5 Tips For Camping In Autumn in 2024

For some of us, Autumn is finally here. Camping is colder, days are shorter, the scenery is beautiful and auburn. If you're still planning to go away in this breezy season, we have 5 top tips on how to make your experience comfortable and manageable.

1. There Is No Such Thing As Too Cold, Only Inappropriate Gear

Ensuring you have the right gear for your trip is a no-brainer, for colder occasions it's important to think about whether your clothing can withstand chilly winds and is water resistant with hydrophobic (waterproof) coating. 

• Make sure you have waterproof shoes such as Wellington boots, hiking shoes, and comfort shoes (crocks anyone?) that can be put on once you're back on the campsite to walk around your tent in.
• Wind and waterproof coat with good ventilation. If it's too waterproof then any sweat won't be able to get out and you can get unnecessarily wet. 
• Sleep gear suited for colder conditions. Just like your duvet sleeping bags come in different thicknesses and are suited for different environments, do your research and invest in a good sleeping system if you're going to take on the British weather during off-season!
• Cooking gear, you'll want to make sure you have a steady supply of hot food and drink during your stay. Make sure that if you're using a gas stove, you have access to a gas canister, and with any electrical cookware your camping site has access to a power outlet.

Don't rely on campfires or potential on-site food vans. Quite a few campsites can have differing food options depending on campsite popularity and seasons. If you know that your campsite will be able to provide hot food, then that's great! Otherwise, be prepared.

If the weather is still fair, it might be a surprising idea to bring along a pair of anti-chafing shorts for long hikes planned ahead. When hiking it can get very warm despite being at higher altitudes, make sure you pack the right clothing for your weather.

2. Take Hot Drinks and Food

• A thermos/thermal flask can become your best friend, making sure to bring a starter warm drink with you can give you a very tolerable startup. 
• Bring ingredients you can cook and won't spoil. Some campsites will have on-site shops you can purchase fresh food from. 

3. Elevate Your Sleeping Space

Buying a sleeping bag is essential, but how you use it in your tent can vary. First off, buy yourself a 3 or even 4 season sleeping bag if you're looking to camp out in the colder autumn months. 

Blow Up Mattress or Camping Bed?

• A blow-up mattress will keep you off of your tent's floor, which does help to keep some moisture away from you, however they are prone to deflation and this could cause discomfort when you're awoken in the middle of the night from feeling the floor!
• A camping bed would usually be made out of metal beams that avoids this issue,  on the flip side they are a lot less comfortable to sleep on and can take up more space (not appropriate for 2 berth tents).

So what would we recommend? Maybe a blend of both! If you have the space for it popping your blow up mattress ontop of your camping bed could be the best of both worlds.

4. Arrive Earlier, Pitching In The Dark Isn't Fun

One thing often overlooked by campers choosing to head out in the Autumn season is daylight. In Summer it's easy to arrive at 5pm or 6pm and still benefit from sunlight up to the late hours of 9pm or 10pm before the sun finally sets. 

In Autumn, you're looking at the sunset nearing the horizon at about 5:30pm and even earlier as we get closer to the months of October. So make sure to get to your chosen campsite as early as possible (some letting you in at 11am or 12pm) for the most comfortable experience. 

If you have a campervan you could potentially get away with turning up a little on the late side, and if daylight is scarce, setting up your awning in the following morning.

(And yes, we have been silly and arrived late to a campsite before, no, we would not recommend it)

5. Ventilate, Ventilate, Ventilate!

Condensation becomes a much more prevalent problem in the colder months without people realising, despite it being colder it is much more important to keep good airflow through-out your tent and use roof liners to capture moist air. 

Opening air vents that your product comes with is a key thing to do during the warmer and sunnier parts of your day. This reduces the buildup of water pooling in your product and reduces the chance of mould buildup.

Using a heat source in the day such as a camping heater is also a good choice, keeping a pocket of warmth inside your tent to get you through the day. 

At the end of your trip, make sure you store your product away correctly and follow our hand guide to keep your kit in top shape 'till your next adventure.