The Joys of Fall Camping

In our series of columns for RVers who enjoy getting away from it all one weekend at a time, we share some great RVing experiences and tips to further enjoy the fall season.

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Words by Jessica Rider

Camping in the fall is my favourite time to go RVing. I love the fall colours, cool air and sitting by an evening campfire with a warm cider. This is the time of year that provides so many wonderful trips and allows families to enjoy more time RVing. 

My family and I typically camp until Thanksgiving when temperatures range from 10 to 15 C (50 to 59 F) during the day and around 0 C (32 F) at night.  If you have never experienced camping during the fall hopefully these tips and fun ideas will be just what you need to plan your seasonal RV trip.    

One great way to enjoy a true fall camping experience is by preparing some seasonal comfort food.  For us, camping this time of year always means having a big pot of chilli, warm cornbread, and a dutch-oven dessert.  It also means a breakfast of warm biscuits and gravy, and sizzling bacon and fried eggs made over an open fire. This is the time of year when we load up on all the warm, hearty foods that we don’t commonly enjoy during spring or summer RV trips.  

Another great aspect of fall camping is there are fewer bugs. Pesky mosquitoes, gnats and flies are not typically as common as in the summer, which allows us to enjoy the outdoors more comfortably without swapping away mosquitos or spraying bug repellent. This is also when we see wildlife such as turkey or deer that we don’t typically get to observe in the summer.  

But the best thing about this season is the colourful fall foliage. Many campgrounds organize nature hikes or scavenger hunts, which are great ways to enjoy all of the beautiful colours the season has to offer. Local harvest festivals, fall fairs and events around Halloween are other fun, festive activities. 

Also, don’t discount a good night's rest during this season on the road. Fall camping trips with cool nights are some of the best times when I can catch up on some sleep to recharge for the coming week. With a big, warm blanket, an oversized hoodie and a little heater at my feet I am set for a good rest.  

After many years of camping this time of year, we’ve had our fair share of challenges. So, here are some quick tips to make sure you’ll have a great fall trip. 

1. Have a Good Supply of Water

Camping late into the season means some campgrounds will shut off their on-site water to prevent pipes from freezing in preparation for winter. So, it’s important to have enough water for your entire trip and always a good idea to use a mini pump in case you have to fill with water from a cooler, most newer rigs are not gravity fed. 

2. Use Electric Heaters and Propane

We typically set our furnace in the RV to 10 and use mostly electric heaters to keep the interior warm. The furnace is used just to kick on should one of the electric heaters shut off.  These are widely available and practical but just make sure not to overload the outlet. Remember to fill up the RV’s propane tanks before a trip as well. 

3. Always Have Enough Layers 

If you get cold easily (like me) always have extra socks, sweatpants and hoodies.  It’s also convenient to switch up your wardrobe in the RV from summer to fall clothes (similar to what you would do at home). This way, all of your warm clothes are packed and ready for cooler weather. 

4. Stock Your RV Before the Fall Season

We will load up on the staple food items for the entire fall season like boxed cornbread, potatoes, bacon (we keep some in the freezer), canned soup, bread (again we keep some in the freezer) and other items we know we will use. This makes packing for weekend trips much easier and we just restock them when needed. 

We go RVing just about every weekend in the fall, so don’t winterize the RV too early as there are still many great opportunities and activities to experience this time of year. These ideas and tips simply reveal that camping through the fall season can be fun for your entire family. 

Happy Camping!