Even if you love summer, it’s hard to hate on fall. After all, it’s the season that gives us pumpkin spice, flannel, football and a holiday where you get to dress up as whoever, or whatever, you want (followed by another holiday where you get to eat as much as you want). Plus, the kids are back in school. Of course, the months of September, October, November and December are also a great time to enjoy the great outdoors. Sure, it’s hurricane season in the Caribbean, but for most of the country, autumn is downright idyllic. Whether you’re looking to pitch your tent one last time before the first frost, you’re trying to put a record number of miles on your RV or you have a craving for cabin fever, here are 10 reasons to go camping in the fall.
Fall is One of the Best Times to Camp – Here are 10 Reasons Why
1. Fall foliage
Mother Nature puts on a free show every fall when millions of trees, or at least their leaves, transform from green to various hues of red, orange and yellow. According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, this fiery phenomen starts in mid-September in the northern states and finishes in mid-October in the south. These are the best states to see fall foliage, and these helpful fall foliage apps that will have you leaf peeping like a pro in no time.
2. Sweater weather
If Goldilocks were to judge the seasons by temperature, she’d probably say fall is just right. While summer can be scorching hot and winter can be brutally cold, the season between is best characterized as comfortable. It’s still warm enough to tent camp, and RVers don’t need to worry about having the heat or AC on all the time.
3. Mosquitos aren’t biting (but the fish are)
Perhaps, the best part about fall, for campers at least, is that mosquitos are MIA. As soon as the temperature gets below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, they either die or hibernate depending on their species. Fish, on the other hand, are more apt to bite in the fall. According to the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation, fish are especially active during this season since they’re putting on weight to survive the winter.
4. Less traffic, and smaller crowds
While all of our country’s national parks are different, they all have one thing in common: summer is their busiest month. To avoid bumper-to-bumper traffic and full parking lots, visit in the fall when school is back in session and fewer families are on vacation. While you may see less wildlife as birds are migrating south and bears are starting to hibernate, fall is prime time to hear elk bugle in Yellowstone National Park, Rocky Mountain National Park and Grand Teton National Park.
5. Shoulder season rates
Expect to pay up to 65% less if you’re booking a site after Labor Day. For example, a weekday site in San Diego that goes for $295 in June, can be as low as $105 in October. Plus, campgrounds will be less crowded so you have a greater chance of getting your choice of site. The only thing worse than a sold-out campground is a campground with spots left, but they’re all too small for your rig.
6. Discounts on RVs
An RV isn’t a prerequisite for camping, of course. But if you’re in the market to buy one, plan on doing so in the fall. Because it’s not peak camping season, RV prices are a lot lower. It’s kind of like how you can find the best deals on winter jackets after Christmas and how Halloween candy goes on sale November 1st. This is also a great time to buy an RV because new models are about to roll out, and dealerships want to make room on their lots.
7. Fall festivals
Whether you’re after arts, culture, ales or all of the above, you’ll find plenty of exciting events to attend each fall. Some are even bucket list festivals. For example, every year Cincinnati hosts Oktoberfest Zinzinnati. The world’s second-largest Oktoberfest (after Munich), this four-day event welcomes more than 700,000 visitors who down more than 2,000 barrels of beer.
8. Lifted fire restrictions
For many, a camp without a fire is like a s’mores without chocolate or a fishing pole without bait: what’s the point? If you fall into this camp, you’ll love getting out after August since this is when many fire restrictions are lifted. Just remember campfire safety is always important, regardless of what day it is on the calendar.
9. Cheaper gas
You don’t have to be an economist to know that gas prices usually peak in the summer when everyone and their mother is out on the road. By fall, prices tend to drop substantially. For example, in the first week of June, 2022, gas was averaging $4.88 per gallon. By the first week in October, just four months later, it was down to $3.78 per gallon.
10. Spectacular sunsets
Sunsets are always incredible, but they’re even more spectacular in the colder months. This article does a great job explaining the science behind why sunsets are better in the fall and winter, but basically, lower humidity combined with cleaner air (less traffic and smog) results in more vibrant hues. Plus, the sun sets at a steeper angle during this time which means twilight, and the beautiful colors it brings, lasts much longer.
Katie Jackson is a writer and media specialist based in Montana’s Big Sky Country. Living and working everywhere from New York to Nicaragua, Katie is no stranger to adventure. When she’s not traveling the world (or writing about it!) she’s busy chasing after a Leonberger named Zeus. Follow Katie’s travels on Instagram @katietalkstravel.
