by If you want to get in touch with nature without spending too much, consider camping. Not only is camping a great way to spend time outdoors, but it’s also an excellent opportunity to take your friends and family on a low-cost trip to some of the best places in the country. Also, to camp on a budget enables you to reconnect with nature, sleep outdoors—even in your backyard—and promote mental and physical relaxation. The challenge is to enjoy an epic adventure while keeping costs down.
Aside from budgeting your hard-earned paycheck, there are other ways to help you enjoy your camping without worrying that you’ll break the bank. So in this guide, we’ll show you some tips to camp on a budget and still have an amazing time.
Free Campsite
There are many possibilities for people who want more of an adventure, but memories are built simply by pitching a tent in the backyard and roasting marshmallows over the campfire.
City, County, and State Parks
Regional parks frequently have affordable admission fees and occasionally provide amenities like picnic spaces, restrooms, and drinkable water. To find available places, go online or call the regional tourism organization.
Public Land
The United States Forest Service (USFS) manages more than 170 national forests and grasslands that offers a “dispersed camping” policy that permits visitors to camp for free as long as they adhere to a few rules, like setting up camp 100 feet from a stream or water source and using Leave No Trace principles. For suggestions on where to go and any special rules, such as bear safety procedures, contact your local USFS office.
Avoid Peak Season and Holidays
In general, you should consider camping at a time of year when it’s not as popular. Planning your vacation right before or right after the busy season is the best course of action. By doing this, you can avoid paying peak season rates while enjoying comfortable enough weather for a productive camping experience.
Camping Gear
Undoubtedly, camping gear may be rather pricey. But there’s no need to blow your budget unless you’re going on a multi-day hike through rough, isolated terrain. Here are some suggestions for getting quality camping gear at affordable prices.
Don’t Focus on Brands
Check out your neighborhood recreation stores for equipment that won’t often appear in magazines but still works. Find real-life product reviews online. Online shops like REI Co-Op offer great used equipment for those who camp on a budget. It’s worth exploring.
Stick to the Essentials
Because there are so many different gadgets available, it’s simple to get swept up in a frenzy and purchase a lot of camping gear you don’t actually need. While having extra camping equipment can be cool, if your goal is to keep expenditures as low as possible, keeping gear to a minimum should be your objective.
Depending on the type of camping trip you’re doing, you’ll need different types of equipment. Ensure you have what’s essential, but skip over whatever you can live without.
Utilize What You Already Have at Home
You can bring all of your favorite items when car camping without worrying about the weight of your load. In this situation, your camping trip might make good use of the stuff you already have at home.
For instance, you can use your own bedding from home on an air mattress rather than purchasing sleeping bags. You’ll save a ton of money and guarantee a comfortable night’s sleep in your own bed with your own blankets and linens. The same holds true for apparel and kitchenware.
A nice pair of hiking boots is good if you intend to trek while camping. You should ensure they are broken in and fit you properly to prevent blisters and sores. Other than that, you can simply dress normally, unless you’re going on a hike in freezing weather.
Borrow Or Rent Equipment
Renting or borrowing your equipment is a fantastic additional strategy to reduce the cost of your camping supplies. It is the way to go if you require a sleeping bag with a low-temperature rating or a hiking tent that is light enough to take around.
Another way to save money is to create your own DIY camping tent out of tarps, which is quite simple to execute.
Purchase Used Equipment
Finally, purchasing second-hand camping equipment is something else you should think about. It actually depends on what is right now. There are some things, like shoes, that you should never buy used. However, you can find other items like tents, kitchenware, backpacks, and bedding in excellent shape for a fraction of the cost of brand-new equipment.
Keeping Water & Food Costs Down
Here’s where the organization is going to be most important. You cannot survive without food and water, so if you’re camping on a tight budget, you must have a good plan for both.
You must schedule your meals and snacks in advance to stay within your allotted food budget while camping. You can also practice dehydrating your food, especially if you’re going on long treks. If you do this correctly, you won’t have to worry about bag space or go over budget.
Prepare Your Meals on the Campfire
You may save money by cooking your meals over a campfire. For meals and snacks over the campfire, fantastic recipes are available that won’t set you back much more than the cost of the supplies.
Since you won’t have to worry about lugging a camping stove around, this advice is beneficial for hikers.
Stock up on Natural Sources of Water
When finding water for a camping trip, you can either find a natural spring, filter water from nearby sources like lakes and rivers or buy enough bottled water ahead of time to bring with you.
Of course, you’ll choose option #1 if you’re camping with a nearby natural water supply. Since it’s totally free and you’ll be drinking the purest water you’ve ever tasted, this is by far the best alternative.
Camp On A Budget – Final Thoughts
Camping is a wonderful opportunity to experience nature and take a break from the busyness of daily life. However, if you’re not careful, it can occasionally be pricey. For this reason, we have put together these suggestions for cheap camping so that you can take advantage of all the benefits of camping without going over budget.
