There’s no wrong time to go camping… or is there?
The reality is that everybody’s idea of the best time to go camping is completely subjective.
It depends on so many things—including the location, the weather, the type of camping, what you plan on doing, and how challenging you want your trip to be.
What month is the best time to go camping?
We’re four-season campers who’ve camped in every month of the year except December, so we’ve pretty much seen and experienced it all.
From relentless heatwaves in mid-July to bone-chilling blizzards in February, we’ve been able to get a feel for exactly what each month of the year has to offer.
Just as a sidenote, we’re from Ontario, Canada, so we’re speaking from the climate and weather conditions we experience here—most of which is comparable to what’s seen in northern parts of the U.S. as well.
However, the climate and weather conditions might look a lot different in other locations, such as southern parts of the U.S., the Pacific Northwest (Canada and the U.S.), and of course faraway locations like Europe or Australia.
With that said, if you live in a temperate location in the Northern Hemisphere, these best-times-to-camp guidelines should serve you well.
Take a read and see if you can find the best time to go camping for your needs!
Camping in January
It’s the middle of the off-season for camping and the dead of winter.
Most people wouldn’t dare to go out into the cold, but if you’re interested in winter camping, this is the time to do it.
To camp on your own, you’ll need a four-season tent or a hot tent—otherwise you may be able to book yurts or camping cabins on campgrounds.
Types of camping to enjoy: Four-season tent camping, hot tent camping, car camping, RV camping, glamping
Special occasions: New Year’s Day and the wind down from the holidays
Ideal for: People who aren’t afraid of the cold and can appreciate the beauty of winter
Why January might be the best time to go camping
The winter months have no crowds and are extremely peaceful.
Plus, there’s plenty of snow to go around if you’re into winter activities like skiing or snowshoeing.
Why January might be the worst time to go camping
January is one of the coldest months of the year (if not the coldest), with extremely cold temperatures that can dip well below freezing—as low as 10°F (-12°C) and below (especially with the wind chill).
Winter camping also requires a lot of specialized gear that’s typically more expensive than three-season gear, making it an impractical and often unaffordable choice for many campers.
Camping in February
February is much like January in terms of weather conditions—cold and snowy.
It’s still winter, and you’re probably itching for warmer weather by now.
February is often when we find ourselves feeling stuck in a rut now that the holidays have been over for a while and spring is still weeks away.
Getting out to enjoy the quiet and tranquility of the winter season is a great way to escape cabin fever, get active, and boost your mental health in the process.
Types of camping to enjoy: Four-season tent camping, hot tent camping, car camping, RV camping, glamping
Special occasions: Valentine’s Day and Family Day (Canada)
Ideal for: People who aren’t afraid of the cold and want to get out of their indoorsy rut
Why February might be the best time to go camping
The same reasons apply here as January—it’s peaceful, there are no crowds or long lines, and there’s plenty of snow for winter activities like skiing, ice fishing, or snowshoeing.
The days are also getting longer, so you have more daylight to enjoy the outdoors.
Why February might be the worst time to go camping
The cold temperatures are still a major deterrent for many campers who don’t want to freeze their toes off.
And again, winter camping requires extra gear that can make the activity expensive and impractical for some people.
Camping in March
We’re at the tail end of winter now, and you may even start to see the first signs of spring depending on where you are.
The days are getting longer and temperatures are starting to warm up, though it’s still best to bring plenty of layers in case they dip lower than expected at night.
Unfortunately, things can start to get wet—really wet—as all that ice and snow starts to melt.
Types of camping to enjoy: Four-season tent camping, hot tent camping, potentially cold camping with a four-season tent, car camping, RV camping, glamping
Special occasions: St. Patrick’s Day, March/spring break, and the spring equinox
Ideal for: People who are prepared to camp in winter conditions but are looking forward to the first signs of spring
Why March might be the best time to go camping
There are still no crowds in March, no bugs, and if you’re lucky, you might see your first day of seriously mild weather (in the 60s or so).
You can still see temperatures below freezing and blizzard-like conditions, but you have a higher chance of seeing temperatures in the 30s, 40s, or 50s, which can make being outdoors feel a little more enjoyable.
