Fall camping in Pennsylvania is great!

Summer and the family camping season has come to a close. Don’t give up on the idea of a fall camping trip. Before putting away your camping gear until next summer, think about another camping trip. Those of us without kids are free to camp during the week, but families shouldn’t miss the opportunity to do some quality camping with their kids on weekends at local parks and campgrounds.

For those of you who are not blessed with children, it’s a good time to start planning a fall camping trip to one of those previously over-crowded, summer destination hot spots. After Labor Day, the visitor traffic to the State Parks, National Parks and National Forests slows down considerably, due primarily to the fact that kids are back in school.  Days aren’t as hot, and nights are just cool enough to cuddle under a blanket for a good sleep. And another blessing to fall campers is the fact that parks are less congested. Autumn colors can be magnificent, and wildlife could be active, offering opportunities to glimpse them as they prepare for winter.

The cooler nights are perfect for sitting around the campfire eating S’mores and banana boats and sharing stories and songs with your family, long time friends, and new acquaintances. When the leaves start changing colors the experience is even more worthwhile. So grab a sweatshirt, your tent, and head on out there to enjoy one of the most favorite seasons of the year!

Fall camping considerations

  • After Labor Day, many campgrounds reduce their fees, so one fall camping advantage is reduced costs.
  • Although daytime temperatures in the fall are still warm, take some heavier clothes and bedding for those cooler evenings.
  • As the seasons change, so to do the weather patterns. Be prepared for severe weather in the fall. If you are camping in hurricane alley, know your evacuation routes. If you are camping in high country, take appropriate snow gear. And, if you are in monsoon country, take necessary rain gear.
  • Make campground reservations. Popular campgrounds will still fill up on weekends, so it’s better to be safe than sorry. Most campgrounds don’t require reservations in the fall, but even if you should call and find that you don’t need a reservation, you’ve at least saved yourself the worry.

 

 

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Fall into Pennsylvania camping

Autumn camping, is camping at the best time of year.

Autumn camping, is camping at the best time of year.

With the arrival of autumn, comes fall foliage and football. Cooler weather and shorter days are on their way, but that doesn’t mean that your camping and RVing fun has to end. Fall is a great time plan a camping trip to destination hot spots that may have been too busy during the summer. In the fall campgrounds and parks are less congested and rates are usually reduced. Many campgrounds offer kids of all ages fun, autumn inspired activities.

Consider a fall color tour while camping — from mid-September to late October the autumn foliage colors can be spectacular. To help you plan your fall color drive or nature hike near your destination, check online for tour dates and maps that list the best locations to view the changing fall colors.

Fall is the perfect time to visit orchards, farms and  markets throughout the country. Cider mills and apple orchards are usually busiest during the fall months, offering fresh apples, cider and doughnuts. Check for farms near your campground that offer corn mazes, wagon rides and pumpkin picking during the fall months. Or find an enjoyable scenic railroad that offers a nice leisure fall inspired scenic trip.

With autumn’s arrival comes the tailgating season. Besides the excitement watching your favorite college or NFL team play, the tailgating tradition allows you to enjoy some leisure time with family, friends or complete strangers, before you enter the stadium. Tailgating in an RV is an experience that just may spoil you and your guests for life.

Besides having a roof over your head in case of bad weather while tailgating, most RVs have a bathroom allowing you to skip the porta potty lines and a refrigerator to keep your food and beverages cold. After the game, forget about sitting in traffic, fire up the grill for some hot dogs or hamburgers, watch game highlights on your TV or play some games until it’s time to leave.

Sooner or later, the cold weather will approach and many of us will be winterizing our RVs. So get out there and enjoy the fall camping season before it is too late.

Safe Travels and Happy RVing!