Fall Returns, Recalls and Rule Changes: Big Sur, Scotty’s Castle and Zion.

Where to go

Fall trips worth taking this week

Big Sur is back: Highway 1 is open and Pfeiffer Big Sur reopens Oct. 16

By Oct. 9, officials had lifted the fire closure on Highway 1, so you can drive the coast between Carmel and Cambria again. Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park reopens Oct. 16 with its campground, Big Sur Lodge, the River Path and the Redwood Grove Boardwalk (AFAR).

Still closed: Pfeiffer Falls, Valley View, Oak Grove, Mount Manuel, Big Sur River Gorge and Pine Ridge trails (AFAR). The Timber Fire burned 25,352 acres and was 97% contained, and all 189 campsites are reopening (The Mercury News).

Road tip: One-way traffic control at Mud Creek runs through Nov. 13, with delays of up to 10 minutes (The Californian). Check Caltrans QuickMap before you go.

Red rock, gold leaves: the Southwest’s fall color peaks now

The Oct. 15 forecast puts Bryce Canyon and Black Canyon of the Gunnison at peak on Oct. 17, with the best viewing Oct. 16–19. Badlands also peaks Oct. 17, and Redwood peaks Oct. 19 (More Than Just Parks).

Next up: Mesa Verde peaks around Oct. 21 and Petrified Forest around Oct. 22 (More Than Just Parks). In canyon country, look for gold cottonwoods and aspens against the red rock.

South Lake Tahoe is Expedia’s No. 1 destination for 2027

Expedia’s Unpack ’27 list ranks South Lake Tahoe first for 2027, with searches up 195% year over year. Sedona, at +55%, is the only other U.S. destination on the list (Expedia). The ranking combines search data with a survey of 26,000 travelers (Travel + Leisure).

Why go now: fall is a quiet window between the summer crowds and ski season.

Zion’s east entrance road reopens after a rockfall

On Sept. 30, a large rock formation collapsed onto the Zion–Mt. Carmel Highway. Visitor access reopened Oct. 9. Crews have laid temporary gravel, and the park plans to repave soon (NPS Zion).

RV note: Slow down on the gravel stretch and check the park’s tunnel rules for large vehicles before you go.

Grand Canyon: which rim this month?

The North Rim’s modified fall operations started Oct. 15. Cape Royal Road and Point Imperial Road are closed for repairs from sunset Oct. 15 to sunrise Nov. 3 (NPS Grand Canyon). You can comment on the North Rim’s long-term recovery through Nov. 6 (NPS Grand Canyon).

Grand Canyon’s fall color is forecast to peak around Oct. 21, with the best viewing Oct. 20–23 (More Than Just Parks). This month, the South Rim is the easier pick.

Overland Expo East, Oct. 23–25 in Virginia

The expo brings 200+ exhibitors and 260+ classes to Oak Ridge Estate in Arrington, Va. Forest and Premium camping are already sold out (Overland Expo). A Friday day pass costs $28, and parking is $10 a day (Overland Expo). Campers must use propane or gas stoves; no wood or charcoal fires (Overland Expo).

Make it a trip: Shenandoah is close by, and its color is forecast to peak around Oct. 20 (More Than Just Parks).

Scotty’s Castle grounds tours return to Death Valley

Guided exterior tours run most Saturdays and Sundays from Oct. 10 through April 17, and small groups can book private weekday tours (National Park Service). The castle has been closed since a 2015 flash flood, and the earliest full reopening is November 2028 (8 News Now). Standard tours cost $35, and last winter’s tours sold out in days (The Mercury News).

Bonus free hike: Indiana Dunes waived the entrance fee for the Douglas Center Loop and Paul H. Douglas Trail at Miller Woods in Gary (National Park Service).

Recalls and rule changes

Check before you tow or fly