Camping is a wonderful low-cost summer activity, but it’s often hard to spot the bargains on camping gear at first glance. Hundreds of dollars for a tent? Big expenses for sleeping bags for everyone? Lots of new gear? A place to store that gear? Campsite fees on top of that? How does this ever get cheap?
The truth is that camping can be an extremely frugal summer travel strategy once you’ve figured out a healthy set of tricks for keeping costs low. You just have to be smart about it.
Here are several strategies that let you explore camping at a low cost and keep expenses low over the long haul.
[See: 12 Frugal Ways to Save on Vacation.]
Figure out if camping is going to be a regular routine for you. If you’re unsure about whether or not camping will click with you, don’t invest in camping equipment to start. Instead, talk to your social network and ask around to borrow some camping gear for a weekend. If you can’t find anyone who will loan you the gear you need, look into renting the gear for a trial run.
One key piece of advice: Don’t get bogged down in frustration about the time needed to set up a tent or start a campfire. Those tasks get much faster and easier with just a few repetitions. Instead, focus on the enjoyment of the environment and the great outdoors.
[See: 12 Habits of Phenomenally Frugal Families.]
Don’t skimp on a tent. The one piece of essential gear that you should not skimp on while camping is your tent. A well-made tent will keep the water and bugs out for many years. Nothing ruins a camping trip like a big water leak in the middle of the night or an invasion of insects. Identify several high-quality, high-value tent options by looking at recent issues of outdoor magazines, then shop around for the best price on those models and make a move when you find the best deal. Don’t be afraid to return the tent, based on the warranty, if there are any flaws in it.
Once you have a tent, take care of it. Follow the instructions and take time and care when setting it up and taking it down. Treat it like an investment, and it will last for many years. The thing to remember is this: When a tent lasts for dozens of camping trips, the cost-per-night in that tent gets very low. If you spend $200 on a tent, that might seem painful, but if you sleep in it for 200 nights (and that’s definitely possible with good care), that makes the cost $1 per night. On the other hand, if you buy a cheap $40 tent, and it starts leaking after 20 nights, that’s $2 per night.
Be smart on everything else. Almost everything else you might use for camping can be bought inexpensively or secondhand. You can find many used pieces of camping gear using Craigslist and local secondhand stores, making it a truly frugal hobby.
You don’t need sleeping bags. A handful of blankets will serve that purpose quite well, though you may choose to eventually buy one based on your own experiences. You can assemble a simple first-aid kit from the items you have around the house. A pocket multitool, such as a Swiss Army knife, will serve most of your tool needs when camping. An inexpensive lantern is a worthwhile choice, too. Reusable secondhand plastic plates and cups and bowls are fine, as is secondhand mismatched silverware.
The key to buying camping gear on a budget is not to overequip yourself before you start. Go with minimal equipment and, as you go, figure out what you need for future trips, buying things to fit those needs going forward. Experience camping with the fewest items necessary, then upgrade only as needed. Don’t blindly follow a checklist that suggests items to buy.
[See: America’s Coolest Campgrounds.]
Seek out free or low-cost camping options. When deciding where to camp, take advantage of tools such as Good Sam Club to find low-cost or even free options. Be flexible in terms of choosing your camping location and be open to camping several miles away from areas you hope to explore, and you’ll save a lot of money on your campsite.
Consider taking advantage of unused winter hunting lodges or hunting camps that friends might use. Or try camping on land that they may not be using during the summer. If you have friends in rural areas who own significant land, you may be able to simply camp on their land for free.
Follow these strategies, and you’ll keep your camping costs low and your spirits high while enjoying a healthy, outdoor activity that might just become part of your summer routines.
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How to Make Camping Into a Frugal Hobby originally appeared on usnews.com
