Fall camping in an RV park can be a wonderful opportunity to discover nature, especially in Colorado. Now that kids are back at school and crowds have diminished, it's easier than ever to truly take in its splendor without distraction from everyday life.

Weather changes quickly, so being prepared with appropriate clothing and equipment is key for an enjoyable camping trip! Keep these tips in mind to ensure the best autumn camping experience!

Plan Your Trip

Camping during fall provides an immersive and unique way to experience nature without crowds, plus it offers activities not available during the summer - like watching autumn leaves change color and hiking without sweating as much.

When you want a clean campground with family-friendly amenities in the mountains of Salida, look no further than Salida RV Resort!

One great advantage of fall camping is that many state and national parks provide less-crowded campgrounds, giving you more privacy at your campsite. Private campgrounds may even host special fall activities for their guests to enjoy, and this season offers the ideal time for picking berries if that is something your family enjoys doing!

Pack the Right Gear

Fall camping trips differ dramatically from summer in terms of climate - temperatures can quickly fluctuate, making it essential to pack the appropriate gear.

Camping checklist (you will want to revise this according to your unique needs):

• Tent

• Sleeping bags

• Insulate sleeping pads

• Tarp and guylines or other rain shelter

• Camp chairs

• Extra blankets

• Camp stove

• Fire starting material (wood should be bought on-site and not brought with you!)

• Site pads

• Headlamps, flashlights, and/or lanterns

• Street lights for decoration!

A sleeping bag with a low temperature rating as well as a foam or inflatable sleeping pad to insulate your body from cold ground surfaces is also key in staying warm on camping trips.

A camp stove is an essential camping accessory, helping you to cook meals quickly and provide drinking water on the trail. Boiling water takes less than one minute with a backpacking stove making your camping experience all that much better!

Pack for Fall Weather

Fall camping weather offers the ideal conditions for enjoying nature. The air is fresh and you can take in its changing scenery as the leaves transform into vibrant hues.

As temperatures begin to decrease, layering up will ensure everyone remains cozy and comfortable while hiking or participating in other outdoor activities.

Layering up with items such as a fleece vest, puffy jacket, or long-sleeve shirt made of moisture-wicking fabric will keep you toasty warm on any adventure. Wool socks and a hat may also come in handy; bring along an umbrella or raincoat as well as gloves as well.

Stay Warm

After an extended summer heat wave, fall camping offers welcome relief from both heat and bugs. Daytime hiking adventures make the weather ideal, while enchanted evening campfires under starry skies make for unforgettable evening entertainment.

Dressing in layers can help keep you warm on colder nights when temperatures begin to dip. Use base layers, mid layers, and a puffy jacket as insulation against colder temps. In addition, sleeping in a mummy bag may provide greater warmth as it adheres to your body and traps heat more effectively than traditional sleeping bags.

Find a sheltered campsite to protect your tent from wind and rain, especially at night when blocking wind can dramatically improve how well you sleep. As days become shorter, ensure you have enough lights and batteries.

Campfire Safety

Camping fires can be one of the best parts of any camping trip, providing a peaceful way to connect with nature while unintentionally starting wildfires. But it's important to remember that out-of-control campfires are one of the main sources of wildfires.

Be Fire Smart: Always consult any burn restrictions in the area, and only bring in wood from within your area for burning. Any wood brought in from elsewhere could potentially introduce harmful invasive species into the ecosystem of where you're camping.

Before departing your campsite, ensure the fire has completely extinguished itself. Many campers keep a bucket of water nearby to douse their campfire each evening or add dirt or sand as a means of extinguishing it more effectively. Make sure even the embers are completely out!

Lastly, do not burn food waste or trash in your campfire as this will attract wildlife scavengers and release harmful carcinogens into the air.