I’VE BEEN CAMPING FOR 30+ YEARS, AND I NEVER LEAVE FOR A FALL TRIP WITHOUT THESE 15 ESSENTIALS AT AMAZON
Shop my favorite picks from Stanley, Yeti, Crocs, and more, starting at $11.
I have quite a few travel-related unpopular opinions: Spirit Airlines isn’t that bad, the Arctic is cooler (it has polar bears and narwhals) than Antarctica (penguins are cute, but they stink), and softside luggage is better than hardside. And, while most of my friends shiver at the mere suggestion of camping after Labor Day, I think fall camping is the best.
There are so many reasons to love camping this time of year: it’s easier to find sites at popular campgrounds, national parks stop requiring reservations, and, most importantly, pesky mosquitoes start hibernating. Plus, the cooler temps mean I can sleep in and don’t need to put on my favorite hiking boots by dawn. That said, those same cooler temps, as well as fewer hours of daylight, mean I can’t necessarily camp in October with the same gear I use in August.
Enter Amazon. It has all of the fall camping essentials I need to stock up on, at reasonable prices. In fact, I’m seeing some Prime Day-worthy prices on camping equipment like this best-selling Coleman 2-burner propane stove for just $60 or this self-inflating sleeping pad that’s marked down by nearly 40 percent. If you’re planning on doing plenty of camping this season like myself, check out my 15 fall camping gear finds on Amazon below.
Related: What Not to Wear for Fall Hiking Trips, and What to Pack Instead From $19
Dibms Camping String Light With Lamp
$20
Don’t be left in the dark at your campsite — or without decor. These dual-purpose string lights, purchased 4,000 times in August alone, not only make it safer to be outside at night, but they also add ambiance to your site. I love that they’re easy to charge via USB-C cable, which is included, and the light lasts for up to 21 hours. Choose from two levels of brightness, and at nearly 33 feet long, you can pretty much hang them anywhere. “Lasted three or four nights before needing a recharge,” wrote one shopper who appreciated how easy they are to store, thanks to the reel you can wind them up on.
Energizer LED Headlamp Pro360
$25
$15
With 3,000 sold in the last month, this headlamp is another best-selling source of illumination. I’ve had my Energizer headlamp for four years and use it at night for trips to the outhouse and during the day for exploring caves. It illuminates up to 278 feet and features seven lighting modes. In the lowest mode, the AAA batteries (included) last 50 hours. “Every bit as good as the last set,” wrote one happy camper who purchased these to replace their previous Energizer headlamps which lasted nearly a decade. In headlamp years, that’s a lifetime!
Coghlan's Cast Iron Camp Cooker
$11
At home, I have a kitchen full of expensive gadgets, but in the backcountry, I appreciate simplicity. That’s why I’m obsessed with this classic cast iron camp cooker that Girl Scouts have been using for decades. Relatively lightweight for cast iron and attached to a long handle so you’ll stay far from the flames, it can cook anything you can fit into it. That said, it’s best for toasted sandwiches like grilled cheese — which I start to crave as winter approaches. On Amazon, it has more than 5,100 five-star ratings and tons of rave reviews. “Fun for all ages to make snacks and dinner,” said one shopper who used them with their kids. “We’ve made calzones, wonton s’mores, and personal pies. Easy to use & clean up.”
Rumpl Original Puffy Blanket
$99
Is the Rumpl OG blanket pricier than other packable blankets? Yes. But it boasts a very impressive near-perfect average rating because it’s worth every penny. It was one of the first blankets to feature a special DWR coating that repels water, dirt, sand, stains, and pet hair, which is a big plus since I camp with a long-haired dog. I also love it for fall because with its game-changing “cape clip” it offers hands-free wearable warmth. “Initially I was a little leery about the price but 11 months later I have no regrets,” said one shopper who purchased two more for their family. They said it’s kept them warm through the “chill of autumn” while surviving three multi-day music festivals, four camping trips, and lots of daily use.
Near Zero 1-3 Person Ultralight Backpacking Tent
$240
Near Zero first came on my radar when I was looking at kids’ camping backpacks for my niece and nephew. Its Little Dean Backpack is brilliant because the eight pockets are labeled for easy organization. Of course, the brand also makes tents like this ultralight backpacking tent that weighs less than 4 pounds. And even with the rainfly, it only takes five minutes to set up. Waterproof and windproof, it’s ideal for fall. “There wasn’t a single drop of water to be found inside, even though the rain was coming down sideways,” wrote one five-star reviewer who used it on a four-day moto-camping trip and was “blown away with the quality and craftsmanship.”
Unp 2-person Camping Tent
$50
$40
If you’re on a tight budget, consider this slightly heavier 5-pound, two-person tent that’s also rated for three seasons: spring, summer, and fall. I live in Montana, where we had a winter storm warning alert in late August, so I like that this tent boasts a built-in snow skirt which keeps snow and dirt from coming in. It features a rainfly, too, and the seams on the tent floor are taped to keep ground moisture from seeping in. More than 1,000 of these tents were purchased last month, and shoppers love the simple setup. “Just finished a 9-day camping-biking trip, during which I put up and took down this tent 7 times,” wrote one shopper. “Everything works perfectly. It is simple and quick to set up and pack up.”
