Earlier this month we took a belated anniversary trip to Lost Hill Lake, an event space and glamping destination in Franklin County, Missouri. The getaway was right up our alley, since it provided us with ample opportunities to spend time outside, in a rustic, natural setting. Our glamping site had numerous amenities that included a fire pit, an outdoor kitchen, and hiking and walking trails.

Lately, most of our hiking adventures have happened on private land owned by husband’s family, so it had been months since I’d explored somewhere new. And in exploring the hiking trails that lead to an overlook of the Meramec River at Lost Hill Lake, the spot is called Thinking Rock, I recalled just how magical the forest is this time of year.

It was those hikes during our Lost Hill Lake stay that reminded me that some of my favorite hikes happen when the leaves are changing and there’s a chill in the air. After we got home from our glamping trip, we ventured out to Don Robinson State Park and completed a two and half mile hike with our ruck sacks on (rucks are a weighted backpack, and whew, my legs the next day!).

Below, in no particular order are my reasons why I think autumn is the best season to explore the great outdoors.

Bugs are minimal. Maybe you live in an area where this isn’t an issue, and when we lived in the Pacific Northwest, bugs weren’t on my radar. Now that we’re back in the Midwest again, when we take hikes in the summer, we have to contend with flies, mosquitos, chiggers, ticks, and a variety of other pests. I like only having to worry about what snacks I want to pack for a hike, not what might be snacking on me during a hike, so fall is where it’s at. 

Crunchy leaves add a vibe. Sure, summer’s dusty paths that are clear and easy to find (and stay on course) are nice, I suppose. But I really get into the sound of leaves crunching beneath my boots as I find my way through the woods. The sound is really a melody to my ears, so much so, that sometimes I purposefully scoot my feet along the forest floor, loving that rhythmic shush-shush as I travel the path.

The lighting is perfect for pics. I find the slant of the sun during autumn always paints my surroundings in a golden hue that make photos look as though I’ve used a fancy filter. It’s not a filter, it’s just nature.

Trails are less crowded. With the exception of a few days here and there, the hiking spots seem to be a lot more deserted during the fall than during the height of summer. And I’m just fine with that. Nature makes my imagination run wild, and sometimes I like to pretend I’m in another world, or another time, one where people are few and far between. When there’s fewer hikers on the trails, that’s a lot easier to do.

The reward after the hike. Although I can appreciate the way a cold beer can hit the spot during summer, there’s something to be said about enjoying something warm after an autumn hike. From a hearty soup, hot chocolate, or my favorite warm beverage of all, coffee, few things feel better and recharge my batteries like something hot after a day spent outside in cool temps.

Several years ago, REI launched a campaign during Black Friday that urged its customers to get outside (presumably with family and friends) rather than spending the day after Thanksgiving milling about malls and stores. It’s in that same spirit that I’m sharing my hiking post this week. Even if you don’t like hiking, I hope you’ll spend time with someone you love outside in a park, or your own backyard, getting some fresh air and natural light. I guarantee your loved ones would prefer that experience over any material item you could give them.