Fall Camping Gear Guide: Everything you need to know

There’s nothing quite as beautiful as experiencing nature in the fall. And what better way to do that than by camping? 

Camping in the fall is a completely different experience than camping in summer or spring. You can expect chillier weather, bonfires, hot beverages, fewer insects, and beautiful colors of nature. However, you also need to better prepare for fall camping.

To help you out, we made this fall camping essential gear guide. Let’s check it out. 

Essential fall camping gear

Some of the most common fall camping essentials include a camping backpack, a tent, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, warm clothing, a camping chair, cooking gear, and a first aid kit. 

Let’s see how you can use all of this gear appropriately during your fall camping trip.

Choose warm sleeping gear

The most essential tip for fall camping is to stay warm. Fall is the time when temperatures drop, days become shorter, and the weather gets moody. That’s why we need to think about staying warm for the duration of a camping trip.

One of the best tips we have for you, when it comes to fall camping gear, is to invest in a good tent and a sleeping bag. The tent and a bag, preferably with a camping pad will be your best friends at night. Of course, let’s not forget a blanket as an additional layer.

However, if you invest in a good insulated sleeping pad and a comfortable sleeping bag, you’re already good to go.

Clothing essentials

When it comes to packing clothes for your camping trip, we recommend layers. During the day, the weather may be nice and warm, but as soon as the sun goes down, the temperatures will drop. That’s why you need to have layered clothing.

Start your packing with the first or base layer. Clothing for this layer should be made of wool or synthetic materials. These base clothes can be tops, leggings, and socks.

The second or mid-layer should consist of a fleece or wool sweater, and fleece pants. The third and last layer is usually the waterproof or insulating layer. If the temperature really drops, you can put on an insulated jacket and if the weather takes a wrong turn, and the rain starts, a waterproof jacket will be your best friend.

A wool hat and gloves can also come in handy when sitting around the campfire. As for shoes, waterproof boots or hiking shoes will do the trick.

Campfire companions

The best way to end the camping day is by sitting around the camping fire. There’s nothing better and more satisfying than sharing stories and enjoying nature around the campfire. But in the fall, to be able to do that, you need to prepare some campfire companions. 

Let’s start with the campfire itself. If you don’t want to risk lighting a bonfire or you’re not a fan of smoke, you can bring a portable fire pit. There are tons of different types of portable fire pits, from propane-fueled to smokeless models – you just have to choose what works best for you.

Next is a comfortable chair. If you’re going to be sitting around the fire for an extended period, we recommend investing in a comfortable insulated portable chair. In addition to that, it would be a great idea to have a warm blanket or a poncho to keep you nice and toasty.

Cooking and drinks

For the duration of your camping trip, you’ll need to eat and drink something. That’s another reason why you need to be well-prepared. When it comes to cooking, you’ll need a Dutch oven, a camp stove, a pan, a knife, and some basic utensils. 

You should plan out your meals in advance, just to avoid any problems. For example, soups, stews, and roasted vegetables are perfect fall camping meals.

As for drinks, you can enjoy hot campfire drinks such as tea, coffee, hot chocolate, mulled wine, or similar. You’ll need an insulated bottle and a small kettle. You can also go a step further and invest in insulated personalised stubby holders that will keep your drinks warm for a long time.

Campsite lighting

In the fall, the days are quite a bit shorter, which means that it gets darker earlier. That’s the main reason why you need to consider campsite lighting. Some of the most common lighting options include a campfire, lanterns, or flashlights.

Today, we also have solar lights or LED lights. Both these options are very eco-friendly and really affordable. The LED lights are powered by rechargeable batteries and solar-powered lights as their name suggests are powered by the sunlight.

Camping activities

If you want more tips on how to stay warm, we suggest doing some camping activities. Camping in itself is a great activity, but if you want more entertainment, you should know that you have many different options. 

For example, bird-watching is a great way to occupy your time while on a camping trip. Then, you can bring your fishing gear and go fishing. You can go kayaking or canoeing, geocaching, or trekking. Other options include playing frisbee, spike-balling, badminton, or anything else that comes to your mind.

All these activities will keep you entertained for some time and will also keep you warm. 

Safety Tips

Regardless of how many times you’ve gone camping, staying safe is always a good idea. That’s why we decided to remind you of the safety tips.

The first tip is to always have a first-aid kit handy. You never know when things can go bad and when you might need the first-aid kit. 

Stay hydrated. This should go without saying, but we know how easy is to forget to drink enough water, so let’s just put this out here. Stock up on enough water and don’t forget to drink it.

Bring enough backup clothes. Clothes get wet, and they get dirty, so having a backup is always a smart idea. Never stay in wet clothes for a long time, don’t risk hypothermia.

Since we’re talking about hypothermia, it’s important to know the signs of hypothermia.

And finally, the last safety tip is to always have a bailout plan. Sometimes, things can go down the hill pretty fast, and when that happens, it’s smart to have a backup plan. If the weather gets bad or it gets super cold, have a plan B, and don’t suffer throughout it.

Fall camping can be a great adventure and a great family holiday. All you have to do is get ready and pack all the essential fall camping gear, and you won’t have any problems. Hopefully, our guide can help you spend a lovely fall camping trip.