Camping is one of the best ways you and your family can enjoy the outdoors this summer. Although camping is relatively inexpensive, it can still take a big chunk out of your wallet if you’re not mindful of costs. Have you visited an REI lately?
Before heading out on a budget camping trip, it can be wise to find ways to save money before you even go. Here are 5 ways you can cut costs on your summer camping trip without sacrificing quality or safety.
RELATED: 20 Amazing Camping Hacks
Start Saving Early
Budget camping starts long before you even hop in the car and head to the campground. For instance, when gearing up, you can save a ton of money by purchasing used equipment instead of all new gear the week before. You can find a variety of used gear—pots, boots, tents, etc—at local thrift stores, online or at gear swaps and garage sales at stores like REI.
Opt for Versatility in Your Gear
Instead of picking up a specific piece of gear for each need, buy multipurpose items. Picking up gear, clothing and food that can be used for more than one purpose will save you a ton of money and space. For example, I like ground chicken as a meat option because it works great in tacos, burgers, or simply mixed with vegetables or pasta. Bonus Tip: Look around your house for things you already own that can be used at the campsite, such as pots, pans, or even a yoga mat instead of an expensive sleeping pad.
Close to Home
It can be wise and money-saving to choose a park close by, especially if it’s your first family camping trip. This way you’re still “getting away” without going too far, which can be good when you’re camping with young children. Many parks 20 miles from your home offer the same activities and outdoor experiences as a park 200 miles away, so consider saving some gas on your first trip by sticking closer to home.
RELATED: 10 Household Items That Double as Camping Gear
On-Site Savings
When it comes to choosing a site, it’s much cheaper to opt for a primitive site without electricity or running water. Be honest with yourself about you and your family’s ability to handle such a rudimentary location, though; they’re not for every family. Also, keep in mind that some primitive sites are walk-up only, so you’ll want to call ahead to check on their accessibility before booking your stay.
Mind Your Gear
You’d be surprised at how much money you can save by simply keeping an eye on your gear. For instance, rain can swiftly render a stack of firewood obsolete, so keep a tarp on hand in case you need to cover your wood bundle. Also, it pays to keep your cooler in the shade, especially during this hot summer. Leaving your cooler in the sun means you’ll likely have to replace your ice more often, while keeping it in the shade allows you to get the most out of your ice.
Photo credit: Pixabay
20 Camping Hacks
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Use a tarp
One of the heaviest items in any pack is a tent. When you want to cut back, switch to only a tarp. You can drape it over an A-frame and tie it down with stakes. If those eyelets tear through you can always strap on a line using a “monkey fist.” Just wrap the tarp corner around a small rock and tie that off instead. Then tie the loose end to a stake.
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Cook over a fire
Dealing with liquid fuel cook stoves can be a hassle and while propane fueled stoves are great, that’s just one more thing you have to carry. Skip the camp stove altogether and rely solely on the abundant resources around you. Make a fire. But don’t just cook over any fire. By digging a hole and then constructing a small tunnel for air flow, you can have a great backcountry camp stove that works every time.
Photo credit: Rich Wright
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Make an alcohol stove out of a beer can
We’ve all seen the range of fancy camp stoves on the market. But what you might not realize is that you can create a simple camp stove that burns as hot and efficient as an expensive version you might find at REI with just a beer can. Here is a link to a video on how to make one. It just takes some careful cutting and a steady hand. But be warned, you should only use a small amount of fuel and be careful that you do not tip this over as it can start a fire that spreads quickly.
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Baby powder your feet
Wet feet are the enemy of every hiker. Bit when you have to cross a stream, sometimes it’s just unavoidable. For a great way to keep your feet dry or to dry them off quicker once they get wet, carry a small amount of baby powder that you can sprinkle right on those little piggies.
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Use Altoids containers
Let’s face it, most of us buy Altoids breath mints not so much for the mint, though they are delicious, but for the ready-made tin that comes with it. These tiny containers can be used to carry anything, but the most popular applications include first aid kits, fire starter and turning them into a makeshift camp light by rolling up cardboard soaked in wax that can then be lit.
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Use Tic-Tac containers
A Tic-Tac container is another great receptacle that can be reused in the backcountry for any number of purposes. You can store fishing lures, spices or sugar for example.
