Autumn Camping Mistakes: 7 Pitfalls to Avoid in 2025

Last Updated on 10 November 2025

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Autumn is a great time to go family camping. We’ve been doing it for years with our children who always come away having enjoyed themselves at the end of our adventures. There’s something magical about switching off from technology and just spending quality time outside exploring.

Although camping in cold weather isn’t for everyone, when you get it right camping in autumn weather creates amazing memories for the whole family.

In this guide, I’m sharing the most common mistakes families make, and how to avoid them. Whether you’re planning your first autumn adventure or you’re a seasoned camper, these tips will help you stay warm, dry, and happy when the temperatures drop and the leaves start falling.

Let’s read on to find out more!

A wrong way sign in a road. Autumn camping mistakes. Photo by Kenny Eliason on Unsplash — Photo by Kenny Eliason on Unsplash

Autumn Camping Mistakes: Underestimating the Weather

Here, in the UK, we’ve often get a random week or two of warm weather in September. It’s lovely, sort of like an extended summer, but the night’s do get cold.

And, if you go camping at this time of the year, one of the autumn camping mistakes I see (and one we’ve made) is thinking because it’s so nice during the day, you forget about the night time temperatures.

Weather Forecasting for Autumn Camping

Another common camping mistake to avoid is only checking the weather the morning you leave. I like to check forecasts regularly for at least five to seven days before any autumn camping trip:

Extended forecasts: Use your local weather service channel. I use the Met Office or the BBC Weather for 7-day forecasts
Hourly breakdowns: Check hour-by-hour temps, especially sunset to midnight
Wind speeds: Anything over 25mph makes autumn camping miserable
Rainfall probability: If it’s above 60%, you’re getting wet
Overnight lows: This is the number that matters most for gear decisions

Choosing the Wrong Sleeping Gear for Cooler Nights

Two people outside in sleeping bags with the mountains in the background. Photo by Lucas Canino on Unsplash — Photo by Lucas Canino on Unsplash

If there’s one autumn camping mistake that’ll ruin your trip faster than anything else, it’s not getting the right sleeping gear.

I learned this during an autumn trip to Dartmoor in the UK (before we had children) where I spent the entire night trying to keep warm because my sleeping bag wasn’t up to the task for the conditions.

Sleeping Bag Temperature Ratings

There are three ratings you need to know:

Comfort rating: The temperature at which an average woman can sleep comfortably (it’s gender-specific because women generally sleep colder)
Lower limit: The temperature at which an average man can sleep
Extreme rating: Survival temperature

Related product: The Mountain Warehouse Microlite 1400 Sleeping Bag is a brilliant three-to-four-season sleeping bag for autumn camping. It has a limit rating to -10°C and doesn’t cost a fortune. We’ve used these for two seasons now and have been very impressed by it.

Read more on how to keep warm in a tent.

Sleeping Mats: The Forgotten Hero

Sleeping mats have something called an R-value, which measures insulation. These are the perfect solution to insulating your body off the cold ground:

R-value 1-2: Summer camping only
R-value 3-4: Three-season camping (spring, summer, autumn)
R-value 5+: Winter camping

For autumn tent camping, you want a minimum R-value of 3, preferably 4. We used to use cheap foam mats with an R-value of about 1.5. Since those early days of camping, we upgraded to the Vango Trek Pro 3 Standard Camping Mat, which has an R-value of 4.

Kids’ Sleeping Arrangements

Cold night camping with kids requires more thought as they lose heat faster than adults. These are some things we do so we can avoid those autumn camping mistakes:

We put our kids in child-sized sleeping bags
We use hot water bottles to warm their sleeping bags up before bed

Related product: Our kids use the Kelty Mistral Kids sleeping bag, which has been great at keeping them warm at night.

Fun Quizzes:
Autumn Camping with Kids: Are You Ready? Take This Quiz!
This Autumn Camping Activities Quiz Tests Your Nature Skills
Autumn Camping Gear for Families: Test Your Knowledge Today

Packing the Wrong Clothing Layers

Clothes outside on a line. Photo by Brina Blum on Unsplash — Photo by Brina Blum on Unsplash

The Cotton Disaster

With autumn camping clothing, the number one rule is: NO COTTON.

