The departure of the summer sun and the arrival of the autumn cool need not put an end to your camping plans. In fact, autumn has the potential to be the most enjoyable season of the year to plan a camping trip.
There’s still a decent amount of good weather to enjoy, coupled with the bonus of cooler nights, fewer bugs, and less crowded campsites. If you’re heading out on a wild camping trip, you’ll find fewer people crowding the spots you plan on setting up camp.
Of course, heading out on a camping trip in the autumn calls for proper planning. As is the case in any season, but with a few extra points to consider and provisions to take along for the ride.
With this in mind, we’ll now be looking at a series of essential tips for enjoyable camping, fresh from those who know how to make the most of this magical season:
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Pick the Perfect Destination
First up, some camping spots are inherently better than others at different times of the year. The changing weather conditions can have a positive and negative impact on the great outdoors. Rather than choosing at random, it’s, therefore, better to carry out a little research in advance. Head online or grab yourself a book, and see what others have had to say about the best autumn camping destinations in your area.
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Pack a Good Sleeping Bag
Mild autumn days have a tendency to give way to surprisingly cold autumn nights. You may not even notice the nip in the air during the day, but the cold night air in the autumn can pack a punch. You’ll therefore want to ensure you take a good cold-weather sleeping bag along for the ride. Dressing in layers is the way to go to keep yourself warm and comfortable, but a high-quality sleeping bag for cooler conditions is also a must.
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Health and Safety Essentials
Health and safety begins with ensuring all of your equipment is in good condition and is functioning properly before you go. It also means ensuring you take at least a basic first aid kit for long for the ride, an emergency whistle and a reliable multitool. Remember that as there will be fewer people out on the trail, you may only have yourself to count on if things take a turn for the worse.
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- BE PREPARED FOR COLD WEATHER - this fire starter kit is portable and ideal for outdoor adventures such as camping, hiking, hunting, fishing, boating. It can protect you from cold which is the #1 cause of death
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Watch the Weather
Keeping an eye on the weather forecast when planning an autumn camping trip is essential. The weather in the autumn is notorious for fluctuating wildly and without warning. If there’s any indication adverse weather could be on the horizon, consider postponing your trip to a different date.
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Watch the Clock
You also need to be mindful of the fact that there is significantly less daylight to work with in the autumn. This is particularly important if you are out wild camping, and plan to spend your days hiking. Don’t push yourself too far with the time you have, and give yourself plenty of time to relax and soak up your surroundings.
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Pick up a Good Sleeping Pad
These play an essential role in insulating your body from the cold ground below. A standard summer camping mat is unlikely to cut it – particularly at night when the ground below your tent gets extremely cold.
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Be Ready for Windy Conditions
Ensure that the tent you set up is robust and durable enough to withstand the fairly strong gusts of wind. Windy conditions can never be ruled out of the equation, but have a tendency to be particularly prominent in the autumn months.
Stay tuned for the second half of our two-part guide to autumn camping, coming soon...
