There’s no better way to spend a weekend than packing up the car, heading out into nature, and camping in the woods for a few days. On its surface, car camping should be one of the most accessible ways to get outdoors: You’re not limited by weight, and you should be able to bring everything you need in your vehicle.
And yet, we live in a world where a new tent or cooler can cost hundreds of dollars. And if you’re going with your family or kids, all that gear can quickly lead to sticker shock. However, with a little work and a little planning, it is possible to drive to a campground and arrange a good sleepover—without spending a penny.
When I started camping on mountaineering trips several years ago, I was a very poor graduate student with almost no extra money. Whatever extra money I had was spent on mountaineering, so I had to concentrate on arranging my camp. Here are tips and tricks that let me enjoy the outdoors while saving some cash.
forget weight
If you’re only planning on camping near your car, and not backpacking, you can forget all concerns about weight.
Brands will market things as “ultralight,” but that descriptor is code for “expensive.” So, unless you’re carrying it for miles in a pack, weight doesn’t really matter. Removing a few ounces from your sleeping bag for an extra $100 is useless if you’re just going to throw the bag in your car.
Choose reliable, but affordable brands
When you’re trying to save money, it can be tempting to choose the cheapest brand. However, in the long run, that strategy costs more money, because you’ll have to buy new gear to replace cheap basement items that eventually break. Instead, I focused on buying from reputable, established brands that were a step up from the lowest prices.
Coleman and Igloo are great examples of these types of brands. Their products aren’t the flashiest or most feature-rich, but they get the job done and last a long time. I bought a used one coleman sundome tent Referred to a friend for $20, and I’ve used it for over 6 years. It has survived hurricanes and tornadoes, and it is still going strong. Brand new, it costs less than $100, which is a great value for a long-lasting tent.
For coolers, I use an old fashioned $40 Igloo Playmat Cooler. Its ice retention can’t compete with the YETI. But at the same time, it keeps things cool enough, and it doesn’t cost as much as a car payment.
Besides, I can also write a love letter coleman camping stove Which I bought from Walmart. This stove costs just $70, and it lasts for years. It has two burners and good heat adjustment capabilities. Meanwhile, almost every two-burner stove for sale at REI costs more than $100.
Avoid camping-specific stores when possible
Whenever applicable, avoid purchasing gear marketed for camping, as it is often more expensive.
Take plates and silverware for example. REI’s plates and bowls sell for $6 to $20 a pop. Instead, I bought reusable plastic plates and bowls from Target — the kind of stuff they advertise for college students to use in their dorm rooms. It is indestructible, functional and extremely cheap.
Likewise, you don’t need a special sponge or camping-specific frying pan for camp cooking: stuff you have at home works just as well outdoors. Heck, whenever I go car camping I still bring the usual forks and spoons from my kitchen.
Camping chairs are another great example. nobody really needs this $180 Nemo camping chair. The $20 one you buy from Costco will work just as well. It is not necessary for every product to reinvent the wheel and provide some cool new features. A chair can only be a chair.
shop used
Buying used items is a great way to save on apparel and sleeping bags. Every REI store has a large used-gear section, and many brands have online resale shops these days. It’s also worth checking your local, independent gear shop to see if it offers consignment.
I wouldn’t buy used sleeping pads or tents unless you’ve thoroughly inspected them, as these are some of the items most likely to break. However, if you’re looking for a fleece or daypack, there’s no better place than the used section.
spend on sleep
I think there’s only one thing that’s worth spending a little more money on: your sleep arrangement. A bad night’s sleep is a surefire way to ruin a camping trip, and it’s worth spending the extra $20 to $30 on a good sleeping pad. from sea to peak And elder agnes Both make high-quality, well-reviewed sleeping pads that provide comfort without costing a lot.
If you want a larger pad that resembles an air mattress, Exped’s DeepSleep Duo Pad Fits two people comfortably. The $300 price tag isn’t cheap, but it’s only $150 per person, and our reviewer called the brand’s mattress “durable, comfortable, and stable.” What else could you ask for?
the camp site itself
Established campgrounds can be expensive these days. I recently paid $25 per night for a campsite in Arkansas and $30 for a backcountry site in Oregon.
When possible, look for dispersed camping. In most areas controlled by the US Forest Service, you can camp for free, provided you follow the stated rules and practice leave no trace of morality. Of course, there is nothing at these camping sites: no bathrooms, no water, no garbage collection, etc.
But that’s also part of the appeal: it’s a great way to escape into nature and experience real solitude. Saving money and listening to birds singing in the morning is really a win-win deal.
resist overconsumption
If you’re an avid outdoorsman, you’ve undoubtedly seen social media posts from influencers that read things like: “10 Hiking Pants Hot Girls Wear” or “My Favorite 8 Puffy Jackets You Have to Try.” It’s easy to get sucked into these reels (after all, social media is designed to be addictive).
But it is worth stopping to question them. Who really need 10 pairs of hiking pants, or so many jackets? Instead of following trends and buying more than you need, find a few select products that really work for you.
For example, I tried on several pairs of hiking pants before I found this one. Pran’s halle pants. They were one of the few options that fit my hips and waist properly, so I bought two pairs. While each pair costs $98, I have been wearing them whenever I go out for 5 years. The per-wear cost is quite low at this point.
In New Zealand they have seen me scratching the chimney while climbing and suddenly jumping into the sea. Whenever I’m tempted to buy shorts or pants that are “trendy” or “cool,” I pull my Halle pants out of my drawer and give myself a reality check, a method that has saved me a lot of money.
Brands rely on the fact that people are buying more gear than they need, and advertise attractive new features or technology to convince you to buy. There’s a place for ultralight and cutting-edge gear in the outdoors, but your car camp setup isn’t.
Save the extremely expensive technical gear for climbers, and save some cash for yourself.
