The calendar year is coming to an end, and for most state parks, the camping season slows down as frosty temperatures approach in November… even if it is somehow still 80°F in October this year.

A common theme throughout the adventures I share is the importance of adaptability. However, the trips themselves are often planned out months in advance. The dates, the locations, and the hopefully realistic itineraries of things we’d like to do.

Even though it’s the end of October, I’m already starting to plan and book the weekend getaways throughout 2027. There’s certainly room for spur-of-the-moment trips, but many of these destinations book out months in advance. If there’s somewhere specific I want to visit, I’d rather have a reservation on the books and change plans later than miss out entirely.

I can only predict and plan for so much, but I do consistently consider a few things that help with the decision-making process.

Restrictions

I always check when a campground turns its water back on for the season when booking something months in advance. This means no plumbing, no showerhouses… and potentially a much more rustic camping experience than you planned for. You’re left with vault toilets and frost-free water spigots, where those are available.

In Missouri, water and shower availability varies by park and campground. Many Missouri state parks operate on a seasonal schedule, typically offering these amenities from May 1 through October 31, while some parks have different schedules. It’s always worth checking the specific campground before booking.

When it comes to fishing destinations, consider the catch-and-release seasons and whether that’s a deal breaker for you. At Missouri’s trout parks, the catch-and-keep season runs from March 1 through October 31. Winter catch-and-release fishing follows a separate schedule, so check the dates and regulations before planning your trip.

These little details might not make or break a trip, but they’re worth knowing before you commit to a reservation. There’s nothing wrong with winter camping, but I’d like to know ahead of time if I’m signing up for a showerless weekend.

Seasonal Weather

I know Missouri, and the Midwest, are famously known for having just about every type of weather at any time of year… BUT we can still try our best to plan around it. Between the water restrictions and weather volatility, spring is where I leave room for spur-of-the-moment trips. And yes, I do hear the irony of planning for something spur of the moment.

Sometimes, the best plan is to leave the calendar open and see what the forecast has in store.

May features two three-day weekends on my work calendar, so I’m setting those aside for adventures a little farther from home or destinations where we’d appreciate some extra time to explore. Those longer weekends give us more flexibility without having to use additional vacation days.

Odds are that July and August are going to be the hottest months of the year. Although our camper has AC, we don’t like going out of our way to just sit inside those three walls. What’s the point of going camping if we’re spending the whole weekend hiding from the outside?

July and August are reserved for short, local trips we can do in the morning or evening, with water access for activities like swimming, fishing, or kayaking.

That doesn’t mean we’re writing off summer adventures entirely. It just means being a little more intentional about where we go and when we get outside and maybe we trade the camper for cabins, lodges, and hotels. 

September and October in Missouri could have 90°F days or 50°F days, and honestly, there’s no telling when or if either will show up. But I try to fit at least a few camping weekends into the fall. Especially in October, I always try to consider where I might find some gorgeous views of fall foliage that could peak at any point in the month.

Fall is also one of those seasons where flexibility really pays off. I can plan a trip around the possibility of colorful leaves, but I can’t make them change on my schedule. Sometimes you get the perfect weekend, and sometimes you get a campground full of mostly green trees. Either way, it’s still a weekend outside.

Planning Ahead Without Overplanning

The goal isn’t to have every weekend of 2027 mapped out down to the last activity. It’s to give ourselves options, secure reservations for the places we really want to visit, and leave enough breathing room to change things up when the weather or life has other plans.

A little planning goes a long way, but some of my favorite adventures have come from being willing to change course. So, while I’m already looking at next year’s calendar, I’m also leaving a few blank spaces. You never know when a free weekend, a promising forecast, or a new place worth exploring will come along.

Here’s to a year of planned adventures, backup plans, and a few happy accidents along the way.

~ Mo