Packing for Fall in Florida

Fall ranges from Late September to mid-December

Don’t get caught off guard by not having an appropriate sleeping bag because you thought it was going to be 90°. Yes, it does get cold in the fall in Florida. Chances are you won’t see much of a temperature drop in the early months of fall. December, however, can be chilly at night.

The end of September marks the beginning of fall. Leaves fall but not like you imagine if you’re in the mountains or northern US. The breeze picks up due to the tropics stirring up storms. A high-pressure system is bound to be close by no matter where you are. Pay close attention to the weather before heading out to the beach or everglades to camp. The last thing you want is to be out camping and find out a hurricane is bearing down.

An item you must have for this season is a weather radio. This one from Amazon cost me $49.99 https://www.amazon.com/Kaito-Powered-Emergency-Flashlight but it is worth every penny. It’s solar powered and has a windup crank just in case its not very sunny. I can charge my phone from it and use it as a flashlight.

Battery powered electronics have changed the camping game. Solar powered gear is better than ever. Hand crank radios are very inexpensive now. The best device I’ve found is solar powered with a battery back-up that also has a USB for charging my other electronics. I always keep me phone in case I need to make an emergency call. Just don’t always count on cell service. Some campgrounds may have Wi-Fi, but that’s not always a guarantee.

Make sure to print and bring any hiking maps, as you may not have GPS. You can also pick up one of these https://www.amazon.com/Garmin-Foretrex-401-Waterproof-Hiking . I’ve found that it has great reception in heavy tree cover and even out on the lake. The trip computer also features sunrise/sunset times, hunting/fishing information, electronic compass and barometric altimeter. It’s worth the hefty price tag.

Florida rarely sees a cold front in Fall. One or two nights of 60° in late November are a possibility but expect mid to high 80’s consistently. My favorite Fall camping is at one of Florida’s many beautiful springs. Water temps at most Florida springs sit consistently at 72 degrees year-round. The outside temp is still hot enough to want to go in the spring and cool down and the cool breeze at night is enjoyable. So, make sure to bring your bathing suit.

A lot of the springs allow divers to have a clear view. If you have your diver’s certification Devil’s Den Spring, Manatee Springs State Park, and Ginnie Springs are among some of the best for beginner divers. If you aren’t an avid scuba diver, you can still enjoy these parks or bring a snorkel and free dive.

Rain is always a possibility in Florida so keeping your poncho or rain jacket on you is a good idea if you are planning a full day of hiking or kayaking. Pack a comfortable pair of water shoes. Florida has some of the best shelling in the world. If you have a good pair of water shoes you can explore some of the shelly and rockiest parts.