by Planning to go on an adventure, backpacking, and experiencing nature is an exciting idea. However, for most of us who want to keep our expenses minimal, organizing and living in the great outdoors can be challenging. Camping on a budget is an adventure unto itself.
Fortunately, there are many strategies to help you stay within your budget while enjoying the outdoors and nature. While some people prefer to backpack purely out of convenience and experience, others do it out of necessity because it is one of the most cost-effective methods to travel.
Here are our top seven budget backpacking recommendations to get the most out of your money while living outdoors.
Borrow Camping Gear
Undoubtedly, camping gear may be quite expensive. However, unless you’re embarking on a multi-day trip through difficult, remote terrain, there’s no need to blow your money. A great way to lower the cost of your camping gear is to rent or borrow your equipment.
Although you might not have the equipment, your friends could have the gear you need. Request a few items to be borrowed from them. Offer to mow their yard or walk their dog for a week in exchange, and you’ll likely score extra points. But also remember to be a good friend. When using rented equipment, clean it up after usage, and return it right away after your trip.
You can also save money by making your DIY camping tent out of tarps, which is a relatively simple process.
Budget Camping Gear – Rent!
Opting to rent camping or hiking gear is a wise decision for individuals who wish to maximize their outdoor experiences without breaking the bank. Not only does this option allow one to save money, but it also provides an opportunity to test out different types of equipment before committing to a long-term investment. Overall, renting gear is a practical and cost-effective way to ensure that one has everything they need for a successful outdoor adventure.
Budget Camping – Purchase Used Equipment
Buying gently used, pre-owned gear and other equipment can help you get high-quality items at a lower price. Even though you might not be able to discover a specific item on second-hand markets, doing so can be a wonderful method to start purchasing or updating your equipment on a budget if you aren’t set on buying a specific item.
There are several places to purchase used outdoor equipment.
To select the ideal option for your needs and budget, you simply need to conduct a small amount of research.
Avoid Purchasing or Bringing Unnecessary Items
One of the most frequent errors beginners make is purchasing and carrying far too much gear they won’t use. Those who do this bring extra food, clothing, and cooking supplies, but it goes beyond that. It is where a solid lightweight backpacking checklist will come in handy, and the more trail time you get, the more you’ll discover how little you truly need. When hitting the trail, you should never take anything but the backpacking essentials with you; everything else should be viewed as a luxury.
You can also save money at the grocery store by planning ahead. There are individuals bringing too much food on their trip all the time, which results in overspending and a larger bag. Even our eyes might occasionally be bigger than our stomachs, but meal planning is a useful tactic to minimize overpacking. Try to take some time to sit down with a pen and paper and list every meal you intend to eat before heading to the grocery store to buy trail meals and snacks.
Prepare Your Meals on a Campfire
You might save money by preparing your meals over a campfire. There are wonderful recipes available that won’t cost much more than the cost of the supplies for meals and snacks you can cook over the campfire.
This tip is helpful for hikers because you won’t have to worry about carrying a camping stove around.
Utilize Free Campsites and Parks
For those seeking more adventure, several options are available, but nothing beats setting up a tent in the backyard and eating marshmallows over a campfire to create lasting memories.
Regional parks, on the other hand, can charge low admission fees and occasionally include amenities like restrooms, drinking water, and areas for picnics. Go online or call the local tourism office to find out where it is offered.
Just remember to go camping during a less busy season of the year. The best course of action is to schedule your vacation right before or right after the peak season. Doing this lets you enjoy comfortable weather enough for a successful camping trip without paying peak season fees.
Try Dispersed Camping
Camping on public lands away from designated campgrounds is known as dispersed camping. On public lands overseen by the US Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management, dispersed camping is permitted pretty much everywhere.
Remember that you won’t have access to any amenities as you’re not camping at a designated campsite. There is no water, bathrooms, or trash removal. The campsite is free, though, as there are no services for it to maintain or run.
Although it’s not for everyone, there are certain advantages to roughing it, including financial savings on your camping trip. Because you won’t need to make a reservation and will have a more private camping experience, you’ll have more freedom to choose when and where to camp.
Because there are no essential services, it’s important to know how to Leave No Trace in order to maintain the area’s cleanliness and safety. You’ll need to pack out everything you brought at the end of your vacation and bring everything you’ll need while camping.
Additionally, you must know when and where you can build a bonfire and how to lessen the impact of human waste.
Final Thoughts On Camping On A Budget
We hope this has given you some ideas for how you might live a more adventurous life without becoming broke. There are various ways to do this, so why not begin now and see where leading an adventurous life leads you?
