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Fall is our favorite time of year for adventuring outdoors in North America, and it’s the perfect excuse to visit some of the best National Parks in the country. It’s truly special to see the changing leaves in these incredible places, and there are some National Parks that stand out when it comes to fall color viewing.
In the eastern United States, parks like Acadia and Great Smoky Mountains are some of the best fall color viewing areas in the world. In the western states, Yosemite and Rocky Mountain National Parks become a golden wonderland that will take your breath away.
No matter which national park(s) you’re visiting this fall, there are some essentials you should bring along that will help your trip go from incredible to an amazing bucket list dream. Stay warm and comfortable no matter the weather with these fall essentials.
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Fall days in National Parks involve lots of walking and exploring, and those crisp, cool mornings outdoors are one of the best parts about the fall season. That being said, your morning cup of coffee will quickly get cold, especially if it’s just in a mug or a paper cup.
A high-quality thermos is a game-changer, and it’s one of my favorite fall hacks of all time! I haven’t always brought my favorite thermos on vacation, but once I started packing it, I will never go back.
When you bring an insulated thermos, not only are you being more sustainable, but you can keep your hot drink of choice warm for hours on end. Now you can take in the stunning scenery with a piping hot drink in your hand and a sense of adventure in your heart.
My second favorite fall hack when visiting America’s National Parks is bringing along a blanket. Blankets are a quintessential fall item, and a heated blanket is key, especially if you’re always cold like me.
However, a regular, corded heated blanket may not cut it when you’re on long scenic drives, gazing at the stars, or hanging out at the campfire, which is where a battery powered heated blanket comes in. They can go wherever you go, and you don’t have to worry about finding a plug for power. They last for hours and hours on end and will keep you warm no matter where your fall adventure takes you!
When you’re spending time outside in the fall, you will experience crisp mornings, warm and sunny afternoons, and chilly evenings. As the temperature fluctuates throughout the day, you’ll need some warm layers that you can take off and put on as needed.
When I think of fall, I think of plaid shirts, beanies, and wool socks. But those may not be necessary when the afternoon sun shines from above. So plan your outfits in a way that allows you to stay comfortable at all times.
This means a puffy jacket for first thing in the morning and late at night, a plaid long-sleeve for mid-morning, and a short-sleeve shirt underneath for when the sun brings a little warmth back into your soul.
Fall is synonymous with the changing of the seasons, and with change comes rain. Expect that you’ll experience some fall showers, so you need to always be prepared by carrying a rain jacket. We always bring a rain jacket outdoors anyway, but it’s especially important in shoulder seasons.
As a bonus, it can double as a windbreaker if you didn’t pack as many layers as you ended up needing.
Like an insulated thermos and a heated blanket, a warm pair of slippers has become one of my favorite items to pack for a vacation. Bring along insulated booties or house slippers to keep your feet warm when you’re chilling indoors.
Whether you’re at a campground, in a glamping yurt, or at a cabin in the woods, a warm pair of slippers for hanging out is one of the best travel hacks I’ve ever discovered. This is especially true during fall when the cold floor means I prefer a warm pair of wool socks over going barefoot.
Speaking of cold feet, keeping your hands and feet warm is part of the adventure when you’re exploring fall trails. Bring hand warmers and foot warmers so you can just stick those little heat packets in your pockets or shoes when the autumn chill becomes a little too much.
If you want a more sustainable option than the disposable hand warmers, then purchase some battery-powered ones online before you go. Instead of throwing them away, you can recharge them and use them for years to come.
Hotels are nice, but use this fall national park adventure as an excuse to book something special. How about a cabin in the woods? Have you ever been glamping? Now’s the time to book a place that will help you experience fall as much as possible.
Look for vacation rentals or glamping resorts that help you have an extraordinary adventure. Look for A-frame cabins and glamping tents in scenic locations that have features like large porches, mountain views, hot tubs, a fireplace or outdoor campfire area, large windows, and access to nearby trails. This will take your fall experience to a whole new level.
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We are Jacob and Taylor. Travel is our passion and we love sharing our experiences here at The Travelling Souk. Our hope is that you would be inspired by this little blog to try something new, embrace an adventure, and live life to the fullest.
