What is the Best Time to Go Camping?

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The best time to go camping is subjective. One may enjoy the cold of winter, the warmth of summer, or the coolness of spring. Every season has its pros and cons.

For example, winter may be cold, but your camping experience will probably be full of snow, amazing views, and some great off-roading, as all the trails will be muddy.

Also, it makes hiking up and down a trail to see what is coming up ahead less tiring as you are not sweating to death.

Sleeping during winter isn’t too bad either – you just need the correct equipment. A heated blanket or a diesel heater can make your tent warm enough to sleep comfortably, even if it is freezing outside.

Granted, the weather is unpredictable, and you often get wet and muddy clothes. However, for the most part, camping in winter can be enjoyable if you are prepared.

Camping in Summer

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Summer is the opposite of winter, but depending on where you live or are planning on traveling, it can be just as extreme.

In areas where temperatures hit 100 degrees during the day, camping can be miserable.

However, a portable AC unit or even a small camper with an AC and a shower can change this.

Granted, it will be hot during the day, but you can spend most of it in the car with the AC. When it is time to sleep, start up the AC and let the tent or trailer cool down.

Combine that with a cold shower, and you will have a great night.

Remember that at such temperatures you can enjoy the beach or some beautiful lakes without freezing.

Furthermore, alpine trails that tend to be closed during winter can be enjoyed during summer. The best part is that at that elevation, it isn’t hot; therefore, you can escape the heat if you camp at the correct spot during summer.

Camping in Spring

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Camping in spring is perhaps the most comfortable time to go camping. Usually, the weather is neither cold nor warm, so you tend to need less gear.

Also, the scenery can be unique as the snow is melting from the mountains filling up the rivers with water and the trees begin to wake up again from their long winter sleep.

Some trails that are closed in winter begin to open up, and they can be at their most fun state as they usually have some snow and mud left on them.

Camping in spring still requires preparation, though. The weather can be unpredictable, with sunshine during the first days and full-on thunderstorms or even snow the rest. Winter is still just around the corner, and it may decide to throw a little hissy fit before it is completely gone.

Nights can also get cold, especially at high elevations.

Therefore, proper waterproof clothing and heating equipment must be kept in the truck!

The Best Time to go Camping is When You Feel Like It

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There are days when you just want to get out. The rush and noise of our daily lives can get tiring quickly, and a simple trip to the mountains or beach can be all that we need to decompress and recharge.

It can also be a great family activity that manages to save you some money when compared to a normal holiday. I mean, think about it. Booking a hotel and plane tickets for a family of four or more isn’t cheap at all. Hopping in the car and exploring an area you have never been to can be much cheaper and a lot more fun.

If I was a kid, I would prefer running around near a river rather than walking in a big city, staring at what – to my five-year-old mind – was just a bunch of concrete.

Camping can also bring a family closer together as it is a good opportunity to disconnect from our devices and enjoy nature. In most cases, there isn’t any internet access; therefore, you do not have another choice.

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If going out with your family isn’t a choice you can also enjoy the great outdoors alone or with friends.

Going out alone needs more preparation both from a mental and equipment point of view. You need to be mentally prepared for lonely nights in nature. Such a night can be scary or extremely satisfying, depending on your experience and perception.

You must always remember that the chance of anything bad happening is extremely low, and it’s mostly just your mind playing tricks on you.

You will need some kind of emergency backup, though. A satellite phone and a device with an SOS function like the Garmin Overlander are crucial when going out solo as you need to make sure you can connect with the outside world in case something goes wrong. I am mostly talking about injuries here.

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Finally, we have going out with friends. For many, this is the most enjoyable kind of camping. You all get to go wheeling together and sit around a campfire at night to tell stories or great jokes.

Camping with like-minded people can be a great experience that everyone should take part in. The problems and stress of life find a way to just vanish.

It’s a Good Time to go Camping When you Have the Right Gear

As mentioned a few times by now, having the correct gear can make camping much more enjoyable – especially during extreme weather.

