Late-Season RV Camping Guide for Cooler-Weather Adventures

Airstream Basecamp in a campground in fall.

Late-Season RV Camping Tips for RV Travelers

Shoulder season offers a unique mix of mild weather, fewer crowds, and more flexibility for travelers who enjoy a quieter pace. With the right planning, November and early winter can become some of your favorite months to camp.

Just because the temperatures drop doesn’t mean your RV adventures have to. In fact, cooler weather can make for some of the most memorable trips of the year. In many places, late-season camping weather stretches well into November (and beyond). Here are a few tips to help make RV camping in cooler temps your new favorite tradition.

1. Know your region’s cold before you hit the road

Cooler weather means something different everywhere. In November, the deserts in Arizona may have low temperatures that don’t dip below 55 degrees, while in other places, overnight temperatures can hover or even drop below freezing. Before heading to the campground, check local forecasts, note your campground’s elevation, and pack what you’ll need to stay comfortable inside and outside the RV.

2. Stay flexible with RV destinations and weather conditions

Some of the best memories come from last-minute or spontaneous trips. If the weather isn’t cooperating with your camping plans, shift gears and go somewhere different. Head toward a lower elevation or snag a spot in a campground where it’s hard to get reservations during peak camping season. Fewer crowds, quiet trails, and your choice of campsites can make the experience worth repeating!

3. Plan for shorter daylight hours

Daylight fades fast during the shoulder season, especially after the time change. So, adjust your travel plans to arrive at your destination in the afternoon when the sun’s still shining. It’s easier to level, connect, and set up your campsite while you can still see. Bonus? Late-season camping makes for some of the best golden-hour sunsets, and watching them from your campsite is much better than rolling into a campground in the dark.

4. Prevent freezing by managing water connections wisely

Some campgrounds shut off or winterize their water systems once temperatures drop near freezing. Others leave it up to campers to monitor the weather and prep accordingly. If the forecast calls for a freeze, fill your onboard tank during the day and disconnect your hose at night. Using a heated hose? Make sure it’s connected to the 20-amp service, because that’s what powers the heat.

A heated hose connected to the water at an RV park.

5. Protect your RV’s water system in cold weather

If temperatures are expected to drop below freezing for a bit, a few precautions can help protect your water systems. Add a little RV-safe antifreeze to drain traps, and open cabinet doors under sinks so warm air can circulate. A small electric space heater or lamp in the water bay can also help prevent freezing during short cold snaps.

Pro tip: Keep your sewer hose disconnected until you’re ready to dump. Leaving valves open can let liquids freeze in the hose or fittings.

6. Check propane levels and onboard safety detectors

Fill your propane tank before the trip, and test your carbon monoxide, propane, and smoke detectors to ensure they are functioning correctly and have fresh batteries. The use of your furnace in cold weather burns more fuel than you’d expect, so a small electric space heater can help stretch your supply.

A Class B van tire with a portable air compressor

7. Monitor tire pressure in cold temperatures

Cold weather lowers tire pressure and affects handling. Check your RV and towing/towed vehicle’s tires before each trip and use a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) to monitor them on the road.

RV travel inspiration: shoulder season adventures on the roads less crowded

While late-season camping comes with a few practical considerations, it also brings opportunities to see familiar places in a whole new light. Cooler weather and open roads can lead to memorable experiences, especially when you’re exploring after peak season.

Our friends Patrice and Kevin McCabe, hosts of the Discovery Channel show RV There Yet?, know that the best adventures often happen on the roads less crowded. From the waterfalls of Rock Island State Park in Tennessee to the trails of Prince William County, Virginia, their fall travels remind us that sometimes the best trips happen after the crowds have gone home.

Where RV There Yet? traveled in the fall

We’re thankful for Patrice and Kevin, their crew, and the partners who help them share the RV lifestyle with the world. The McCabes recently joined Family RV Association members at the Eastern Area Rally (GEAR) at Ocean Lakes Family Campground in Myrtle Beach, a spot they love so much that they featured it in their Season 4 episode, Exploring Hidden Gems of South Carolina.

Follow Patrice and Kevin’s RV adventures into season 5

Missed them at GEAR? You can still follow along as they film Season 5 of RV There Yet? TV and gear up to join us for Changes in Latitudes — RV Beach Party, our 2026 international rally in Perry, Georgia, March 18–21, 2026.

See where our friendship and partnership with the McCabes began. Watch the Perry 2025 episode on YouTube, then follow their latest adventures at RVThereYetTV.com or on Facebook at @RVThereYetTV.

Winter RV travel weather outlook

Weather plays a big part in planning safe and enjoyable winter trips, especially if you’re traveling through regions where temperatures shift quickly. Long-range forecasts can help you choose the best routes and prepare for changing conditions before you hit the road.

Over the river and through the woods

RVers planning a road trip later this month might want to check out the 2025-2026 Winter RV Travel Weather Forecast Map from The Old Farmer’s Almanac, which provides long-range forecasts by region. Will you encounter rain, snow, or sunshine?

Planning a cold-climate road trip? Pick up some winter RVing tips from Family RVing magazine.

Featured campground: Americus KOA at Brickyard Plantation Golf Club

Americus KOA At Brickyard Plantation Golf Club

Americus, Georgia

An FRVA Commercial Member | C10443

Open year-round, this KOA campground makes a good option to take in south-central Georgia’s mild winters. Many of its full-hookup 50-amp sites are big-rig friendly. Guests can golf for free on the property’s 18-hole regulation course or try a complimentary round of foot golf or disc golf. Anglers try their hand at catch-and-release fishing at its several ponds. Campers socialize at the community fire pit and attend happy hours at the Man Cave.

For those interested in exploring nearby attractions, options include Andersonville National Historic Site and the Jimmy Carter National Historic Site. An hour away in Lumpkin, Providence Canyon State Park features Georgia’s Little Grand Canyon. Another nearby city is Perry, the site of Family RV Association’s Changes in Latitudes — RV Beach Party convention next March.

Final thoughts

Shoulder-season travel invites RVers to slow down, enjoy quieter landscapes, and make the most of cooler days on the road. With a little preparation and an open itinerary, late-season camping can become one of the most rewarding ways to explore. Wherever your travels take you next, we hope your adventures are safe, memorable, and filled with the spirit of the season.

About the authors

Robbin Gould and Meagan Butler are part of the Family RV Association communications team, working together to create helpful, engaging content for RVers across the U.S. and Canada. Robbin is a longtime editor and storyteller who brings clarity, consistency, and polish to every piece she works on. Meagan is an experienced RV owner, writer, and photographer who enjoys sharing practical tips and inspiration from her years on the road. Together, they combine field experience and editorial expertise to support RVers as they learn, travel, and explore.

Late-Season RV Camping Guide: How to Enjoy Cooler Weather and Fewer Crowds