Camping tips for each season
Summer is the most popular season for camping. Not only is the weather lovely, but children are out of school and it is vacation season.
But camping fun does not have to be limited to summer only. In fact, even summer can be rough going if you are unprepared for the weather or the hoards of people crowd out the good spots. But do not fear. There is a way to have fun camping all year round. As an added bonus, most campgrounds are quieter and easier to book in the off-season.
Autumn
Soon autumn will come around again, and it is a lovely time of year. With the cooling temperatures, the changing colors of nature, and crisp air, being outside in autumn is refreshing after the heat of summer has passed.
While you may think that it is too cold to go camping when the temperature changes, you should think again. All you need is good preparation to have a good time.
First, you need to see what campsites are available in the fall. Many that are open will have reduced fees outside of the summer months.
Fall weather does fluctuate as well, and depending on where you are looking to camp, you should be prepared for either cold or warm weather. You will need to ensure that you have a good cold-weather sleeping bag that is labeled for 0-30 degrees Fahrenheit.
Regardless of the daytime temperature, you are likely to be colder at night. Bringing layers of clothing, including thermal underwear, hats, gloves, waterproof jacket, and waterproof boots will help keep you warm, dry, and comfortable.
Winter
It seems that winter would be the least popular camping season because of the low temperature. But consider this: there are no mosquitoes, ticks, and other pests to worry about in the winter.
You are less likely to have rowdy camp neighbors and some wildlife hibernates in the winter, providing you some extra peace of mind. There also is something calming about camping in the quiet of winter, letting you reset before you return to the humdrum of life.
So if you can work with the sharp temperature changes, you may find that you are more comfortable in many ways in the wintertime. On the flip side, if you live in a warmer region, winter may actually be the best season to camp without sweltering heat.
If you are camping in a cooler location, the biggest key to being successful and comfortable in the winter is keeping yourself warm. You are likely to be unhappy if you are cold at night, so the first thing you will need to invest in is a good quality sleeping bag that has a hood and baffles to keep your heat in all night.
For the tough campers out there who have refused to use sleeping pads or air mattresses, winter camping will make you rethink your position. Having mats or pads on the floor of your tent will give you insulation from the cold ground, which also ensures that you stay warm through the night.
Speaking of tents, you also need a reliable tent. You will want one that totally encloses so you don’t wake up wet and cold in the middle of the night.
Spring
Spring is a lovely time of the year. When the ground begins to thaw, the animals begin to move around again, and everything feels fresh and new.
This is also a lovely time to get yourself outside. Once the snow melts, everyone is itching to get outside! But even with the return of a little bit of sunshine, you will still need to be prepared.
Spring, like autumn, is an unpredictable season. You should still pack for camping as if you were camping through the winter months, but also know that you may need t-shirts during the day if the weather warms up enough. It is much easier to take layers off than freeze because you did not pack enough.
You will still need a reliable sleeping bag to handle the cold weather, but you should also be sure to throw in some bug spray. While the birds have returned, that means the bugs will also be coming out in full force. You do not want to find yourself mosquito food when you expected to be cold.
Summer
Without a doubt, summer is the most popular season to go out camping. The assumption is that since the weather is warmer, it is the easiest time to get out there. But remember, there also are disadvantages to the summer.
Not only are there more bugs and animals about, but if you get caught in a heat wave, you may find yourself sweaty, sticky, and overheated in your tent.
That said, there are more options for outdoor activities in the summer. Whether you are looking for swimming and biking or just having some nice quiet time outdoors, summer really can give you a lot of options to get out and about.
Like camping in the other seasons, camping comfortably in the summer is all about preparation. Your tent should have venting options to ensure that the tent is not trapping hot air during the day, making for an uncomfortable night.
You may not need a 0-30 Fahrenheit sleeping bag in the summertime, but do not make the mistake of thinking you do not need a sleeping bag at all.
Sleeping outdoors is not the same as indoors. You are more likely to find yourself chilly if you are unprepared for the nighttime temperature drop. Be ready for cool mornings that heat up to scorching temperatures during the day.
Regardless of what time of year you think you should go camping, the truth is that camping is really an all-year activity. Barring extreme weather or harsh storms, you should be able to go camping when the interest strikes you.
All you need is some good preparation work, including looking at average temperatures, good camping spots, and making sure that you have all of the equipment that you need.
Most importantly, you should venture outdoors with a happy heart and an open mind. Camping is always an awesome adventure.
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