It may be chillier outside, but that’s no reason not to camp! Cooler weather means smaller crowds, cheaper campsites, and plenty of opportunities to have fun. Some of the best, and possibly most underrated, camping activities happen this season. Enjoy everything from campfire stories to horseback riding and soak up the crisp air with vibrant fall colors all around.
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With the right camping tent, gear, and mindset, fall can be one of the most rewarding seasons to be outdoors. It’s time to get creative, try new things, and be in the spirit of autumn with friends and loved ones. These are some of our favorite ways to spend fall while camping. Enjoy!
Autumn Outdoor Fun You Won’t Want to Miss
There are countless ways you can get creative with your camping trip this autumn. Whether you’re cozying up in your camping tent with a cup of coffee, paddling in a kayak down the stream, or getting in the spirit of Halloween at camp! These ideas will inspire you to plan the ultimate fall camping trip that everyone will enjoy!
S’mores Around the Fire
S’mores around the fire are simply a given when camping. But there is something extra cozy about it when the leaves turn red and the days are shorter. Enjoy roasting marshmallows and chowing down on some gooey s’mores. Tell spooky stories to get in the Halloween spirit. Laugh over a round of MadLibs. Or, simply debrief the day together. It’s true that you’ll never regret taking the time to build a fire and spending quality time together.
Host Friendsgiving at Camp
‘Tis the season of thanksgiving. This year, host your annual (or first annual) friendsgiving at camp! And it’s easier to do than it may seem. Hosting a large dinner party like Thanksgiving can be stressful because it involves so many logistics, food, planning, timing, etc.
And the reality is, no fancy dinner is required to celebrate gratitude! Just get the gang together for a good old-fashioned friends camping trip, and that’s all there is to it. Go around the fire and share what you’re grateful for. If you do want to have a special meal, every person can be responsible for pitching in to make a dish. Celebrating the great outdoors and each other is the perfect way to ring in the holiday season.
Meteor Showers and Stargazing
If you love watching the stars, you’re going to love this one. Shorter days mean longer nights, which means ample time to watch the stars! Check out a star guidebook to help you identify constellations in the autumn skies, and hit up a visitor center to learn anything special about your stargazing location. Put it on your fall bucket list to camp at a designated Dark Sky Park for some of the best views, a chance to visit an observatory, peer through a telescope, and talk to experts.
In October and November, the Orionids and Leonids meteor showers happen. Keep your eyes out for these and other celestial events happening this fall!
Horseback Riding
There’s something magical about riding horseback in the fall– trotting through the foggy morning air amongst the fall leaves is so serene. This season, don’t miss a chance to interact with these gentle giants and feel the freedom of riding. Sign up for a trail ride at a park or ranch near your campground. If you’re camping at a national park, you’re in luck. Tons of national parks offer trail rides. This is a really cool way to get a tour and learn more about the area you’re visiting, too. From red canyons to lush forests and sandy beaches. Explore the fall scenery in this unique and exhilarating way!
Apple Picking
It’s not fall until you’ve gone apple picking, right? From August through October is generally apple-picking season. Some national and state parks are really close to picking locations. So you can easily add it to the list of camping activities for you and the crew. For example, Fruita, near Capitol Reef in Utah, is known for its orchards. Imagine waking up to the backdrop of lush fruit trees and picking a handful to snack on throughout the day. Always check the area’s specific rules about picking from their orchards. Enjoy freshly picked apples right at your campsite!
Cider Tasting
Follow up your apple picking endeavor with a classic fall cider tasting. If you’re camping near a town or city, you’ll likely have options for a spot to go tasting. Cideries are often located near orchards. Here, you and your crew can try seasonal flavors and support small businesses at the same time.
Go Leaf Peeping
What is “leaf peeping,” you say? This is intentional time spent traveling to go look at the vibrant landscapes of fall leaves. Get your cameras, sketchbooks, phones, and glasses. You could pick a higher elevation trail to hike and look out over hillsides of gold and red. Or, you can hop in the car and take a drive at sunset on a scenic road. Perhaps a family bike ride is in order to go see the levees. However you choose to do it, you won’t be disappointed. This time of year is fleeting, and before you know it, the leaves will soon be gone. So make sure you set aside that quintessential time to view the many layers of colors of fall.
Kayak Birding Tour
This would be weather permitting, but on a crisp, clear day, a kayak tour is very much in order! Pair that with bird watching, and you’re in for an unforgettable excursion. Fair weather usually holds up through September. That makes this a great activity to transition into fall. Especially in warm climates like the Everglades. Waterways are teeming with life all year. Not to mention, this is such a cool way to combine water sports with wildlife viewing.
A birding tour is a great way to gain expert insight and learn about the environment you’re visiting and the species you encounter. Don’t forget your binoculars and bird identification books!
Seasonal Lattes at Camp
What’s autumn without a warm drink in your hands? Spice up your morning cup of camp joe by turning it into a seasonal latte. It’s easy to do. Seasonal syrup recipes are easy to find and make, and usually just involve boiling down some sugar, spices, and fruit in water. Strain the mixture and let it cool. Seal it up in an airtight bottle. Of course, you can totally just buy your favorite travel-size syrup from the camp store! Some of the best flavors are pumpkin spice, apple, and cinnamon sugar.
At camp, go about making your coffee on the tent stove in your usual preferred method. Maybe that’s a pour-over, Aeropress, or even instant. Then, measure out your seasonal syrup or creamer, stir it, and voila! It’s the little details like these that make camping in the fall extra special.
Campground Trick Or Treat!
Halloween is upon us, and what better way to get everyone in the spirit than a little trick or treating! Pack up the kids costumes, and your own, and set out for a spooky night of fun around camp. Bring a flashlight, headlamp, and extra pillowcases in your camping accessories.
There are so many campgrounds that host Halloween festivities. Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Parks host various Halloween festivities. Lake Arrowhead in California holds annual Halloween events as well. This is a great way to meet other campers and to get out of the house for a mid-fall adventure. Be sure you know whether or not your campground permits trick-or-treating. Discover other Halloween festivities in the area, too!
Final Thoughts
This autumn, bulk up your camping bucket list! There are so many amazing ways to experience fall while camping. Our hope is that this list inspires you to get creative. Whether you’re camping with the whole family or friend group, there’s something everyone will enjoy.
You simply can’t miss the fall colors! Go leaf peeping on the trails, ride horseback through canyons, or watch birds from a kayak. There are endless ways to get outside and enjoy the crisper weather and scenery.
Snuggle up around the campfire and stay up late to watch the meteor showers this season. Go apple picking, sip cider, or make a seasonal latte right at camp. Communing together in the outdoors is such a unique experience. And the coziness of fall makes it feel even more special. Speaking of, celebrate the autumn holidays! Plan a campsite friendsgiving and a campground trick-or-treat night! Make these into lasting memories, or even create new traditions together.
However you choose to ring in the fall camping season, you won’t be disappointed. We can’t wait to try everything the season has to offer!
Happy camping!
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