Camping in autumn: these 10 camping items will keep you warm

17 September, 2024

Cold cheeks, a warm cup of tea and your camping chair amidst the red-brown leaves and chestnuts. For me, it’s the most beautiful season of the year: autumn! Maybe not in terms of weather or warmth, but there is something about that golden yellow landscape and earlier nightfall. Many campers have stored their tents in the attic or put their caravans back in storage.
A pity if you ask me, because camping in autumn is really fun and cosy.

It can be a bit chilly, but fortunately you don’t have to get cold. With these 10 camping items, you’ll camp comfortably in autumn and stay warm.

Contents

• • Can you go camping in autumn?
  • Which camping stove do you take?
  • Double-walled insulated mug
  • A tarp: your versatile camping buddy
  • Cold feet? Put on a hat!
  • Nice campsites for camping in autumn
  • Layers, layers, layers
  • Headlamps and other lighting
  • Thermal blanket for autumn camping
  • Warm sleeping bag for cold nights
  • Fleece linings
  • Empty bottle as a hot water bottle
  • Camp at these campsites in autumn and winter

Can you go camping in autumn?

Yes, you certainly can go camping in autumn. I highly recommend it! Thick jumper, thick socks, warm mug of coffee, tea or hot chocolate in your hands … amazing. It is often cheaper, there are no more mosquitoes and wasps and you don’t have to share the bathroom with as many people.

Going camping in the autumn holidays? Enjoy the heated indoor swimming pool, have a dance or do crafts during the entertainment programme, or just quietly play a board game, read a book or get into your sleeping bag nice and early.

Which camping stove do you take?

If you’re going camping together, you can, of course, take a small tent with you. You won’t need a heater, as you’ll have one in the form of your camping companion. However, if you prefer a bit more space between you and your fellow camper and/or you’re taking a larger tent, trailer tent, caravan, or motorhome, a camping heater is no unnecessary luxury. But which type should you bring?

Gas heaters often have a high output, which means your tent can warm up quickly. The downside of gas heaters, though, is that they produce a lot of condensation and moisture, and they stop working in sub-zero temperatures. This is because camping gas freezes. Moreover, the price of gas has risen sharply, making it a rather expensive way to heat your tent. Still want to use a gas heater? Then make sure you have adequate ventilation.

An electric heater or underfloor heating is already built into many caravans. But you can also bring an electric heater into a tent, for instance, if you’re camping during the autumn half-term. Just be mindful that your heater doesn’t exceed the maximum wattage. With 6 amps, which is both the minimum and often the maximum on campsites, you can use up to 1300 watts at a time. This works fine if you bring a heater that uses 500 to 800 watts. You’ll still have enough wattage left to run a light and a small fridge. The downside of an electric heater is that it doesn’t warm the air very quickly, and you need to be careful not to trip the circuit breakers at the campsite.

Other options include a ceramic heater, which is a type of electric heater but with a different heating element, and an oil heater. A ceramic heater is safer, heats up faster, and makes less noise than an electric heater. An oil heater heats up very quickly, but it does have a strong smell. Additionally, this type of heater is quite expensive, and you need to ensure you always have enough oil with you.

So, which one should you bring? That’s entirely up to you. It’s a personal choice and depends on how you like to camp. My favourite is a ceramic heater—not expensive and quick to heat up.

Double-walled insulated mug

I really should use one of these all the time because I always forget to finish my coffee. Insulated mugs have a double wall, which keeps your drink or soup warm for much longer. The stainless steel ones are especially handy: they’re easy to clean and you can get them at any outdoor shop. You’ll want one in your bag during summer too, as they keep your drink nice and cold!

A tarp: your versatile camping buddy

An essential on every camping trip: a tarp. It protects you from the scorching sun in summer and from the cold wind or rain in autumn or winter. More tightly woven than a sun screen, almost always waterproof, and usable in dozens of ways.

Stretch it between two trees or put two poles in the ground and secure the tarp with pegs. You can also use it to create a sort of windbreak for your tent if you have a small one. That’ll save you a few degrees! You can even make a tent-like cover for your hammock with it.

