The word camping can evoke different ideas depending on the experience we have of it. Some will imagine their friends gathered around a bonfire in the middle of the mountains, others will think of long trips in a motorhome until they reach the water slides of some coastal campsite. In each case, many people think at first of sun, heat and the beach. And they forget how nice it can be to go camping in the fall.
Because yes, here we are going to give you reasons and tips for camping in the fall, and you will see that by the end of this article, you will already be planning your outdoor getaway.
Why go camping in the fall?
Not all of us can have vacations out of high season, but some weekends we can escape for a bit of disconnection. That is one of the best reasons to go camping in the fall: forget about the routine for a few days, reconnect with nature, without having to travel thousands of kilometers.
Autumn is a very beautiful time that gives us wonderful changing landscapes. It is a season that invites reflection and calm. For this reason, going camping in autumn is ideal to get closer to nature, breathe the fresh air without being cold, observe and be fascinated by the incredible colors that the trees have in unique landscapes.
Apart from the beauty that awaits you in the fall, you will find that the weather is ideal for camping. Yes indeed, the temperatures drop, away from the summer heat that can be very annoying to sleep at night. These temperatures also mean that there are fewer insects, so you will not find as many bites. Even so, the fresh and drier air is accompanied by rays of sunlight that continue to warm your skin during the day, creating privileged moments, for example a family picnic in the middle of nature.
Another advantage of camping between September and December is availability: when you start looking, you will see very affordable prices due to the lower demand in the autumn months. Many campsites, especially on the coast, are designed primarily for summer, because it is the time most sought after by families as it coincides with school holidays. But if you look at it closely, camping in the fall also has its fans, because of the elements that we mentioned just before. That is why there are campsites open in autumn, where you can enjoy the facilities and the environment without crowds, in a calmer environment than if it were the top of high season.
Now that you understand why camping in the fall has all the advantages, here are some tips to make your getaway a successful experience that you will remember forever.
Where to Go: Best Fall Camping Sites
First you should think about the destination that interests you to travel in the fall. In Catalonia we are lucky to have an amazing variety of landscapes: you can find many long beaches and secret coves with turquoise water, as well as enchanting forests and mountain viewpoints that will take your breath away.
On one side you can head towards the mountains. Osona, for example, is a region with wonderful sites. Between the plain of Vic and its mysterious fog, and the hills full of trees, all witch autumnal tones to give us wonderful pictures. Delve into its forests, and you will find calm environments, walking with the birds and the runoff of the streams as background music. Although autumn is no longer high season in Spain, you will still find campsites open in September, October, until November or December in mountain areas (because you already know how charming they are!).
On the other hand, we cannot ignore the coast. The Mediterranean climate offered by the Costa Brava or the Maresme allows us to enjoy the beach without crowds. You will have to be a little more reckless to go for a swim, but it will not prevent you from enjoying the sea. So wear your best wetsuit, because autumn is a beautiful time to enjoy water activities.
You can also consider a more cultural approach: a fair or a specific event may have caught your attention. All you have to do now is search for campsites open in the fall in the region that you like most, and plan your trip. Below we will help you with activity ideas.
What to do: activity ideas during your fall getaway
Because a little planning is always more fun, especially with the family, here are some ideas of activities for your autumn camping holidays.
Sport activities
Autumn temperatures are ideal for sports activities, because you can enjoy it more than in the summer heat.
And because of it we advise you to do a bit og hiking during your getaway. There are many routes in Catalonia to do as a family. For example, in the Rupit area, you will find itineraries of different intensity, depending on whether you go with children or not. These pass through enchanting landscapes and can give you incredible views of the mountains or the valley. If, on the other hand, you have headed towards a campsite on the Costa Brava in September, you have to try the Camino de Ronda. If you have already come to see it in the summer, do not hesitate to come back: with much fewer people, you will have a very different experience, as now you can breathe peace.
There are also some very nice routes to go by mountain bike or by bike, which will allow you to practice your passion pedaling through enchanting autumn landscapes. Take a look at the Green paths (vías verdes): they are itineraries conceived and designed expressly for cycling fans.
Finally, do not hesitate to consult the web pages of the tourist offices of the town where you are going to camp. This way you will be up to date with possible sporting events or tournaments in the area, as well as activities that can be done in its surroundings: a kayak excursion in the Sau Reservoir, a windsurfing course in the Mediterranean, participate in the Ironman Barcelona Calella, spend a fun day at the L'Esquirol adventure park, discover canyoning near Vic...
