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CAMPING FOR MONEY SAVING

July 8, 2020

One of our biggest motivators for starting this blog was our love for travel. But, unfortunately, traveling can get pricey really quick. It can be downright stressful at times, especially if you don’t have the money set aside first. No one wants to run out of money mid-trip, but, unfortunately, it’s a common problem. And then all of a sudden, what’s supposed to be a fun and relaxing vacation morphs into one of anxiety-filled dread as we turn to credit cards to pay for the things we forgot to budget for like meals, happy hours, excursions, museums or other entrance fees and even lodging.

But we have an easy solution for this, and that’s camping.

Camping can be an instant resolve to experiencing a place on even the tightest of budgets. And even if you might be thinking, “I hate camping,” incorporating it into even part of your vacation can be the difference in saving hundreds or thousands of dollars.

Here’s an example of camping’s impact. Let’s say you’re visiting Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado during peak tourist season, and you’re staying at a resort hotel or a vacation rental in the popular mountain town of Estes Park, you’ll easily pay $150 per night for accommodations for just two people. Over a three-night weekend, that’s $450 minimum. And unless you’re staying in a backcountry cabin with no running water, that’s a seriously conservative estimate.

Camping doesn’t have to be reserved for lessening the cost of road trips. You can even incorporate camping into your next far off travel destination.

If you’re an REI member, you can rent camping gear for essentially the cost of a one-night’s stay at a hotel. Chances are, you’ll have a better view while camping too. REI has at least one location in all but 11 states in the US. You can reserve your gear online and simply pick it up at the store. They don’t ship rental gear though. If you want your gear shipped, Arrive Outdoors will ship rental gear anywhere in the contiguous US, and the return shipping costs are included in your order.

Camping is a lifestyle choice. If you’ve never camped before, check out our Camping for Beginners article for an introduction into what makes camping so great. Nervous about your safety? Read our tips on how to Get Over Your Fear of Camping and learn how you can better prepare yourself and enjoy nature. Looking to fuel your wilderness inspiration? See our article featuring 15 Amazing Destinations for your Camping Bucketlist and discover some of the best campsites in the world.

From a money-saving perspective, you can save more than just the cost of hotel rooms. Eating out is another major expense for most travelers, and you can reduce this cost dramatically by making meals right at your campsite or just packing a cooler with your favorite picnic items. Drinking out gets even more costly. Nix that cost entirely and make your own fireside cocktails. We love this ritual so much that we even created a recipe book inspired by campfire libations. Sign up below and receive your free copy!

Going camping? Use our Ultimate Car Camping Checklist to prepare for your next trip!

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