At a Glance: Fall RV Cookout Tips
Fall RV cookouts are a perfect way to enjoy the season, especially with the right setup and a bit of planning. Choose a sunny, sheltered campsite close to your rig, and always check fire restrictions before lighting up. If open flames aren’t allowed, a propane fire pit can save the day. Prep food inside to keep things simple, and bring weather-ready gear like lights, layers, and heated chairs to stay comfortable as temperatures drop.
Focus your menu on fall favorites like apple cider pork chops, chili, and campfire desserts, and create a cozy vibe with string lights, music, and warm drinks. Make cleanup easy with disposables and keep supplies within reach. Invite neighbors, add festive decor, and turn your fall cookout into a fun seasonal tradition.
I adore being in our RV during the fall. The weather is perfect for spending time outside and is especially wonderful for cookouts. That said, there are some things I’ve learned about fall RV cookouts that will make the experience even better.Â
Pick the Perfect Spot
When it comes to RV parking spots, location is everything. This is especially true if you plan on hosting a cookout during your fall campout, as the right spot can help make chilly fall weather feel comfortable.Â
For us, if we’re planning to grill out, I like to look for a site that is shielded from the wind by a tree or a hill. It’s also nice to park in such a way that the outdoor setup faces the sun late in the day. Finally, I highly recommend keeping your cookout setup close to your RV so you can escape easily if temperatures drop quickly.Â
Check Local Fire Rules
Something we’ve learned the hard way? Fall can be tricky when it comes to fire restrictions. In many areas, dry conditions mean no open flames are allowed, even in your campsite’s fire ring. Before lighting anything, always check with your campground host or ranger station.
If fires are allowed, make sure you get firewood that isn’t green or damp, especially after recent rain. Nothing kills the cookout vibe like smoky, sputtering logs.
If fires aren’t allowed, there are ways you can still grill out. This is why I also recommend carrying a propane fire pit. We absolutely love ours, and using it during fire bans is totally allowed.Â
Put Together the Perfect Setup
There’s no one right way to set up your outdoor cooking station. That said, I have come across some pretty great ones, and most RVers are thrilled to tell you about how they cook outdoors.Â
PanJH on iRV2 says, “I cook outside essentially 100% of the time. Since we went to an all electric coach, I’ve changed the appliances I use to cook. I have an electric griddle, electric Aussie BBQ grill, air fryer, induction cook top, slow cooker, and a setup to use the slow cooker for sous vide. I have a folding table it all fits on and slides underneath the passenger side slide out. In addition to the scare light, I put in 2 bullet LED lights in the outside entertainment center that I can point at the grill/table during evening cooking hours.”
Meanwhile CCRK MAX on iRV2 has the following to share: “For us it’s a tripod, 2 Lodge Dutch ovens—one with a lip around the outside and one that is smooth—plus a 14 inch Lodge skillet, 20 inch Lodge skillet, griddle, a folding grate, and a Camp chef oven. nothing better than a roast cooked in a Dutch oven over a wood fire.”
When I asked my RV buddy Bill Anderson about his setup, he said, “I’m another advocate for the Camp Chef. I have a 2 burner with the smoker box and griddle. Love the options to use my pot for Crab/Shrimp boils [or] any other larger boiling water needs, and my cast iron Dutch Oven for deep frying. I intend to upgrade to the 3 burner (only inches larger) with a grill box as well. Overall, it’s the most versatile system I’ve found.”
Gear Up for Fall Conditions
It’s important to remember that the sun sets earlier and the weather will be cooler during the fall months. This means you will want to stock up on some extra gear. I always keep the following items on hand during fall to make our cookouts more comfortable:
- Headlamps or LED lanterns: The sun sets early now. Light up your cooking area so you’re not guessing whether your burgers are done.
- Insulated drink tumblers: These keep cider or coffee warm, or you can pour in your favorite fall cocktail.
- A folding windscreen: If you cook with a grill or a propane stove, a small metal windscreen keeps your flame steady.
- Layered clothing: You’ll be amazed how fast you cool down once the grill’s off. A fleece, beanie, and a pair of warm socks can make the difference between “fun night out” and “we’re eating inside.”
- Heated items: If you really want to stay comfortable, invest in a heated camp chair or a small propane heater designed for outdoor use.
Prep Indoors, Cook Outdoors
I much prefer to prep all of our food inside the RV and then carry everything out for cooking and eating. This helps make the prep process smoother and keeps the outdoor cooking area as clean and simple as possible.Â
Things I do inside include chopping veggies, seasoning meat, parboiling potatoes or corn before putting them on the grill, and warming sauces and sides. If you’re carrying hot food outside, use insulated containers to keep everything warm.Â
Embrace Fall Flavors
I’m a lover of all things fall. This includes the warm, cozy flavors and foods that tend to be enjoyed this time of year. For this reason, I really like to include fall flavors in my fall cookout menu.
