Top 5 Hot Spots To Enjoy This Fall

With the landscape changing colors and the cold setting in across many of our public lands and waters, take a leaf from our book and travel somewhere warm this fall. Our top five “hot spots” offer temperatures where you and your outdoor crew can shed your puffy jackets!

Escape to warmer weather!

Big Bend National Park

Texas

Big Bend National Park (April Molina-Alvarez, Share the Experience)

Located along the Rio Grande in southwest Texas, Big Bend National Park is a remote and serene escape for nature enthusiasts. Boasting comfortable fall temperatures ranging from the 50s to 80s Fahrenheit (10-27°C), this park offers a pleasant climate for exploring. Visitors can take in the views of more than 800,000 acres (323,749 ha) of stunning landscapes, including towering mountains, desert scenery, and lush river valleys. 

Whether you want to hike the trails of the Chisos Mountains, marvel at the unique rock formations in Santa Elena Canyon, or stargaze in one of the darkest night skies in the country, Big Bend National Park is a gem for those seeking adventure and natural beauty.

St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge

Florida

St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge (Wright Dobbs, Share the Experience)

Just a 30-minute drive south of Tallahassee, St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge offers a nature-filled escape along the Gulf coast. Fall temperatures are mild in the Florida Panhandle, with highs averaging 70-80°F (21-26°C) and lows between 55-65°F (13-18°C). A variety of hiking opportunities are available on the refuge, from short paths to scenic spots, miles of primitive trails, and 56 miles (90 km) of the Florida National Scenic Trail.

Completed in 1842, the St. Marks Lighthouse is the second oldest lighthouse in Florida and the oldest on the Gulf coast! Plan to stop by the keeper's quarters on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday from 11am until 3pm.

Lake Havasu

Arizona

Lake Havasu (Heather Stacy, Bureau of Land Management)

Situated among a smattering of public lands along the Colorado River, fall recreation opportunities abound around Lake Havasu. With temperatures just starting to cool off from the hot summers, fall brings blissful highs between 75-90°F (24-32°C) and lows between 50-60°F (10-16°C). If you’re planning a weekend getaway, camping, hiking, biking, boating, and OHV riding are available nearby at Lake Havasu Special Recreation Management Area and many other Bureau of Land Management areas.

Havasu National Wildlife Refuge also offers waterfowl hunting, which is permitted from October 1 – January 31.

Cabrillo National Monument

California

Cabrillo National Monument (Graham Holmes, Share the Experience)

Cabrillo National Monument, nestled in the heart of San Diego, California, is the perfect spot for a stunningly warm and sunshine-filled fall getaway with high temperatures of 71-77°F (21-25°C) and lows of 54-66°F (12-19°C). Tucked away on the coastline, hit the hiking trails to enjoy gorgeous views of the Pacific Ocean and San Diego’s harbor and skyline, explore tidepools teeming with marine wildlife, and learn about the unique history. 

Get ready to step back in time as you explore the story of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, the first European to set foot on the West Coast of the United States in 1542. The monument’s visitor center provides a glimpse of this significant historical event and is just the beginning of your adventure. 

Sonoran Desert National Monument

Arizona

Sonoran Desert National Monument (Bob Wick, Bureau of Land Management)

In southern Arizona, about 60 miles (96.6 km) south of Phoenix, a captivating expanse of unique desert landscapes and diverse wildlife awaits at the Sonoran Desert National Monument. During the fall, visitors can enjoy average temperatures ranging from the low 60s to mid-80s Fahrenheit (15-30°C). The monument features rugged trails, ancient saguaro cacti, and rich archaeological sites that tell the stories of the region's prehistoric inhabitants. If you're an avid hiker, history buff, bird watcher, or simply someone in search of serene and striking scenery, the Sonoran Desert National Monument is the place for you.

Explore Related Trips

• Scenic Trails for Fall Mountain Biking
• Vivid Fall Colors from the Great Lakes to the West Coast
• 10 States to See Stunning Fall Colors

Bring Home a Story

• Rio Grande Village Campground Big Bend National Park, Texas
• San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge California
• Wright Lake Campground Apalachicola National Forest, Florida
• Lake Havasu Shoreline Sites Lake Havasu, Arizona
• Havasu National Wildlife Refuge Waterfowl Hunt Havasu National Wildlife Refuge, Arizona
• Big Bend Backcountry Camping Big Bend National Park, Texas