Depending on where you are, you may need to take into account when mother nature decides to dip her winter toe in a bit early. If you are in some of the northern states or in an area of high elevation, you’re going to get some early snowfall. For this reason, fall is the perfect time to try your hand at winter camping. At the very least you can take your cold weather gear out for a test run. Alternatively, the more southern states can see Indian Summer temps stick around well into October.
Important Camping Tips for Fall Camping
09/07/22According to many, fall is the best time to camp. The summer crowds have thinned, the air is getting cooler (but not too cool) and the leaves are beginning to turn those brilliant shades. We’re big fans of the season, but there are a few things to keep in mind to make those camping adventures during the magical autumn special.
Dwindling Daylight
The autumnal equinox, the first day of fall, marks the beginning of the sun’s lazy season. When the sun starts to rise later and set sooner, little by little. Accordingly, you should plan your day’s activities around this. When you first arrive at your campsite, come early enough so there’s enough daylight for you to have time to set up camp. It just makes things easier, and then when the sun sets you are already settled in and can start that campfire.
Check the Fall Foliage Forecasts
One of the most amazing aspects of fall is witnessing the changing color of the leaves before they fall. Much like the weather forecast, predictions are made for the optimal times for this color show, depending on the area you’re in. If your goal is to photograph nature awash in shades of citrus and golden orange, there is a local fall foliage forecast that will tell you when it ought to hit. This Smithsonian Magazine interactive map breaks down the best fall foliage times by county.
Wildlife Gets a Bit More Aggressive
It’s not just coyotes and bears. Bees too get feisty in the fall; they tend to bite more. This article explains why. Getting back to mammals, bears generally need three full months to prepare for winter and hibernation time, and so fall is an active time for them as they begin to really hunt for food. Colder temps mean bears will begin to eat and drink almost nonstop – up to 20 hours a day! This equates to your chances of meeting one increasing in areas with a good bear population. Here is an excellent article on what to do when a bear is nearby.
Be Wary of Hunters
As you set up camp or take a hike in the woods, be mindful of areas where hunters are prevalent. When in these areas, opt for wearing orange. This includes your pets. In most states in the U.S., hunting season begins in September and generally runs through the Thanksgiving weekend. But check the local area where you’ll be camping. A quick Google search is all it takes.
Not a Birdwatcher? Let Us Convert You – Fall is the Time
Fall is the most amazing time for birdwatching. It is arguably the fastest growing hobby in the country, as more people are discovering the joys of bringing a pair of binoculars out on a hike or even a stroll around the campground. In fact, a record number of budding birdwatchers emerged during the Covid lockdowns, and more people took to nature to help cope. There are birdwatching apps of all sorts that monitor where and when annual bird migrations take place. Once a bird is spotted, it can be fun to try to guess the species.