You can still enjoy lots of winter activities as the snow and ice hangs around without the extreme temperatures of January and February.
Why March might be the worst time to go camping
The cold combined with wetness can make things unbearable (and dangerous) if you’re not prepared.
If you prefer a dry cold rather than a “wet” cold like we do, you’re better off camping in temperatures of 20°F (-7°C) or lower.
Camping in April
Spring has finally arrived and the days are getting longer as we move closer to summer.
April is often a transitional month, with temperatures fluctuating throughout the day (and week).
You might start off with a warm day in the 70s—only to have it dip into the 30s by nightfall.
Rain is almost guaranteed, so expect wet conditions, and in some instances—snow!
Types of camping to enjoy: Three- to four-season tent camping, shorter backpacking trips, car camping, RV camping, glamping
Special occasions: Easter
Ideal for: Campers looking for the best of both worlds—cold winter nights and warm spring days—and are prepared for wet and cold weather.
Why April might be the best time to go camping
April is often when you really start to notice the first signs of spring—buds on the trees, plants sprouting back up from the ground, and wildlife waking up.
It’s the perfect time to explore the beauty of nature in its transition from winter to summer, with a variety of blooming flowers and wildlife beginning to come out of hibernation.
Chances are you’ll get comfortable weather to hike in—without the humidity, bugs, or crowds!
Why April might be the worst time to go camping
One word: rain!
April can be extremely wet and rainy (and often still pretty cold), which can make for miserable conditions.
Camping in May
The days are longer, the sun is shining, and the best weather of the year for camping has finally arrived.
Temperatures are in full swing now—with many areas seeing highs in the 70s and 80s.
This is your last chance to get out before the bugs!
It can still be very rainy and windy, but the spring season being in full swing tends to make up for it.
Types of camping to enjoy: Three- to four-season tent camping, backpacking, early season canoe camping, car camping, RV camping, glamping
Special occasions: Mother’s Day, Memorial Day (U.S.), Victoria Day (Canada)
Ideal for: Campers looking to get out in the early season and take advantage of the nice weather before the bugs and crowds.
Why May might be the best time to go camping
May is when spring bursts into life and is regarded as the early start of the camping season.
Although it can still be rainy, windy, and cold, you can get lucky with some really warm weather.
The summer crowds haven’t arrived yet and you still have a few weeks to enjoy without being pestered by biting insects, making for a pleasant and comfortable trip.
Why May might be the worst time to go camping
May can have some pretty unpredictable weather, so you’re never guaranteed warm or dry conditions.
It’s still too cold to go swimming, even if the weather warms up.
And if you do have a warmer than expected May, you can expect bug season to start early.
Camping in June
Ah, relief from the cold.
You can finally turn off the heater in your tent and start to enjoy summer camping!
June is when temperatures really start to climb and you can expect several weeks (or even months) of warm to hot weather ahead.
That’s great news for beach goers, swimmers, and people looking forward to getting out on the water.
The days are also at their longest, giving you plenty of time to explore and get to know a new area.
Types of camping to enjoy: Three-season tent camping, beach camping, canoe camping, backpacking, car camping, RV camping, glamping
Special occasions: Father’s Day, the summer solstice, the end of the school year
Ideal for: Campers looking to enjoy the best of summer before the crowds hit in full force
Why June might be the best time to go camping
June is the kick-off of summer, meaning it’s your first chance to really start enjoying all those summertime activities you’ve been waiting for all winter.
It’s finally warm to enough to wear summer clothes , go to the beach, swim in the lake, and go boating or fishing.
You may notice more people, but the height of the crowds won’t hit until next month, making it more pleasant overall.
Why June might be the worst time to go camping
June is really the start of bug season, and it can get bad—REALLY bad.
Expect the black flies to be completely awful during this month, followed by the mosquitos.
If you don’t want to be swarmed, you may want to avoid camping in June altogether.
Camping in July
July is the height of the summer camping season.
School is out, people are more likely to take vacation time, and the crowds are strong.
