| Many people associate camping with the hottest | | | | But remember, cooler days mean cooler nights, |
| months, but die-hard nature-lovers understand the | | | | and your camping gear needs to reflect this |
| magic of fall camping. Autumn is the perfect time | | | | change. Make sure your sleeping bag is |
| to wander among the critters as they gather | | | | temperature-appropriate, because layering extra |
| food for winter, to glory in the beauty of the | | | | clothes won't necessarily make you any warmer. |
| transforming trees, and to curl up beside the | | | | Ideally, you should sleep in a mummy-style bag |
| campfire with cocoa, s'mores and a scary story. | | | | and wear a hat to bed. It's also a good idea to |
| There are also plenty of practical reasons to go | | | | use a sleeping pad to insulate you from the chilly |
| camping in the fall. Temperatures are milder, and | | | | ground; a foam pad is more effective than an air |
| you'll have fewer insects to deal with. As kids | | | | mattress for protection from the cold. |
| head back to school, the number of people visiting | | | | Explore New Locations |
| State and National Parks drastically declines. | | | | To take advantage of the best fall camping has |
| Additionally, many parks offer reduced camping | | | | to offer, look for a place with plenty of deciduous |
| fees for fall, which makes this an economical time | | | | trees and hiking trails. The mountains, with their |
| to head outdoors. You'll also find it easier to find a | | | | clear vistas and ample forests, are breathtaking in |
| quiet, secluded spot at your favorite | | | | the fall, so long as you take care to prepare for |
| campgrounds. | | | | the weather conditions. |
| Some parks do shut off or reduce their camping | | | | If you're looking for a warmer place to camp, |
| services during the off season, so it's a good idea | | | | keep in mind that temperatures are cooler near |
| to check before you go - and it doesn't hurt to | | | | the water, so you might want to stay away |
| take a gander at the local weather conditions, | | | | from rivers, lakes, and streams. On the other |
| while you're at it. | | | | hand, fall can be an especially good time for |
| Here are some other things to keep in mind as | | | | fishing, so anglers may prefer to remain near the |
| you consider a fall camping trip: | | | | water. |
| Less Light in the Day | | | | Unpredictable Weather |
| The days are shorter now, so you'll need a light | | | | Getting wet puts you at greater risk of |
| source for a longer amount of time than you did | | | | hypothermia, so it's important to pack |
| in the summer. Make sure you have a long-lasting | | | | water-resistant gear and do your best to stay |
| LED lantern or flashlight. You'll probably also go | | | | dry. If you're camping in areas prone to flooding |
| through more wood for the campfire, so bring | | | | or other extreme weather, make sure you're |
| plenty with you or be prepared to purchase extra. | | | | familiar with evacuation routes. |
| Be prepared to go through more cooking fuel as | | | | Be careful when camping in mountainous regions. |
| well. | | | | By fall, altitudes above 7,000 feet are already |
| Cooler Days and Nights | | | | receiving snowfall. Getting caught unprepared in |
| Good riddance to waking up in a tent that | | | | the snow can turn a pleasant campout into a |
| swelters like a Dutch oven. Thankfully, fall brings | | | | life-or-death situation. |
| milder air. | | | | |