Up next Fall Hiking Clothes Perfect for Transitional Weather Published on September 22, 2022 Author Alyssa Gutierrez Tags adventure, autumn camping, camping, fall, fall camping, outdoor, outdoors, Share article Facebook 0 Twitter 0 Mail 0 Autumn Camping: Get Out There This Fall Camping Isn’t Just for Summer! Camping in the summer is a classic pastime. The kids are out of school, the weather is warm, and outdoor activities are at a premium. But as school starts back up and temperatures become more moderate, don’t be so quick to pack away the tents and camping gear! Here at Tread, we think autumn camping has just as much to offer as those fun-packed summer getaways. If you’re thinking of taking a trip into the wilderness this fall but aren’t sold on the idea just yet, let us convince you. Autumn Camping is Perfect for Fall Foliage Photo by Yunus Tuğ, with pexels.com. Who doesn’t love a breathtaking vista colored by turning leaves? Fall foliage is one of the staples of the changing seasons, and you can experience it up close and personal while camping in a way you wouldn’t otherwise. Bright emerald leaves give way to hues of red, orange and yellow in a display that only nature could create. Best of all, you can find perfect areas to camp in fall foliage throughout a large part of the United States, from the East Coast to the Pacific Northwest. Check out these destinations for great camping in fall foliage: Subscribe to our weekly newsletter 1/4) Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee The Great Smoky Mountains have several weeks of change when the fall foliage arrives. With different elevations in the mountains, leaves can change at different times, but the peak of the season is in late October- early November. For the best sights, drive the Clingmans Dome Road and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Photo by National Park Service 2/4) Catskills, New York The Catskills are a great place to get away when the fall foliage is in full swing. Here at mountains like Windham and Hunter, there are plenty of opportunities to get out and enjoy the fall, including ziplining and fall festivals. Photo by Chris through Pexels 3/4) Flagstaff, Arizona Fall foliage may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Arizona, but if you arrive at the right time, you’ll get to experience aspen trees at their peak. Up in the hiking trails at 8,000 foot elevations, stands of aspen add brilliant splashes of golden color to the beautiful environment. Photo by Soly Moses through Pexels 4/4) Columbia River Gorge, Oregon Columbia River Gorge includes famous sights that are only enhanced by the changing color of the seasons. With stunning waterfalls and trails to explore, this is a top choice for any autumn campers looking to make the most out of the changing seasons. Photo by Rachel Strong through Pexels. From one end of the continent to the other, there are opportunities to camp out in peak fall foliage conditions. While planning your trip, keep an eye on regional foliage maps so that you don’t miss out on peak times in the season! Fall Campfires Campfires in the summer can be fun, but they can also be uncomfortable in an already hot and humid environment. In the fall, you don’t have to worry about sweating by the fire. Surrounded by crisp fallen leaves and the cool night air, getting wrapped up by the campfire is the perfect end to a lovely autumn day in the wilderness. The cooler weather also provides excellent opportunities for warm drinks heated over the fire. Photo by Elizabeth Zernetska with Pexels.com Less Crowds If you love the idea of camping and exploring, but feel that the most popular places are too crowded in the summer, autumn camping is the answer. Many families take their trips in the summer because kids are out of school. In the fall with the school year starting, family vacations are more rare, and traffic through ideal camping destinations drops sharply. For example, Yellowstone National Park has almost a million visitors in its peak month of July, nearly 20% of all annual visits to the park. By October, that number drops to only around 5% of annual visits, with 225,000 visitors. With the notorious issue of traffic in national parks, fall trips are a great alternative. Aurora Borealis If you’re thinking of venturing further north for your fall camping trip, you’ll have more chances of seeing the famous northern lights than you’d have in the summer. While the Winter Aurora is the most famously well known, it isn’t always possible to camp in the difficult conditions of winter when they’re at the strongest. By contrast, the Fall Aurora in places like Alaska and Canada allows for the best of both worlds, with opportunities to camp and see the Borealis. Take Advantage of Fall Summer is winding down, but that doesn’t mean outdoor adventures need to slow down as well. As autumn rolls in, it’s time to get out there and take advantage of the cooler temperatures, beautiful fall vistas and less crowded camping destinations. Here at Tread, we like to live outdoors at all times of the year. While the different seasons present different challenges and perks, we don’t want you to miss out on all the outdoors have to offer while camping this fall.