RVing doesn’t have to be expensive. There are various ways to help reduce expenses.
Fuel can be one of the largest expenses. To find the lowest-cost fuel near you, tools and apps like Waze and GasBuddy can be invaluable resources. Furthermore, traveling slowly or camping for longer periods may help save on expenses as well.
Borrow Your RV or Camping Gear
One effective strategy for RV camping on a budget is borrowing gear from friends or family. By doing this, you can test out equipment before investing in it yourself.
An alternative is to rent gear from area outdoor and sporting goods stores. They offer tents, sleeping bags and other gear at more reasonable rates. Check your local area to see if there are independently-owned businesses that rent camping gear.
Buy Second-Hand Camping Gear
Affordable camping can include purchasing used outdoor gear from online auction sites such as eBay, Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace – these sites can help you locate this equipment at competitive prices.
Camping and outdoor consignment stores are filled with useful items. While their quality may differ from store to store, oftentimes you’ll be able to find great bargains on quality used gear.
Bring Camping Equipment or Supplies You Already Have at Home
RV camping accessories can make your journey more pleasant. Some items, like an RV leveler, can make setup quicker at each site you visit, reducing frustration.
Other accessories can just add some flair, like a welcome mat to keep dirt out of your trailer. Bring the necessary kitchen equipment from home. Crockpots are a wonderful way to make easy delicious meals on the go.
Simply be mindful not to overpack; each additional item adds weight that your RV must transport along its journey and reduces fuel efficiency. Also be sure that you spread out your load evenly across both axles.
Plan Simple Meals
One of the most effective strategies when camping on a budget is planning simple meals. This may involve pre-making and bringing foods such as casseroles, pasta dishes, and soups which can easily fit into heavy-duty zip lock bags for storage purposes.
Make sure to pack healthy snacks like fruit. They are easy to transport, providing a more economical and nutritious option than expensive sugary or salty snacks. Also be sure to include snacks that require no prep like frozen fruit and nuts for easy snacking.
Bring Groceries Bought from Home rather than Near Your Campground
One of the easiest and cheapest ways for an RVer to save money is by purchasing groceries before setting out on their journey rather than eating out at restaurants or diners. Doing this allows for reduced food costs and oftentimes, food prices near popular campgrounds are more expensive.
Camp During the Off-Season
There are various strategies for budget RV camping; perhaps the best is camping during off-season months. National parks typically impose various rules during the off-season, but many still provide open campsites and stunning landscapes as well as recreational opportunities.
Consider places such as state parks, fairgrounds and private businesses that allow overnight camping – such as Walmart for free RV camping! Additionally, Boondockers Welcome is a membership organization that connects RVers with hosts willing to let them park overnight on their property.
Campendium makes it easy to locate campgrounds and boondocking locations for free using user reviews to search thousands of spots across the globe, providing details such as price, hookup availability, and amenities as well as user feedback.
Camp Outside of National Parks
National Parks often have fully booked campgrounds, yet camping opportunities often exist outside their gates where more space exists for camping. RVs are generally allowed to camp free in National Forests as long as their rules match your RV specifications.
Avoid holiday weekends and peak summer camping seasons when camping fees and crowds are at their highest. One of the most cost-effective RV camping methods is staying on public lands such as BLM or National Park campgrounds – known as boondocking – to minimize costs. However, doing this requires some advance planning and knowing where to go.
Look for Free Activities
RV camping provides plenty of free activities, from some national and state parks offering low-cost admission fees, or walking trails near your campsite, to kayak rentals and free Wi-Fi spots. When visiting national parks, consider investing in a yearly National Parks Pass. Once you purchase the pass, you can enter any national park in the country without paying their regular fee.
No matter where you may roam, there are free activities to be had. From outdoor pursuits to free museums, there’s so much out there to explore without having to pay a dime.
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