Boost Canned Oxygen 2-pack
$30
Fun fact: because trees lose their leaves in autumn, there’s less oxygen in the air. While scientists say it’s not enough that we notice, I still think it’s smart to pack canned oxygen if you’re camping at high altitudes. With nearly 10,000 five-star ratings, Boost’s canned oxygen is an Amazon bestseller. “Boost is light, convenient and it works,” wrote a pilot who lives at sea level and bought it for a week-long camping trip at over 12,000 feet. Note: canned oxygen is not allowed on planes, so don’t pack it in your carry-on, on your person, or in your checked bag.
Tanming Womens Flannel Plaid Shacket
$43
$30
As soon as I put my white away after Labor Day, out comes my flannel collection which runs the gamut from my hand-me-down shirts I stole from my dad to Outerknown’s signature Blanket Shirts. But for fall camping, you can usually find me in this flannel shirt and jacket hybrid. It’s budget-friendly, so I don’t need to worry too much if it smells like campfire and I have to wash it frequently or if it gets snagged on a branch while I’m collecting firewood. Plus, the deep pockets keep my hands cozy on crisp mornings and cool nights, and the longer length keeps my bum warm. With more than 3,300 five-star ratings, this jacket has tons of five-star reviews with titles like “My favorite fall essential piece of clothing” and “Really well-made and comfy.”
Crocs Unisex-Adult Classic Lined Clog
$60
$41
While I don’t think they’re the most flattering footwear, Crocs are a camping must, especially when I spend most of my day in my Merrell hiking boots and want a comfy, lightweight shoe to wear around camp. I wear a normal pair in the summer, but in the fall, I switch to this faux-fur lined style. Still on the fence about them? Here’s a stat that may be the deciding factor: nearly 90 percent of their 112,000 ratings have perfect five stars. “They have proven to be lightweight, warm, and comfortable,” wrote one shopper who purchased them specifically for fall camping and backpacking.
Amika Perk Up Talc-free Dry Shampoo
$28
When I was five years old, my survivalist aunt taught me how to wash my hair in a river, using biodegradable shampoo, of course. But in the fall? Forget about it. I’m not dunking my head in freezing cold water. That’s why I usually pack dry shampoo like this bestseller with more than 12,100 five-star ratings and the top spot on Amazon’s list of dry shampoos. Prior to leaving for my fall camping trip, I wash my hair with Matrix Food For Soft Conditioner which keeps my hair soft and tangle-free for at least 72 hours.
Stanley Legendary Classic Pre-party Liquor and Spirit Flask
$19
Like coffee, cocktails also taste better when you’re camping. I love a good hot toddy in the fall, so I recently got this 8-ounce insulated camping flask from Stanley. With more than 2,000 purchased in the last month, it’s Amazon’s best-selling flask, and it comes in fun colors like Plum, Cream Gloss, and Azure, in addition to the Hammertone Green. One reviewer raved about it, writing, “This has to be the best flask I have ever used! I don’t have to worry about corrosion and its sturdy design makes it perfect for camping and trips.”
Outland Living Firebowl 893 Deluxe Outdoor Portable Propane Gas Fire Pit
$150
$123
While many wilderness areas have fire bans in the summer, restrictions usually ease up in the fall. Still, if you don’t want to buy pricey firewood or clean up ashes, invest in this portable 23-pound propane gas firepit that has an impressive 4.8-star average rating from more than 17,000 ratings. With 58,000 BTU, this firepit is surprisingly strong, as you can feel the heat from up to 10 feet away. “I wish we had bought it sooner,” said one camper who loves having the fireside vibes without the smell or the smoke.
Teton Sports Sleeping Bag
$55
I can have the comfiest air mattress and my adjustable Rumpl Camp Pillow, but if my sleeping bag isn’t warm enough, I won’t get a wink of quality sleep. Even if the daytime high is in the 70s, I don’t camp in the fall without a sleeping bag rated for temps below freezing. While I personally love Nemo’s award-winning Endless Promise bag ($300 at REI), a good budget-friendly alternative is this three-season bag with more than 4,400 five-star ratings. It’s rated for temps as low as 20 degrees and features a drawstring hood and padded zippers to keep drafts out. “I love it,” wrote one shopper who said it kept them warm while backpacking in Alaska in the early fall and in the Mojave Desert, where it got down to 15 degrees in January.
Yeti Rambler 18-ounce Hotshot Bottle Black
$30
When it comes to insulated water bottles, you can’t go wrong with the Yeti Rambler. It has a 4.7-star average rating from more than 6,000 ratings and when paired with the Hotshot cap, is perfect for fall camping. This game-changing insulated, leak-proof lid is designed for hot drinks like coffee, cocoa, and tea. Just don’t plan on storing this bottle with your camping gear. You’ll want it handy for everyday use and travel. “I’ve taken it on long flights and been able to enjoy a hot cup of coffee for hours, even when the plane was freezing cold,” said one shopper.
Helinox Chair One Original Camping Chair
$110
$100
When I camped in Colorado’s backcountry one July, I just sat on the ground for four days. But in the fall, when the ground starts to freeze at night, I need a real seat. At just over 2 pounds, this portable camping chair is light enough that I can backpack with it. And when packed down, it’s just slightly larger than my Yeti Rambler. Not familiar with the brand Helinox? Just know that nearly 90 percent of this chair’s 1,500 ratings have perfect five stars, and at least one shopper said it’s so comfy you could fall asleep in it. Plus, you have the option of buying an insulated heat warmer seat cover ($70), which is removable, machine-washable, and a must for winter camping.
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