We're from UK and spent a happy five weeks exploring Grand Canyon, Arches, Bryce, Zion and Yosemite in a Cruise America C25 last summer.We've been thinking of exploring New England next Fall (2015) and hiring a Cruise America van out of New Haven and doing a more-or-less triangular trip via Burlington and Portland some time from about 21st September to 12th October. Giving ourselves three weeks in the RV.We've been put off a bit by some of the things we've read on other sites about this area not being ideal RV country but we really enjoy the freedom the RV provides. We also enjoy the less formal camp grounds. Are there likely to be enough of these informal (state park type) camp grounds open at this time of year and would we need to book ahead?We would welcome suggestions and observations from Good Sam members.

If you check I think most of the CGs are still open for the color season. They don't like to miss money. You may also want to throw in a little bit of the Canadian Maritimes. There is a lot there also. Colors on the trees is a very unpredictable thing. Sometimes it comes a little later than usual. You may have to plan on getting North and then working your way South with the color. If the CGs are closed there is usually a Wal-Mart nearby or some other place you can fit. If you can't find a place I would stop at a Police station and ask. They may know where it is safe to park.

I was stationed at Fort Devens, Mass. in 1983-1984 and spent every free moment I had exploring the New England area. I visited several of the state parks and every one of them was absolutely wonderful, and beautiful. I did not have a camper then, and did not camp in any of the parks, but did enjoy swimming and hiking.Doing a very quick search on Vermont, Maine, Mass, New Hampshire, and Connecticut, there is no shortage of State Parks. Just do a quick Google Search (Main Camping, Vermont Camping, etc), and there will be links to Reserve America as well as links to the official state DNR camping web site. Not to mention, a multitude of private campgrounds that will come up.I'm not so sure about the time frame they are open though. Most state parks are open all year long. And you can camp all year through. They just turn the water off after a certain date. For this, you'd need to check with each campground for their dates.Fall in the New England area is marvelous! Dress warm. It does get chilly.

It would be wise to book ahead during leaf peeping season. Campgrounds and most other lodging fill up pretty fast that time of year.Some state parks and all commercial CGs close in early to mid October, especially in the north, so that's another reason to reserve your space.The color starts in the north and works its way south. Usually starts in late September but the date varies with the weather.Hope you have a great trip.

You'll want to do your homework for sure and book ahead of time. We live in southern New England and hit state parks quite a bit. Many in this region are open until the weekend after Labor Day, with a few open until Columbus day or a little beyond. Prime spots in the fall will book out quite a ways in advance for weekends (you shouldn't have a problem getting sites mid week, though), so hop on to the internet as soon as you can for reservations. CT and NH are on reserveamerica.com and VT has their own online booking. I believe ME has their own online booking as well, but we've stayed at a private CG when we have been there near Acadia NP. Don't forget to look for Corps of Engineers camgrounds as well on recreation.gov, there are some good ones in the region!

Definitely get reservations. Many places do close right around Columbus day (October 12 this year), and some earlier. Also be prepared for quite unpredictable weather; it may be warm and summery, or it may be cold and very occasionally even snowy.I'm not sure quite what "ideal RV country" is, but there are plenty of people who manage to camp around here, and have a great time doing so. There are a handful of roads that one should avoid with an RV (for example, traversing Smuggler's Notch), but a whole lot of loveliness to be seen. It seems ideal enough around here for me...perhaps excepting the dead of winter.

New England in the Fall | Good Sam Community

Gjac
Explorer III
Jan 21, 2015
I think the fall is the best time to visit New England. It depends on what you like to do but if you rent a Class C in New Haven Ct. Austin Hawes CG on the Farmington river is nice as well as the Housatonic Meadows CG both in CT. A drive up RT 100 in Vt is also nice. The Kangamugus Hwy(RT 112) in NH is beautiful as well as some hikes right off the hwy are also nice. Most CG.s close after Columbus Day but some stay open all year. The Fryburg fair is going on at that time and you can camp right on the grounds for $20/night. At trip up RT 16 to Mt Washington is also a nice drive and there is a nice NFS CG(Dolly Copp) right there also. All these CG's are about $20 per night if you like to dry camp. If not there are a number of FHU CG,s in and around Conway right on the Saco river that are nice but you will need reservations for those. Enjoy your trip hope this helps.
bukhrn
Explorer III
Jan 21, 2015
Tvov wrote:
A neat place to check out in Connecticut is Gillette Castle State Park. No campsites there, but nearby campgrounds. William Gillette, who made his name acting as Sherlock Holmes, built a cool little "castle" over looking the Connecticut River. Great, easy walks around the wooded grounds.

