With the beautiful changing leaves and brisk, refreshing air, autumn is many people’s favorite season for camping. 

The stunning array of red, green, and golden leaves makes for unforgettable scenery that only comes around once a year…

And spending time in nature is one of the best ways to enjoy it. 

However, with this change in seasons comes a handful of new concerns to address to make sure your trip goes smoothly.

If you’re gearing up for an outdoor adventure this season, follow these essential fall camping tips to ensure you and your companions have a fun, safe, and fulfilling experience.

Keep a Close Eye on the Weather

Before your trip, check the local forecast so you can avoid any extreme weather events and prepare accordingly with the proper weather-resistant clothing and gear.

Also, keep an eye on it throughout your stay to avoid any unwanted surprises. The last thing you want is to get caught in a downpour while in the middle of a lengthy hike!

Dress for Success

Layering your clothes to combat the weather is arguably the most important fall camping tip on this list.

With lower temperatures comes a higher risk of hypothermia, which is why staying warm and dry is crucial. 

Having multiple layers of wind and rain-resistant clothing will help you stay comfortable when you’re outside the cozy embrace of the fire. 

A long-sleeve base layer combined with a fleece jacket, insulated hoody, rain pants or leggings, a beanie, and warm gloves will go a long way — whether you’re out hiking or enduring the nightly drop in temperature.

Even if the forecast says there won’t be any rain during your trip, it’s better to be safe than sorry and pack ponchos and rain pants, boots, and jackets just in case.

Also, if you have the space, bring backup clothing to replace anything that gets too wet or dirty.

Don’t Forget Your Rain Cover

Not only will your tent’s rainfly protect you from the rain, it’ll also act as a windbreaker, keeping the inside of your tent warmer at night.

Whether there’s rain in the forecast or not, you won’t want to leave without your rain cover.

Bring the Right Sleeping Bag

As you may know, sleeping bags come with different temperature ratings. When packing for your trip, you’ll want to bring one that will help you maintain a comfortable body temperature throughout the night.

If you know the outdoor temperature will drop to fifteen degrees Fahrenheit, a twenty-five-degree sleeping bag will leave you shivering and unable to sleep.

Prepare for the weather by bringing a sleeping bag that can stand up to the cold. Your body will thank you!

Invest in Some Sleeping Pads

Another crucial fall camping tip. 

If you’re only armed with a sleeping bag, the cold from the earth can creep up and disturb your rest. But with a foam or inflatable sleeping pad (or both), you’ll have some much-needed space and cushion from the cold hard ground.

Bring a Bivy Sack to Fight the Cold

Warmer sleepers may not need to worry about this tip, but if you want extra protection from the cold, a bivy sack will certainly do the trick.

A bivy sack acts as a shield that wraps around your sleeping bag — almost like a cocoon — keeping the warmth in, and the cold out.

If you sleep cold or know temperatures will be nice and low, you may want to add one of these nifty gadgets to your packing list. They also do a great job of keeping the bugs out!

Consider Bringing Your Own Firewood

Depending on where you’re camping, it can be hard to find dry wood during the fall. If you’re adventuring into an area with regular rainfall, you may want to pack your own firewood. 

It’s better to have it and not need it than to miss out on the comfort of a warm campfire.

Get an Early Start

Whether you’re hiking or cooking a delicious meal at the campsite, you’ll want to give yourself plenty of time to get the job done.

The days are shorter in the fall, so you’ll have fewer daylight hours to work with. Make sure to plan your activities with that in mind.

Download the Rescu App for Location-Based Emergency Dispatch

The last item on our list of fall camping tips is crucial for any time of year. 

As peaceful and rejuvenating as camping can be, it’s essential to have a plan in case of emergency. A hiking-related mishap or wildlife encounter can easily turn into a dangerous situation…

And explaining your location to a 911 dispatcher during a stressful emergency when you’re in the middle of nowhere simply isn’t realistic. Not to mention, their tracking technology can only narrow down your location to within 300 yards, which can prove a lot more challenging to navigate in the wild.

That’s where the Rescu app comes in.

In just two taps on your smartphone or Apple Watch, Rescu allows you to instantly dispatch first responders to your location, no talking required. 

Using state-of-the-art GPS technology, the app identifies your exact location (anywhere in the US) and sends this information to the nearest emergency response team.

Simply select fire, police, or ambulance services, tap Send Alert, and help is on its way. 

Rescu is the fastest way to get help in an emergency, and having it at your fingertips will preserve the peaceful and stress-relieving integrity of your camping experience.

Download today to get started.