If you are ready to try and extend your camping season, check out these 5 tips for Fall camping. These tips and tricks will help you have a successful fall camping trip if you want to extend your summer fun!
Here in Alberta, Fall can last a week or a few months, regardless the weather is highly variable and the days start shortening, fast! However for those brave enough to head out Fall camping in the Rockies, you can be rewarded with way fewer people, a more peaceful experience and some gorgeous fall colours.
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Top Tips For Fall Camping
1) Be Organised
Camping season in Alberta is short, at least compared to winter. Therefore many campgrounds close on the Thanksgiving weekend for the season, some even prior to that date. Make sure to be organised and do your research in order to make sure your destination is open for Fall camping.
Once temperatures start to drop, you may also find a reduction in services, so if you are in need of a water hookup, this might be something you want to check in advance. Likewise for tent campers like ourselves, it is worth making sure you have some water jugs when you go Fall camping, in case the taps in the campground are turned off. If not water jugs, a water filter system like the Platypus Gravity Works system if there is a reliable water source in or near the campground. If you are going this way, make sure to keep your filter warm, if it freezes it will no longer work.
2) Gear
Before heading out Fall camping make sure your gear is good to go! If it’s going to be on the colder side, a thermal sleeping bag liner will help extend the temperature rating of your sleeping bag and I love using one on all my trips, I find it so much more comfortable to sleep in.
You can also extend the temperature rating of your sleeping pad by adding a foam mat underneath to increase the r-value, we like to use the Thermarest Z-Lite SOL under our air mattresses in order to help keep us warm.
3) Layers
You never know what the Fall weather has in store in the mountain, make sure you pack all the layers, regardless of what the weather forecast might suggest! This will allow you to enjoy any and all weather which comes your way during your Fall camping adventure. A thermal base layer set is a must, as well as a toque and gloves.
4) Have a fire
When the sun sets, the temperature often dips dramatically when Fall camping. We love to have a fire in the evening, it keeps us toasty warm. One issue we encounter in the fall, especially if there is snow or rain, is damp wood, Packing a firestarter can be a game changer between and easy fire and a difficult one!
5) Dark night activities.
Since the sun sets pretty early in the Fall, its nice to have some evening activities around camp. Pack your headlamps or lanterns if you want to play games. My go to choice of evening activity is reading by the fire. I like to use my kindle so I have the backlight and it isn’t hard on my eyes, plus i can sit by the fire to stay warm while doing it. Win win.
Places To Camp In Fall
We love camping at Mount Kidd year round, it is a great location for adventuring in the mountains and there are hot showers so if you get wet or cold, you can always warm up. Also in Kananaskis, the Interlakes campground closes on the Thanksgiving long weekend but during the end of its season, it gets rather quiet, for such a desirable campground in the summer months, it is considerably more peaceful during Fall camping.
Some campgrounds such as the Icefields tent site and Whistlers and Wapiti campgrounds in Jasper are open until Thanksgiving weekend, with Wapiti also offering winter camping options. This allows you to explore popular areas during a quieter time. If you like a bit more comfort and warmth, Whistlers campground also offers the option to stay in an oTENTik which has a small heater in it, as well wood flooring and thick canvas roof.