Most people associate camping with summer, but if you broaden your thinking just a little – just by a season – you’ll find that fall is every bit as fantastic for camping.
The weather is crisp, the foliage is evocative, and you also enjoy reduced camping site fees in the fall. And with few other campers around, you can revel in a more tranquil camping experience.
That said, camping in the fall requires extra planning. You can’t bank on the same, consistently warm weather like summer. Fall temperature fluctuates, and you have to contend with increased precipitation. To plan for this, you need to rethink the clothing you bring and the accessories you buy. To help you plan the best fall camping trip possible, here are four items you absolutely need to pack.
Moisture Wicking, Versatile Clothing
Rain happens. Whether you’re out on a kayak, with no cover in sight, or gathering firewood when a downpour starts, you’re going to get wet sometimes. However, you don’t have to stay wet.
For a fall camping trip, you must pack quick-drying, moisture-wicking clothing. Not only will you dry off quickly when it rains, but also, in the event of an unseasonably hot fall day, you won’t be drenched in sweat.
Merino wool is a great choice here, since it wicks moisture, dries quickly and is both breathable and insulating, meaning it can handle any temperature fall has in store for you. What is merino wool and why is it such an effective material? Read the link for more information.
Waterproof Footwear
Is there anything worse than drenched shoes? The squelching, squeaking feeling of wet shoes is a camper’s nightmare, so do yourself a favour and buy a pair of waterproof shoes or boots. Coupled with merino wool socks, you’ll be able to keep your feet bone-dry, which can save you from trench foot, foot fungi and odour (your camping partner will thank you!)
Shopping for waterproof footwear can be confusing. For a resource on the best waterproof footwear, check out this Business Insider list. On it, they list a couple of great options for under $100.
A Tent Fly
Not much to say here. If you don’t already have a tent fly, ensure you pick one up before fall camping. It’s tough to dry out a rain-drenched tent, so pitch your fly as soon as you arrive.
A Camping Stove with Extra Fuel
Again, this tip is directly related to the cold and wet fall conditions. Because of the added precipitation, you may find it more challenging to procure usable firewood, which means you’ll undoubtedly need a camping stove. And like gas BBQs, camping stoves need more fuel in cold weather to get up to temperature (and to stay at temperature,) so bring a few backup propane canisters.
Hopefully, this article doesn’t make it seem like fall camping is front-to-back rain and cold. It’s not. But when you camp, you have to plan for the worst to enjoy the best. With these four items, you will be in a prime position to fend off the worst of the weather while enjoying the crisp, clear and energizing best of fall weather.
