There’s a point near the end of summer when you start to notice the little things. The sun sets a little earlier, the evenings feel a little cooler, and suddenly that T-shirt you wore around the campsite all afternoon isn’t quite cutting it once the sun goes down.
But cooler nights don’t mean camping season is over.
There are still trails to explore, meals to cook over the fire and plenty of nights left to spend under the stars. Late-summer camping just calls for a few small adjustments to your packing list.
So, before you pack away the tent for another year, grab an extra layer, check your sleeping bag and make the most of the summer we have left.
Keep the Summer Favourites
The good news? Late-summer camping doesn’t mean completely rethinking your setup.
Your tent, camp chairs, cooking gear and favourite warm-weather essentials still have plenty of life left in them. Those sunny afternoons can still be perfect for hiking, swimming or relaxing around the campsite.
Instead of packing for a completely different season, think of late-summer camping as adding to what already works. A few warmer layers, some extra insulation at night and gear for those earlier sunsets can help your summer setup carry you comfortably through the changing season.
So, keep the summer favourites packed. We’re not done with them yet.
Featured Gear:
Make Your Sleep Setup Work Harder
Those warm late-summer days can be deceiving. Once the sun goes down, cooler nights can make a cozy sleep setup feel more important than it did earlier in the season.
A comfortable sleeping bag is a great place to start, giving you a warm place to settle in after a full day outside.
And don’t forget what’s underneath you. A sleeping pad adds some welcome cushioning between you and the ground while helping make your tent setup a little more comfortable for the night ahead.
After all, there are plenty of late-summer adventures still to be had, and they’re a lot more enjoyable after a comfortable night’s sleep.
Featured Gear:
Cold Mornings, Hot Coffee
There’s something about waking up at a campsite on a cool morning that makes that first warm cup of coffee taste even better.
When the air has a little more chill to it, there’s no need to rush into the day. Get the coffee brewing, find a sunny spot and take a few extra minutes to enjoy a quiet morning at camp before deciding what the day has in store.
Whether you’re sipping it around the fire, taking it along on an early morning hike or keeping it warm for a slow start, a good cup of coffee and a cool morning make a pretty great pair.
Sometimes making the most of late-summer camping is as simple as having something warm in your hands.
Featured Gear:
A Little Less Daylight
One of the first signs that summer is winding down is how quickly the daylight starts to disappear. Those long evenings around the campsite get a little shorter, but that doesn’t mean the night has to end when the sun goes down.
A little extra lighting can keep the campsite going well into the evening. Whether you’re cooking dinner after sunset, making your way back from the washrooms or settling in for a few more stories around the fire, having a reliable light source close by makes navigating camp after dark a whole lot easier.
Featured Gear:
One More Night Under the Stars
Late-summer camping might call for an extra layer, a cozier sleep setup and a little more light around camp, but that’s no reason to call the season early.
There are still warm afternoons to enjoy, cool mornings made better with a hot cup of coffee and plenty of evenings left to spend around the fire.
So, don’t pack up the tent just yet. Pack for the cooler nights, make another cup of camp coffee and enjoy a few more nights under the stars before summer really does come to an end.
Find gear for your next camping trip and more at Winnipeg Outfitters.