海角大神

Shoulder season is prime time for frugal travelers, whether you鈥檙e indulging in leaf peeping at Maine鈥檚聽Acadia National Park or taking an October jaunt to Monterey to watch the humpback whales. Autumn聽travel means fewer crowds than summer, better weather than winter, and big savings on vacation聽costs鈥攊f you鈥檙e willing to do your homework.

Here are four thrifty reasons to travel during shoulder season:

1. National Parks are a LOT聽less crowded.

Many of the parks鈥� lodges and other concessions offer聽discounts for traveling once summer is over. For example, Washington鈥檚聽聽has a variety of lodges near its gorgeous lakes and rugged Pacific Coast. Our favorite autumn聽deal? The聽, for those who love to watch a good聽storm kicking up on the coast.

2. Fall festivals mean more fun for your vacation dollars.

Many fall festivals are free to attend! Autumn聽music, art and craft festivals add inexpensive flavor to your shoulder season vacation. Be sure to聽check local events calendars for your destination. Mount Airy, North Carolina鈥檚聽聽charges no entrance fee and features bluegrass, gospel and old-time music, as well as聽artisans from all over the country. You鈥檒l also be about an hour and a half from聽, so be sure to save some time to visit the Smokies.

3. Vacation lodgings in areas with four seasons cater to shoulder season travelers.

Hotels, B&Bs,聽campgrounds and condo rentals all need to fill their calendars, so check for special rates as you聽plan your trip.聽, on the border of聽聽near聽Estes, Colorado, offers a winter pass beginning October 18 that saves travelers $250 on five weekdays鈥� lodging. If you haven鈥檛 seen RMNP in the fall or winter, you鈥檙e in for a special treat!

4. RV and auto rentals may also be cheaper after summer is over.

Make sure to check聽for special autumn聽rates before you rent. (Tip: ask about one-way rental specials if you鈥檇 like to fly home after your聽trip.)聽聽offers special RV rental deals year-round, and聽聽currently has聽.

The leaves are turning, the birds are migrating and it鈥檚 time for bargain-minded travelers to plan some聽time away. Bring an extra sweater and plan to play cool weather golf鈥攖he discounted greens fees and聽uncrowded courses will make this your favorite season. Walk a rocky beach and then go back to the聽lodge for cocoa by the fire. Learn a mountain dance or two at a folk and bluegrass festival. Take a聽ranger-led hike in search of elk in heart of a national park.

Start planning your trip now, thrifty travelers. There鈥檚 so much to enjoy about shoulder season, and the聽extra savings will make it even more memorable.

Joe Laing聽is the Marketing Director for聽, a nationwide RV rental company. He has been on聽the road working within the travel industry for over 20 years, and greatly enjoys the outdoors. Joe has聽been camping across the United States, exploring its vast countryside, and finding the best travel deals聽along the way.