Acadia National Park up in Maine is great. You should double check on dates for the campgrounds in that area. Blackwoods Campground in the park is a great, no hookup campground.

I am a little confused by "New England is not great for RV'ing"... I have no idea what that means, since this is pretty much the only place we camp in our RV! (technically, our Travel Trailer)
I must have missed this quote, but I agree with Tvov, the parts of New England that we were in were great for RV'ing.
DrewE
Explorer II
Jan 19, 2015
MIke and Sue wrote:
Thank you all.

...

If we decided to pick up the RV at New Haven, would we find a camp ground close enough in to Boston to allow us to explore the city using public transport - or would we be better exploring Boston first and then picking up an RV?

IMHO you would be better off to explore Boston first and then get the RV. I suspect the extra rental costs plus campground costs would be no less than a reasonable hotel, and a hotel would be more convenient. It's not as though you'd be using your rental for much more than a hotel room anyway.
Tvov
Explorer II
Jan 19, 2015
A neat place to check out in Connecticut is Gillette Castle State Park. No campsites there, but nearby campgrounds. William Gillette, who made his name acting as Sherlock Holmes, built a cool little "castle" over looking the Connecticut River. Great, easy walks around the wooded grounds.

Acadia National Park up in Maine is great. You should double check on dates for the campgrounds in that area. Blackwoods Campground in the park is a great, no hookup campground.

I am a little confused by "New England is not great for RV'ing"... I have no idea what that means, since this is pretty much the only place we camp in our RV! (technically, our Travel Trailer)
MIke_and_Sue
Explorer
Jan 19, 2015
Thank you all.
We've been put off the idea of RVing by responses we've had to a thread on Trip Advisor but you've rekindled our enthusiasm. We just love the freedom RVs provide.
We're thinking of hiring a C25 - possibly out of Boston.
The White Mountain loop sounds like a "must" and we want to cut across to Killington via Hanover and then head north via Burlington and then down to Sherman.
If we decided to pick up the RV at New Haven, would we find a camp ground close enough in to Boston to allow us to explore the city using public transport - or would we be better exploring Boston first and then picking up an RV?
bukhrn
Explorer III
Jan 14, 2015
Is there something holding your interest specifically to that itinerary, Hartford, Burlington, Portland ? Reason is, I'm sure you could rent something in the Boston area, which is a great place for the history, (unless you still hold a grudge) :B Sorry I couldn't help myself.
But from there you can head up the coast to Acadia National Park which is an awesome place, then over to New Hampshire in the White Mountain Area, also great, this year we hit Boston on the 15th of Sept. & after making the loop through Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont & Plattsburgh, NY and back to Va. by the 9th of Oct.
It's a great area, I know you'll love it.
PghBob
Explorer
Jan 13, 2015
Hi and welcome back. We have stayed at Camden State Park in Maine, which sits up on a hill. You can do some hiking and get beautiful views of the ocean. The park is not far from Camden Maine, so you can take a quick drive into town for some "fancy" dining if you wish. Our family would definitely stay there again. We have also stayed at a private campground in Glen New Hampshire, about 45 minutes south of Mt. Washington, the windiest point (on top of the mt.) in the US. You can take a cog railway up to the top if the weather permits. Also of interest nearby is the hotel where the Bretton Woods agreement was signed establishing monetary policy between countries after World War II. I agree with the other posts encouraging you to make sure the campgrounds will be open, and book early.
We_Cant_Wait
Explorer
Jan 13, 2015
Yes definitely book ahead for our Columbus Day weekend (Oct 10-12)this is the MAJOR leaf viewing weekend up in New England. Most if not all campground will close right after usually by the 15th of Oct.
tenbear
Explorer
Jan 13, 2015
DrewE wrote:
I'm not sure quite what "ideal RV country" is, but there are plenty of people who manage to camp around here, and have a great time doing so. There are a handful of roads that one should avoid with an RV (for example, traversing Smuggler's Notch), but a whole lot of loveliness to be seen. It seems ideal enough around here for me...perhaps excepting the dead of winter.

X2, except the dead of winter can be great if you are a skier. :B
DrewE
Explorer II
Jan 13, 2015
Definitely get reservations. Many places do close right around Columbus day (October 12 this year), and some earlier. Also be prepared for quite unpredictable weather; it may be warm and summery, or it may be cold and very occasionally even snowy.

I'm not sure quite what "ideal RV country" is, but there are plenty of people who manage to camp around here, and have a great time doing so. There are a handful of roads that one should avoid with an RV (for example, traversing Smuggler's Notch), but a whole lot of loveliness to be seen. It seems ideal enough around here for me...perhaps excepting the dead of winter.