We’re lucky enough to have such incredible beauty right in our backyard. Camping is one of the best ways to spend a weekend to transport yourself surrounded by gorgeous nature during our short summers. We’ve got some tips and tricks to have a wonderful experience camping, without having to spend all your hard earned cash.
1. Rent Equipment or Borrow From a Friend
Unless you’re totally and completely dedicated to camping, it’s silly to go out and spend a ton of money on gear. It can get really expensive to buy all new equipment but that doesn’t mean you should go buy the cheapest items you can find. It might ruin your camping experience – it’s just not worth it.
Lots of people also sell their equipment once they’ve moved on to something new so check out websites like Kijiji or eBay. It’s a great way to get high-quality gear for cheap.
Another option is borrowing gear from someone you know as most people are willing to part with their camping gear for a weekend.
2. Find Your Own Campsite
There are a ton of places you can go camping without having to pay a cent. Tons of people have cottages or cabins right near spots that are picturesque and perfect for camping. Tucked away, these places are a bit more difficult to find but if you peruse through blogs like BackRoadMapBooks.com, or ask around, I’m sure you can find the ideal spot you’re looking for. Set up your tent up right by the water in Bruce Peninsula National Park and experience the pure magic.
If you have no luck with that, check out this website for other free camping alternatives. They won’t be as well maintained or convenient to get to as an established site, but an adventure is always fun!
3. Prepare Your Food Beforehand
It’s really easy to spend a lot of money stopping at on-routes or buying pre-made sandwiches. If you prepare your own food beforehand, it’ll help you save a whole lot of money. Here’s a list of meal prep ideas:
Breakfast:
- Instant Coffee Packets & Tea Bags
- Bagels
- Eggs
- Cereal
- Oatmeal
Lunch:
- Pita or Wraps for sandwiches
- Fruit
- Soups
Dinner:
- Hot Dogs
- Pasta
- Instant Mac & Cheese
- Chilli
Snacks:
- Homemade Granola Bars
- Pretzels/Chips
- Nuts
- Fruit – Watermelon & Grapes (Cut Beforehand)
- Raisins
Dessert:
- Cookies
- S’mores Ingredients
- Muffins
4. Spend No Money With These Activities
There are so many fun things to do while you’re camping that cost you absolutely nothing!
- Most campsites are near hiking trails, and hiking costs nothing at all
- If your campsite is near a body of water, you can go for a swim, take a trip out on the water with a canoe, or go fishing
- Mountain biking is a great way to see the area
- You can always bring board games, frisbees, or playing cards
It’s up to you how you spend your time but it should all be about enjoying time with friends, relaxing and exploring the great outdoors. Make sure to bring foods that will be easy to pack, minimize trash and cleanup, and most importantly, satisfy your hunger.
The summer is quickly passing us by so get out there and explore what our beautiful country has to offer.
Featured Image: Instagram/ @zachbaranowski
What are some other tips for budget-friendly camping? Let us know in the comments.
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