Fall Camping

Fall Camping

Camping in the Fall can be a great way to enjoy some family time around a campfire while roasting marshmallows, telling stories, or just sitting back and listening to the sounds of the outdoors. Fall camping is especially nice due to moderate temperatures during the day and often at night (depending on location), not to mention that not much can beat waking up to a world of colorful leaves. The best part about camping during this time, it does not take much prep work, does not need to be made complicated, is warm enough for short sleeves at points, but cool enough for a jacket and pajamas and night, and is a great idea for a quick weekend adventure.





Tips For Fall Camping

• Take warm weather and cold weather clothes, be prepared for either
• Keep food simple-take hand food, sandwich supplies, plenty of water, a small grill if planning on fishing, tin foil and vegetables and oil or butter for making "poor boy" aka Hobo packet meals, nuts and trail mix, cooler with plenty of ice (Reminder: keep all food sealed and stored)
• Pillows and Sleeping Backs a must, extra blankets and throws just in case
• Tent and a tarp to place under the tent (tarp can be optional)
• Firewood-never leave home on a camping trip without it
• Matches
• Flashlights, Lanterns
• Foldable chairs
• Books, Games, Footballs, Fishing Polls
• Insect repellent
• An Emergency kit
• Just a reminder: always be sure any fire is completely out

Depending on the campsite or where the camping is taking place, plan on relaxing as well as going on an outdoor adventure. Try to find a spot with hiking trails, maybe a creek or lake, and maybe even a town nearby just to stop by on the way in or out of the campsite.

What to Do on a Fall Camping Trip

1. Go for a walk or hike and just enjoy the crisp air and the colorful scenery
2. Collect leaves. Take a large Ziploc bag and collect leaves for pressing into a leaf book or using for fall crafts.
3. Picnic. Go for a walk thru woods and find a spot to picnic and play Frisbee or football.
4. Go Apple Picking or find a pumpkin at a nearby farm.
5. Carve Pumpkins while camping
6. Plan on telling Ghost Stories (for those old enough to handle it)
7. Plan on camping during a Fall harvest festival occurring in a nearby town and enjoy a day at the festival and an evening by the fire.

Dupont State Forest

Where to Camp in the Fall

Being southern, this is kind of a personal preference, the southeast, especially north Georgia, upstate S.C., or Western N.C. Of course, the Blue Ridge or the Smokey Mountains are awesome areas to camp during this time and there are many events throughout these areas in the fall, from pumpkin patches and corn mazes, to fairs and festivals. Helen, Georgia, always has Oktoberfest and one of the kick offs to the fall season (kind of pre-fall) is the Apple Festival in Hendersonville, N.C.

Of course, there are many other areas throughout the country to enjoy some fall beauty, or at least fall feel. For those living in CA, Big Sur has an abundance of campgrounds and offers some amazing sky views and the harvest moon is huge, and cities such as Monterey, have fall events for families.

Another good area to camp at in fall, the Adirondacks. When camping in fall, it may be best to go early in the season because chances are by late October, it will be very cold and possibly snowy (also true for the Smokey Mountains and also some of the Blue Ridge in N.C. and V.A.).  There is plenty of apple picking, pumpkin patching, and corn-mazing to be found, but a really cool event to witness is the Balloon Festival. The festival features live music, craft and furniture fairs, activities for families and kids, lots of food, and hot air balloons.

Bridge in Big Sur

Some other areas recommended, the eastern coast. Yes, from Maine (even though it is chilly) to Savannah, GA. If looking to venture out and explore some history or go on a ghost tour, check out campsites near Charleston, South Carolina, Williamsburg, VA, or Savannah, GA. About an hour, maybe a little more, from Charleston is Lake Marion, and it is a great area in which to camp and explore. One of the best reasons to go during the fall to places such as Georgia, South Carolina, Louisiana and some of the other southern states, it is still pretty warm during the day, but cool enough at night to enjoy a campfire, the sound of a football game on a portable weather radio, and get a nice nights sleep.

No matter where the campsite is, check out local events, when the fall foliage is supposed to peak, what the weather is usually like or will be like, and be prepared to check in to a cabin or hotel if the weather is too cold or too rainy (especially for those who have kids, it is good to be close enough to a town or city if needed). Even so, just remember that camping in the fall is all about experiencing the outdoors during one of the most colorful times of the year, so go on a kayak or rafting adventure or a hike or just hang at the site talking, and just relax and thank God for the beautiful season of Autumn!

Recommended Fall Camping List:

These are a few, personal recommendations, but there are many great locations around the U.S. Talk to friends, family, and do some research to be certain.

Kinkade Village, Gatlinburg, TN

1. Cascade Lake Recreation and Campground-very family friendly-hiking trails, kayaking, fishing-located: DuPont State Forest
2. Black Forest Family Camping Resort-south of Brevard, NC
3. KOA-Anderson, S.C.-located near Lake Hartwell, very clean, cozy, great staff, and the nearby town of Pendleton has an absolutely awesome bakery-if planning on a visit to a Clemson game, check out this KOA.
4. KOA-Charleston-located on a plantation, as a guest of the campground, take a hayride and get a tour of the grounds.
5. Smith Mt. Lake State Park-nice area, on a lake, beautiful VA mountains, cruises and pontoon tours, in Huddleston, VA
6. Camp LeConte-yes, it is an experience and this place is beyond awesome and located in Gatlinburg, TN-great place to visit in the fall and at Christmas. From camp and RV sites to tree houses, a very unique experience.
7. Skidaway Island-Savannah, GA-trails, tours and family events-great family camping.