Pleasant weather, autumn leaves, and festive activities make fall an ideal time of year to head out in your van. Whether you’re planning a day trip nearby or a road trip farther away, fall offers tons of fun activities to enjoy. From coast to coast, these are some of the best seasonal activities to look forward to this fall while traveling around in your van.
Fall Foliage Drives
You don’t have to get out and hike to see gorgeous views of fall foliage. You can take in these impressive views from the comfort of your van. Fill up a mug of coffee or apple cider, pack some snacks, and take a scenic drive in areas known for having stunning fall foliage. Many designated scenic drives have overlooks and other places where you can pull over in your van and take pictures of your surroundings. Just make sure you have enough gas before heading out, especially if you’re visiting a more remote area. Since some scenic drives can get crowded on weekends in fall, you might want to plan to go on a weekday.
Cool Weather Camping
Camping in summer means dealing with mosquitoes and other bugs, as well as uncomfortably hot and humid conditions in some areas. During fall, the weather gets cool enough for bugs and humidity to go away, so you can enjoy camping more. Depending on where you want to go, you might need to reserve a campsite for your van, so plan ahead. When you’re packing for cool weather camping, bring plenty of blankets and an extra jacket or two to keep warm. Nights can get cold in fall, even in areas where daytime temperatures are on the warmer side.
Hiking
When you prefer seeing fall foliage up close, hiking is a great activity to do during fall. Drive your van to a nearby hiking trail, or look up hiking trails in areas you plan to visit. When you’re going to be hiking in fall, make sure trails are open first. Some parks close certain trails off after summer or later in fall. Bring sturdy hiking shoes, and dress warmly if you’re going to be hiking in cooler areas, such as mountains. If you’re hiking in deserts, canyons, and similar areas, daytime temperatures can still be hot, so dress accordingly. While hiking in fall, be on the lookout for deer, bears, and other animals that tend to be a bit more active this time of year while searching for food.
Fall Festivals
While traveling around in your van this fall, check out upcoming fall festivals. These festivals usually include tons of great food, live music, arts and crafts for sale, and a chance to purchase baked goods, produce, and other local goods. From lively Oktoberfest celebrations to spooky Halloween events and harvest festivals, you can find a wide range of seasonal festivals and events to enjoy. You can attend fall festivals in your area to support local businesses, or go to festivals in other cities or states to hang out with the local crowd and have fun.
Tailgating
If you’re a sports fan, you know how big football is in fall. Tailgating is a great way to meet other football fans, chow down on tasty foods, and cheer for your team. Your van offers a convenient and comfortable way to tailgate, since you can easily prepare foods in it or pull out the grill to make some hot dogs and hamburgers. If you’re near home, tailgate at local football games or other sports events in your area. If you’re on the road, check out current and upcoming local football games, so you can plan on tailgating. You’ll get to meet fellow sports enthusiasts in the area while cheering on the local team.
Apple Picking
Apples are in season during fall, making this a perfect time to do some apple picking. Look for local apple farms to drive to while you’re out and about in your van. Bring a basket with you to hold the apples you pick, or even a wagon to put them in if you plan on stocking up as much as possible. While you’re there, you might have a chance to buy fresh apple cider and freshly baked goods. You can store your apples in your van, and use them to make tasty desserts, homemade applesauce, and other apple recipes throughout the season while you’re on the road.
Campfire Cooking
Sitting around a campfire is a great way to spend a chilly fall evening. It’s also a fun way to make dinner or snacks. Gather around the campfire with your traveling companions, and roast marshmallows for a classic campfire treat. You can also roast hot dogs or make s’mores. After dinner, enjoy singing some camp songs or tell some eerie tales around the fire. Make sure you have all the supplies you need in your van for a campfire and food, and always check local advisories beforehand to see if campfires are currently allowed in the area you’re in. Some areas have rules and regulations about campfires, which you should follow.
Pumpkin Patch Visits
With Halloween being a fall holiday, many farms have pumpkin patches available to visit this time of year. Going to pumpkin patches gives you a chance to pick out a pumpkin to carve or decorate. You can also buy pumpkins to make pumpkin pie or other pumpkin recipes while you’re on the road. Some pumpkin patches have other activities available as well, such as wagon rides and corn mazes. At some farms, you might also be able to feed and pet farm animals. Pumpkin patch visits are a fun way to spend a fall afternoon, especially if you’re traveling with kids.
Birdwatching
Many birds migrate during the fall months, making it an ideal time to do some birdwatching. Depending on where you are or where you plan on going in your van, you might have a chance to watch birds you normally wouldn’t get to see. If there’s a specific kind of bird you’re interested in seeing or if you just want to know which birds you can expect to see in your location, check with organizations, such as The Cornell Lab or Audubon Society. You can also use online tools, such as BirdCast, to see which active migrations are occurring or to plan van trips based on bird migrations.
Fishing
Fishing might seem like more of a summer activity, but you can make some good catches during fall. For a higher chance of catching fish, head to sunny areas of lakes and other waters, and plan on using larger pieces of bait instead of smaller ones. Pack all of your fishing gear in your van, and consider stocking up on bait or other supplies before heading to rivers, lakes, ponds, and other fishing spots. Make sure you follow local rules and regulations on fishing, which might include getting a permit for this activity.
Making sure you have a reliable and comfortable van to travel around in this fall is a must before hitting the road. Visit Rec Van today to see our selection of new and used vans for sale and to check out additional tips on van travel.
