Camping on a Budget: 30 Tips and Tricks to Save Money
We’ve all heard experienced campers tell you that camping is only as expensive as you want it to be. And that is the truth! Here are a few ways to save the budget on your next camping trip.
PLANNING
1. Start early - The earlier you start planning your camping trips the more options you will have and with options comes savings! Don’t forget to shop around for your campground - The nightly fees for tent sites, RV sites, and cabins can vary greatly by just a few miles. If you're not dead set on a specific destination or if you're willing to drive a little bit, think outside the box and do some research. National and state park camping is typically the cheapest option, though entrance fees can make a difference.
2. Age matters - Every campground charges different prices for different ages. At one campground all kids under 18 are free, while at another they charge for anyone over 2. Sometimes $10 per kid, per night! Those fees add up when you're staying multiple nights. Take extra fees into account when looking at the base price on a site.
3. Resort Fees - Campgrounds with above and beyond amenities are charging resort fees on top of site fees. These resort fees are mandatory even if you don't ever use a thing. It can be great cheap entertainment for the kids or ruin a budget for those who don't want it.
4. Travel on weekdays - Especially in the summer you find that campgrounds are cheaper Monday-Thursday. Holidays like Memorial Day, Father's Day, 4th of July, and Labor Day can all affect pricing and some campgrounds require you to book the whole weekend.
5. Go in the off-season - Rates change dramatically between high-season, off-season, and shoulder seasons.
6. Know what's going on - Big events in the area will change how much you pay. Prime example - Sturgis. Repeat after me: don't go to South Dakota at the beginning of August! Events like rodeos, concerts, state and county fairs, and rallies will affect your prices too. Even those precious little Boy Scouts can change things.
7. Take advantage of reward programs - Memberships like Good Sam, KOA Rewards, Passport America, and many others offer quite a bit of saving. We have a KOA Rewards card that offers savings each night, cash rewards, and a free weekend of camping.
8 . Group camping - go camping with friends and family and see if you can negotiate cheaper rates for multiple campsites.
9. Take shorter trips more often - shorter trips are easier on the wallet and push you to discover more of what's near your home. Imagine planning a camping trip every other weekend throughout the summer - that's 7 trips! Seven chances of making new memories with your kids. Fourteen nights of campfires and s'mores. Can we say parents of the year?
10. Check activity costs ahead of time - Will you be visiting 3 state parks this trip? It's probably smarter to buy an annual pass. Or see if your larger tourist destinations offer those discount all-in-one admission cards. Did you know your NPS pass does not get you into Mount Rushmore? Rushmore is free, but there is a parking fee you must purchase.
11. Double the fun camping trips - We do this! We love going to see my grandparents, but they don't have a guest room. Luckily, they live close to a nice KOA. We bring our home on wheels and stay close by for only $60/night. A hotel in the area is well over $120 a night.
FOOD
12. Plan your meals ahead of time - Preparing a picnic before you leave camp every morning can save you and the kids from becoming hangry and choosing food that is fast and easy - because we all know it is more expensive and not as healthy. Having dinner plans back at camp keeps us on track with our activities throughout the day and helps the kids focus on what's most important. S'mores after dinner!
13. Stick to your meal plan! - You already bought it- why waste it or haul it home?
14. Shop for your food near home - We have always found that we spend more money when we purchase groceries at our destination. Whether the reason is higher prices (usually) or we're already in vacation mode and buy more, it is easier to blow the budget. Shopping at home will also help prevent forgotten items - last-minute maple syrup runs to the store always end up with donuts in the cart too! Maybe that is just us?
15. Plan simpler and cheaper meals - Sure those garlic and spinach alfredo stuffed chicken breasts sound amazing, but a turkey sandwich is probably cheaper and faster. So are burgers, hot dogs, and walking tacos.
16. Ditch the gas station stops - Nothing says "that'll be $36.92, please swipe for debit" faster than a family in a gas station convenience store. Don't go inside! Pay at the pump and run!
