If you’re new to the world of camping, it can be tough to decide when the best time of year is best to go. Of course, camping can be enjoyable, but you do not want to go at the worst time, right? Obviously not!
The best time to go camping can be year-round depending on your location. However, what we seem to find as the most common answer are the Spring & Fall seasons. The reason for this is that it is not too hot, like in the summer nor too cold, like in the winter.
A specific month of the year can be difficult to give as it’s truly down to what your location’s temperatures and the weather tend to be. For example, if we were to reference September as a perfect month…this could be problematic for a few reasons.
First, it still might be too hot in some locations. Second, in some locations, like Australia, this is usually a slightly colder period. Keep in mind that the hemisphere you’re in will determine your seasons, which are reversed between Australia & the United States.
All of this and more can be important, so let’s dive into other factors.
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Camping Comfort
During the summer period, camping can be a bit miserable and sleep can be really hard to get due to the hot temperatures. While the temp does drop at night, it is not nearly enough to make sleeping very comfortable.
Camping in the Fall and Spring offers nights that are usually far cooler and sleeping naturally gets easier as a result of this. While sleeping temps might not bother some people as they can get sleep anywhere at any time, for the rest of us….cooler temps are certainly important.
This will also be perfect for couples. You can snuggle up next to the one you love and they will enjoy the contact. That is better than one of you sleeping on one side of your tent just to get cool. Instead of taking blankets, she’s more likely to throw them on you, guys. Don’t let this happen!
Simply camp at a time that can come off a bit more romantic. While this article is not technically about romantic camping, we still feel you should be aware that it is possible.
Your Activities Might Be Season Specific
If you’re going to go camping, it is going to be boring just sitting around the campfire the whole time. That is why you’ll want to do something fun while in nature, such as hiking or fishing. You might also enjoy rafting, canoeing, paddleboarding, and much more.
The problem?
If it’s too cold, water could freeze up. Thus, you no longer can do half of that. Even hiking could be problematic if there is a lot of ice and snow. As you could run into several dangerous situations without realizing it.
If it’s too hot, hiking could be harder because the sun could drain you much faster than you might have assumed. You’ll need water faster, sunscreen, and other materials that you simply do not need or need as much of in other periods of the year.
Where You Set Up Camp
People seem to also forget that where you camp can be affected by the time of year. For example, just the setting up of your campsite can be an issue if you set up in the wrong spot. During specific times of the year, some animals mate or become more active than usual.
As a result, you might accidentally camp in an area they frequent. Snakes and Bears tend to be scarce during the colder periods in most of the United States, but they become quite active as Summertime arrives.
Snakes are coldblooded and need to be in the sun, so you’ll likely see them on rocks in the Spring in their attempt to get warm. In the Summer, they can be pretty much anywhere due to the sun’s rays bringing in far more heat to the environment.
On top of this, if you go in the Winter, you may accidentally camp on an icy area that could fall out from under you. Snow can hide a lot and the fact ice & snow is all over the place can make activities far less enjoyable.
When you camp in the Spring or Fall, there are far fewer issues that’ll come about when setting up camp. It is not too cold or too hot, which is what you want.
Bug Problems
We cannot tell you how many problems come with bugs and their arrival at campsites. While your standard bugs are not exactly going to hurt you, there are some that will. In Africa, mosquitos can be deadly. In America, they might not always carry diseases but some can be poisonous. Plus, you have the added aspect of possible allergy issues.
Taking into account every season of the year, you more often see the most common bugs or insects total in the Summer period. In the Spring, you might see some bees but if you leave their area alone…they’ll leave you alone.
Several other insects will also be unlikely to see, at least as much. The Fall is the perfect time to escape most insect problems. With Fall camping you’ll also sweat less due to the slightly cooler temperatures. Therefore, it’ll be unlikely gnats and other bugs/insects will come around.
Affordable Rates
If you are going to be camping on a specific camping ground or in a park, you’ll likely have to pay. If that is the case, the most popular time of year is always the Summer for these places. It is not as if they do not know this, which is why they tend to charge a good bit more.
Meanwhile, the Fall and Spring tend to be lower in price with Fall camping being the cheapest on average. Usually, after Labor Day, you’ll be able to avoid larger rates. Peak season drops and many places stop taking reservations and become a first-come, first-serve area.
Due to this, they will get fewer campers and ultimately charge less for people to stay. This is a huge reason why Fall and Spring tend to be so popular for campers. Affordability is something we can all rally around.
Fewer Crowds:
While affordable rates are good, just think about the overall experience. There won’t be as many people camping alongside you. Sometimes camping can turn into random time with a family you don’t know, which only feels awkward.
When you camp in the Spring & Fall, the crowd is nowhere near as large. You’ll be able to camp much further away from other campers and have a better experience. Even if you’re camping alone, it’ll be far more fun for you this way.
It is easier to enjoy nature and time with friends and/or family when you’re not having to deal with a ton of other people.
Best Places To Camp
Truly, you can probably camp just about anywhere and have a good time. Heck, camping in your own backyard can be a great thing to do. However, if you really want to get a great experience and see some of the best nature around, there are a few places in America that you should check out.
Among them include:
- Big Sur
- Grand Canyon National Park
- Yellowstone National Park
- Sawtooth National Forest in Idaho
- Haleakala National Park in Hawaii
- Glacier National Park in Montana
- Arches National Park in Utah
- Yosemite National Park
- Crater Lake National Park in Oregon
- Arch Rock Campground in Nevada
- Joshua Tree National Park in California
- Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
- Badlands National Park in South Dakota
- Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park in Colorado
Rates at these parks can be anywhere between completely free to $50 or so to stay there. During peak periods, you’ll likely pay more. A lot of these places are actually more beautiful and breathtaking in the Fall & Spring anyway.
That said, we recommend you visit them all. Heck, make a Spring Break of it if you have the time. While your friends party at some beach, you’ll be taking in beautiful sights in some of God’s greatest creations. We feel that would be a better experience.
