Fall camping can be great for the entire family. The weather is cooler and more comfortable for heat sensitive individuals. The fall comes with plenty of great activities and fall leaves can be seen far and wide adding beauty to your fall camping trip. These fall camping tips will help you make the most of your next fall camping trip.
Fall Camping Tips
What to Wear when Camping in the Fall
The trick to fall camping is packing to dress in layers. Just as the mornings and nights can be chilly, the fall days can be warm or even hot. Dress in layers allowing you to remove or put layers on as the temperature changes for your comfort.
Keep extra layers stored in space saver bags to ensure they stay dry should you need a warm dry change of clothes. We like the no vacuum ones for camping.
Warming Foods for Fall Camping
As I mentioned in my Fall Outdoor Activities for Kids article, fall camping can be a load of fun. When camping in the fall, weather can change quickly. Consequently, you’re going to want to pack warm food and drinks, like chili and cocoa or warm cider. Hot coffee, cocoa, or cider are great for warming up. Heating water for by the fire, and keeping it ready in a thermos, is a great way to quickly warm up in the morning or get warm and cozy before you settle in for the night. Nights are chilly in the fall. Serving warming foods can help take the chill off.
Fall Camp Cookware
Be sure to pack quality cooking gear with you. Bring the cast iron pots and pans with you! After you get home, keep the cast iron handy. Cast iron works in the kitchen, too. In fact, cast iron retains heat really well helping to keep your food hot long after it is cooked. As a result, you can enjoy a nice warm meal long after it is cooked.
Get off the Ground
Cold has a tendency to seep through things setting on the ground. Therefore, one of my biggest tips for camping in the fall is to get your sleeping space up off the ground. From foam pads to cots for camping, get your sleeping bag up off the ground to help keep the cold from the ground from seeping into your sleeping space. We like to use Therm-a-Rest foam sleeping mats to put under the kids sleeping bags.
I deal with chronic back pain. We use a queen size Aerobed air mattress for us. I’m not laying on the ground. LOL
Back Up Heat Source
Bring a backup heat source to help keep you comfortable at night when camping in the fall. Hand warmer packets make a great option for giving you a bit of heat to help keep you comfortable. These packets can be placed inside pockets or gloves as the night turns cool. They can also be tossed into your sleeping bag to warm them up before you fall asleep. Likewise, filling hot water bottles with boiled water and sliding them into your sleeping bag is a great way to warm the blankets up before you go to bed. However, you want to be sure to remove them before climbing in.
Keeping Mylar blankets in your fall camping gear is just smart thinking. You never know when a cold snap may surprise you in the fall, so being prepared is key.
Water Proof Your Fall Camp Tent
In many areas fall is a very rainy season. Consequently, it is important to bring plenty of gear designed to keep you warm and dry while making camp in the fall. Line the inside walls of your tent with a tarp. You can line the floor and inside roof, as well.
We like to take a portable gazebo on our camping trips. You can also use a second tent for a comfortable and dry space to relax during the day if the rain hits.
Location, Location, Location
Choose the right fall camping location. You should look for a location that will allow you to fully enjoy the fall colors while camping. A secluded location is great for when you want to avoid other people and spend time enjoying your trip by yourself or with your family. Be sure to double check the weather forecast before leaving. If possible, avoid camping in areas that see severe fall weather. Camping in southern areas that experience fall hurricane weather would not be ideal.
More Great Camping Articles
I hope you enjoyed these tips. Be sure to check out these other camping related articles while you’re here!
- Tips for Camping with Kids
- Best Kid Friendly Camping Spots in North America
- Kid Friendly Activities for Camping
- Camping and Nature Scavenger Hunt
- Kid Friendly Meals for Camping
- Must Have Camping Gear