Some general items to have are:

A quality tent
A way of heating and cooling your tent
Sleeping bag rated at the correct temperature
Water storage
Maps and satellite communications

Throughout our experience with camping, we have come up with some additional must-have accessories, which are enumerated below.

Have a Stable Camping Table With the Tailgater Tire Table

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The first item we recommend is the Tailgater Tire Table. This is a portable small-sized table that mounts onto the tire of your vehicle. It is easy to install and has a rugged powder-coated design that should last for years.

The table remains stable regardless of ground conditions and can hold up to 50lbs.

This is a great addition to the main camping table as it offers some additional space. It can also work great as a cooking setup due to its steel construction which won’t melt if you place hot pans or a stove on top.

The Tailgater Tire Table is a great investment when it comes to comfort during camping.

Have an All-in-One Tool With the Forrest Tool Company MAX Tool Kit

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Next up, we have the Forrest Tool Company MAX Tool Kit. In our opinion, having a shovel and some other related tools is a crucial addition to your recovery items.

There are many cases in which you need to do some trail work to drive a certain section. Or, some digging may be required to help make the recovery a little easier on the vehicle or the winch.

A shovel is also useful around camp as it can serve as a way of putting out a fire with sand or even picking up trash.

If you cover up a fire with sand, make sure that the sand has cooled down before you leave, as it can be dangerous if not. The next people camping there may step on the sand-covered coles and get seriously injured.

The tool itself offers multiple essential tools. These include a Hudson Bay Ax head with a shovel, a pick, a broad pick, a mattock blade, a combination McLeod, a rake, and a hoe with fasteners.

In addition to the tools offered, the MAX Toolkit also offers great craftsmanship and looks. This is an item of quality that will look amazing on any 4×4.

Stay Connected with Endless Electricity – ALP 1000-Watt Propane Generator

The ALP 1000-Watt Propane Generator will enable you to have electricity at camp for as long as you have propane with you.

This 1000-watt propane generator will enable you to power heated blankets, a fridge, AC, laptops, or any other electronic gadget you may need.

It has roughly a 60-hour runtime, only weighs 30 pounds, has a quiet 52dBA running noise rating, is CARB & EPA approved, and offers pure sine-wave technology.

This generator is a great way of keeping your camp powered as propane can be stored relatively easily, and the generator itself is quiet.

Be Organized With the Aiden James Customs Gear Plate

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One of the worst things is trying to find your camping gear through an endless pile of stuff in the back of your truck.

To avoid this, we need some kind of storage solution that will keep everything organized, and this comes in the form of the Aiden James Gear Plate.

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This gear plate is designed to mount in the trunk of your car to provide a mounting point for drawers, fridges, jacks, and other accessories.

This ensures that when you arrive at camp, all your gear will be easily accessible!

Planning Your Camping Trip

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As mentioned in our Truck Tent Camping Tips article, having a quality tent is a crucial part of your trip. The last thing you want is a tent that takes ages to set up, is noisy during windy conditions, and is uncomfortable due to a cheap mattress.

I always believe that the better you sleep at night, the more fun you will have during your camping trip.

If you are planning on heading out with your family, you must also take some gear that will help keep everyone comfortable.

Some examples include a good cooking setup, a table and canopy, and a great power source.

Most of these must-have family camping accessories are featured in our Best Camping Gear for Families article.

For those of you who prefer to camp during summer, we also have an article fully dedicated to Summer Camping Tips.

It involves tips on staying cool and comfortable during the hot months while camping on the beach or anywhere else you may find yourself.

Best Time to Go Camping – Final Thoughts

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There isn’t such a thing as the best time to go camping. It all depends on your personal preferences, and those are different for every single person.

Regardless of the time you choose to go camping, you will need to prepare accordingly by taking the correct gear and having the right mindset.

By doing this, we can guarantee you that you will have a great time on your trips.

If you have any further camping, overland, or off-roading-related questions, head over to the forum section of our page.

What is the Best Time to Go Camping?

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