A coastal storm emptied the Outer Banks this weekend, just as the Florida Panhandle started reopening after Hurricane Isaias. Out West, snow closed the high roads in the Rockies, and the Grand Canyon’s North Rim campground shut for the season.
In this issueOn the road Campgrounds in the works RV industry
Closures and roads
On the road
Cape Hatteras closes its campgrounds as a storm hits the Outer Banks
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Cape Hatteras National Seashore closed its campgrounds, off-road vehicle ramps and visitor facilities by noon on Saturday, Oct. 17, ahead of a long-lasting low-pressure system with 45–55 mph gusts, high surf, ocean overwash and coastal flooding (NPS Cape Hatteras). Dare County ordered visitors off Hatteras Island starting at 8 p.m. Friday (ABC11). As of Oct. 19, Hatteras Island is still closed to non-resident visitors, Ocracoke is unreachable because all ferries from Hatteras, Swan Quarter and Cedar Island are suspended, and all seashore campgrounds and off-road routes stay closed (NPS Cape Hatteras). Fort Raleigh and Wright Brothers National Memorial reopened at 9 a.m. on Oct. 19 (NPS Cape Hatteras).
Why it matters: If you have an Outer Banks campsite this week, don’t drive down yet. Wait for the park to announce reopenings, and check drivenc.gov for Highway 12 before you go. The park also warns that damaged oceanfront houses in Rodanthe could collapse and scatter debris along the beach.
Fort Pickens reopens for day use, but its campground stays closed
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Gulf Islands National Seashore reopened the Fort Pickens Area for day use at 9 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 18, under a boil water notice (NPS Gulf Islands). Fort Pickens Campground, the Battery Worth pavilion, Naval Live Oaks and the Okaloosa Area stay closed because of downed trees (NPS Gulf Islands). Perdido Key, Fort Barrancas and the whole Mississippi District reopened on Oct. 14, and Opal Beach reopened on Oct. 17 (NPS Gulf Islands). Campgrounds at Blackwater River, Pine Log and Point Washington state forests also remain closed (Florida Forest Service).
Why it matters: Fort Pickens is good for a beach day again, but bring your own drinking water. If you’re holding a campsite there for November, keep an eye on Recreation.gov and the park’s news page for a campground reopening date.
Winter closes the high roads in Rocky Mountain and Glacier
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Rocky Mountain closed Trail Ridge Road from Rainbow Curve to Milner Pass on Oct. 13, with temperatures in the 20s above 10,000 feet (Denver Gazette). The road usually closes for the season between mid- and late October (Denver Gazette). Moraine Park switches to winter camping at 1 p.m. today, Oct. 19, and becomes the park’s only open campground, with first-come, first-served sites at $30 a night, or $55 with electric (NPS Rocky Mountain). In Glacier, Going-to-the-Sun Road was closed from Avalanche to Logan Pass as of Oct. 17, and Rising Sun and Two Medicine campgrounds were closed (Glacier National Park Conservancy).
Why it matters: Plan Colorado crossings on I-70 instead of Trail Ridge. Moraine Park doesn’t plow campsites and has no water hookups, so bring a shovel and use the fresh-water fill near the ranger station (NPS Rocky Mountain).
North Rim campground closes; scenic drives shut until Nov. 3
The North Rim Campground closed for the season on Oct. 15 and tentatively reopens May 15, 2027 (NPS Grand Canyon). Cape Royal Road and Point Imperial Road are closed for repairs from sunset Oct. 15 to sunrise Nov. 3, though the North Rim stays open through Nov. 30 or the first major snowstorm (NPS Grand Canyon). The General Store and gas station are closed for the season, so there’s no fuel on the North Rim (NPS Grand Canyon).
Why it matters: A late-season North Rim visit is now a day trip from lodging or camping outside the park. Fill up at Jacob Lake or the North Rim Country Store before you head in.
Gas holds above $4 into late October
The AAA national average was $4.33 on Oct. 15, down a couple of cents on the week, with crude oil near $100 a barrel (AAA). The average has stayed above $4 since late July and is more than $1 higher than a year ago (AAA). It slipped to about $4.30 on Oct. 19 (AAA).
Why it matters: Budget Thanksgiving-week fuel at today’s prices, not last year’s. A long holiday tow costs noticeably more this year.
Campgrounds
Campgrounds in the works
Cumberland Island’s visitor cap could double
The National Park Service has approved raising Cumberland Island’s daily visitor limit, which has been 300 people since a 1984 plan, to as many as 600 a day (Capitol Beat News Service). The park is also proposing land swaps that would move private owners to less sensitive areas, where they could build homes of up to 4,000 square feet. Public comment closed on Oct. 16 (Capitol Beat News Service).
Why it matters: Cumberland is one of our Thanksgiving picks. More day visitors could mean a busier ferry and beach, so book your ferry and Sea Camp site together, and early.
RV industry
RV industry
Recall
Roadmaster recalls seven motorhome tow bar models
Roadmaster is recalling certain Blackhawk All Terrain, Falcon 2, Falcon All Terrain, Falcon 3HD, Liberty, Sterling and Nighthawk tow bars under NHTSA recall 26E069 (NHTSA). On bars with roll-pin holes, a loose or missing roll pin can let the T-bolt come apart, so the tow bar could separate from the hitch receiver and release the towed vehicle (Roadmaster). Roadmaster expanded the recall and asked dealers and industry partners to help reach owners (RV News).
Why it matters: If you flat-tow behind a motorhome, inspect your tow bar’s T-bolt before your next trip. One or two roll-pin holes means it’s included, so contact Roadmaster for the fix. No holes means it isn’t included (Roadmaster).
RVIA expects 2026 shipments to fall below 300,000
RVIA’s fall forecast puts 2026 wholesale shipments at about 290,000 units, down 15.3% from 342,220 in 2025, with a flat 285,000 in 2027 (RVBusiness). That would be the first year under 300,000 since 2012 (RV News). RVIA’s Craig Kirby pointed to inflation, high interest rates and fuel prices weighing on buyers (RVBusiness).
Why it matters: Fewer new rigs and cautious dealers mean leaner lots. If you’re shopping, ask dealers about leftover 2026 models.
Also this week
Yosemite’s Dome Fire reached 86% containment on Oct. 13, and trails in the fire area and the Buena Vista Trail stay closed (NPS Yosemite). Mount Rainier’s Cougar Rock and White River campgrounds are closed for the season (NPS Mount Rainier).
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Coming Wednesday: our next Where to Go picks, routed around this week’s closures →
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