Fall Camping Guide: How-to Camp and Where-to Camp in the Fall
When the summer winds down and the days get shorter, you might not be thinking about planning your next camping trip. School starts back up and work begins to hum again. What many people don’t realize is that fall is the perfect time for outdoor adventures. The crowds die down at some of the most popular camping locations and the weather is great for exploring typically hotter areas like the desert. In this post, we’ll give you some of our recommendations and advice for planning a camping trip to keep the adventure spirit alive as the seasons change.
What is Fall Camping, and Why Should I be Interested?
When you hear the word camping, what comes to mind? Most people would think of a warm summer night around a campfire making s’mores or sleeping in a tent while visiting a national park during summer vacation. Many people don’t think of the fall as being a great time to go camping. Shorter days and cooler temperatures might turn people away from an adventure as the seasons change but we’re here to let you in on a little secret; Fall is one of our favorite times to camp!
Avoid the Crowds
The summer of 2020 was a great one for outdoor road trips and national park visits. Outdoor recreation is an outstanding way for people to responsibly enjoy their summers while social distancing. National park and public land usage surged in the summer of 2020. If you got out at all this summer, we’re sure that you saw this firsthand. If you’re looking for some solitude and to get away from the crowds, fall is a great time to go. Visitation to the national parks and other public lands areas usually drops off as kids go back to school and work picks back up. Enjoy some of these areas with more peace and quiet and camp in the fall. Check out a few of our favorite spots to go in the Fall below
Beat the Heat
In the fall, temperatures in the high country start to drop into freezing territory and you’ll probably see a snow shower or two. If you’re not a fan of colder temperatures, it’s a great time to visit our neighbors in Utah and the Southwest United States. Places like Moab and South Western Utah are usually in the triple digit temperatures all summer long. As we move into late September and October, the heat breaks and temperatures in the desert areas become much more pleasant. Fall is a great time to go explore Arizona, New Mexico and South Western Utah. Enjoy warm days in the 70’s or 80’s and comfortable nights in the 50’s and 60’s.
Leaf Peeping
As the days get shorter, the mountainsides in the high country start to glow bright yellow. The Aspen trees create the most beautiful fall landscapes as their leaves turn into a golden yellow. Camping under a canopy of Aspen trees in the fall is one of the best ways to leaf peep.
Where to go
Utah
The Mighty Five National Parks (Capital Reef, Bryce Canyon, Zion, Arches and Canyonlands)
Lake Powell
Moab
Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
Colorado
The Great Sand Dunes National Park
Grand Junction/Colorado National Monument
Four Corners
Leaf peeping near Aspen, Crested Butte, Telluride
Estes Park for the elk rut
Arizona
Grand Canyon National Park
Antelope Canyon/Horseshoe Bend
Sedona
Petrified Forest National Park
Tips and Tricks for Fall Camping
Pack Layers
In the desert, the temperature swings in the fall can be quite dramatic dropping from 80 degrees during the day to 50 degrees at night. We recommend you pack extra layers to put on as the sun goes down. The sun is still very strong during the day so don’t forget sunscreen and plenty of water!
The high country sees a similar weather pattern with warm and sunny days and chilly nights. It’s not uncommon to see a snow shower or two as we get into October. We recommend you bring some heavier clothes for when the sun goes down and extra blankets for sitting around the fire and your tent..
Bring a Propane Fire Pit
Fire bans are a common detriment to camping year-round but can be more prevalent in the fall as the leaves change. During stage two fire bans, you cannot have any open flame outside unless it is fueled by a liquid source and has an “on/off switch”. Also, many desert areas do not allow traditional campfires as they harm the dry environments. How can you enjoy a fire in each of these scenarios? Use a portable propane firepit! They are allowed in both stage two fire bans and desert environments that would otherwise not allow for campfires.
Use a Heated Sleeping Pad
If you are camping in the high country or late in the fall when it’s cold, a heating sleeping pad can keep you warm and comfortable all night! Spread one out on the bottom of your tent and plug it into a portable battery to extend the temperatures you are comfortable camping in.
Looking for More Information? Give Us a Call. We’d Love Help You Plan Your Fall Camping Trip!
Smaller crowds, cooler temperatures and the best way to see the changing seasons, camping in the fall is a great way to continue your outdoor adventures after Labor Day. With the right gear and location choices, fall might become your new favorite time of year to camp! From overland vehicles equipped with rooftop tents to our propane fire pits and new heated sleeping pads, we have all of the gear you need to make your fall camping trip effortless, comfortable and adventurous. Not sure where to go? We know all of the best fall places to see and experience as the seasons change. Give us a call or send us an email to get your fall adventure started and trip planned. Just bring your layers, we’ll take care of the rest. Check out our Colorado camping rentals here!