Camping in the Fall: Tips I Wish I'd Figured Out Sooner

First nugget of wisdom: Cooking over a fire is not as difficult as you may think

Fall camping is my jam. The woods turn into a painting of reds, oranges, and yellows, perfect for photography and of course, camping. The air has that snap that makes summer’s sweaty days feel like a distant memory. But it’s not just you and the leaves out there; fall has its own set of curveballs, and I’ve had my fair share of missteps before getting the hang of it. Here are some things I wish someone had told me before those cold, damp nights had me rethinking my decisions.

Layer Up Like You're Prepping for a Weather Rollercoaster

Fall's weather is all over the place. You're freezing your butt off at 6 a.m., sweating like it's July by noon, then pulling on every jacket you own when the sun dips. The nice thing is that this is probably one of the easiest things to address and with a few simple decisions you should be just fine.

Essentially, you want to pack like you're dressing for three seasons. I'll generally start with a merino wool base layer as they’re great for warmth and wick away small amounts of sweat. Otherwise I'll use the inexpensive synthetic shirts from Giant Tiger that dry quickly and don’t feel clammy like cotton does when it gets sweaty. A fleece or insulated midlayer adds warmth when it’s chilly, and I often prefer a puffy vest.

Always carry a reliable waterproof, breathable rain jacket, since fall showers come on fast and heavy. I recommend stashing a beanie and some lightweight, insulated gloves in your pack no matter what the forecast says, since temps can drop quickly. If you're camping in a valley, check for local microclimates because some spots stay colder longer. Low-lying ground being ones of them.

A fire is a great way to warm up quickly on those nippy evenings

Keep Your Stuff Dry, or You'll Be Sorry

I swear, mildew was my worst enemy. That awkward mothball scent never goes away. I learned very quickly that Autumn is a breeding ground for dampness.

Morning dew soaks everything, and those warm days mixed with chilly nights are a perfect recipe for mold on your tent and mildew in your shirst. You’ll know it’s bad when the black mold starts appearing on your tent walls or your folding saw carrying bag.

But here's the trick: just let your gear breathe. Open your tent during the day to help condensation escape and dry your sleeping bag and clothes when the sun’s out. Shake off dew from your tent and tarp before packing up. If it’s raining, string up a line under a tarp to hang wet clothing and gear, moisture won’t evaporate in cold, still air without any cover to help trap ambient heat.

You'll want to consider having a fire for drying, but avoid gas heaters as they can create condensation and might not work as well. Choose gear, like synthetic sleeping bags, that resists moisture and dry quickly; avoid all-cotton items if you're sweaty, as they stay wet much longer than other fabrics. That being said, I still do wear cotton layers all the time and have never had an issue.

One more thing, cast iron pans are the worst for rust in fall. Clean them, dry them, and swipe some oil on there right after cooking. Even if you're feeling lazy. Unless you want to deal with rust.

If you’re really paranoid about your gear, toss some silica moisture absorbing packets in your gear bags, too, they're cheap and suck up moisture in small areas effectively.

A wood stove is a great way to cook outdoors without having any additional gear needed

Critters Are Hangry in Fall

Animals in autumn are on a mission. Bears, foxes, raccoons, they're packing on pounds for winter and will sniff out your snacks from a county away. I'll never live down the night a fox (or raccoon) straight-up jacked a pack of porkchops off the roof carrier on top of my truck. Heard it scampering off like it was laughing at me.

Lock your food down. Bear canisters are gold if you're in bear country, but a hard-sided cooler in your car works otherwise, just make sure it's secure. Don't leave crumbs or greasy pans out; burn that stuff off in the fire or seal it tight.

It's not just food either, your toothpaste, chapstick, even that scented hand sanitizer, critters love it all. Keep it in a sealed bag or your car. If you're tent camping, don't even think about stashing snacks inside. That's begging for a something to unzip your tent at midnight.

Oh and depending on the area, don't forget about the wasps. As apples and other vegetation start to break down before the winter these little fiends will get into everything that you leave open. They are generally harmless aside from trying to get into your hair but be mindful of them if you don't want an accidental sting.

Be mindful of animals near your campsite or they might snag your food

Your Car's Gotta Be Ready for the Woods

If you're driving to your site, your vehicle's your lifeline. Fall's wet, cold, and full of critters that can mess with your ride. I remember one time I was stranded out in the woods because my truck wouldn’t start, turns out I had accidentally triggered the fuel pump shutoff button, but it certainly could have been worse.

Check your battery before you go-cold weather kills weak ones fast. Peek under the hood for chewed wires; mice and squirrels are jerks about that in fall. Pack jumper cables or one of those portable battery boosters-saved my hide more than once.

If you're going deep into the backcountry, a basic auto tool kit (ratchet set, wrenches, needle nose pliers, ring clamps, etc), spare fuses, an OBDII code reader, and multimeter are the bare minimal for anything mechanical. I also highly recommend a 12v battery charger (bring a power station with you to power it) in case you run into battery issues.

And please, please don't skimp on the tires. Muddy trails in fall can turn your campsite into a shithole to get out of.

Lastly, a quick once-over of your vehicle at home beats hiking 10 kilometers for a tow truck.

Mosquitos Don't Quit in Fall

You'd think mosquitos would take a hike once summer's done, but nope. If evenings are still above 10°C, they're out there, especially near rivers or lakes. I get eaten alive between the hours of 8pm and 9:30pm in the fall, so now that I know better, I plan accordingly.

Treat fall like mosquito season. Long sleeves and pants are your best bet. Tuck pants into socks if you're trudging through brush; ticks are still kicking, too. Slather on some 30% DEET repellent and reapply every few hours or as needed. Mosquito coils and Thermacell devices work well too, I’ve used both. The smoke keeps the biters away, and it smells better than citronella. Double-check your tent screens, too-one tiny hole, and you're sharing your sleeping bag with a mosquito.

Hammocks are another great way to sleep outside while fall camping

A Couple Extra Bits I've Learned

Alright, a few more things. Always throw a tarp under your tent, fall ground is soggy, and it'll keep your floor dry. Also, pack a lightweight camp chair. Sitting on wet logs or cold rocks gets old fast. And never, ever go without a backup firestarter. Matches get soggy, lighters jam. A ferro rod and some dryer lint in a ziploc bag is your insurance policy.

Camping in the Fall is Still My Favourite Activity

Fall camping's the best, but it's not a walk in the park. Dress for weather whiplash, keep your gear bone-dry, lock up your food, check your car, and don't sleep on the bugs. These tips aren't sexy, but they'll keep your trip from turning into a horror story. Get out there, soak up those crisp nights, and maybe you'll dodge the dumb mistakes I made.

The most important thing to remember is to relax and enjoy the woods