Go ahead—bivouac!

The leaves are brilliant, the crowds have vacated, and those pesky flying bugs are gone—let's go camping! As Mary Savage highlighted in "Women on the Mississippi," Lake Country Journal Magazine, (Sept/Oct 2009, p. 46) this time of year can provide the best of camping and camraderie.

Yes, the temperatures have also taken a dip but, if you're properly prepared, fall camping has it all—uncrowded parks so you can pick and choose the best campsite, crisp air, off-season reduced rates—and no mosquitoes.

There are a few unique aspects to camping this time of year, though. The biggest concerns are probably the weather and/or the possibility of getting chilled. Fortunately, there are several interesting Internet sites that detail what fall camping is all about—and how you can be properly prepared for fall outdoor fun. Visit:
• The Fall Camping Primer.
• Or try this website for more fall camping tips.

To find some of Minnesota's prime fall campgrounds, visit the DNR website or Explore Minnesota.

And most of all, enjoy! Take one more camping trip before packing all the gear away for the winter.