Here are some ideas for doing just that.Â
Main Dishes
- Apple cider pork chops: Grill thick-cut chops after marinating them in apple cider, brown sugar, and a touch of Dijon mustard.
- Maple-glazed chicken thighs: Easy to prep and perfect over charcoal or propane.
- Campfire chili: Cook inside or in a Dutch oven over your fire ring. Serve with cornbread cooked in a cast iron skillet.
- Smoked sausages with onions and peppers: Fast, filling, and easy cleanup.
Sides
- Foil packet potatoes: Toss with olive oil, garlic, and rosemary. They’ll stay warm for ages next to the coals.
- Butternut squash skewers: Add maple syrup and grill them until caramelized.
- Roasted Brussels sprouts with bacon: A campfire classic. Toss in a cast-iron pan and let them crisp up.
Desserts
- Campfire apples: Core the apples, stuff with brown sugar and cinnamon, wrap in foil, and toss in the coals.
- S’mores with a twist: Try peanut butter cups, caramel squares, or cinnamon graham crackers.
- Grilled pound cake with roasted peaches: Fancy? Maybe. Worth it? Absolutely.
Don’t Forget Warm Drinks
Our RV coffee bar is one of my favorite things about our rig. We use it all year long, but the fall is the absolute best time for the yummy drinks we make using our coffee bar.
Whether or not you have a coffee setup of your own, I highly recommend making some hot drinks to enjoy this chilly season while hanging out outdoors. I promise a tasty warm beverage will make all the difference.Â
Some hot drink ideas include:
- Hot apple cider (hard or soft).
- Mulled wine simmered on your RV stove.
- Pumpkin spice lattes.
- Hot chocolate with toasted marshmallows.Â
If you want to get creative and give your guests the ability to craft their own hot beverages, consider making a “campfire barista station” on a folding table. Set it up with mugs, a carafe of coffee, hot water and tea bags, hot cocoa packets, sugar, cinnamon sticks, whipped cream, creamer, and a little thermos of Irish cream for the grownups.
Keep Food Safe
No matter when you host your cookout, you will need to keep safety in mind as you cook, serve, and store foods. This means you’ll want to use coolers with separate sections for raw meat and ready-to-eat items, and keep leftovers sealed and refrigerated immediately after the meal.
Warm Up Your Cookout Space
The food is important, of course, but our fall cookouts are always much cozier when I put some thought into the vibe. I like to use string lights to create a soft glow at our campsite and set up a fire pit or heater near the seating area. Fleece blankets draped over chairs will ensure that everyone who wants to cover up can do so, and some soft music played over a Bluetooth speaker will set the mood.Â
Make Cleanup Easy
The worst part of any cookout? The cleanup process. Fortunately, I have some tricks up my sleeve that make cleanup much easier, something I especially appreciate when the weather is cold.Â
I like to do the following:
- Line serving tables with disposable tablecloths.
- Bring paper plates and plastic utensils if you don’t want to deal with washing.
- Wipe down the grill while it’s still warm. A ball of aluminum foil makes a great scrubber.
- Keep paper towels, trash bags, and hand wipes within reach.Â
Make It a Seasonal Tradition
Living in an RV doesn’t have to mean you don’t have any seasonal traditions. We have lots of yearly traditions, including our falltime cookouts. You can make your fall cookouts extra special by inviting other campers to come and share a side dish to go with whatever entrees you’re grilling. It might also be fun to try a different theme each year: Mexican food, chili, New England harvest feast, etc.Â
No matter what food you decide to serve, make your space cozy and throw in a few pumpkins and other fall decorations to complete the look.Â
Fall RV cookouts are an absolutely wonderful way to celebrate the season and appreciate it for all it has to offer. Hopefully these tips give you some ideas for making your next fall RV cookout a smashing success so you and your camping buddies can make memories to last a lifetime!
FAQs for Fall RV Cookouts
Choose a spot that’s sheltered from the wind, gets afternoon sun, and allows you to set up close to your RV for quick access if the weather turns cold.
In most cases, yes. You just have to swap the campfire for a propane fire pit or electric cooking gear. But you should always double-check fire restrictions with the campground before lighting anything.
Pack layered clothing, a folding windscreen, insulated drinkware, and outdoor heating options like a heated chair or small propane heater.
Prep food indoors, use disposable tableware, clean the grill while it’s warm, and keep cleanup supplies like wipes and trash bags close by.
Add string lights, blankets, music, and fall decorations. Offer warm drinks or set up a DIY drink station, and invite fellow campers to share dishes or join in on a seasonal theme.