5 Tips to Save Money for Camping
Are you planning to take a camping trip soon? Whether you are looking to take a camping trip as a family vacation or a romantic getaway, you may be concerned with the cost of doing so. While camping is often referred to as an affordable recreational activity, it is still possible for camping to get quite expensive. If you are looking to take a camping trip, but without spending too much money, you will want to continue reading on so you can make use of these tips to save money for camping.
1 – Planning
When it comes to saving money on your next camping trip, there are several different approaches that you can take. One of the first approaches is examining how you plan on camping. For instance, are you interested in camping in an RV (Recreational Vehicle) or a tent? As lovely as RV camping is, it can be expensive. Gasoline often costs more money for an RV than a classic car or truck. If you have yet to purchase an RV, it is essential to know that it is much cheaper to camp in a tent than it is to buy an RV or even just rent one.
2 – Buying Camping Equipment
Another one of the many ways that you can go about saving money on your next camping trip is when you buy your camping equipment. If you have gone camping before, there is a good chance that you already have most of the needed camping equipment, like tents, sleeping bags, and coolers. You need to buy camping equipment, you may want to look into buying your supplies from discount camping stores or department stores. Be sure to check Amazon since they have a wide selection of camping equipment and supplies you can order from home. If at all possible, you may want to see if you can borrow your camping equipment from a friend or a family member.
Camping Checklist
These are important items for your camping checklist:
For Campsite:
- Tent
- Sleeping Bags/Pads
- Camping Pillow
- Flashlights/Headlights
- Extra Batteries for the Lights
- Camp Table
- Camp Chairs
- Lantern
- Fuel for the lantern if needed
For campsite | Optional:
- Sunshade/Tarp
- Hammock
- Cots
- Sleeping bag liners
- Firewood
- Camp Rug
- Table Cloth
- Clips or tape for the table cloth
- Clothesline with clips
Tools & Repair Items
- Multi-tool
- Duct Tape
- Mallet or Hammer
- Extra Cord
- Tent-Pole Repair Sleeve
- Pad/mattress Repair Kit
- Saw or Axe
- Small Broom
- Dustpan
Kitchen
- Stone and Fuel
- Matches/Firestarter
- Cutting Board
- Frying Pan
- Eating Utensils
- Dish Towel
- Trash Bags
- Pot Scrubber/Sponge
- Plates/Bowls
- Cooking Utensils
- Bottle/Can Opener
- Corkscrew
- Sharp Knife
- Mugs/Cups
- Cooler
- Water Bottles
- Biodegradable Soap
- Camp Sinks/Wash Bins
Kitchen | Optional
- Grill Rack
- Dutch Oven
- Portable Coffee/Tea Maker
- Marshmallows/Hotdog Roasting Forks
- Water Jugs
- Camp Grill & Fuel
- Griddle
- Charcoal
- Small Food Storage
- Food Bag/Foil
Campsite Extras
- Solar/Portable Power
- Binoculars
- Navigation Tools
- Field Guides
- Star Charts
- Notebook/Pen/Pencil
- Music Player & Headphones
- Games & Toys
- Dry Bags/Stuff Sack
- Books/Reading Materials
- Dog Gear
Clothing & Footwear
- Moisture-wicking Underwear
- Moisture-wicking T-shirts
- Quick-drying Pants/Shorts
- Long-Sleeve Shirts (For Sun, Bugs)
- Boots/Shoes Suited to Terrain
- Socks
- Sleepwear
- Lightweight Fleece/Jacket
Clothing & Footwear: Additional items for rainy and/or cold weather:
- Rainwear (Jacket & Pants)
- Long Underwear
- Warm Insulated Jacket or Vest
- Fleece Pants
- Warm Hat
- Gloves/Mittens
Clothing & Footwear | Optional
- Swimsuits
- Bandanas
- In-camp Sandals
- In-camp Booties
- Water Sandals
Health & Hygiene
- Toilet Paper
- Hand Sanitizer
- Menstrual Products
- Prescription Medicines
- Tooth Brush
- Tooth Paste
- Toiletry Kit
- Quick Dry Towel
- First Aid Kits
Health & Hygiene | Sun and Bug Protection:
- Sunscreen
- Sun Hat
- Retainer Leash
- Sunglasses
- Lip Balm
- Insect Repellent
- Insect Repellent Candles
- Health & Hygiene | Optional
- Urinal Products
- Sanitation Towel
- Baby Wipes
- Alcohol or Antiseptic Wipes
- Mirror
- Brush/Comb
- Cosmetics
- Spare Eyeglasses
- Eyeshades
- Earplugs
- Portable Camp Shower
Health & Hygiene | Optional
- Urinary Products
- Sanitation Towel
- Baby Wipes
- Alcohol or Antiseptic Wipes
- Mirror
- Brush/Comb
- Cosmetics
- Spare Eyeglasses
- Eyeshades
- Earplugs
- Portable Camp Shower
Personal Items
- Credit Cards
- Cash
- ID
- Cellphone
- Campsite Reservation Confirmation (If Required)
- Important Documents Needed for Camping
3 – Buy Standard Equipment
Another tip to keep in mind, when buying your camping equipment is that standard equipment will likely do. Of course, you will want to purchase a tent that is large enough, as well as one that is waterproof, but the design shouldn’t have to matter as much. It is your decision if you would like to purchase a fancy camping tent or a fancy sleeping bag, but you may be able to save a considerable amount of money by going with standard items instead. For used camping equipment, which may be much cheaper, you may want to keep an eye on your local yard sales or examine online auction websites.
4 – Start Stocking Up Food Supplies Before the Camping
In keeping with the supplies that you will need for your next camping trip, you will also need to bring along food, snacks, and drinks. If you are planning your next camping trip in advance, you may want to start stocking up on some of the supplies that you will need. What you will want to do is keep an eye on your local supermarkets and any sales that they may have. Most chips, cookies, crackers, meats when frozen, and drinks, will stay good for a few months or even longer. This means that you should be able to buy your food, snacks, and beverages while they are on sale and then save them for your camping trip. When purchasing all of your food, drinks, and snacks on sale, you should be able to save a considerable amount of money on your next camping trip.
5 – Choose Campground Park Wisely
Another one of the many ways that you can save money on your next camping trip is by carefully choosing which campground park you decide to camp at. In the United States, you can find an unlimited number of campground parks. No matter where you live, you should have several parks to choose from. While these parks are not all the same, you may want to examine the cost of them closely. Camping at an affordable campground park is a great way to save money on your next camping trip. As a reminder, the more activities access you have, like boating, fishing, swimming, hiking, and so forth, the more costly a campground is likely to be.
The tips, as mentioned above, are just a few of the many tips that you can take to save money on your next camping trip. As a reminder, camping is considered an affordable recreational activity, but if you are not careful, it can get relatively expensive.