Shoulder Season – The Time in Between

“Shoulder Season Backpacking”

A phrase that gets thrown around a lot, but often without much context.

It applies not just to backpacking but to any outdoor activity outside the peak season.

So, what exactly is shoulder-season backpacking? (Or for that matter, shoulder season hiking? Shoulder season camping?) And what gear should you bring?

Read on to find out!

Initially published in 2011, updated November 2025

In Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona

What Is “Shoulder Season” Backpacking?

“Shoulder season” is a term borrowed from the travel industry. It refers to the period just before or just after peak season, and it translates well to the outdoors.

Conditions are still good, just not optimized for crowds. Fewer people, a little more weather, and a lot more room to ramble.

Here’s why the travel industry calls it “shoulder season,” at least as it was explained to me. Not shown: the off-season. I don’t think that exists in the wild. 😉

In the backpacking world, this generally means late fall or early spring. Days can range from chilly to warm, nights often dip into the cold zone, and snow is a distinct possibility. The weather can feel raw, and daylight is limited. But you’ll likely have the mountains or desert mostly to yourself, and nature reveals a side many never get to see.

With the right mindset, a bit of extra gear, and good preparation, shoulder season can be one of the most rewarding times to be outdoors.

When Is Shoulder Season?

It depends on elevation, region, and local climate.

In the Colorado high country (and nearby areas of Wyoming and New Mexico), the spring shoulder season usually runs from just before Memorial Day to mid-June. The fall shoulder season typically lasts from mid-to-late September through early or mid-October.

This timeline tends to apply, give or take, to similar regions: the High Sierra, Cascades, White Mountains, and so on.

In the White Mountains of New Hampshire, the day after a fall storm

In our current desert home, the timing shifts: late January through early February (before the peak desert spring), and again from mid-November to December—before winter truly settles into the high desert.

Why Spend Time Outdoors in the Shoulder Season?

Simply put: it’s a fantastic time to be outside. Fewer people. Crisp air. No bugs (in the fall, anyway). And more nights under the stars with sunrises a bit easier to see.

What’s not to like?

The La Sal Mountains outside of Moab in early summer

Gear and Clothing for Shoulder Season Backpacking

Because it’s not quite summer or winter, gear for the shoulder season is best described as three-season-plus.

Where a standard three-season gear kit is more minimal, I’ll bring extra gear for shoulder season trips.

That usually includes a thicker puffy, a more robust fleece, and a warmer sleeping pad than in my warmer-weather setup.

Hiking with Joan has led to even more thoughtful tweaks. For example, we’ll swap in a double-wall tent instead of our lighter shelter when conditions call for it.

Extra chocolate is optional. From Joan.

We rarely use alcohol stoves these days, frequent fire bans make them impractical, so we often carry a canister stove instead. Keeping the canister in the tent works well in colder temps.

When the mercury dips, we’ve also started using a FireMaple remote canister stove paired with a windscreen and stove platform. It handles wind and cold more efficiently.

Other considerations: colder sleepers may appreciate liner pants or heavier base layers at camp.

It’s all about just enough extra insulation. Not full-on winter gear, but gear that bridges the gap.

Think: a warmer pad instead of a down-filled one. A mid-weight puffy instead of an expedition parka. Maybe a heavier sleeping bag if you sleep cold like Joan. These tweaks still fit in your regular pack, weigh less than winter setups, and extend your time outside.

I should also mention that “cold and wet” shoulder season conditions present their own set of challenges. I encourage you to read my full article on the topic.

Frankly, Joan and I are a bit spoiled here on the Colorado Plateau.

We don’t have to make as many adjustments when the seasons shift—unlike in the Pacific Northwest, New England, or mountains in winter, where more specialized gear is essential.

And finally—our luxury item from ~late September to ~April: the Luci Light Candle Lantern.

At under 3 oz / 100g and around $20, it gives off a cozy glow that makes those long nights in camp just a little nicer—highly recommended!

 

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Shoulder Season Camping

Camping this time of year is much the same. We keep a lot of our shoulder season kit pre-packed in our trusty kit bags.

That means thicker puffies, fleece pants, liner pants, thicker boots, and foam pads for chairs or standing while cooking.

Truth be told, we use this gear nearly year-round—only shifting into full winter mode in December.

A dedicated “beater puffy” and a 200 wt fleece combo is both economical and warm. It saves your more fragile backpacking insulation from unnecessary wear.

In recent years, I’ve added 32 Degrees puffies (Costco staple) to the mix—solid choices for everything short of proper winter. I’ll often pair them with fleece layers, too. Add a “corporate schwag” puffy and you are good to go.

From Joan

One more perennial favorite, especially for friends not quite warm enough: the “woobie.” Or if you prefer not to go full tacticool, call it a poncho liner.

Cheap, useful, great at camp, and a nice supplement to your sleep system.

In the End

“Shoulder season” means the in-between time. And often, it’s the best time to be outside.

With just a few gear tweaks, you can enjoy wild places when few others are around. And when someone says, “So when’s hiking season?”, you can smile and reply:

“When isn’t it?!?!”