It’s a great time to go camping if you love hot weather, but don’t expect to it to be easy to book your favourite campsite or see all the best attractions without swarms of people around!
Types of camping to enjoy: Three-season tent camping, beach camping, canoe camping, backpacking, car camping, RV camping, glamping
Special occasions: Canada Day (Canada), Independence Day (U.S.)
Ideal for: Campers who don’t mind the heat and large crowds.
Why July might be the best time to go camping
July is when summer really starts to heat up and it’s the best time of year for beach and water activities.
The days are hot and long, the lakes are warm enough for swimming, and you can enjoy the season to the fullest.
Why July might be the worst time to go camping
July is when a lot of people go camping—especially the long weekend.
If crowds frustrate you, you’ll want to avoid this month.
Plus, the bugs can be really bad in July (especially mosquitos) so if you’re planning a camping trip, make sure you bring your insect repellent!
The heat can also be unbearable—so bring lots of water and sunscreen along with your bug spray!
Camping in August
August is still regarded as the height of the summer season, so it’s comparable to July in terms of weather, crowds, and bugs.
The days are starting to get noticeably shorter but there’s still plenty of daylight and warm weather to enjoy all your favourite activities like swimming, hiking, canoeing, or fishing.
In some northern location, the mosquitos will be noticeably reduced or practically non-existent, and some early fall weather might bring a fair bit of wind and chilly temperatures.
Types of camping to enjoy: Three-season tent camping, beach camping, canoe camping, backpacking, car camping, RV camping, glamping
Special occasions: Civic holiday (Canada)
Ideal for: Campers who want to enjoy one last blast of summer before heading into fall, but don’t mind dealing with the crowds who are thinking the same.
Why August might be the best time to go camping
August can be better than June and July simply because the bugs are often less intense.
Some places are also less likely to experience extreme heat, making the temperatures more comfortable for sleeping in a tent, hiking, and doing all sorts of other camp-related activities.
Why August might be the worst time to go camping
There’s never any guarantee that the bugs will have died off and the heat waves are mostly done for the year, so August can still be pretty uncomfortable at times.
Also, while the crowds may be slightly reduced from July, as the school season ramps back up, they’re still likely to be quite strong.
So if you don’t want a lot of people around when you go camping, August is probably best avoided.
Camping in September
September marks the beginning of the fall season and is a great time to go camping if you love cooler weather.
The days are getting shorter and there may be more wind and rain, but there’s still plenty of light and several weeks left to enjoy some pleasant temperatures (depending where in Canada or the U.S. you are).
And perhaps best of all, the crowds are significantly lower, and most of the bugs have died off for the season!
Types of camping to enjoy: Three-season tent camping, beach camping, canoe camping, backpacking, car camping, RV camping, glamping
Special occasions: Labour Day (Canada and U.S.)
Ideal for: Campers who want to avoid the crowds and bugs, but still enjoy some warm weather
Why September might be the best time to go camping
September offers the best of both worlds—the pleasant weather and fewer bugs of August, combined with less people, less heat, and shorter days.
If you’re pretty far north, you’ll likely start to see leaf colour changes too.
It’s a great time to get out in nature and enjoy some outdoor activities like hiking, fishing, swimming, or simply relaxing around the campfire.
Why September might be the worst time to go camping
September can have it all—a final heat wave or two, late season mosquito hatches, heavy rain, blustery winds, and even colder than normal temperatures.
It can be unpredictable, so if you’re not a fan of the elements and temperatures outside your comfort zone, best to keep an eye on the forecast before packing up your tent.
Camping in October
October is a lot like September in that it can have very unpredictable weather, but it’s less likely you’ll see intense heat and more likely you’ll see significantly cooler temperatures—including frost.
It may be too cold to go swimming now, but you’re almost guaranteed to see a spectacle put on by the trees, as the leaves start to turn from green to bright red, orange, and yellow.
The crowds are pretty much entirely done by now, so you can truly enjoy some peace and quiet.
Types of camping to enjoy: Three-season tent camping, canoe camping, backpacking, car camping, RV camping, glamping
Special occasions: Thanksgiving (Canada), Halloween
Ideal for: Campers who want to see the fall colours and are prepared for cold and unpredictable weather
Why October might be the best time to go camping
October can be incredibly beautiful, as nature’s palette of colours is on full display.
