There's something magical about an October camping trip in the Missouri Ozarks, especially when it includes hiking trails, wild horses, cozy campfires, and a menu worth remembering.
I have a confession to make. One of my favorite things about camping is the food.
Don't get me wrong. I love the hiking, the fresh air, the changing leaves, and those beautiful moments when nature surprises us. But there's something about cooking and eating outdoors that makes even the simplest meal taste extraordinary.
Our recent camping trip to Echo Bluff State Park in Missouri gave us all of that and more. We spent our days exploring the trails, watching the leaves begin their autumn transformation, and enjoying an unforgettable encounter with the wild horses of the Ozarks.
And when we weren't exploring? Well, we were eating pretty darn well.
Falling in Love with the Ozarks in October
October is a wonderful time to go camping in Missouri. The summer heat has finally loosened its grip, the evenings are cool enough for a sweatshirt, and the trees are beginning to show those first hints of gold, orange, and red.
I especially love this stage of autumn, when the leaves are just starting to turn. There's still plenty of green, but every so often, a brilliant splash of color catches your eye.
Echo Bluff State Park provided the perfect setting for our fall getaway. Surrounded by the natural beauty of the Ozarks, it offered exactly what we were looking for: time outdoors, opportunities to explore, and a chance to slow down.
We hiked the trails, admired the changing landscape, and enjoyed the simple pleasure of being somewhere beautiful without having to rush off to the next thing.
And then there were the horses.
An Unexpected Highlight: The Wild Horses
One of the most memorable experiences of our camping trip was seeing a herd of wild horses.
If you've never encountered the free-roaming horses of the Missouri Ozarks, it's a remarkable sight. There's something almost magical about seeing these beautiful animals moving through the landscape together.
We were fortunate enough to see the herd, and it was one of those moments that reminded me why I love getting outside and exploring.
You can plan your meals, choose your campground, and decide which trails to hike, but you can't schedule a moment like that.
You simply have to be there, paying attention.
Of course, these horses are best enjoyed from a respectful distance. We were happy to watch and appreciate them without disturbing their natural behavior.
It was an experience I won't soon forget.
Camping Food: Because We Don't Believe in Boring Meals
Now, let's talk about what we ate.
Some people think camping food means hot dogs, chips, and whatever can be heated over a fire. And while I certainly appreciate a good campfire hot dog, Bob and I enjoy making our camping meals a little more interesting.
This weekend's menu was full of cozy fall favorites, a few indulgences, and plenty of delicious reasons to gather around the table.
Chili: The Ultimate Fall Camping Meal
Is there anything better than a bowl of chili on a cool autumn day?
Chili is practically made for camping. It's hearty, comforting, and exactly what you want after spending time outdoors.
There is something especially satisfying about enjoying a warm bowl of chili when the air is crisp and the leaves are changing colors around you.
It's the kind of meal that makes you want to pull your chair a little closer, wrap your hands around your bowl, and take your time.
Grilled Ham, Brie, and Apple Sandwiches
Now, this is my kind of camping sandwich!
We enjoyed grilled sandwiches filled with ham, creamy Brie, and apple slices. I love the combination of savory ham, rich cheese, and the fresh sweetness of apples.
It's a little unexpected, a little fancy, and absolutely perfect for fall.
The Brie becomes wonderfully soft and creamy when heated, while the apples bring just the right contrast to the salty ham.
Who says you can't eat beautifully while camping?
This is exactly the sort of meal I love: simple ingredients that come together to create something special.
Smash Burgers and Homemade Home Fries
Of course, no camping trip would be complete without a good burger night.
We made smash burgers, and if you've ever had one with those crispy, browned edges, you know why they're so popular.
There's something especially satisfying about a freshly cooked burger after a day of exploring.
And we didn't stop there.
We served them with homemade home fries, because a good burger deserves a good potato.
Crispy, golden potatoes alongside a juicy smash burger? That's a camping dinner I would happily eat again.
Sometimes the best meals are the ones that don't try too hard. They're simply delicious.
The Perfect Fall Camping Cocktail: Autumn Bourbon Sparkler
You didn't think we would head into the Ozarks without a good fall cocktail, did you?
Before our trip, we created a cocktail that combines some of my favorite autumn flavors: bourbon, apple cider, cinnamon, and sparkling wine.
