Camping is an excellent outdoor activity that most people enjoy. If you are planning a camping trip, you should be ready to spend money. Research that Coleman Company, in collaboration with The Outdoor Foundation, conducted in 2017 discovered that adult campers spend approximately $546 on camping gear. This budget goes up when they include other expenses like food, site fees, and transportation. However, the following tips can help you save your money and still enjoy the getaway.
Borrow or Rent the Camping Gear
A common mistake that many inexperienced campers make is purchasing all the camping gear. They spend a lot of money on tools and items that might remain unused for months. If you organize camping trips occasionally, you should consider renting or borrowing the necessary camping tools from your friends or family. However, if you camp frequently, you can look for second-hand gear or check deals from a resale shop to save more money. Alternatively, you can purchase the essentials in bulk and when on sale.
Camping trips are exciting. However, they can be quite expensive if you fail to shop smartly. Shopping the camping supplies in bulk will indeed save you a lot of money. You should also check online or physical stores and the discounts they are offering on different gear. Sometimes these stores out the items on sale, and you can take advantage of such an opportunity to stock up the camping supplies.
Select Affordable Campgrounds
The charges in different parks and campsites vary, depending on the day, season, location and services offered. For example, the costs for most campgrounds are less in the middle of the week than on weekends. Generally, high-end parks are usually expensive.
A secret to spending less money during the camping trip is avoiding these sites. You can also find several free campgrounds that will allow you and your friends to park an RV or pitch a tent. Examples of such places are the federal lands that the Bureau of Land Management oversees.
Prepare your Food
Depending on pre-packaged meals during a camping trip is expensive. You can economize by cooking your food. All you require are ingredients, a few tools, and some extra effort. For example, you can prepare roasted meat over a campfire using aluminum foil instead of purchasing a portable burner. Apart from saving money, this strategy also allows you to cook tastier meals.
Avoid Popular Holidays and Weekends
Everyone enjoys outdoor activities, such as camping trips on weekends and holidays. The campground rates are usually high due to the traffic and high demand. Additionally, the parks are overcrowded, hence making it impossible to enjoy your time away from the busy life. For this reason, you should avoid planning your trip during such times if you want to save your money. Less popular weekends of weekdays are more convenient.
Compare Campsite Destinations
Researching will enable you to obtain more information about the different campsites available in your preferred destination. You should consider multiple vital factors, such as the price, accessibility, availability, and amenities. For instance, Grand Isle state park in Lousiana offers fishing spots and allows clients to cook their meals. Always select an affordable campsite that provides activities that will make your trip more enjoyable.
Select a Destination that is close to Home
The distance from your home to the camping site determines the amount of money you will spend on the camping trip. For instance, if you drive many miles away, your budget is likely to be higher because you need more gas and food.
The most effective way to save this money is to camp near your home. There are thousands of state parks and privately-owned campgrounds throughout the country. This information means that you can find a campground in your region, regardless of where you live. Remember that how far you go does not determine whether you get away or not.
Wrap Up
Camping is a fun way to spend more time outside with your friends and family. However, the trip can be very expensive if you fail to plan and shop smartly. You should consider strategies like cooking on-site and sharing camping gear with your friends to save your money. Moreover, compare different campsites to ensure that you select the most affordable one. You can easily find a free site on one that is close to home in your search.
