The Smart Camper: Save On Your Family Camping Trip

There is no better way to enjoy the summer than with a family camping trip. Nights around the campfire toasting s’mores, days spent hiking and fishing in the great outdoors—we think nothing beats a few days out of the house to get back in touch with all that nature has to offer. To start off, we recommend sticking to a camping budget. Create a checklist of what you definitely need to get and how much you’re willing to spend on each item so you don’t splurge on unnecessary items. While camping may sound like an inexpensive activity, it can get pricey if you’re not careful. That’s why we’ve put together a list of ways you can keep your trip within budget and be a smart camper this summer.

Stake Your Territory

Sleeping outside should be free…right? Unfortunately most campgrounds charge a certain amount per person per night. Do a little research to find a free campground in your area. Some of the more popular campgrounds do offer specials in the off-season for reduced rates or free camping—so make sure you check those out too, just in case. You can also participate in work camper programs. Workamping is when you camp for free in exchange for a little help around the campground. It’s a great way to get the family involved in volunteer work and can serve as a fun day activity.

Get the Gear

Buying a new tent and other camping gear can get really expensive. To keep your costs down, check your basement, attic, or garage for odds and ends that you forgot you had and that might be good for camping. Use yoga or Pilates mats instead of sleeping pads. Bring sheets, blankets, and pillows from home to save you from spending hundreds of dollars on sleeping bags. If you don’t already have a tent, then ask a friend if you can borrow theirs or hit up local yard sales and thrift shops to find one for much less than retail price.

Start a Fire

It’s not a camping trip without a campfire. Buying firewood can get really expensive, so we recommend chopping your own or have the kids collect sticks and leaves in the forest. Remember to bring plenty of your own newspaper for kindling to keep the fire going all night long. Bring flashlights or propane lanterns, which last a really long time, for those late-night trips to the bathroom. Light attracts all sorts of bugs, especially those pesky mosquitos. Keep the buzzers away by surrounding your campfire with citronella candles instead of buying bug spray. Not only will it save you a few bucks, but you’ll also avoid lathering your body in bug-repelling chemicals. Oil of citronella is a natural bug repellant, smells nice, and will provide you with additional light.

Campfire Cooking

No camping experience is complete without some delicious campfire cooking. Buy food in bulk from your local wholesale club like Costco or BJs to save big on items like hot dogs, burgers, buns, marshmallows, and breakfast eggs. Get easy to cook items that you can store in coolers, and keep everything cool with frozen water bottles—they stay frozen longer than ice, which melts quickly. Bring pots and pans from home to save on expensive campfire cookware. Using your own plates and silverware will save you from wasting money buying disposable items, plus they’re washable and you’ll be eco-friendly.

Pass the Day

Good news about camping is that it comes with a plethora of fun and free activities! Hook your bikes up to the rack on the back of the car for an afternoon ride along forest-lined roads. Borrow rods, tackle, and bait from a friend or just rent basic gear and bring the kids fishing in the early morning. You’ll get a chance to watch the sunrise and perhaps even catch yourself a free dinner to cook over the campfire. Plan an afternoon hike up to the highest peak for a great photo op and bring your binoculars for a quiet hour of bird watching. Once the sun sets, get the kids going with a game of flashlight tag or gather them round the campfire for bone-chilling ghost stories.

Last but not least, take advantage of being away from the lights of the city for some quality stargazing. Happy camping!