Complete Guide to Camping in Fall

The Best Time to go Camping

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Nature needs to be admired by us all, and what better way to truly tune in and love it than to go camping. This outdoor activity may seem scary at first, but it is so much fun. You really don’t want to miss out on all the fun camping has to offer. Especially fall camping!

When the leaves start to change color, the temperatures begin cooling, and life seems to slow down a little is the time you need to pack your bags and find a campsite to call home. Fall is the best time to go camping!

But before you pack your bags and hit the road, let’s go over some basics to have a successful fall camping trip. From how to stay warm camping in a tent to fun fall camping activities, we’ll cover all the details below!

Fall: The Best Time to go Camping

There is no doubt in my mind when I tell you that fall is the best time to go camping. Getting to be outside with nature while the leaves change colors and paint the landscapes, the temperatures cool, and life calms down is one of the best feelings in the world. What better way to fully enjoy fall foliage than camping!

Fall is the best time to go camping because it’s the perfect temperature for sleeping in a tent, for hiking, and for other fun fall camping activities. If you enjoy hiking as well, then you definitely want to plan a fall camping trip.

It is often the perfect temperature to comfortably hike all day without overheating or freezing to the bone. Plus, fall colors are gorgeous and animals thrive in cool autumn weather making for fun sightings. Cooler weather is perfect for hiking with dogs as well! They overheat much easier than people, so hiking in fall is perfect for them.

Generally, campgrounds won't be super busy in fall either. Many people have kids in school or a busy work schedule that won't allow them time for camping. Some people think it's too cold for camping fall, but if you bring the right stuff, you'll have a great time! Keep reading to find out what you need to stay warm.

How to Stay Warm Camping in a Tent

While fall weather is perfect for camping and hiking, it can cool down a lot at night. In order to stay comfortable and sleep well, we’re going to go over the basics on how to stay warm while camping in a tent. The most important part is investing in a quality sleeping bag.

With a quality sleeping bag, one designed specifically for cool weather, you will stay warm while tent camping. Another great tip for staying warm for fall camping is wearing warm pajamas. We both sleep in pants and a t-shirt when we go fall camping as it usually gets really chilly in the middle of the night through the early morning.

Read Also: Camping Necessities Checklist

I also suggest bringing a sweatshirt and socks into your tent and stuffing them at the bottom of your sleeping bag so they stay warm. When you wake up to a brisk morning air, putting on a warm sweatshirt and a pair of socks will make it so much easier to get out of bed!

If it gets really chilly where you are camping in fall, you can also bring extra blankets with you. Having an extra layer of warmth in your sleeping bag makes a huge difference, and you can also line your tent with blankets for insulation if you have things to hang them up with (like inside poles or hooks).

P.S. If you're camping in fall with your dog, make sure they stay warm in the tent too! We always put a sweater on our 30 lb mutt as she has a short coat and gets chilly at night. We also bring an extra blanket just for her so she doesn't get ours all smelly.

Read Also: Dog Camping Necessities

Fall Camping Activities

Want to enjoy the autumn weather to its fullest while you're fall camping? Add some of these fall camping activities to your itinerary. Spending time outside in fall is a must do. Don’t just stay in your tent, get outside and admire all that nature has to offer.

Hiking

The number one fall camping activity is hiking. The temps are great for physical exercise, and fall foliage is admired best while outside and on a great hiking trail. If you’re camping somewhere with hiking trails, you’re in luck. If not, hop in the car and drive to the closest state park, national forest, or national park. The NPS (National Park Services) has an insane amount of parks, forests, and monuments in every US state.

Biking

Another great way to stay active outdoors while camping in the fall is by bringing your bike along for the adventure. Cruise around the campsite if there are long enough roads, or find nearby biking trails and go for the day. Chances are there are hiking and biking trails near your campsite.

Cooking

Obviously, you need to cook to eat and survive while camping, but you can also go all out and cook elaborate campfire or cookstove meals. There are some incredible recipes out there, some of our favorites coming from Fresh Off the Grid. Heck, you could cook a three or four-course meal while you’re fall camping if you feel like it! Check out the best camping cookbooks for yourself.

Reading

Another great way to enjoy time outdoors in autumn is by reading a great book. Throw up a hammock, make a blanket bed in the grass, or bring a comfy camping chair. Take a seat and read while you’re enjoying nature’s best time of year for camping.

Hammocking

Along with reading, hammocking is a great way to relax while being outside. Grab a blanket, cozy up, and admire all the fall foliage from the great viewpoint of laying down in a hammock. Always check to make sure you can hang a hammock in your campground! Some campgrounds will not allow you to, so double check before hanging one!

There are many other ways you can enjoy the cooler autumn weather, such as playing frisbee, soccer, going for a run, etc. The most important part is that you’re enjoying all that fall camping has to offer: beautiful foliage, perfect weather, and the best time to hunker down in a blanket and sip on cider or cocoa.

Make sure you remember a warm sleeping bag, long pajamas, and extra blankets; this is how to stay warm camping in a tent. Fall is seriously the best time to go camping. The weather is perfect in the day for hiking, hammocking, and other fun fall camping activities. The fall foliage is beautiful, and it makes for great scenery while fall camping. Plus, campgrounds are generally not insanely busy in the fall as many people have kids in school and busy work schedules.

So if you can get away for a fall camping trip, this is your sign to go for it! What is your favorite camping memory if you’ve ever been camping before? We truly loved road-tripping around the northeast US during fall, camping, and enjoying all the various fall foliages.