When it comes with autumn camping mistakes, wearing cotton is one you want to avoid when you’re camping. It absorbs moisture like a sponge (sweat, rain, condensation), stays wet for ages, and then makes you colder.

I made this mistake on a trip to Snowdonia with a group of friends as we were hiking up Snowdon. I had a cotton top on, which got damp from my sweat and the bit of drizzle we had, and when we rested, I got cold really quickly. I had to change my top before carrying on, but it made me realise the importance of wearing the right gear.

What to Pack Instead:

Base layers: Merino wool or synthetic (polyester/polypropylene)
Mid layers: Fleece or synthetic insulation
Outer layers: Waterproof and breathable shells

Related product: The Mountain Warehouse Merino II Kids Round Neck Baselayer Top and Pants is one set the we use with our children. It regulates temperature, wicks moisture, and doesn’t smell after several days use. We also like to bring two sets, so we have a spare in case it’s needed.

I wear this set for my outdoor activities whether it’s camping, hiking or snowboarding.

And don’t forget to bring spare clothes, including:

A full set of warm, dry clothes for each child
An extra fleece or jumper
Fresh socks and underwear
Warm hats and gloves

This is your emergency kit for when someone gets soaked or is freezing that can be left in the car until it’s needed. That’s where we keep ours in a waterproof bag and it’s saved us multiple times during autumn outdoor activities.

Waterproof Outerwear

For autumn camping gear, you want waterproof jackets that are:

Waterproof: Minimum 5,000mm hydrostatic head rating
Breathable: Look for ratings above 5,000g/m²/24hrs

Related product: We use this waterproof jacket and this one from Mountain Warehouse for the kids. We like the 3-in-1 style with them both, giving the option to take off layers when it’s needed. For us adults, I love a bit of Jack Wolfskin, so I have the women’s Wild Places 3-in-1 Jacket while my partner prefers the men’s Taubenberg 3-in-1 jacket.

Check out our 129 Reliable Items for Your Autumn Camping Checklist 2025 to get all the camping gear you need!

Failing to Plan for Shorter Daylight Hours

A clock just after 4:35 pm with the fading light. Photo by Ondrej Supitar on Unsplash — Photo by Ondrej Supitar on Unsplash

Shorter daylight hours means you need to do things earlier, taking advantage of the daylight you have before it gets dark. One of the autumn camping mistakes people do is forgetting it starts to get dark around 4:30 pm/5 pm.

Here’s what to bring to help with lighting:

For a family of four on a weekend autumn camping trip, we bring:

One headtorch per person
Two lanterns for the tent (one LED, one backup)
One hanging lantern for the cooking area
Spare batteries for everything (at least double what you think you need)
Power bank to recharge if needed

Related product: Each of us has the Black Diamond Spot 400 Headlamp, which is great for sorting camping gear, cooking, or reading.

Keeping Kids Entertained in the Dark

From around 5 pm until bedtime, you might need something to keep the kids entertained. Autumn activities that work for us, include:

Campfire time: Stories, marshmallows, hot chocolate (if fires allowed)
Torch games: Shadow puppets, treasure hunts with torches
Card games and board games: Bring compact travel versions
Glow sticks: Our kids love these and they provide extra light
Stargazing: Amazing in autumn with clear skies

Battery Management in Cold Weather

One thing you’ll quickly realise is that your batteries will drain faster during cold weather camping. So you need to have some sort of backup.

Battery survival tips:

Keep spare batteries warm (in your sleeping bag or inside jacket)
Bring a power bank and keep it warm too
Turn off devices when not in use

Related product: We also have the Jackery Explorer 300, which is great for those short camping trips when we need some backup power.

Ignoring Condensation and Moisture Management

Tent condensation is something you need to be aware of before you go camping in autumn. This is genuinely one of the most frustrating autumn camping mistakes because even if you do everything else right, condensation can still make you miserable.

I’ll never forget waking up on our second morning of an autumn camping trip in Wales, touching the inside of the tent, feeling the cold, and having water droplets drip onto my face.

Related product: We use these dry bags, which helps keep our wet clothes away from our dry ones. We also use this microfibre towel, which has been handy for wiping condensation away in the morning.

Airing Out the Tent

One of the best autumn camping tips for managing condensation: open your tent during the day.

