Just because Summer is over, and the kids are back in school, doesn't mean that you can't still enjoy a week end of camping with family or friends.
Sure, it's not going to be as warm at night, and the early morning hours may be a little nippy, but you can still enjoy a few more trips, and view nature in all its Fall Glory before the really cold weather sits in.
One of the nice things about camping in the Fall has got to be the turning of the leaves.
Mother nature normally offers up many different colors to enjoy and city life just doesn't do it justice.
Camp in the Fall and nature will surround you with peaceful colors of green, yellows, oranges, reds and tans.
Such colors are intended to reminder us that Winter is just around the corner.
So come on, take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city, pack your outdoor gear and enjoy this beautiful season.
Among other things these clear crisp cool nights offer an abundance of stars.
Constellations you would never see in the summer, like Orion, don't even come above the horizon before Summer is over.
Campgrounds become less crowded and much quieter.
And while you may not be able to go swimming in the lake or wade through a stream, you can still enjoy there beauty.
In the fall, when the crowds have died off, you may even be able to catch a glimpse of some of the shier animals, like raccoons, possums, squirrels, turkey.
In the more remote locations, you may even get a glimpse of a cougar, fox or wolf.
Make sure to keep your distance from these majestic creatures, it is their home, not yours.
And by all means, you should never attempt to feed wild animals.
It's hard to mention all the many things Fall camping has to offer, and even occasionally, the winter months are not so bad.
I suppose a lot of has to with preference and your perception of what the outdoors has to offer.
Some folks want to be fair weather campers while others may enjoy it year round.
Regardless of the season you will get the most enjoyment out of your camping experience if you take time to plan and prepare you trip according to the weather and seasonal conditions.
Storm could come up quickly as the seasons change and Temperatures can easily drop below freezing after dark as Winter approaches.
Bring plenty of dry wood with you, even if you are just going to use it to light fallen timber.
Keep it in a place you are sure is going to remain dry, and free of moisture.
You should also bring signal flares, just in case, and make sure you tell someone where you're going and when you're expected back.
If you can, bring a cell phone with you in the case of an emergency, one that will get out even in bad weather.
You'll want to have warm clothes, a warm sleeping bag and even a few pairs of long underwear and extra clothing is always a good Idea as well.
Store you food up and out of the way, at least fifty yards from your camp.
You will need to be extra diligent about this in the Fall and Winter months, wild carnivores are looking hard for food.
Make sure you don't keep any snacks or wrappers in your tent with you, unless you want some furry company in the middle of the night.
Camping in the Fall and Winter can be just as, if not more fun than camping during the Summer, as long as you put some effort and fore thought in planning your trip.
Be safe and enjoy.