Fall is considered one of the best times to go camping, the weather is a perfect temperature and not too hot or cold, nature is changing, and there’s so much to see and do.
However, there are some important things to keep in mind.
Below you’ll find our top fall camping tips for families to keep you warm, safe, and well-fed.
Fall Camping Tips for Families
When and Where to Camp in the Fall
Before camping, you’ll want to plan carefully and properly to make sure that the day or days you pick have good weather or that you can be prepared for any rain that is expected.
Choose a place that works best for what you want to do while camping (maybe near water to fish, make sure you can start a fire without being in danger of lighting other things on fire, etc.), and more.
National Parks are great options for families and tend to offer a little bit of everything.
Here are some of the Top States for Camping in the US for families:
- Montana
- Colorado
- California
- Arizona
You can find our full list at the link, above.
Important Items To Pack
Bring Layers and Weather Resistant Clothing
Layers are your best friend when it comes to fall camping.
Bring extra blankets just in case someone gets cold, and make sure everyone brings lighter and heavier clothing to be able to layer those clothes in a way that makes them most comfortable.
Be sure to bring clothes and things that are water-resistant or waterproof as well for when it gets rainy, and if you’re planning to do things like walk or hike everyone should bring appropriate clothing for that too.
Safety Equipment and Insulation
Some of the most important items to remember when you’re packing or making the list for packing include a first aid kit, a quality tent, more insulated sleeping bags, and padding to put under your sleep setup.
Padding is important to keep the cold from the ground from making you cold while sleeping.
Firewood
In the later months, firewood becomes more scarce to find and purchase. You’ll want to stock up some on firewood before the trip comes to make sure you have enough for the trip, especially if you want to stay for multiple days.
When the weather gets cooler in fall you’ll probably want to keep a fire going longer to keep everyone warmer, and you’ll need enough firewood to be able to do that.
Easy Foods
Although you won’t have to only make easy foods when you’re camping, it’s nice to plan to make some in case the weather is rough when you’re trying to cook.
Meals that can be made in one pot or have lesser ingredients and time to make can be really helpful to have the items for when it suddenly rains or you’re a bit too chilly to take forever making a meal.
It’s also nice to be able to make something quickly and just enjoy the time together.
This ultimate list of camping hacks includes several yummy recipe ideas for outdoor cooking and camping meals, including:
- A Free Printable Camping Food Checklist
- 65 Non-Perishable Foods for Camping
- Free Camping Meal Plan Printables
Special Cautions and Considerations
Fall is the time that many animals are in their own mating or hibernation routines or preparing for such, so make sure to be cautious of any wildlife you see and give them their space.
You always want to teach your kids to pick up after themselves and disturb as little of nature as you can while camping, it’s the most respectful way to go out camping.
The biggest rule in the outdoors is to leave things the way you found them, so clean up well and tread lightly.
These tips can be really useful for making your trip the best it can be, especially if your kids haven’t been camping often or at all before.
Family camping trips are really nice when you prepare well beforehand, and fall is a great time to try it out. A camping trip can also be a great way for families to de-stress from a busy week or have some quality bonding time that is often missed out on in busy seasons like fall.