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Coffee cans make great TP holders
At hunting camps, wet toilet paper and the infiltration of rats and mice can be an issue. A great way to avoid either of these fates for your coveted TP is to enclose the roll in a plastic Folgers coffee container. You can cut a slit down the side for the paper to scroll out and tie it up with a string from the lid.
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Bundle coffee grounds in filters
For many people, they just can’t live without their morning cup of Joe. In the backcountry, coffee can be replaced with tea, instant grounds or even pine needles. But no true coffee drinker can really deal with replacements. For an easy way to have fresh coffee on the go just wrap a tablespoon of grounds in a coffee filter and tie that off with fishing line or a piece of string and dunk it into your cup for instant java.
Lilittas1 | Dreamstime.com - Metal Touristic Tea Cup In Woman Hands Outdoor Photo
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Crescent rolls on a stick
Who doesn’t like crescent rolls? An easy addition to any meal, you can carry a can of crescent rolls and wrap them around a stick. Hold it over the fire for some quick and easy buttery dinner rolls. Or you can also wrap them around a hotdog and then on the stick for added goodness.
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Roast cinnamon rolls in an orange
Cinnamon rolls are another pastry that comes in a can. What a great way to start the morning? For an orange flavored Cinnabon and a great way to cook them easily, place the uncooked dough on an orange slice and set that on a hot bed of coals or rock.
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Use a belt and hooks to hang things
Keeping things organized is an important way for a trip to remain fun rather than frustrating. A great way to organize your things like pots, pans, lights and virtually anything that can hang is by using a belt around a tree. Wrap the belt around the tree and hang simply hang hooks.
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Burn sage to keep mosquitoes away
Mosquitoes can be a huge nuissance in the woods. Sometimes it’s a good idea to revert to the ancient ways of repelling insects such as sage. Bring along a sprig of sage to throw on the fire to keep those pesky mosquitoes away.
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Johnson's baby creamy oil can repel mosquitoes
Keeping mosquitoes off your skin while you’re hiking and away from the fire is another trick altogether. Many people can’t stand the smell of deet and other repellents. And after a day of lathering that it can leave your skin greasy and uncomfortable. A great alternative is Johnson’s Baby Creamy Oil with Aloe & Vitamin E.
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Use cotton balls and liquid soap to remove ticks
Ticks are one of the worst enemies in the woods. They often carry lyme disease, and if they are not removed within 24 hours that lyme disease can transmit into your blood. It’s always important to check for ticks. But what to do if you find one? Attempting to burn or smoke them out is a bad idea and can lead to the tick burrowing further into your skin. Instead, try soaking cotton balls in liquid dish soap and pressing that to the tick. In a few minutes it should stop chewing and likely back out of its endeavor.
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Turn an acorn into a whistle
When you’re lost in the woods or trying to dissuade a wild animal from getting any closer, a whistle is a great thing to use. Every hiker should carry one. But let’s say you forgot it, or your pack got washed down river. Not to fret, there are always acorns. It takes some practice, though, so here’s the technical details.
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An easy hand-washing station
This one’s more for car camping then backcountry. If you need a way to easily wash your hands and don’t want to waste drinking water, you can use an old laundry detergent jug as a hand washing station. And even if you don’t get all the detergent out, you can still use it to wash your hands. Fasten a roll of paper towels to the top to complete the deal.
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Make a lantern out of a water jug
To make a quick lantern, stick a head lamp or glow stick into a plastic water bottle. This you can hang like a lantern for general ambient light that ends up being broader than what the light by itself could provide.
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Put duct tape around your water bottle
There is nothing in the world that duct tape won’t fix. That’s why it’s always a good idea to carry a roll with you. But where to store it? You have a ready-made duct tape storage device in any water bottle. Just wrap that sucker up.
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Bucket, milk crate and toilet seat
Another one for the hunting camp or rugged car camping scenario, you can create a makeshift outhouse with a bucket, milk crate and toilet seat. Just cut hole in the bottom of the crate, place it over the bucket and put the toilet seat over that. Then sit and enjoy.
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Carry a wok
Cooking gear is another heavy item that you can likely do without. For an all-in-one utensil try carrying a Chinese cooking wok. This is a great item you can use to sauté, boil water, wash clothes, pan for gold or even wear it as a hat.
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