It's called the Autumn Bourbon Sparkler, and it's a lovely way to celebrate the season.
The bourbon adds warmth, the apple cider brings that unmistakable fall flavor, and the cinnamon gives everything a cozy little kick. A splash of sparkling wine makes the drink feel festive without being overly heavy.
I especially love this cocktail for an early evening around the campsite, when the day is winding down and the campfire is getting started.
Autumn Bourbon Sparkler
Yield: 1 cocktail
Prep time: 5 minutes
Ingredients
1 ounce bourbon
1 ounce fresh apple cider
¼ ounce cinnamon simple syrup
3 ounces chilled Champagne, Prosecco, or other dry sparkling wine
Ice
Thin apple slice or cinnamon stick, for garnish
Optional: Cinnamon sugar for rimming the glass
Instructions
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
Add the bourbon, apple cider, and cinnamon simple syrup.
Shake briefly until well chilled.
Strain into a Champagne flute, coupe, or wine glass.
Slowly top with chilled sparkling wine.
Garnish with a thin apple slice or cinnamon stick.
Gia's Tip: For a little extra autumn charm, rim half the glass with cinnamon sugar before pouring the cocktail. It adds a pretty finishing touch and just a hint of sweetness with every sip.
This cocktail is particularly nice for fall entertaining, but I think it tastes even better when enjoyed outdoors with a cozy sweatshirt and a campfire nearby.
Gourmet S'mores with Maple Marshmallows
Let's be clear about something.
I am never too old for s'mores.
In fact, I think I've reached the age where I appreciate them even more, especially when we give them a gourmet twist.
This time, we roasted maple marshmallows for our campfire s'mores, and what a wonderful fall treat!
Maple is one of those flavors that belongs to autumn. It reminds me of colorful leaves, cozy mornings, and all the wonderful flavors that arrive when the temperatures begin to drop.
Roasting marshmallows over a campfire is already one of life's simple pleasures, but using maple marshmallows made our s'mores feel especially seasonal.
There's something about waiting for a marshmallow to become perfectly golden, watching it puff up over the flames, and then enjoying that first gooey bite.
It's messy. It's sweet. It's nostalgic.
And it's absolutely worth sticky fingers.
Why Campfires Make Everything Better
When I think about our camping trips, some of my favorite memories happen after the sun goes down.
The hiking is wonderful. The scenery is beautiful. And seeing wild horses was certainly an experience to remember.
But those evenings around the campfire?
That's where the real relaxation begins.
The crackling wood, the glow of the flames, the cool autumn air, and the wonderful smell of a campfire all combine to create something special.
It's where we talk about the day's adventures, enjoy one more treat, and sometimes sit quietly without feeling the need to fill every moment with conversation.
There are no reservations to make, no schedules to keep, and no reason to hurry.
Just a fire, a comfortable chair, and the pleasure of being exactly where we are.
A Little Curiosity Goes a Long Way
My word for 2026 is Curiosity, and I continue to find ways that it shows up in my everyday life.
This camping trip was a wonderful example.
Curiosity takes us down a hiking trail to see what's around the bend. It encourages us to watch for wildlife and notice the first changing leaves. It even inspires us to try something different with our camping menu, whether that's Brie and apples in a grilled sandwich or maple marshmallows in our s'mores.
I think that's one of the reasons I enjoy camping so much.
It gives us permission to explore, experiment, and appreciate the little things.
Until Our Next Camping Adventure
Our weekend at Echo Bluff State Park was filled with the things I love most about fall: beautiful scenery, cool weather, outdoor adventures, delicious food, and evenings around the campfire.
We hiked. We saw wild horses. We enjoyed chili, grilled sandwiches, smash burgers, homemade home fries, and some pretty spectacular maple marshmallow s'mores.
And we toasted the season with our Autumn Bourbon Sparkler.
It wasn't an elaborate vacation or a carefully scheduled itinerary.
It was simply a wonderful weekend outdoors, enjoying good food, good company, and the beauty of Missouri in autumn.
And really, isn't that what Our Good Life is all about?
Tell me: What's your favorite meal to make when you're camping? Are you a traditional hot-dogs-and-s'mores camper, or do you like to get a little creative with your outdoor cooking?
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