Fall Camping in BC: Why Visit the Cariboo in September & October
Summer may get most of the attention, but fall is one of our favourite times to experience Timothy Lake and BC’s Cariboo.
By September, the pace begins to change. The days are a little shorter, the evenings are cooler, the leaves begin turning, and the lake becomes noticeably quieter.
For anyone looking for a peaceful BC fall getaway, a cozy lakeside cabin, or one more camping trip before winter, September and early October can be a beautiful time to visit Martens Resort on Timothy Lake.
Here are a few reasons we love fall in the Cariboo.
Fall Colours Around Timothy Lake
One of the best parts of travelling through BC’s Interior in the fall is watching the landscape change.
Aspen, poplar and birch begin turning shades of yellow and gold, transforming the forests and roads throughout the Cariboo.
At Martens Resort, you can enjoy the changing colours while walking our nature trail, exploring the area, or simply sitting outside your cabin or campsite looking across Timothy Lake.
You don’t necessarily need a long list of activities.
Sometimes a coffee, a lake view and nowhere you need to be is enough.
Cozy Lakeside Cabin Weather
There’s something about cooler weather that makes a cabin feel even better.
Spend the day outside exploring, fishing or walking, then come back to a warm cabin where you can make dinner, curl up with a book or enjoy a quiet evening together.
Our lakeside cabins give you the outdoor experience without having to rough it. You have a comfortable place to sleep, a kitchen for preparing meals, heat for those cooler Cariboo nights and Timothy Lake just outside.
A fall cabin getaway works equally well for couples wanting a quiet weekend, friends catching up, or families looking for one more escape before winter.
Fall RV Camping Without the Summer Rush
Not ready to put the RV away yet?
Neither are we.
September and early October can be a great time for RV camping in the Cariboo.
There are fewer people travelling than during July and August, which means a quieter campground and often more flexibility when choosing your site.
At Martens Resort, guests can choose from lakefront, lakeview and full-hookup RV sites.
You’ll also have access to amenities including hot showers, laundry facilities, our nature trail, lawn games, and the lake.
And one of fall camping’s underrated perks?
Far fewer mosquitoes.
Fall Fishing on Timothy Lake
Camping season may be winding down, but fishing season certainly doesn’t have to be.
Timothy Lake is home to Rainbow Trout and Kokanee Salmon, and the quieter days of fall are a beautiful time to get out on the water.
Bring your own boat and fishing gear or ask us about pontoon boat, fishing boat and rod rentals during your stay.
Even if the fish aren't cooperating, spending a crisp fall morning out on Timothy Lake isn't a bad way to start the day.
Campfire Season
Cool evenings and campfires seem to belong together.
When current fire conditions permit, fall is an ideal time to sit around the fire without the heat of midsummer.
Make some s’mores, bring out a blanket and stay outside a little longer than you planned.
Then head back to your heated cabin or RV when the temperature drops.
Fewer Crowds and a Slower Pace
Perhaps the biggest reason to visit the Cariboo in the fall is also the simplest.
It’s quieter.
Once the peak summer season ends, there are fewer vehicles on the roads, fewer people competing for campsites and more room to slow down.
That makes fall especially appealing for couples, retirees, friends travelling together and families who prefer a more relaxed getaway.
You may also have more flexibility to book something somewhat spontaneously.
See a beautiful forecast?
Have a free weekend?
Need a break?
Pack a bag and come to the lake.
What Does a Fall Weekend at Timothy Lake Look Like?
It doesn’t have to be complicated.
Wake up and drink your coffee looking at the lake.
Go for a walk.
Spend a few hours fishing.
Come back and make lunch.
Read a book.
Play cards.
Have a nap.
Watch the sunset.
Light a campfire if conditions allow.
That’s it.
And sometimes that’s exactly what a getaway should be.
Plan Your Fall Getaway to Timothy Lake
Martens Resort is located on Timothy Lake near Lac la Hache in BC’s South Cariboo.
We offer lakeside cabins, RV sites and tenting, along with fishing and boat rentals and plenty of room to enjoy the outdoors.
Our regular season runs into mid-October, weather permitting.
If summer disappeared a little too quickly this year—or you simply prefer visiting once things quiet down—there’s still time for one more trip to the lake.
The summer crowds may be gone, but the lake views, golden fall colours, crisp mornings, crackling campfires, calling loons, and peaceful Cariboo evenings are still here.
If you’ve been craving a little more quiet, a slower pace, and one more chance to enjoy the lake before winter, fall at Timothy Lake is waiting.
