Camping is an iconic summer family vacation — imagine a family bonding over a cookout, paddling on a lake, picking wildflowers in a meadow. We lose our hearts to the idea of a picture-perfect campout. But it’s just as easy to fall in love with fall camping — exploring the woods in chilly weather, seeing beautiful fall foliage, enjoying coziness of a campfire. Combine fall camping with a cozy cabin, and you’ve got the best of both worlds! Get our tips for planning the best fall cabin camping trip.
How to choose a campsite
Think about the group’s needs when selecting a campsite. Do you need to be close to home if, for example, a little one decides that camping isn’t so fun after dark? Do you need to have cell service to answer work calls? Or, quite the opposite, would you prefer to go completely off the grid?
Consider the activities near your cabin. Do you want to be close to a lake or river to go canoeing or fishing? Maybe you want to be close to lots of well-marked hiking trails or ski hills. If stargazing is a serious wish, make sure you’re far from city lights (try looking for a dark sky reserve).
Don’t forget to read the fine print when renting cabins. Are there any prohibited activities? Is there enough room for everyone in your party? Do you need to bring your own bedding and toiletries? Set the expectations for your group so everyone can be prepared for a fun excursion!
What to pack
Even if the valley is warm, the mountains will be a different story. Remember the essential clothing rule for all outdoor adventure: layers! Stay as warm or as cool as you need with T-shirts, sweaters, windbreakers, gloves, scarves and hats. Check the weather forecast to see if snow coats or rain jackets are required. Pack more socks than you’ll need — you never know if your hiking paths will be muddy — and consider layering your socks, too.
Plan your meals in advance. Are you staying at a resort with a restaurant? Does your cabin have a full kitchen to cook your own meals in? Or will your experience be a truly rustic, pork-and-beans-in-a-can and meat-on-a-stick campout? Make sure every member of your party will be satisfied with the rations you bring — especially if your campsite is miles away from a grocery store. Remember to pack food for the road and snacks for the hiking trail. And don’t forget the ingredients for that camp classic, s’mores!
Your packing list will depend on the amenities nearby. Other general items to consider include lighting (flashlights, lanterns, headlamps, matches and firewood), bedding (blankets, pillows and sleeping bags) and first aid (bandages, medication, tweezers, moleskin and antiseptic wipes). Also remember odds and ends, like phone charging cords (assuming your cabin has electricity), kitchen utensils, spices and physical maps.
And finally, keep in mind that your fall cabin rental may have been through a lot during the summer, so consider bringing along an emergency Scentsy Travel Twist or Room Spray to freshen up any funk. Try scenting your space with Cinnamon Bear, Leaves & Lavender or Forever Fall for the perfect cabin camping fragrance.
Activities for a memorable experience
You can have a pleasant trip whether your schedule is packed or wide open. For a happy medium, try to fit a few of these relaxing, memorable activities into your schedule.
- Nature walks and hikes. Go leaf peeping (aka looking at fall foliage). If you want to observe wildlife from a safe distance, go on a hike at dawn or dusk, when animals tend to be more active, and bring a pair of binoculars and a camera.
- Reading. Get comfy in front of the hearth, beside a campfire, under a tree or on the shore of a mountain lake. Bring a book from your TBR pile or a stack of magazines. Hold a mini book club with your cabin-mates, complete with snacks and drinks!
- Games. Relax and stay warm with a board game, card game or puzzle. Games are perfect for family bonding, plus they’re good to have on hand when the weather is too chilly.
- Journaling. While you have time away from your busy schedule, reflect on how life has been treating you lately. Use these prompts to get started, or try our mood tracker.
- Arts and crafts. Bring supplies for painting or drawing, and get inspired by the scenery around you. Or try your hand at photography — all you need is your phone!
- Plan a cozy picnic. Pack a thermos of tea, cider or cocoa, some sandwiches and a blanket. Hike to a scenic overlook and settle down for a meal while observing nature. (And practice the “pack it in, pack it out” rule — no sandwich baggies left behind!)
What are your tips for a perfect fall cabin camping trip? Let us know in the comments!
