My friends and I are interested in going camping this fall here in the NY/NJ/PA area. However, I've never been camping and they're from the South where the falls are ideal. Are the conditions here in the NE good enough for outdoor tent camping in the fall? A lot of the local campgrounds are still open until the end of October. I called some places and they claim the weather is usually good until the end of the season. My biggest concern is the overnight temperatures we could face inside the tent. Any advice, tips? Please help.
2007-09-20 17:10:18 · 8 answers · asked by H.B. 2 in Sports ➔ Outdoor Recreation ➔ Camping
Here's the scoop: I live in Northeastern PA and I've camped throughout the state as well as most of Eastern New York.
Weather, except in the Adirondacks of Northern New York and a few places in Central PA will generally be fairly mild. Expect the daytime temps in October to stay in the 60s and get down to the 40s at night. The 'Dacks and Central PA can get colder. Weather this year has been unseasonably warm and will continue to be so for another couple of weeks.
If you have a sleeping bag rated to 20F or lower you will be fine. Put on clean, dry clothes before you go to bed and wear a sock hat. I have several mummy bags, (I don't use them at the same time) all of which I almost always never have pulled over my head as I sleep with my arms outside the bag. So I wear a clean fleece jacket and a tobbogan hat to bed and I throw another fleece blanket in the tent to pull over my head when I get chilly, but I'm never cold. Don't waste your $$$ on a tent heater. A few xtra blankets are really all you need. Chances of it getting below freezing are rare unless you are planning to camp in November. I tent camp all through winter...but I am a bit nuts.
FYI: Alcohol is prohibited at PA State Park Campgrounds as well as Campgrounds in the Delaware Water Gap Recreation Area (PA/NJ). Most private campgrounds allow alcohol. Having said that, as long as you don't make it overtly known to the rangers you are drinking you shouldn't get busted, I never have...but use caution. I actually don't know the NY State law on booze in state campgrounds, but I've never gotten busted there either.
2007-09-20 18:16:41 · answer #1 · answered by Willie D 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If you prepare for the expected weather, something that is pretty easy in these days of internet weather reports, you shouldn't have a problem. We camp with young children into early November. Last year we had a heavy mid-October snowfall followed by a couple weeks of comparitively balmy weather. These are the exceptions. Expect daytime temps in the mid 60s to low 70s, and nights around 40--getting marginally colder the further north you go and the later in October it gets.
Fall foliage is at peak here in PA in mid-October, so that's the best time to go. It's may favorite time of the year here--we'll be camping at least two weekends in October.
Good sleeping bags and tents are a must, and layered clothing. I use a synthetic fleece jacket with a separate, Gore-Tex parka shell and take along a turtleneck and a sweater. It's not uncommon to be in a t-shirt during a daytime hike, but have all the layers on by bedtime. One thing a lot of folks don't seem to think of is a hat and gloves--light wool or poly gloves and a simple toque (tuke) hat can make a 40 degree night feel completely comfortable. A substantial amount of body heat is lost from our heads--a $9 hat does wonders. When I winter camp I wear one to bed!
Good rain gear is probably the most essential thing. You can pile on layers of cheap sweatshirts and old flannels if it gets cold, but if the rain is getting through to your skin, forget it. Trip is over. Indeed, if someone asked me where to cut corners in outdoor gear I would say anywhere but boots and rainwear.
I hope that helps!
2007-09-21 05:26:52 · answer #2 · answered by oakleafmold 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just make sure that your gear matches the worst case scenario. A leaky tent or a bag that is too light can make for a miserable time, but with a good rainproof tent, a sturdy tarp, and a warm sleeping bag can make camping enjoyable at anytime of year. Don't forget the rain gear.
You have to be prepared for it to be nasty outside and be mentally able to go with the flow and enjoy it anyway. Bring stuff to do inside of the tent if it's icky - book, cards, games, knitting, whatever you like to do. Bring a lantern or light that can go in the tent as well. If it rains, you don't want to sit in the dark in your tent until it's time to sleep.
You could bring some disposable hand and feet warmers if you're worried that you'll need a little extra heat at night.
I'm in the NW. We have rainy falls, but usually the occaional downpour in Sept. isn't enough to ruin a trip. October starts to get particularly foul.
2007-09-24 05:49:33 · answer #3 · answered by camp_munki 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Get a warm sleeping bag. At least a 20 degree if not a zero degree for that time of year. Also, if you are sleeping on the ground of the tent and not on a cot or something raised, you will also need a pad. Since you don't have to worry about carrying stuff, it wouldn't hurt to have a cheap pad that you put right on the ground and a more comfortable one (such as a thermarest) on top of that one to insulate yourself from the cold ground. Also use common sense and don't be afraid to sleep in your sweat pants and sweatshirt or have them next to you in the tent so you can throw them on if necessary.
I live in PA and the temp is usually nice during the day in the late fall, but can drop at night down to as low as freezing sometimes. However if you are going to the Delaware Water Gap National Rec Area, make sure you check out the waterfalls on the PA side. (Dingmans and Raymondskill, off of 209) ..very nice.
2007-09-24 15:37:49 · answer #4 · answered by cgflann 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Get a tent heater,before i ran into my dream with the DE state lottery my friend and i was homeless,and get a skully (winter hat) a heater long johns some light gloves and water proof your boots,we live in a tent for a yr and it was cold,now i camp in my R/V sometimes it's still fun to rough it though,check this out
http://cabellas.com oh and bring a gun even if it's a 22 caliber cause you never know with the Racoons and posibbly a homeless bum looking to jack you'll.
2007-09-21 04:27:38 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ali correct. You get drunk enough you not know if it cold. LOL!
We love camping in the fall and winter. No bugs or mosquitoes. Get a good fire going so it easy to re-start the next morning. There are ways for some heat too, if you need. But, use good judgment in a tent, we do need to breath air. I have this propane heater and can get it going. Leave the windows and door open for air (Screens closed so no raccoon come in looking for Cheetos). We usually leave a bag of open Cheetos on the picnic table to appease/feed the gods. LOL!
2007-09-20 17:24:21 · answer #6 · answered by Snaglefritz 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Fall/Winter is the best time to go. No bugs and you can build a big fire.
2007-09-22 15:12:13 · answer #7 · answered by Todd M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Always layer your clothing and use a rated sleeping bag for what temperature you have been forcasted.
2007-09-20 19:30:33 · answer #8 · answered by Kevin D 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Camping is awesome....do it! Dress really warm... build a fire.....PARTY!!!!!!!!!
2007-09-20 17:16:15 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