The temperatures are often cooler, but if you’re lucky, you can still see some warmer temperatures in the 50s, 60s, or 70s—with zero bugs!
Peak season is over by now, so you’ll almost certainly have your pick of the campsites.
Why October might be the worst time to go camping
It’s best to be prepared for anything in October, as temperatures can drop quite low—especially at night.
Rain, high winds, and even snow are also likely, which could make camping difficult, unpleasant, and dangerous if you’re not prepared for it.
Camping in November
Not many people camp in November, but it can still be a great time to do it if you’re looking to get outdoors.
Depending on where you are, you may still see some tree colour, but in the north, the leaves have mostly fallen by November.
Frost has almost certainly set in, snow may be on the ground, and Daylight Savings Time has come to an end—making for significantly darker morning and evenings.
Types of camping to enjoy: Three- to four-season tent camping, hot tent camping, shorter backpacking trips, car camping, RV camping, glamping
Special occasions: Thanksgiving (U.S.)
Ideal for: Campers who want to enjoy the peace and quiet of the season before winter sets in, but are prepared for freezing weather, wind, and rain
Why November might be the best time to go camping
November is best for campers who don’t mind the cold, and are excited by the prospect of being totally alone in nature.
It’s a little bit dreary given that the leaves are mostly down and the wildlife activity has changed as winter approaches, but it can be an incredibly unique experience to watch how nature transitions from fall to winter.
There’s no chance you’ll have any run-ins with bugs, and best of all, campsites will be totally empty—so there’s no need to worry about overcrowding or noise.
Why November might be the worst time to go camping
The weather in November can be a drag, quite honestly.
You better be prepared for cold temperatures, rain, snow, and gusty winds—especially near big bodies of water.
It’s also really dark, meaning you’ll have less time during the day to enjoy your time outdoors.
Camping in December
The holiday season is in full swing by the time December arrives, and hardly anyone is thinking about going camping.
It’s cold, it’s dark, there’s probably snow, and most people are busy with their holiday gift shopping and event planning.
But hey, if you’re planning a winter-focused trip, or just want to break up the monotony of colder and darker days, camping can still be an enjoyable experience—especially if you make a family event out of it during Christmas break!
Types of camping to enjoy: Four-season tent camping, hot tenting camping, car camping, RV camping, glamping
Special occasions: Christmas
Ideal for: Campers who want to escape the holiday chaos, but are prepared for icy temperatures, snow, high winds, and deep darkness
Why December might be the best time to go camping
If you can brave the cold, December is a great time to take a break from your regular routine.
The campsites will be almost entirely deserted, so you can have the best chance of getting a great site and peace and quiet.
You can also turn it into a holiday celebration with a glamping trip by renting a yurt, RV, or camping cabin.
And if there’s snow on the ground, that means it will be your first chance to enjoy winter-focused activities like skiing, snowshoeing, or sledding.
Why December might be the worst time to go camping
It’s best to prepare for frigid temperatures if you’re planning on camping in December!
Snow is likely, and strong winds can turn a comfortable night into an icy chill.
Cold camping would be uncomfortable, which is why you might want to consider hot tent camping, yurt camping, cabin camping, or RV camping.
Plus, the sunlight hours are drastically reduced, so you’ll want to plan your activities accordingly so that you can fit it all in before nightfall.
Here’s what we think the best time to go camping is…
It’s obvious that each month has its own set of pros and cons when it comes to camping, and you have to take into account all the other factors that affect it—like location, weather, camping style, planned activities, and level of difficulty.
We wanted to share our favourite time to go camping from personal experience.
You may not agree with us, but that’s not the point!
The point is to get outside and enjoy the beauty of nature whenever you can, and discover for yourself what the best time to go camping is.
We love the shoulder seasons
The shoulder seasons are spring and fall, and we love them both.
Summer is honestly just too busy, too hot, and too buggy for our liking.
We much prefer to plan our trips right on the edges of peak season—before and after.
