It won’t be long before autumn gives way to the seasonal race, and after a brief period of bare trees and gloomy skies, we can enjoy the winter scenery. In the meantime, everything is still painted gold, and there is not much time left to organize a great camping trip with friends and family. Preparing for this event should be enthusiastic and responsible, like students who turn to grademiners writing service to get excellent papers from professional writers.
Autumn camping in New Jersey is a unique opportunity to enjoy nature in one of the most picturesque seasons of the year. The vibrant autumn colors, cool nights, and lack of summer hustle and bustle make this experience especially appealing. But autumn is as beautiful as it is unpredictable. The weather can change several times throughout the day and night, and you must be prepared for these changes. To be ready, you need to understand how to organize camping, where to find the best place, and what to take with you so that you don’t have to cut your holiday short. Here are some simple rules for camping to fully enjoy the beautiful passing autumn.
Location, Location, Location
Of course, you can take a risk, move to unproven places, and try your luck in untested locations. Still, New Jersey is good because there are many great places where you can easily feel in unity with nature without sacrificing access to the benefits of civilization. One of the most popular places is High Point State Park. If you have not been here yet, it is worth coming to this place, even just for a walking tour. It is, in fact, the highest point of the state, and there are many observation decks with beautiful views. Another popular destination is Wharton State Forest. If you want to diversify your traveling and camping with active walks or kayaking, you should check out this location. Among other things, the forests are full of birds, and you can enjoy their autumn singing. Bass River State Forest, in turn, is more suitable for a measured and quiet holiday when you need to completely forget the city bustle and just breathe the cool autumn air, enjoying the beautiful views of nature.
It is worth understanding that you will not be the only one who wants to get on the last carriage of the autumn train. Therefore, camping sites should be booked in advance, especially if you want to relax in nature at the weekend.
Prepare Your Inventory and Supplies
Proper preparation is key to successful camping, especially in autumn, when temperatures can fluctuate significantly throughout the day and night. The first thing to consider is clothing. The weather in autumn can be unpredictable, so it pays to dress in layers. Start with thermal underwear to keep warm, add a jumper or fleece jacket for insulation, and complete the set with a windbreaker or mackintosh to protect yourself from the weather.
You should also pay special attention when choosing a tent and sleeping bag. Autumn nights can be quite cold, so choose a tent with good wind and rain protection. During this period, frosts can already begin, so it is worth taking special care of warm shoes and socks and separately choosing bedding and mats for a sleeping bag designed for low temperatures.
It is better to use portable gas cookers for cooking outdoors in autumn. A bonfire is perfect at this time to keep warm, roast marshmallows, or tell scary stories, but considering that there may be strong wind or even rain, cooking on an open fire will be extremely comfortable.
Camp Organization
Proper camp organization is another important aspect of comfortable camping. If you are going to sleep in a tent, make sure that you place it on a flat surface. If you put your tent on a slope, you will feel like you constantly fall at night. Similarly, do not place tents in hollows or lowlands because in the morning, even without rain, dew falls, and if your tent is in a place where all this water runs off, you will not like the freshness of the morning. Pitching your tents in the autumn in open sunny places is best. During the day, it will warm up your sleeping place faster; in the morning, it will dry the dew faster.
You probably realize this yourself, but you can only build a fire in designated areas. Don’t build too big a fire. A small fire provides warmth and a sufficient amount of pleasant red light, but a huge flame can have unpleasant consequences, especially in windy conditions. You don’t want to cause a fire. Naturally, the fire should not be left unattended, and the embers should be put out with water or covered with earth when you finish burning wood.
And one more piece of advice. Do not put tents too close to the source of the fire. Even if there is no direct contact, any spark can cause a fire in your temporary ‘home.’
What Fun Activities Can Be Found at the Campsite?
The best thing you can do during your autumn holiday is to go hiking in the woods. It is especially beautiful at this time of year. The colors, the smells, and the scenery will definitely delight you and lift your spirits. Also, in the autumn forest, you can practice photography. The brightly colored tree crowns and reflections on calm bodies of water are ideal conditions for photography. If you’re into wildlife photography, autumn is also the migration time for many bird species, providing excellent observation and photography opportunities.
Conclusion
Autumn camping, while lovely, still requires preparation. The cold nights can be a real challenge, so having the right gear and checking it before traveling is important. It’s also worth remembering the rules of behavior with wildlife. New Jersey is rich in various animals; in autumn, they may be more active in search of food before winter. Don’t leave food out in the open; store it in special containers and keep your camp clean.