Spooky Season on the Road: Pumpkins, Costumes & Campfire Magic

Happy spooky season! 🎃

On the podcast this week, Tasha got to dive into one of her favorite topics with the two Jens: enjoying the colorful fall season on the road. Fall is hands-down Tasha’s favorite time of year. The air gets crisp, the sweaters come out, and suddenly everything smells like apple cider and pumpkin spice.

“Fall has all my favorite smells and sounds.” Sounds? “I’m the girl chasing crunchy leaves down the sidewalk just to hear them crack under my feet!”

She was so excited to share what she thinks makes fall the most magical time of the year, especially when taking it all in outside of a sticks-and-bricks home.

Not Just the Spooky

We know skeletons and haunted houses aren’t everyone’s bag of candy, and we also know that’s the beauty of RV life. RVers get to create the fall they want, spooky or not. Tasha’s family loves a spooky fall. She has a different Halloween shirt for every day in October, and they started their scary movie marathon in September this year. Jennifer celebrates Halloween out of duty to her teens, but Jenn’s family doesn’t partake in the creepy. Every RVer is different.

On today’s episode, your three co-hosts began by exploring some of their favorite traditions that focus more on the season and less on the scares, like:

• Visiting pumpkin patches and apple orchards
• Taking hayrides and wandering corn mazes
• Sipping hot cider and munching on cider donuts
• Checking out local harvest festivals and craft fairs
• And so much more

Roadschooling Through the Seasons

Fall is also one of the best roadschooling seasons. Science lessons pop up everywhere: watching leaves change colors, stargazing under new skies, or learning about migration patterns and hibernation habits of birds and animals. Math sneaks in while baking pies (edible fractions for the win!). And history and art come alive at seasonal Renaissance fairs, music festivals, and Comic-Cons across the country.

Community and Campground Fun

One of the highlights of full-time travel is learning how different regions celebrate the fall season. Campgrounds go all-out with trunk-or-treat events, costume contests (even for pets), and themed weekends. Some campgrounds, like Aspen Ridge RV Park in Colorado or Firefly Hills in Kentucky, take it to the next level with multi-day festivals. These aren’t just parties — they’re community builders where kids make friends and adults finally get that deep campfire conversation we’ve been craving.

Why It’s Special This Year

We’re extra excited because Tasha will be getting her spook on at the Halloween and Día de los Muertos Gathering at Firefly Hills RV Park in Kentucky. Not only is it packed with activities for every age and activity level (murder mystery dinner and underground kayaking, anyone?!), but it also includes a community ofrenda — a beautiful tribute to loved ones who’ve passed on. It’s meaningful, celebratory, and a reminder that spooky season is about connection as much as it is about costumes.

But don’t worry. There will also be costumes.

Tasha got an opportunity to talk with Tonja Lesmeister from Firefly Hills about their fantastic fall event and inclusive campground, and you can hear their whole conversation during this episode.

To learn how to get one of the 15 exclusive spots at Firefly Hills for the Halloween and Día de los Muertos Gathering, visit FireflyHillsKentucky.com. But, hurry! Spots are going fast!

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re a pumpkin-patch-and-pies person or you lean into the ghouls and ghosts of it all, fall on the road is something special. It’s about slowing down, breathing in that smoky campfire air, and celebrating in whatever way makes your family happy.

So, pull out your sweaters, stock up on cider, and make this spooky season one to remember. And if you visit Firefly Hills, look for Tasha. She’ll be the one in costume running around like a chicken drunk on apple cider, chasing crunchy leaves. 😉 (Maybe she can borrow Frank’s chicken costume to make the image complete.)

This episode drops on Sept. 8. Can’t handle the suspense? You don’t have to! Unlock the ultimate fan experience and join our EXCLUSIVE, ULTRA-LIMITED Firelight Founders tier of the Campfire Crew at Patreon!

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