Camping is an activity that is full of excitement that you need to experience with friends and family. It’s the kind of adventure that brings you closer to nature by isolating you from your industrial life for a while. It also provides you with the opportunity to get to know yourself and the people around you more, since you won’t have any distractions around you and you’ll finally be able to focus on human connection.
Another thing that camping provides is the experience of life without facilities like bathrooms and stoves, people get to interact with nature and use what they have around them. These are only some of the reasons behind people’s love for camping, however, because there are so many campers out there, campsite prices have gone up, which is why it’s important to find more economical ways to go camping.
Avoid Hotspots
Camping is supposed to be about reverting to the basics and coming back to nature, which means that it’s normal for campers to be prepared for their wants and needs when they’re out there. However, resorts know that, and so they’ve dedicated certain areas with beautiful scenery and lakes for campsites with facilities. Usually, these places cost more than staying at a hotel because they provide essentials like electricity, internet connection, running water, bathrooms, and many more luxuries that old school camping does not provide. If you want to save a buck or two on your camping experience, then it’s common sense to avoid places like these. It’s also best that you avoid camping during the high season because rates tend to go through the roof during this time.
Food and Drinks
Usually, there are restaurants and bars next to campsites, and that’s great. However, if you want to maintain a cheap trip then it’s probably best that you avoid these places. This means that you’ll need to get your meals, snacks, and drinks with you. You’ll also need equipment to heat your food and beverages when you’re there, so make sure to pack something light with you like a mini stove and a kettle.
Then again, you always have the option to use some fire and wood as your heating source. Another thing that you need to be aware of is the kind of food that you’ll bring with you; since you’ll be staying overnight, you might want durable meals that can be left outside without getting spoiled. You can also always get an ice pack with you so that you can keep things like raw chicken, meat, or fish inside it.
Discounts
Not many people know this, but sometimes camp websites offer discounts on a campsite during not so warm weather so that they encourage more people to camp. This is another way to save a few bucks. You also need to know that there are discounts for all kinds of camping-related things. For instance, you’ll find a lot of coupons for travel trailers. Campers usually find the best deals on travel trailer rentals when it’s off-season, so if you’re traveling in the middle of the year, make sure you get your discount first. There are other items that have discounts and are not season-related, like cooking equipment, tents, mats, chairs, ice boxes, and a lot of other camp-related items that one might need.
Plan Ahead
When we’re planning to go on a trip, we plan what we’re going to take and leave behind when we’re packing. That is until we reach our destination and realize we’ve forgotten certain items. Normally, forgetting certain necessities might be extremely inconvenient, but it’s still manageable if we’re at a place where these things can be provided.
On the other hand, a situation like that might ruin a camping trip for us because there won’t be any facilities close to you that can provide you with the things that you need. This means that you’ll have to spend gas and money just to find the nearest place that can provide you with what you have left behind. The best thing to do is make a list of everything you need and then go over it with your partner, and then look at it once more just to make sure that you haven’t missed anything.
Budget Plan
While you’re planning what you’re going to take with you, make sure that you create a budget plan simultaneously. This might be a lot at first, but you’ll get used to it after a while. Planning both of these things together will give you a clear mental picture of the items you need with you and how much money you’ll be spending on them. The food you choose to take with you is vital and can make or break the whole trip. It can cost you the most depending on the quantity. If you’re going with your family, you’ll need to prepare for every single meal for the period of your stay at the camping sit. This means that you’ll also need spices, oils, and disposable plates. You’ll also need to take plenty of water and beverages like coffee and tea, which will require milk and sugar. Then you need to factor in gas money, as well as the money you’ll need to pay for your stay. Make sure that you list all your needs down and know how much it’ll cost you so that you can be on top of things and save as much money as you can.
All in all, camping is a beautiful experience that you don’t want to miss out on just because of expensive camping rates. The prices might have gone up, but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t embark on your trip. You’ll be happy to know that there are a lot of ways that you can go on your trip while saving a bit of money. One of them is to avoid hotspots when it’s camping season and to try to travel when it’s off-season. Don’t forget to also avoid places where they offer extra services because these locations tend to get pricey. Remember to get your own meals and drinks with you because it won’t cost you as much. Make sure to look for coupons and discounts before traveling, and finally, make sure that you plan ahead while creating a budget plan.