Rural and nature activities
It's clear: low season means fewer people, less activity, and more space for wildlife. Therefore, camping in the fall is a perfect opportunity to follow the rhythm of nature. So why not take advantage of these months to do activities according to the environment?
For this, it is best to approach and learn from the flora and fauna that surrounds us. There is a lot of information on the websites of each municipality, but here we will leave you our selection of family activities “kilometer 0”.
A theme related to autumn is gastronomy: it is the time to look for mushrooms and pick chestnuts. These two taste treasures, in addition to taste very good, they offer the opportunity to spend a fun and pleasant time outdoors with the family. You can read our article to find out everything about mushroom hunting in Catalonia. Chestnuts are easier to recognize and require less preparation or knowledge.
We also advise you to look for animal observation activities, since autumn is a time of change: migrations, heat, and preparation for hibernation... For example, in the Aiguamolls de l'Empordà natural park, you can go to the information point and choose one of the proposed itineraries to observe the bird migration in September. In fact, you can contact them to find out about their guide services.
In addition and to continue connecting with nature, many small local businesses organize very interesting activities to do with children. In this way, the whole family learns while having fun and while helping locals. For this, you can book a visit to a farm in the Osona region, or a Catalan donkey ride in Maresme, including guided routes to learn botany.
Cultural activities
Another option to book a camping in autumn is to let yourself be guided by the cultural agenda of the towns you have selected. The different municipalities and tourist offices launch various actions to revitalize their region, and you have to enjoy it!
For example, there are fairs such as the Viladrau chestnut fair, some mushroom fairs (fira del bolet) in several municipalities, autumn fairs (fira de tardor)…
There are also some medieval markets. It may be just our opinion, but don't you think that medieval fairs are more charming in autumn? Vic's medieval market for example, is one of our favorites, with an incredible offer of artisans, gastronomy, shows and activities.
What to bring: equipment for camping in the fall without getting cold
Now that you have the chosen place and the agenda prepared, you only need to prepare the backpack. Indeed, the equipment you need to camp in the fall can be a little or very different from that of the summer, depending on the dates and the place. For us, there are 3 important things that you have to look at: the camping equipment, the clothes, and the "just in case".
Camping equipment adapted for the cold
Regarding the necessary equipment for camping in autumn, we advise you at first that the tent is adapted. A normal tent, called a 3-season tent, can be more than enough. But if you are going to a place where more rain or humidity is expected, You could invest in a 4-season one.
Also, take good care of the choice of sleeping bag: the tighter, the better they retain heat at night. If they have feather padding, they conserve heat better too, but those with synthetic padding are ideal in humid climates since they do not retain moisture as much. For this reason, you have to check the forecasts and the climate of the area where you are going to camp in order to be prepared.
In any case, it is best to bring an insulating mat and a tarpaulin to put under the tent: with this, you will have a double layer to insulate yourself from the cold and the humidity of the ground.
Appropriate clothing for fall
For everything that has to do with clothing, the onion technique is sacred: thin layers that can be put on or taken off according to changes in the weather.
The good thing about camping in autumn is that it's not too cold yet, but it's true that it's not always easy to predict the chill of the wind .One day you can have it really warm in a t-shirt with much sun, and the another day you can be cold with a fine fleece because the cool wind has picked up and the humidity with the rain.
So it is better to foresee long tights, thermal shirts, thin sweatshirts that allow perspiration... All this to be able to wear a first inner layer, an intermediate layer for warmth and an outer layer to protect yourself from the wind and rain.
Now you have to write down a trick that we will share with you: keep the next day's clothes in the bottom of your sleeping bag at night. You'll appreciate it in the morning when you find everything warm to get dressed!
Alternatives for contingencies
Finally, the third point we are talking about is the “just in case”. We advise you to plan some alternatives for possible rainy days if you are going to camp in autumn. Even if you have it prepared and planned, something can always come up, change the weather and cancel an activity...
So take a card game, a book, children's drawing material, or even a couple of elements to make some simple crafts: a knife to engrave wood if they are older, some ink pads to make prints with leaves, thread and a needle to create an autumnal garland with plant elements around you…
Now, all set? We think you are going to have it easy with so many tips to go camping in the fall. Don't worry: if you still don't dare to camp in autumn, think of the fact that in many campsites you will also find bungalows and beautiful accommodations with all the comfort you need for a getaway in nature.
