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If you're looking to save money on your next camping trip, check out these tips for family camping on a budget!
When it comes to camping, nothing beats a family trip into the great outdoors. But if you're on a budget, camping can seem like an expensive option. Whether you're a camping pro or a first timer, planning a family camping trip can be daunting - especially when you're trying to stick to a budget. Not anymore! In this blog post, we'll share some tips for making family camping more budget-friendly. Follow these tips and you'll be able to enjoy a great trip without spending too much money.
Related: 7 Ways To Save Money On Hiking Gear
Here are some tips for keeping costs down when camping with your family.
The Basics
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Before you move on to things like finding a campground and selecting your campsite, you should first sort out the basics.
Camping Gear
If you are just starting out camping, you may have to spend a lot of money just on the necessary camping gear or equipment. But don’t worry, there are many ways for you to stay within your budget and still get quality gear.
Borrow
While many may suggest you to rent camping gear, you need to understand that renting is also quite expensive. Therefore, the best option is to try borrowing camping gear from family members or friends. However, not all of you may have a camping family member or friend; in that case, you can try joining an outdoor club in your neighborhood and borrow camping gear from a fellow member.
Buy Used Gear
Rather than buying brand new camping gear, which will cost you huge amounts of money, spend some time looking for used items. Go to websites like eBay and Craigslist looking for some great bargains on camping items like hiking boots, sleeping bags, pots, pans, and more. Visit your local thrift store and try and find as much gear as you can. In many of these places, you will also be able to find camping gear that was barely used, which could be of great value to you.
Find Discounts
During some time of the year, you will be able to find some great discounts at various brick and mortar retailers for outdoor gear. You can also get great deals online. However, you need to be swift because some items may be of high demand and get sold quickly.
Tent
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The best way to enjoy budget-friendly family camping is with tent camping. You can find inexpensive camping spots in campgrounds near your home, and also a quality tent that is quite cheap. One thing with tents is that, once you purchase a good quality one, you can use it for several years down the line. Therefore, before you buy a tent, analyze your needs and the different types of tents available and then make a decision.
For instance, if you will be camping with family, it is better to buy a six person tent to enjoy some extra room. Similarly, make sure that you get a three season or four season tent, based on the climatic conditions in your camping region, so your tent can withstand changing weather conditions.
Related: How to choose camping tents?
Campground Selection
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To choose a campground that fits your budget, all you need to do is start your search online. There are a lot of websites online that provide good search tools for this purpose. You will be able to easily find a list of campgrounds in the location you wish to travel to. For budget-friendly family camping, the best option is to choose a campground close to your home. Choosing a camping location that’s just 30 miles from your home doesn’t change or eliminate any benefit of camping that you would otherwise enjoy.
It could be a bit difficult to find campgrounds that fit exactly within your budget. But, remember that there are unlimited options for camping out there and with a little bit of research you will be able to find a campground that falls within your budget, yet with great features and scenery.
Related: How to choose a campground?
Activities
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There are numerous activities you can engage in while camping. Some of the most common activities that wouldn’t cost you a lot of money include: geocaching, hiking, sightseeing, campfire building, biking, and stargazing. In addition, you can also think of different camping games, or carry a deck of cards, board games, etc. to keep yourself and your kids engaged.
Conclusion
The great outdoors can be a wonderful place to bond as a family, and there's no better way to do that than by camping together. But if you're worried about the cost of camping, don't be! There are plenty of ways to make family camping budget friendly.
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