These budget-friendly camping hacks will change the way you travel!

When you want to travel but don’t want to spend a lot of money, camping is the way to go. A report by Kampgrounds of America estimates that 92 million American households will be identified as campers in 2022, which is a significant increase from 48 million in 2020. So, this is a big thing. Read on and find out some budget-friendly camping tips that will help you have a nice experience without breaking the bank.

With some smart planning, you will be able to make a dream vacation only by camping. This is possible, and if you are a travel enthusiast, you should try it. It’s a great opportunity to see the natural wonders of this country and not spend a fortune on them.

1. Borrow or rent the gear

Camping is one of the most affordable outdoor experiences, especially if you learn more about budget-friendly camping. But the initial expenses, which include the gear, can be kind of expensive. You will probably want good gear, and that will cost you money.

Hopefully, the renting and borrowing options will always be there, and you can take advantage of that. Sleeping pads, sleeping bags, cooking equipment, chairs, and anything else you can imagine can be rented, and this can help you avoid purchasing them and, in this way, save some money.

Go to the local outdoor stores and recreation centers and look for rental programs. This is also a great way to try out gear before you buy it. If you have friends and family who like to go out in nature, you can ask them and see if they would like to borrow your gear. There is nothing wrong with reaching out and seeing if anyone is willing to lend you a helping hand.

Owning everything brand new is not essential to having an awesome experience. So go ahead and try this budget-friendly camping solution before you buy new gear.

2. Embrace national and state parks

If you are in for some budget-friendly camping, a fantastic option is camping in national and state parks. We say this because these places have significantly lower fees per night, and you will be able to enjoy the beauty of nature without breaking the bank. Hiking trails, incredible scenery, and numerous other recreational opportunities are all in the national and state parks waiting for you.

Maybe you prefer private campgrounds because you think about the facilities, such as restrooms, showers, or laundry machines. Yes, it is true that these are missing from many national and state parks, but it’s not applicable to all of them. There are parks that have all these facilities, and you can find out more about them through a simple online search.

Also, remember to reserve your campsite in advance, as it can be pretty crowded during peak season, and you might risk not finding any empty spots.

3. Camp cooking

If you’ve been camping before, you know that many campgrounds offer on-site restaurants or tempting grab-and-go options, but this is not a good strategy for budget-friendly camping. All of these come with premium prices, and sometimes you are not prepared for this.

But do you know what every camping experience has? A campfire! And the best part is that you can cook your own meals over this campfire. Most of the time, they will be even more tasty than the ones you buy, so why not give it a try?

You don’t need to try fancy recipes with expensive ingredients; the basics are there to save you, and one-pot meals are our favorites. Easy to cook and easy to clean up after, what more can you want?

You can try simple recipes such as pasta with sausage and canned vegetables or the classic grilled cheese sandwich. Both are quick and inexpensive options. Or if you want something more substantial, take some vegetables, such as peppers, onions, and potatoes, some meat, and cook kebabs on skewers.

Relying on the fire is one of the best budget-friendly camping tips, and you will also get the experience of cooking in nature.

4. Look for clearance sales

We already pointed out that camping gear can be expensive, but as with any item, you should equip yourself with patience and try to do some strategic shopping. By this, we mean you should hunt for those sales.

Sporting goods stores can be real goldmines for campers who want to score some good deals. And the best time for that is during the clearance sales. This happens when the stores are making space for new arrivals and want to get rid of the old stuff as fast as possible.

When you want to find gear at accessible prices using this method, you will need to be flexible and open about trying new brands and models. There won’t be many options for you to choose from, and you’ll need to stick with what you find.

Also, it is important to inspect the items you are about to buy carefully. Your goal is to find functional gear at good prices, so don’t be afraid to look closer before purchasing.

5. Try not to camp alone

We want you to know that if you want a budget-friendly camping adventure, a good idea is to not camp alone. First of all, it is amazing to share this experience with the people you care about, and this is also a good chance to save some money.

When you go camping, you will have to deal with various expenses, from food and equipment to campsite fees. If you go alone, you will have to take care of all of them, but if you go with a group, the financial burden will be split among the members.

Group camping is also a great opportunity for resource sharing, which means that if you don’t own a tent, there is probably someone in the group who has a bigger tent and will probably share it with you. Also, cooking gear or the first aid kit can be shared. You bring something to the table, and others will do that too.

But besides the budget-friendly camping advantages, you will also get that sense of camaraderie and shared adventure you will never get from solo camping. Just imagine eating some s’mores under the stars and singing some good old songs together.

So, what we want to tell you is that camping is not an experience reserved only for those who have big wallets. You can be resourceful and try these budget-friendly camping hacks.

Since you’ll have a lot of things to carry with you, a carrying bag is essential. This one might be perfect and has an accessible price: Hiking Backpack 70L/100L Camping Backpack

You should also read: 5 Camp Cooking Hacks: Mastering the Art of Outdoor Meals