The Best Time Of Year To Camp

Summer is almost over, the kids are back to school and it seems like it's time to start storing away all your outdoor gear and camping equipment...or is it? Like many outdoor enthusiasts, camping is mainly something you do in the summer months or late spring. When people think of fall they think cold, wet weather and who wants to hassle with that?

Fall can be the best time to camp and hike as the summer ends and the fall begins you get much milder temperatures which can be a benefit when taking a long hike in the mountains. You do however need to take extra layers of clothing as the temperatures can change much quicker in the fall than in the summer. Another advantage to camping in the fall is there are less people to hassle with which can give you an even more relaxing trip. Fishing is often better in the fall than in the dead heat of summer as the fish are foraging to fill their bellies with food before the long cold winter takes hold. usually late October to November is when the bite shuts down on most bodies of water, with exception to some southern lakes.

If you live in a rainy climate zone you may want to bring a portable stove so you can cook your meals under cover in case a storm blows in but make sure you have plenty of ventilation. Yes, there's nothing like waking up on a crisp morning with the smell of bacon and eggs in the air while sipping your steaming hot cup of coffee. Nothing ruins this more than a fire that's been put out by a heavy downpour.

Head out on those mild Indian summer days for a nice hike to the lake where you and your family can spend the day fishing, canoeing and skipping rocks on the water. If you have kids on the younger age you may want to bring some outdoor skill building items for them such as a slingshot which will improve their hand eye coordination or a kid sized metal detector to let them search the area for treasure. Who knows they may just find something another camper left behind. Kids get very excited about these things and it can build skills that can come in handy later in life.

You can tent it, trailer it or RV it but any way you go about it you will most likely have more fun and satisfaction camping in the fall than any other season. If you haven't tried it yet make a point to schedule your next camping trip during the fall months of September and October, you won't be disappointed.