Using a tarp for the first time? You might find that a bit of water gets through. Don’t worry, though, as by the second rain shower, you’ll stay dry underneath.

Cold feet? Put on a hat!

It was all the rage in the 80s, but nowadays you’ve got to be careful not to be mistaken for a bank robber. It might look a bit odd, you in your balaclava in your sleeping bag, but it certainly keeps you nice and warm.

The majority of heat is lost through your head, after all. A balaclava keeps your head, neck, and cheeks warm. And, strange but true, it even helps with cold feet.

Nice campsites for camping in autumn

Layers, layers, layers

The best-known secret to staying warm: dress in layers. But don’t overdo it, especially not with socks. Two pairs, for example, work much better than four. One thin pair to absorb moisture, and thick socks to insulate. Make sure they’re not too tight either. Still getting cold feet despite the double socks? Check whether your laces are too tight and cutting off your circulation.

Try to pack plenty. Long-sleeved shirts, a warm fleece jacket or jumper, a windbreaker or raincoat, and a large scarf or blanket. And if you’re always cold? Thermal underwear is your best friend, and wool socks can come in handy every now and then.

Headlamps and other lighting

In autumn, it naturally gets dark early. To enhance the cosy camping atmosphere and still be able to see, it’s best to pack some sort of lighting. Opt for a cosy lantern, a string of lights, or a headlamp.

Just bear in mind with the latter not to look directly at your fellow camper with your blinding light!

Thermal blanket for autumn camping

You probably know them, those metallic-coloured emergency blankets. They’re ideal for camping. Just make sure you place it on top of your air mattress or sleeping pad, not underneath. The air inside the pad conducts cold. By placing the blanket on top of your air mattress, you won’t lose heat, and the cold won’t rise through it either.

A self-inflating mat is always a good choice when camping in autumn or winter, as they often have insulating filling. Add a thermal blanket on top, and no wind will chill you

Warm sleeping bag for cold nights

The right sleeping bag will give you a much more comfortable camping trip and save you a lot of shivering. A mummy sleeping bag is a great choice in terms of shape. It follows the contours of your body, leaving less (empty) space to heat up. They also have a hood, so you lose less heat through your head. Combined with a balaclava, your autumn camping trip during cold nights will be an absolute success.

Pay close attention to the filling of your sleeping bag, as it can make all the difference. You often have the choice between down and polyester, much like with a duvet. Down absorbs sweat easily, so it’s comfortable in both high and low temperatures. However, if down absorbs too much moisture, it becomes less effective at keeping you warm. There’s also impregnated down, which has a coating to prevent moisture absorption. Highly recommended!

Always check the temperature rating, which is listed on most sleeping bags in stores. If you’re staying in Europe and not venturing too high into the mountains, a temperature rating of -8 or -10 degrees will be perfectly suitable for your autumn or winter camping trip.

Fleece liner

Do you have a spacious sleeping bag, or even one that fits two people? A fleece liner or inner bag can add just that bit of extra comfort.

You can also simply stuff your sleeping bag with clothes, towels, or blankets. This fills the empty space and gives you the bonus of warm clothes in the morning!

Empty bottle as a hot water bottle

All these ways to keep warm are, of course, great. But if you’re already freezing to the bone, a thermal blanket or sleeping bag won’t save you straight away. So, you’ve got two options: either run a lap around the campsite before bed or opt for a hot water bottle.

Ideally, you’ll have a proper hot water bottle and a kettle (or a pan and funnel), but an empty bottle and warm water will also do the trick. Just make sure the cap is on tight, or you’ll end up with a wet sleeping bag—and then you definitely won’t get warm!

Camp at these campsites in autumn and winter

Keen on a camping trip in autumn or winter? Many campsites in the United Kingdom are open all year round.

• Explore campsites open in winter in England
• View campsites open in winter in Wales
• Discover campsites open in winter in Scotland
• Discover campsites open in winter in Northern Ireland

Happy camping! Will you let me know your top tip for camping in autumn?