ozark Mountains in Branson and the Black Hills’ rugged beauty to the historic lighthouse charm of Door County and Winterset’s historic covered bridges, all of these areas promise unforgettable fall memories. So, pack up your RV, hit the road, and discover the magic of fall in the Midwest. Where will you head first?