Camping should not be an expensive activity.
That’s it. It’s as simple as that.
It’s a tent in the woods and a sleeping bag on the ground.
Private campsites can get pricey quick, and there are always going to be companies trying to sell you their next big expensive product.
I’m here to help you get started camping without blowing your budget.
Here are a few of my favorite tips and tricks!
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Finding a Cheap Tent
Say it with me, “I do not need to spend $300 on a tent.”
Did you say it? Do you believe it? It really is true.
I sleep in a $30 Ozark Trail tent that I picked up at Walmart, and I absolutely love it. (I can’t find the exact tent to link to, but here is a similar dome tent).
It is a four-person tent which I normally sleep in alone (shoutout extra space), but you could very easily fit a small family inside of it.
Larger tents, six-person or eight-person tents, can be found on the cheaper side as well, and will last a few seasons at least if they are taken care of properly.
If you feel the desire to buy a more expensive tent, then awesome.
Some of them are incredible, but don’t feel like you have to shell out hundreds of dollars.
Amazon can be a great place to browse and compare prices, so you find the best deals.
Side Note-Try Hammock Camping
Hammock camping can also be a low-cost way to get outside, but keep in mind it has its own set of drawbacks.
Hammocks offer slightly less protection from the elements and require supports (limiting your options on where to set up), but you can find affordable camping hammocks at a variety of different retailers for as little as $20.
Find Affordable Campsites
Our general rule is to never pay more than $30 for a campsite.
Unless you are camping somewhere incredible, you shouldn’t be paying much more than that per night. We camp as an alternative to hotel rooms, so why would we pay hotel prices?
There are plenty of free places to camp out there, or spots that only require a small fee.
Bureau of Land Management Camping
You can camp on land owned by the Bureau of Land Management for free in a lot of places, especially if you are dispersed camping (camping outside of campgrounds, with no facilities and self-sustained) but they also offer developed campgrounds that can be found for under $20.
Dispersed camping can be a great way to get away from the hustle and bustle of commercial campgrounds
Make sure to check rules and regulations before finding the perfect place for your tent, so you don’t run into any trouble.
National Parks and State Parks
National parks and state parks offer a variety of different camping options for budget campers. Some are free, some are as low as $5 a night.
My favorite trip, and our #1 ranked campground out of all the campgrounds we’ve visited, was a free site at New River Gorge National Park that was first come, first serve. It was situated in between the river and an active coal train track, and it was more enjoyable than any campsite we’ve ever paid for.
There are 4,969 state parks in the United States, meaning there is likely a few for you to choose from within an hour from where you live.
You can check out National Parks or your local State Parks with a simple google search.
Make sure to read reviews so you know what you are getting yourself into ahead of time. The best way to find out if a campsite is worth the money is to hear from the campers before you.
Camp Local
Check your local county and city parks for cheap places to camp. Through our local parks and rec site we can camp at a number of places for only $5. You might be surprised at the incredible campsites near you. One of our favorite spots is only a 10-minute drive away and usually always available.
Camping local also cuts down on fuel costs, keeping you within a reasonable budget.
Try Camping At Home
If you are new to camping, or you just want to save money, you can always try camping at home in your own yard. This is how I started out as a teenager, and it can still be just as fun as being out at a campsite. Start a fire, roast some marshmallows, and enjoy the outdoors in the privacy of your backyard!
Eat Cheap
You don’t need to have $10 a piece MREs for every meal while you are camping. We tried them, and you can check out our experience here, but I think they are a little pricey for the portion size.
Hotdogs, sandwiches, soup, spaghetti-os, noodles, nuts, fruits, and pre-packaged snacks are all examples of things that are easy to pack, fairly shelf-stable, and won’t break the bank.
You’ll want to focus on items that don’t need a ton of refrigeration and will fill you up for whatever activities you have planned.
Cheap camping cookware is available at Amazon or Walmart.
There are many different campfire meals to cook at a campsite if you have the right equipment.
Don’t Overspend on Supplies
You can find deals on camping supplies almost anywhere.
Most recently, I found a footprint for my tent at the Goodwill bins for 25 cents.
I’ve found trekking poles, sleeping bags, flashlights, and tents before too.
You can also look on Ebay or Facebook marketplace for used products as well. Items don’t need to be new, they just need to be functional.
REI has a section specifically for returned or slightly damaged items where you can find great deals. My hiking boots, which I love more than any other shoes I’ve ever owned, were $28 (instead of WAY more) because the person before me said they weren’t ‘waterproof enough’. After numerous hikes and camping trips I can tell you they are a perfectly fine pair of boots.
Take advantage of clearance sales, holiday events, and membership deals to save as much money as possible. Many items are often knocked down in the off season when camping is not as popular.
Split the Bill with Friends
Camping is better with friends. Bringing friends along with you can also help cut down on how much each person spends individually. A $50 campsite split between five people seems much more affordable at $10 a piece!
You could even divvy up the responsibilities and have one person grab food, one person grab wood, and another grab beer. Everyone contributes and everyone enjoys!
Thanks for Reading!
Our goal with this blog is to have fun and bring you helpful tips and great content. Hopefully this helps you.
Camping doesn’t have to be expensive, so don’t let it break your bank! Spend wisely, plan well, and you’ll have fun on your next trip–without coming out the other side feeling like you got robbed.
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