Our favourite time to go camping in spring: Mid-May to mid-June
Starting in the middle of May, the frost is pretty much done around here and the trees and flowers explode into bloom, making for a really beautiful outdoor experience after a long winter.
The bugs typically start in late May and early June, so this is the window where we can enjoy some sanity before they start buzzing (and biting).
It can still be very cold, rainy, and windy, but we can also luck out from some above normal temperatures and lots of sunshine.
June is likely to bring warmer weather, but also more bugs.
It’s worth it, however, because the crowds are still low and we have a great chance of seeing wildlife—especially moose in Algonquin Park!
Our favourite time to go camping in fall: Mid-September to mid-October
By mid-September, the crowds are mostly done and the bugs are either entirely gone or on their way out.
The temperatures are also much more bearable, so camping is actually really comfortable.
The best part, though, is the changing leaves.
The colours are absolutely stunning and typically start in late September, peaking around mid-October, and then falling up until the end of the month.
It can be very rainy, windy, and cold though, so we’re always prepared for unpredictable weather.
But given how quickly the fall season passes us by, we’re always willing to brave the wind and rain to be able to see Mother Nature put on such a colourful show.
Your month by month summary of key camping characteristics
We put together this quick chart showing what you can expect to experience so you’ll know how to prepare for a camping trip depending on the month.
Remember, this is based on the trips we’ve taken in Ontario, Canada, so this information may vary depending on your location.
| Temps | Weather | Bugs | Crowds | Gear | Risks | |
| JAN | Freezing | Snow, rain, freezing rain | None | Low | Winter or 4-season gear | Frostbite, hypothermia |
| FEB | Freezing | Snow, rain, freezing rain | None | Low | Winter or 4-season gear | Frostbite, hypothermia |
| MAR | Freezing to cold | Snow, rain, wind, freezing rain | None | Low | Winter or 4-season gear | Frostbite, hypothermia |
| APR | Cold to warm | Snow, rain, wind, freezing rain | None | Low to medium | 3-season to 4-season gear | Hypothermia |
| MAY | Cool to warm | Rain, wind, hail, thunderstorms, freezing rain | Black flies, mosquitos hatching | Low to medium | 3-season to 4-season gear | Hypothermia, insect bites, bears, poisonous plants |
| JUN | Warm to hot | Rain, wind, hail, thunderstorms, humidity | Peak black flies, mosquitos | Medium | 3-season gear | Hypothermia, heat exhaustion, insect bites, bears, poisonous plants |
| JUL | Warm to hot | Rain, wind, thunderstorms, humidity | Peak black flies, mosquitos, horse flies, deer flies | High | 3-season gear | Heat exhaustion, insect bites, bears, poisonous plants |
| AUG | Warm to hot | Rain, wind, thunderstorms, humidity | Tapering off of black flies, mosquitos, horse flies, deer flies | High | 3-season gear | Heat exhaustion, insect bites, bears, poisonous plants |
| SEPT | Cool to hot | Rain, wind, thunderstorms, humidity | Low levels of black flies, mosquitos, horse flies, deer flies | Medium | 3-season gear | Hypothermia, heat exhaustion, insect bites, bears, poisonous plants |
| OCT | Cold to warm | Rain, wind, hail, thunderstorms, freezing rain, snow | Low to no Black flies, mosquitos, horse flies, deer flies | Medium to low | 3-season to 4-season gear | Hypothermia, bears, poisonous plants |
| NOV | Cold to freezing | Snow, rain, wind, freezing rain | None | Low | Winter or 4-season gear | Hypothermia |
| DEC | Cold to freezing | Snow, rain, freezing rain | None | Low | Winter or 4-season gear | Frostbite, hypothermia |
Next up: Find out when the best time of year is to buy camping gear and discover how often people typically go camping
Elise is an experienced backcountry canoe tripper and winter camper from Ontario, Canada. She loves cooking up a storm over the campfire, taking in all the backcountry views, and enjoying a piña colada or two while relaxing at camp. She’s also certified in Whitewater Rescue (WWR) I & II and Wilderness First Aid (WFA).
