Plan Your Camping Trip on a Budget

How do you get to keep the camping going with limited funds? Let’s talk “camping on a budget” and keep you and the family out and about year round!

Location Motivation
When deciding where you want to camp, take some time to do some research on the rates in the area you are heading to. There are many campgrounds off the beaten path that offer cheaper camping rates. They may not have full hook-ups (water, electrical, Wi-Fi, & cable) but can still offer a great place to stay at a cheaper rate.
Try checking out reviews and amenities of a whole load of parks on MobileRVing.com.

There’s No Place Like Home
Another great way to save money on your next outing is to plan on staying somewhere close to home. In our hometown we have several campgrounds that are only 5-10 miles away. A lot of the parks in my local area are mostly filled with full-timers but they do have spots for short term camping and two of them even have swimming pools. Ok…ok…I got a little sidetracked with the swimming pools, back on topic. Your decision to stay close to home will not only allow you the freedom of knowing the area, but will most importantly save you tons in gas money.

Related Read: Lower Gas Prices Equals More Fun in Your RV

Prep to Prep To Prep Some More
One of the biggest money savers I have found is to prep for your trip and prep for your trip prepping. Make a list of all the things you will need on your adventure and then check it at least twice. There is nothing more costly then to have to pick-up insect spray and toilet paper at the overpriced general store near the campground. Also, meal prepping saves time and money. Start to think about your menu a week or so before you leave for your trip. Buy foods that are on sale and transport well such as canned goods. Freeze leftovers from the week before and allow them to defrost while you travel. This gives you an inexpensive laid back meal for your first night of camping.
A great resource is my Pre-camp checklist!

Recreation the Old Fashioned (Cheap) Way
Instead of setting out on a guided (expensive) tour of the river rapids near your campground, take a hike with the children. If you are trading the use of full hook-ups (cable and Wi-Fi) for cheaper overnight fees, play a board game or tell ghost stories by the fire. Recreation does not always mean you have to fork out a truck load of money to enjoy your surroundings. I remember as a kid spending hours running around the campground with my cousins and all that cost us was some sunscreen and lemonade. Make your trip about connecting not about spending.

Related read: Road Trip games for the whole family to enjoy!

With the price of entertainment these days, it might be nice to take a close to home, well planned trip that allows you to still get some camping time in but doesn’t break the bank. It may seem odd to camp a couple miles from home and spend your camping weekend with your Wi-Fi free family playing board games while eating last week’s leftover chicken casserole, but to me it sounds a lot like my childhood. More than being a blast from the past, this type of weekend sounds amazingly like a lot of fun. Happy Trails!