Every morning (weather permitting), we:

Open all the doors and windows for at least 30 minutes
Wipe down any condensation
Hang sleeping bags outside to air
Take everything out of the tent if possible to let it breathe

Even on cloudy days, airing out the tent makes a huge difference. Fresh air circulation helps dry things out and prevents that horrible damp smell from building up. Also, don’t zip your tent door completely at night. Leave a little bit open to encourage an airflow, which should help with any condensation issues.

Poor Food and Hydration Planning

Someone cooking food outside over a fire. Photo by Angga Kurniawan on Unsplash — Photo by Angga Kurniawan on Unsplash

When you’re camping in autumn, you need food that’ll warm you from the inside out.

For families, this means:

Kids need more food than usual
You need decent meals, not just snacks
High-calorie foods are your friend
Hot meals make a massive difference to morale and warmth
You also want to keep your fluid levels up

Related product: We have the YETI 36 oz water bottle, which is a brilliant piece of kit that keeps cold drinks cold and hot drinks hot.

Cold Weather Cooking

I’ve learned to choose autumn camping food that’s:

Quick to prepare, around 30 minutes max
One-pot meals
Warming
Easy to eat

Meals That Work

After loads of trial and error with autumn camping preparation, here are our go-to meals:

Butternut Squash and Ginger Soup
One-Pot Mac and Cheese
Easy Peasy Fajitas
Campfire Nachos

For more delicious autumn camping recipes, check out our 19 Delicious and Easy Autumn Camping Recipes to Try in 2025

The Camping Stove in Cold Weather

One of the best autumn camping preparation tips I can give you is to prep meals at home. Make chilli, stew, or curry at home, freeze it in portions, and reheat it at camp.

Benefits:

Saves time at camp when it’s cold and dark
Less washing up
Guaranteed to be tasty
Just needs reheating

Check out our 9 Best Camping Stoves on a Budget for Autumn 2025 to find the right one for your camping needs.

Your Autumn Camping Gear

Not Having a Backup Plan or Exit Strategy

A green exit sign on an orange wall. Photo by DDP on Unsplash — Photo by DDP on Unsplash

It’s always a good idea to have a backup plan in case things take a turn for the worst. Here are some autumn camping mistakes people make when they don’t have one in place:

The “we’ll tough it out” mentality
Failing to call it and go home

Research Accommodation Options Beforehand

One of the best autumn camping tips I can give you: before you even leave home, research accommodation options near your campsite, and make sure to save the contacts in the your phone.

Why this matters:

No scrambling in an emergency (you already know where to go)
Less stress if you need to leave (you have a plan)
Easier decision-making (you’re not stuck because you don’t know alternatives)
Better options (booking in advance vs. last-minute desperation)

The Backup Plan Checklist

Before every autumn camping preparation, I now go through this checklist:

✅ Researched nearby accommodation (3+ options)
✅ Know the route home (and alternative routes if needed)
✅ Car is ready for quick departure (fuelled, accessible, keys known)
✅ Emergency contacts saved (campsite, breakdown, accommodation)
✅ Weather forecast checked (and re-checked regularly)
✅ Everyone knows the “we’re leaving” plan (so no arguments in the moment)
✅ Emergency bag in car (spare clothes, food, water, blankets)
✅ Discussed with partner what our boundaries are (when we’d leave)

Having this sorted before we even leave home means we can relax and enjoy the trip, knowing we have a plan if things go wrong.

Final Thoughts on Autumn Camping Mistakes

Autumn camping with your family can be one of the most rewarding outdoor experiences you’ll ever have, but only if you avoid these autumn camping mistakes. The good news? Now that you know what can go wrong, you’re already miles ahead of where I was on my first October camping trip.

Remember, successful autumn camping isn’t about being hardcore or “toughing it out.” It’s about being smart, prepared, and realistic about the conditions you’ll face. Every mistake I’ve outlined here is completely preventable with a bit of planning and the right gear.

Start with one or two autumn camping trips at well-equipped sites close to home. Build your confidence, test your gear, and learn what works for your family. Before you know it, you’ll be the one giving advice to nervous first-timers at the campsite on how they can avoid autumn camping mistakes.

Happy camping, and stay warm out there! 🍂🏕️

For more outdoor inspiration, check out our related guides:

Happy camping!

Have you found this autumn camping mistakes guide useful? What other pitfalls should campers avoid? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Autumn Camping Mistakes: 7 Pitfalls to Avoid in 2025