Fall Camping Weekend: What to Pack for Cool Nights
Fall officially arrives this week, and for a lot of campers it's the best stretch of the year. The bugs thin out, the crowds head home after summer, and the air is cool enough that a campfire actually feels necessary. The catch is that fall nights get cold quickly once the sun drops. A little planning around sleep, food and water turns a chilly weekend into a comfortable one.
1. Plan for the Coldest Hour, Not the Afternoon
A 65-degree afternoon can easily turn into a night in the 40s, and the ground pulls warmth out of you all night long. Your sleeping bag is the single most important piece of fall gear, so pick one rated for the temperatures you'll actually see.
The Sleeping Bags for Adults Teens Kids with Compression Sack are designed for 20 to 62 degrees F, which covers most early-fall trips. The outer cover is 290T nylon with a waterproof, weather-resistant design to keep dampness out, and it's filled with polyester fiber. You can choose an envelope shape (29.5 x 86.6 inches) or a mummy shape (33.5 x 86.6 inches), and both comfortably fit most campers up to 5 feet 11 inches. Two bags can be zipped together for double the room, and the roll-control design and compression sack make packing up quick.
- Put a pad or blanket between your bag and the ground.
- Change into dry clothes before bed; damp layers make you colder.
- Keep tomorrow's layers inside the bag so they're warm in the morning.
2. Make Campfire Cooking Easy
Fall is campfire season, but grill grates at campsites can be hit or miss. A grill basket keeps your food together and makes flipping simple.
The BBQ Grill Basket is built from high-strength stainless steel and has a lockable lid, so you can stir, shake or flip a whole batch of chopped veggies, fish, chicken wings or burger patties at once without anything falling through the grates. The heat-resistant wooden handle is removable for neat storage and transport, and the basket cleans up with soap, water and a scrubby sponge. It comes in several sizes, including a fish-style rack.
- Chop vegetables and marinate meat at home, then pack them in a cooler.
- Cook over glowing coals rather than tall flames for more even results.
- Bring foil and a pair of heat-resistant gloves for handling hot gear.
3. Don't Forget Water on Cool Days
It's easy to drink less when it isn't hot outside, but hiking and camp chores still call for water. A bottle that packs down small saves room when your bag is full of extra layers.
The Reusable Silicone Collapsible Leak Proof Water Bottle is made from food-grade silicone that's soft, lightweight and flexible. You can adjust the bottle's size to the water level, so it takes up less space as you drink, and it's rated for temperatures from -40 to 480 degrees F.
A Quick Fall Camping Checklist
- Check the overnight low, not just the daytime forecast.
- Pack a warm hat, extra socks and a layer you can sleep in.
- Bring a flashlight or headlamp; it gets dark earlier now.
- Confirm campfire rules at your site before you light up.
- Pack everything out and leave your spot better than you found it.
A few good choices before you leave make every cool fall night easier to enjoy. Browse the VIGOR outdoor collection to get your camping kit ready for the season.