In early summer when it’s not stifling hot, and the August heat has not yet hit, camping can be a neat, inexpensive way to get away for less! Whether it is in our nature to be pioneers in this country, or we’re just looking for an inexpensive getaway, camping can defintiely be fun! Whether you’re “roughing” it in a tent, or planning your vacation in a fully equipped motor home, camping can look very different, depending on your budget. However, one thing is certain, you CAN save money by camping. Check out these ways to budget for vacation too.
Obviously, the most inexpensive way to camp is to tent. Typical costs for a tent site range from $20-$40 per night in most areas. However, if you’re extremely frugal, and not sure if you will like tenting, I suggest asking a friend or family member to borrow their tent/camping supplies for a weekend to see if you like it. This is the most cost effective way to try it out, and then if you love it, you can invest in your own supplies. It also helps to borrow from someone when starting, because they will usually give you free advice!
This is a frequent getaway for people in our area, because we live in the middle of the Appalachian Mountains. Therefore, we spend very little on gas to get there. However, if you live in an area where you have to travel great distances to camp sites, then this may not be the most frugal vacation budget for your family. Also, the lights hung by the RV’s are so adorable, and it really looks welcoming, but I wouldn’t start out by spending this much money until you’re sure this is something you really enjoy.
One of the other main savings when you camp is the cost of food. Typically you will be eating camp food instead of eating out and this creates a huge savings. When you factor in the fact that we paid over $82 for three of us to eat at the beach for one meal in the past year, camping can be a huge savings because the cost of food is much less. There are also so many wonderful camping recipes, and you definitely won’t go hungry.
Several of my cousins starting camping in tents as a family, and they loved it. Eventually, they felt it was worth it to buy campers, and now they camp frequently. At least when you start in a tent, the amenities can only get better as you move up the camping ladder! You really have to be careful with camping in campers, because I do feel that this can become just as expensive as a normal hotel vacation once you start purchasing supplies. If you are committed to camping over time then the cost is probably about the same. However, the cost of gas really affects this type of travel and should be considered when you are budgeting for vacation.
The biggest draw to camping is obviously the fun you want to have. Many parks have pools, lakes, streams, hiking trails, and many other attractions. Making S’mores and making camp food is another MAJOR draw to camping. There is something about eating a hot dog cooked over the fire that makes my mouth water! There is also the fellowship with others in playing card games by lantern, or hiking trails and feeling at peace. No matter what your reason for camping, make sure you make memories while you are there!
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Tip #1: If you are new to setting up a tent, try erecting it first in your backyard. This way you have some experience when you go, and you don’t waste time getting frustrated. This is also a way to know if you are missing parts.
Tip #2: Make sure you take a tent that is big enough to do what you want to do. Obviously, if there are four of you, and you want to put a card table up in the tent as well, you will need more than a two person tent.
Tip #3: If you’re going to go camping at the beach, you may want to spring for an air conditioned cabin at the KOA. Know how much heat you can take! I speak from experience on this one. We tented at Frontier Town in Ocean City, Maryland once. It was 90+ degrees, and we had a terrible thunder storm in the middle of the night. I came home with over 60 bug bites! Needless to say, we only made it there one night! Another time we stayed in a KOA air conditioned cabin when visiting my sister-in-law in Virginia Beach. This was a MUCH better way for me to camp, and I was able to get a break from the heat when I needed it! So, think about what you can/can’t take in regards to weather, roughing it, etc.
Tip #4: Pick a good location fo your tent site. You really don’t want a site next to the bathrooms! You also may not want a site that is always in the direct sunlight. It is nicer if you can get a shady spot with some sun, so ask before you book. Make sure you camp at least 200 feet away from water. I made this mistake in Ocean City, MD one year and came home with 86 mosquito bites!
Tip #5: Don’t buy all the newest camping gadgets. If you want to break your vacation budget, just go to the camping section of any sporting goods store. Camping will quickly become extremely expensive if you want to live a catered camping lifestyle. The point of camping is to save money, not spend more than you would on a beach or other more expensive vacation.
Tip #5: Just Do It! Nike had it right in some ways with this message. Because I had never tented in my life, it was tougher for me to get used to going. However, my husband has hiked over 200+ miles on the Appalachian Trail, and I have gone on several hikes with he and his father (only one overnight ;). While there may have been un-enjoyable moments, I have wonderful memories of these experiences, and at least it will give you something to talk about in the future!
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