17. Pre-pack snacks and drinks - Make or purchase snacks and drinks at more reasonable prices before you leave home and bring them with you in the car. Cold grapes (and Kettle jalapeno chips) are a must-have on every road trip we take!
18. Potluck - Going camping with a group of people? Arrange a couple of potluck nights before you go. Theme nights are always fun! Think taco bar, baked potatoes, or a chili cook-off!
Extra Spending
19. Get the car checked - Before you leave, have your vehicle fully inspected and get an oil change. You don't need car repairs racking up over something preventative.
20. Utilize rest stops - Instead of going to a gas station to use the bathrooms or for stretching, head to a rest stop instead - this always saves us time and money. On the road, we eat our picnics at the rest stops and let the boys run around for a bit. There is nothing more glorious than a playground at a rest stop when you’re road tripping with toddlers and kids.
21. Discover the welcome centers - We have found that the larger tourist and welcome centers almost always have something free for the kids. And boy do kids love free stuff!! For example, Nebraska offers coloring books for free. Cookies, coffee, maps, advice - you name it and it's usually free!
22. Pass on the souvenirs - For me, I despise clutter and knickknacks - so if I see something that catches my eye, I just take a picture of it. Yes, it sounds super dumb, but I like it. Truly remember - collect memories, not things! Pictures of your kids will be way more awesome than that presidential bobblehead in 5 years. Trust me.
23. Budget the kids - Our boys love the magic plastic card that buys stuff! We do not love buying toy dinosaurs everywhere we stop. So we give them each a set amount of their own cash. Usually, $10 that they earned before we left doing extra chores. They have wallets for their money (that we hold on to) and they understand when it's gone, it's gone. Now that's not to say I haven't been involved in a few meltdowns over a keychain from time to time, but generally, they get it. And they learn to make better impulse choices early on!
24. Overpack (a little) - I have a bad habit of being under the weather on camping trips - upset stomachs, headaches, sore muscles, hay fever, you name it. That's when I end up at the tiny camp store buying something I know I have in the medicine cabinet at home. I was finally able to break the cycle by planning ahead and bringing a small supply of OTC medicine with me. It's a pain, but it pays off. The same goes for clothing - it's going to be 90 degrees all week? Great! Still bring a pair of pants! It doesn't take that much more space and I bet you'll find a need.
25. Use cash - Go to the ATM and withdraw cash before your trip. Spend only the cash and you will cut back on spending subconsciously. Cash is visual, credit and debit cards aren't. If you're worried about having too much cash on hand, split it up with your spouse or make a few ATM stops along the way.
26. Plan your activities before you leave - Planning less costly activities will help you from being sucked into more expensive plans. It also helps get the family excited about the adventures you have planned. If you desire spontaneity, then set aside one day to be spontaneous and leave the rest for pre-planned events.
27. Look for free museums - Often times little museums will be donation only, make that donation and enjoy some local flavor. Or if you have an affiliate museum membership don’t forget to check for nearby places that honor your membership.
28. Ask the kids for input - They might surprise you and be more interested in an activity that you never thought of. Our boys love to scooter around the campground and visit local playgrounds.
29. Discover the fun in small local events - Summer is a wonderful time to find a small-town celebration to enjoy and keep the costs at a minimum.
30. Limit the activities - Take your time and explore 1 or 2 places in depth instead of trying to fit everything into one trip or one day. Also, change your thinking! - Go on a hike instead of an expensive museum. Do a scavenger hunt instead of the mini-golf. Find a local playground instead of a water park. Explore the farmer's market instead of shopping in town. Go build sandcastles on the shore instead of renting a wave runner. Show your kids how to make the perfect PB&J instead of the easiest way to order fast food.
No matter what, there is always a way to have fun as a family and do it without spending a ton of money! Find what works for your family and you'll have camping gold!!
