The crisp, clear camping experience of fall can be yours, even in Arizona. Now that day-time temperatures in many areas have stopped hitting the triple digits, you can spend those days more comfortably in the great outdoors. Arizona has a wide range of campsites to suit your taste, ranging from the tree-stocked terrain of Mt. Lemon to the scrubby brush landscape around Roosevelt Lake. Five fall camping tips can help you prepare for a trip in any one of those environs.

Be Ready for Big Dips in Temperatures

Parts of Arizona can stay fairly warm during fall, at least during the day. When the sun goes down you’ll be sure to have to bundle up in some chilly weather. The Grand Canyon’s South Rim can hit a high temp of 65 in October during the day, and then dip down to 36 at night, according to GrandCanyonHiker.com. Other areas can dip just as severely. You might want to double check your sleeping bag to make sure it’s warm and cozy enough for the potentially frigid sleeping environment.

Gear Up Your Vehicle

You probably don’t need to put snow tires on your car, but you do want to make sure your vehicle can get you through an autumnal camping trip. Camping with a heavy duty vehicle can provide maximum comfort, as well as provide you with enough tow power and cargo space to pack up for a long trip. If you’re in the market for such a Chevrolet Silverado, Arizona Chevy Dealership can take care of your transportation needs for getting to your camping destinations. These dealerships will have both new and used trucks on hand, or you can go for a similar type of pickup that has a sturdy cab, four-wheel and off-road capabilities.

Dress in Layers

Layers are definitely the way to go for fall camping, the Farmer’s Almanac notes. That way you can shed or pile on as many or as few as you need to stay comfortable for all 24 hours of the day. Go for inner layers in fabrics designed to wick moisture away from your body and stick with outer layers that offer wind and rain protection.

Practice Extreme Fire Safety

A campfire is usually another must for fall camping in Arizona thanks to the chilly nighttime temps. The arid landscape in the equally arid state is generally always a fire risk, so make sure to follow commonsense tips. Always use a fire pit or build a fire ring. Always fully extinguish your fire before sleeping or leaving the area. Also be careful with fire used in your grill. And please don’t burn your toilet paper, as burying it is eco-friendly enough.

Keep an Eye Out for Wildlife

Arizona’s autumn can be a high activity time for certain wildlife, especially bats and coyotes. The Arizona Fish and Game Department notes bats may show up in strange places during the fall as they make pit stops during their migration south. Cracks, crevices, beams or holes that may normally be bat-free during the rest of the year may have a few batty residents for the fall.

The thing to look out for with coyotes is the cute and cuddly pups. DesertUSA says the pups are usually big enough to start hunting on their own once autumn hits. It’s not necessarily a deadly coyote-pup attack you’ll have to fight, but rather you may need to fight your urge to feed, touch or approach the youngsters. Not only is feeding wildlife against the law in Pima and Maricopa counties, but you never know if mama coyote is nearby.

Image courtesy William Mitchell